This report analyzes the effect of public participation and the use of third party neutrals on recommendations for reorganization of a large Ontario school system. To reexamine the system, expand programs, and consolidate schools, the board of education commissioned an advisory council in 1984 to obtain community input before making recommendations and to allow intervention by six former school board chairmen acting as neutrals between the board and the community. the council solicited written responses from community members and held meetings. The report concludes that change is difficult for most communities to accept, but that community involvement in decisions that affect them is critical. Most communities view their schools and teachers positively and offer constructive solutions to problems. Delegations were well prepared in expression of their views. Communities generally believe that the methods helped to gain understanding of the educational system. When decisions were made to close schools or to consolidate programs, the public primarily had had its say, although several decisions were unresolved. The third party neutrals deflected public criticism away from the elected trustees, and the former chairmen were accepted as being knowledgeable, thereby removing some of the politics from the politics of education. (CJH)