Smaller is better. That’s one of the most-often-uttered arguments against consolidating some of Maine’s schools districts.

But a new report from the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine finds evidence to the contrary. The size of a school district does not have an appreciable effect on quality. The study also finds that many of the state’s school districts are too small to achieve cost efficiency and that there is unnecessary duplication, particularly in administration. In short, there’s potential for significant savings if school districts are consolidated.

School consolidation is politically difficult and quickly becomes an emotional issue for communities determined to hold onto their schools. But consolidation, as the report says, does not necessitate closing schools, although that outcome is possible. Instead, it focuses more on consolidating administration and infrastructure.

Demographic trends, if they continue, will further reduce the number of students served in many rural districts. Compared to national averages, in 2000-01, the state averaged 290 students per school while the rest of the country averaged 506. Likewise, Maine school districts averaged 734 students; nationally, the number was 3,177. Maine’s average school is small and will get smaller over time. According to a Department of Education study cited in the report, the number of K-12 students in Maine is expected to decline by 12.5 percent by 2014.

The study also found that, compared to the rest of the country, Maine has significantly more administrators: the national average is one administrator for every 816 students; in Maine, it’s one for every 393 students.

The state spends roughly 40 percent of its revenue on education, increasing the amount by $250 million in the 2006-07 budget alone. The bulk of local property taxes is also dedicated to education.

It’s not enough to just talk about efficiency and lament the rising cost of educating students. Concrete actions must be taken. Difficult decisions are looming as smaller schools and school districts must contend with dropping enrollments. The discussions need to start, in earnest, now. Perhaps this new report will provide the fodder to get things going.