Committee Sees Progress In Merger Study
By Joan Josephson, editorial@post-journal.comArticle Photos
Fact Box
''Consideration rests with what is best for the kids and the taxpayers.''
Paul Haley
WNYESC facilitator
The Western New York Educational Service Council consulting firm facilitators hired to conduct the Brocton-Fredonia School districts' merger feasibility study had an important question to settle Saturday.
Glancing out the Fredonia Middle School cafeteria windows, at the falling snow, facilitator Paul Haley asked, ''Who closes these meetings when the snow gets too deep and how is everyone notified?''
That was probably the easiest question raised during the morning session held to discuss the possibility of combining the two schools' curriculum, human resources, finance and community services.
Haley was told the decision would rest with the district superintendents, Fredonia's Paul DiFonzo and Brocton's Jack Skahill.
''Both school districts have telephone notification systems in place and committee members can be made aware of any meeting change,'' Skahill said.
Haley asked that this notification be extended to the WNYESC consultants as well.
''We all live in the Buffalo area and one individual came here last night to avoid any weather problems,'' he said.
That settled, Haley called Saturday's session productive and asked the committee co-chairpersons to report on today's discussions.
Observations from the curriculum committee was that there is close alignment between the two districts on New York state test data results.
The committee suggested the Fredonia and Brocton schools describe how their special education students are identified.
There was also a continuing discussion on how textbooks are selected and the similarities and differences between staffing salaries and benefits.
The impact the possible merger might have on tax rates wouldn't be that significant, facilitator Gerry Close told the finance and facilities committee members.
''The information we have gathered shows that in the Fredonia school district, the Town of Pomfret pays a majority of 87 percent of the taxes while in the Brocton school district, the Town of Portland pays 82 percent,'' Close said.
If the consolidation takes place, he went on to say, there won't be much difference in the tax rate between the two towns.
''The Brocton taxpayers may make out a little better, but not by much,'' Close explained.
Brocton resident Jim Rizzo, a member of the finance committee, said the tax rate might not change much, if the consolidation goes through.
But, he noted, ''What will the tax rate be, if it doesn't?''
Rizzo said there are any number of unknown factors that have yet to be clarified that include the amount of state aid the school districts may receive and the amount of incentive aid they may earn, if they do merge.
''The answers to these questions aren't known, given the cuts Gov. Paterson has proposed for the state budget - at this point, it's tough to make an assessment,'' Rizzo said.
But, he expects the information the committee is scheduled to receive at its upcoming meetings will be meaningful.
Haley reminded the committee members that the final decision about the merger rests with the residents of the Fredonia and Brocton districts.
''Consideration rests with what is best for the kids and the taxpayers,'' he said.
The next study meeting is scheduled for Jan. 31 at Wheelock Elementary School.
The public is welcome to attend these meetings, but may not participate in the discussions.
Questions may be forwarded to committee members or to the Fredonia or Brocton central offices.
|
PhilJulian
|
|
|---|---|
|
01-12-09 7:54 PM
|
Why are we not considering the consolidation of all 18 school districts in the county?
|