(RALEIGH) -- A legislative panel is recommending merging a number of smaller community colleges with larger ones, but school leaders are not sure it is a good idea. Community college system president Scott Rawls said while no campuses would be closed under the plan, the leadership the schools provide would be harmed.

It is estimated that such a move would save the state $5 million a year. "They're often hubs of leadership, hubs of economic development and sparks in places that don't see a whole lot of spark and so to snuff that out for just $5 million in those counties right now I don't think is worth it," said Rawls.

Twenty of the state's 58 community colleges already run multiple campuses. This latest proposal would consolidate 22 additional campuses.