This paper examines the politics of public school closings and suggests strategies for effective management of school closings by administrators. Issues which are covered include: (1) the effects of public school closings on students, teachers, parents, and the community; (2) the trend of declining enrollment; (3) management approaches to closings which include demographic, maintenance, desegregation, and neighborhood considerations; (4) citizen participation; (5) rural consolidations; and (6) urban school closings with regard to desegregation and neighborhood impact. The paper concludes with a section on effects which need further investigation, and calls for anticipatory planning on the part of local, State, and Federal agencies. (ML)