I have taken the liberty of moving this response to its own page: My Take On The Network Review Process. My 'friends' have been most helpfull in pointing out a lot that I have left out. So I am going to be expanding on it over the next few days.

Just to recap:

It is the "network review process" that is the festering sore, not "school consolidation". I stand by my claim.

I will answer in three parts. In this part I will explain why I think that the current network review process is a disaster. By understanding my take on it's failings, you can understand how I arrive at the alternate method that you have asked me to produce. In the second part I will explain my understanding of the small school research to date. In my third and final part, I will present my alternate, and better (of course!) process.

The question "just how were network review areas chosen?" still remains.

The rumour that Wellington should be at the top of the list appears to be false. Just another of those red herrings that fall out along the path...

Again, thanks for giving me a good reason to write some of my thoughts down. I had thought my Weblog was almost finished.