Student enrollment in Pennsylvania public schools continues to decline, but school costs continue to rise. In the next 5 years, the Northern Area of Allegheny County will lose the equivalent of one of the larger school districts. Substantial cuts in teaching and administrative positions have already taken effect. Over the last 25 years, Northern Area school districts have been involved in a number of cooperative efforts, including the establishment of a special education center, a technical school, and a joint purchasing program. Recent enrollment data have led to the suggestion that additional cooperative programs be instituted in such areas as energy management, maintenance supervision, and transportation management. Northern Area superintendents have already endorsed workshops on child abuse, and a January 1982 meeting of the committee selected to discuss Long Range Plans for School Improvement has isolated curriculum and instruction, instructional concerns relative to management, management issues, and staff development as four major areas of concern for a meaningful and lasting program of school improvement. The current financial situation dictates an increasing need for cooperative ventures among school districts. Included in this paper are four lengthy appendixes with numerous charts and tables concerning Northern Area Allegheny school districts. (JBM)