Educational network reorganization in the regions is becoming increasingly relevant as municipalities strive to adapt to declining student numbers and use public resources more efficiently. Marijampolė and Šakiai municipalities in Lithuania are undertaking ambitious reorganizations of their educational networks, including both school and preschool institution reforms. In the context of political decision-making, it is crucial to understand the criteria guiding local authorities in carrying out reforms and the social and institutional impacts they foresee.

The aim of this study is to investigate the principles political decision-makers follow when reorganizing the educational network, the strategies they use to manage resistance, and how they assess the long-term impacts of reforms. The study applies document analysis (municipal council decisions, reorganization documents), secondary statistical data analysis (student numbers, financial indicators, staff structure), and qualitative interviews with municipal leaders.

The analysis is based on a public policy implementation evaluation model, encompassing dimensions such as effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability, and equity. Results reveal that political leaders often need to balance economic arguments with social consequences. One of the biggest challenges is community resistance, teachers’ adaptation difficulties, and maintaining education quality in declining regions.

The findings show that political decisions often balance between the need to save funds and the desire to preserve social cohesion in communities. Leaders identify the most frequent challenges as strong community resistance, teachers’ fears about job security, and difficulties in maintaining service quality in remote areas. Politicians emphasize that success depends on transparent communication, data-driven decision-making, and a long-term strategic vision.

The study’s findings may be useful for developing strategies that reconcile financial sustainability with social responsibility, aiming for long-term and socially sensitive outcomes in educational reforms.

Keywords: Political decision-making, network reorganization, impact assessment, education policy, municipality.