This document summarizes presentations and discussions on school consolidation that took place at the 1994 Rural Education Conference held at Western Montana College. The summaries cover the following: (1) a panel discussion on the politics of school consolidation (influences on public opinion, need for balance between state and local control, and school finance issues); (2) "An Overview of the Pros and Cons of School Consolidation," by Paul Theobald; (3) "Forces Supporting Consolidation and Some Alternatives," by Paul Theobald; (4) a panel discussion by school superintendents on changing roles at the county level; (5) a workshop on ideas and options for change that might work in participants' schools; (6) a presentation on the pros and cons of unification of Montana's elementary and secondary school districts; (7) other views on consolidation (college-school collaboration, misconceptions associated with consolidation, cost savings, need for local decision making, and school-community relationships); and (8) some concluding thoughts (on accountability and public responsiveness) by former Montana governor, Ted Schwinden. Contains the conference agenda, lists of presenters and participants, and related resources available from the Rural Education Center. (SV)