We're disappointed that school district officials throughout the county weren't interested in considering consolidating with other districts, a suggestion put forth by the Ventura County grand jury two months ago (see related story on page 20)

In their rant against the state Legislature for threatening to gobble up education funds, school officials told us repeatedly how classrooms would suffer and how students would pay the price. Schools have been complaining for years about budget cuts imposed by the state. And yet when a viable solution to cut costs comes around, they quickly dismiss it.

In its latest standoff against Sacramento, education's notsohidden agenda was to protect administrative turf, teacher salaries and union benefits. Never mind that the rest of the economy has been forced to pay a steep price in this recession-wracked economy.

In their rebuttal to the grand jury's recommendation that some of the local school districts consolidate in order to help save public funds, educators again put themselves first and the taxpayers second.

They said no to a combining of buildings and classrooms, and no to the overall economies of scale that result when two school districts join as one. And they said no to a cost-saving consolidation of administrative staff positions because it might mean a reduction in jobs and loss of local control.

It's no secret that bigger school districts aren't necessarily better. For proof, look at Los Angeles Unified School District. But in their rebuttal to the grand jury's recommendation, educators weren't even willing to consider a middle ground. If smaller school districts were absorbed into bigger ones, it would undoubtedly save money, especially for highly paid administrators. For now, each district will remain independent, which at least gives some control to the individual communities. Someday, there might not be a choice. The extra cost for local autonomy in public education could become a luxury. Visit www.theacornonline.com and voice your opinion about the issue in the Simi Valley Acorn's newest poll question: "Do you think the Moorpark and Simi Valley unified school districts should merge into one?"