Professor says consolidation could save $27 million

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – An education professor says Oklahoma could save nearly $27 million by consolidating its school districts.
James Machell is the dean of the University of Central Oklahoma College of Education and Professional Studies. The Oklahoman reports that he recently released a report titled “Right-sizing Oklahoma Districts.”
The report found that Oklahoma had 525 school districts that served about 700,000 students last year, which is about three times the number of districts in other states with a similar enrollment size.
The report recommends consolidating some districts that have less than 1,000 students. Machell says the state could save nearly $27 million if it only had 200 school districts.
Machell says some lawmakers are pushing for consolidation to reduce superintendents and administrative costs. He says rural residents worry consolidation will hurt their communities.