The governor's proposal to cut the number of school districts in the state by at least half was discussed at the Western Wayne School Board’s public meeting on Monday.
School administrators and board members didn’t agree with its merits in Wayne County, however. 
Superintendent Andrew Falonk said it would be unrealistic to create one school district in the county, considering its vast geography and the student transportation problems that would impose.
“There’s absolutely no way” it would be feasible here, he said. “We don’t see the rationale.”
Wayne Highlands School District is geographically the second largest school district in the state, about one-third the size of Rhode Island. If combined with Western Wayne School District, the two districts would cover more than 600 square miles, he noted.
In February, Gov. Ed Rendell announced that he would like to see 400 of the state’s 501 school districts consolidated - creating only 101 school districts.
Recently proposed state legislation would form a 15-member commission to study how to dice the 501 school districts into at least half that number.
Proponents of the plan, including the state Department of Education, say it would eliminate the duplication of administrative labor costs, thus saving taxpayers money.
Proponents also note that only 10 states in the U.S. have more school districts than the Commonwealth.
Opponents, including the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, say previous consolidation efforts both nationally and in the state did not result in reduced expenses.
“I can’t see for the life of me what he thinks he’s going to save,” said board member Gary Podunajec, of the governor’s proposal.
Opponents also note that consolidations have substantial front-end costs, as one district, for example, pays for the neglected standards of another.
“How do you divvy up that debt?” said board president Cindy Brink.