Springfield public school officials are questioning whether they have too many schools.

School board members, administrators and other officials will likely raise the issue in developing a long-term strategic plan this year.

The district is the state's fourth-largest with just over 15,000 students. It has 32 schools including and only three sit on the city's far west side, which has seen the bulk of population growth.

The newspaper found that 23 of 32 school buildings are under capacity this year.

Experts say heating and cooling so many buildings is inefficient. But consolidating schools - and closing the neighborhood schoolhouse - is one of the more contentious issues a community can face.

The district closed two schools last year and saved $245,000.