School consolidation, which saves money, may not be a new idea, but it's one that local school districts should consider more closely as property taxes continue their climb.

The idea received attention last month when the New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief issued its final report. In the report, the commission recommended consolidation be required for school districts with fewer than 1,000 students. The report also said the state should give the commissioner of education the authority to order consolidation of school districts with fewer than 2,000 students.

"As a first step in determining where and how these recommended consolidations should occur, the state Education Department should undertake reviews that examine school districts under objective standards based on pupil enrollment trends, geography, breadth of educational programs, potential fiscal savings and level of tax burden," the report stated.

The commission points out school property taxes are high in this state because New York spends more per pupil on education than any state in the country - an estimated $18,768 in 2008-09. A large portion of spending is due to administrative expenses, which are higher on a per-pupil basis for smaller districts. The state has a lower average district size - 2,500 students per district - than the U.S. average, which is 3,400.

The commission recommends consolidating districts, not necessarily closing schools. Districts can save money by centralizing the administration of new, larger districts while still keeping school buildings open, especially where geographic distances are great.

Fulton and Montgomery counties have several school districts with fewer than 1,000 students and others with between 1,000 and 2,000. The Northville, Oppenheim-Ephratah, Wheelerville, Fort Plain and St. Johnsville districts all have fewer than 1,000 students. Other than the Gloversville Enlarged and Greater Amsterdam school districts, all of the other districts in Fulton and Montgomery counties have fewer than 2,000 students, according to 2006-07 enrollment figures listed by the state Education Department.

Local school districts have consolidated in the past. Just this week, the Wheelerville Union Free School District reacted to consolidation proposals from the Johnstown and Gloversville districts. Each of the two city districts suggested absorbing Wheelerville, which has an enrollment of about 150 students. Wheelerville apparently is uninterested.

Local districts shouldn't wait for the state to require consolidation. They should consider taking the initiative now to review possibilities with neighboring districts. In many cases, consolidation would be the right decision.