One of the interesting things that becomes apparent when looking at OPS school costs {and almost certainly LPS as well} is that they seem to have as many small and higher costs schools as do rural areas as a proportion of their population. This indicates quite conclusively that "efficiencies" or supposed "economies of scale" are either mythical or politically "invented". Take a look at the state-wide array of costs, on which the rural schools shown on the far right and whose students are being financially penalized because of costs. Many of those schools on the far right will be clipped in the future. Since school per pupil costs at OPS and LPS {the state's largest and most politically powerful districts} are "officially" concealed by the state department of education, they remain "invisible" to the state senators and are always shielded from criticism. Click below to see the story.