A Western New York downsizing advocate known for campaigning to reduce the size of local governments is now taking his fight to school districts. YNN's Ryan Burgess tells us if voters could soon be deciding whether to consolidate school districts in the region.

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"The rate at which Western New Yorkers are fleeing our community is accelerating. And as a result, enrollment in 26 of our 29 school districts has declined, while spending has absolutely shot up," said Gaughan.

Gaughan is well-known for his movements to downsize town boards and village governments. Now, he has drafted a bill that would amend the state education law to allow voters to choose whether to consolidate school districts.

"If that ever happened, all of the schools would retains their name, and their identity, and their mascot. It would just combine the number of administrators, so neither the principals or the teachers would be effected," said Gaughan.

But this movement, like other downsizing campaigns, is sure to face resistance.

"It's not simply a couple of seats at a town board table," said Dr. Mark Crawford, superintendent of West Seneca Public Schools.

Dr. Crawford said this a matter of thresholds, citing a recent University at Buffalo study that examined this very issue. He said the study indicates it's not a good idea for larger school districts to consolidate because they would lose activities and academic programs without saving significant money.

"Because now you've created a superstructure, you're going to have to maintain curriculum directors and assistant superintendents, pretty much that you have in the first place anyway," said Crawford.

A letter detailing Kevin Gaughan's plan has been sent to Governor Cuomo for consideration.