Book excerpt: The author's "School District Consolidation Study in 10 Michigan Counties" study was published in August, 2010 by The Education Policy Center at Michigan State University. It was intended to measure the financial impact of consolidation of schools at the county level akin to other states like Virginia, Florida and Maryland. The study was recently critiqued by his colleague at Michigan State University, Dr. David Arsen in a paper entitled, "Observation on School District and Service Consolidation in Michigan" (January, 2011). Professor Arsen concludes that the most striking feature of the study is its assumption that the rate of saving would be the same for every district. A careful reading of the paper would clearly indicate this is not the case. The author specifically states that the estimated saving percentage "may not apply equally to all size districts." The average numbers may over-estimate the saving for school districts with 10,000 or more students and under-estimate the savings for districts with 1,500 or less students. The linear straight line regression equation is intended as an overall estimate for the 10 counties studied, and by its mathematical traits will over estimate for some districts and under estimate for others. There are virtually no comprehensive and scientifically designed research studies on the financial impact of consolidation at the county level. Most of the studies deal with the specific consolidation of few districts in rural areas, so it is not possible to judge which estimates are accurate and which are not. In most cases judgments are made based on emotions by proponents, or opponents, of school consolidation. [For the report, "Observations on School District and Service Consolidation in Michigan. Working Paper #17," see ED537161.].