Some County Commission members indicated on Wednesday they would like the county schools to look at consolidating some schools.
Commission Chairman Bill Hullander, noting test score trends, said, "The larger schools are your best schools."
Commissioner John Brooks said, "At some point we need to look at this problem" (of having more schools than any of the other large school systems in the state."
Tommy Kranz, school finance director, said a number of factors need to be taken into consideration when considering merging two smaller schools.
Commissioner Brooks said, "It's a lot easier to fix those than it is to raise taxes."
Supt. Jim Scales said a move to larger schools would take a number of years to carry out.
He said if it is decided to move in that direction, "We need a clear set of guidelines to follow."
Mr. Kranz said, "Small schools have been very successful for Hamilton County. But it means we have added costs."
On another topic, Commissioner Richard Casavant said he questions why members of management continue in the teacher union - the Hamilton County Education Association.
He said, "I never have understood why principals are members of the HCEA."
He said, "We can't continue to have Cadillac operations."
The county schools presented a balanced budget to the commission.