One thing not covered in the article (unless I missed it -- it was hard to read through) is the effect on the extra-curricular activities. For instance, when you have three separate schools, you give three times the number of students the opportunities to play sports, to cheerlead, or to be in the band. The size of a combined school band does not double or triple -- even if it did, the sports teams are always of a set maximum size. Basically, for some things, two-thirds of the kids will be given short shrift.

Not to mention the coaches and their staff.