Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz continued his community discussions on potential school mergers Wednesday, focusing on schools in Alden and Akron.

Enrollment numbers have decreased in both smaller districts in recent years and yet they continue to spend more on administrative costs per student than others.

"If Akron and Alden did merge, without eliminating any teacher or closing schools, there's a potential for over $400,000 in administrative savings,” Poloncarz said.

Bruce Fraser of the Erie County Association of School Boards says the state needs to do a better job of funding schools, adding that “the costs of education are not directly related to merging.”

Poloncarz will hold his final discussion on May 29, exploring the idea of merging the eight districts in Cheektowaga.