After summarizing the current literature regarding potential school organizational structures and practices, this report outlined the process that was developed and utilized by four small rural school districts in southern Minnesota in 1980. Emphasis was on maintaining local school districts which cooperated with other schools through an interactive committee structure. The initial programming focused on providing a comprehensive high school program and special education programs for both elementary and secondary level students. Data indicated that the process of reviewing the experiences and suggestions of others aided the four model school districts in adapting ideas from others into their own plan. Besides enabling the districts to retain some aspects of local school traditions and identity, the plan also provided improved educational opportunities for their high school age students. In addition, the districts were better able to study effectively the costs and problems involved in providing comprehensive educational programs. (CM)