State Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak used Central Valley School District's first-ever day of school to push two legislative initiatives.

One was Gov. Ed Rendell's call for a commission to create new law encouraging school consolidation. Despite the example of Central Valley -- formed July 1 by the voluntary merger of the Center Area and Monaca school districts -- "it is evident that most school districts are not going to do it without the force of the Legislature," Dr. Zahorchak said.

The other was the governor's proposed budget, which is the focal point of an ongoing battle in Harrisburg. He said if Senate Bill 850 were to become law, its rollback of state education spending would be "devastating to the state school system."

Dr. Zahorchak visited the new district's two elementary schools, which opened yesterday with a combination of Center and Monaca children, and spoke to parents on hand for kindergarten orientation.

"This is a historic day," he told the parents. "I couldn't wait to race out here and be part of it ...

"I admire the community here, and the leaders of the community."

Central Valley is saving about $1 million this year due to the consolidation, and is anticipating another $500,000 in savings when the middle schools and high schools are consolidated in 2010.

First Published: September 2, 2009, 4:00 a.m.