Neighborhood schools are often the center of their communities; providing an education for students, a meeting place for an assortment of groups, and distribution of information to parents and the public. Notwithstanding their importance, schools often fall victim to downturns in the economy, receiving lower revenues during challenging times. Declining enrollment intensifies existing budget shortfalls, worsening the effect for students. In times of declining enrollment coupled with economic downturns, districts frequently turn to school closure to close budget gaps, leading to strained relations between schools and their communities. This study addresses the actions of site leaders from three schools within one district that were closed simultaneously during the 2008-2009 school year, each with a different outcome. An exploratory research project was conducted to study these school merger events. Interviews with each of the principals were conducted throughout the process and at the conclusion of the closure events. Principals from each school reported varying timing and style of their communications regarding closure with the community; transition activities and closure celebrations were also described as unique to individual sites. Community reaction resulted in emotional responses among the stakeholders of each school; constituents of School A were upset, those of School B were confused by the reconfiguration associated with the magnet, and those from School C were outraged. School A closed and merged as planned; School B was closed and immediately reopened as a magnet by the district; and School C's closure led to litigation against the district, parents sued and won the right to open a charter school on the site. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]