Those in Covington and Alleghany County who are anxious to hear the results this week of a state efficiency study of the two school systems may be disappointed at the lack of specific recommendations.

Evergreen Solutions, a Florida-based consultant performing the study, will present the study's findings to both boards Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the Gleason Forum Hall at Clifton Middle School in Low Moor.

School superintendents from both localities say the meeting could unveil suggestions for cost savings, but likely won't specifically recommend a school system consolidation.

"I do think there are some high expectations for what the study will recommend," said Eddie Graham, the Covington superintendent. "This efficiency review certainly won't provide a blueprint for merging the divisions or provide justification to maintain the status quo."

Graham and Alleghany County Superintendent Bob Grimesey said Friday any information provided at the meeting will be studied further by both school boards before any recommendations are made.

"What the community wants to know is, is there enough compelling evidence from these two reports to justify ... a school merger," Grimesey said. "No one should expect easy answers."

Frustration over the length of the process has at times caused friction in the Alleghany Highlands, a section of the state that has faced economic hardship.

The area, which includes Alleghany County, the city of Covington and the towns of Clifton Forge and Iron Gate, has four local governments and two school systems for a population of less than 25,000.

Former Gov. Mark Warner first authorized the study in 2005. In September, the state's Department of Budget and Planning announced that the $123,000 state-sponsored joint efficiency study of the two school systems was back on track after nearly a year's delay.

Alleghany County and Covington's cost for the study is about $15,000 each. Those fees are being paid by the nonprofit Alleghany Foundation.

State planning officials have said the study could suggest, for example, that both localities could save money over time by combining payroll departments and other services that are duplicated.

But a successful merger between school systems would be a much larger issue, because it would have to address paying for renovations or additions to school facilities in both localities.

Alleghany High School is located in a 500-year flood plain and has flooded three times in recent years. If it's not renovated, at a cost estimated recently at $8 million, then a new high school estimated to cost about $46 million needs to be built somewhere else.

Covington wants to replace its elementary school and primary school with a combined facility estimated at $16 million. Just last week a proposed $34 million to $39 million potential renovation of Covington High School was discussed.

The difference in pay between teachers in Covington and Alleghany County also would need to be addressed in a merger. The salary scale in the county is lower than the city's.