ASHVILLE — With the initial first steps for the Clymer, Sherman, Panama Merger Feasibility Study underway, the next step comes at the beginning of this month with the official kick-off meeting for the public.

This meeting, scheduled for Thursday at 5 p.m. at the BOCES Hewes Center, 2615 North Maple Avenue in Ashville, is slightly different from the previously held CSP joint board of education meetings, as this meeting is specifically a public meeting and not a formal board meeting, so the boards will not be conducting official business.

CSP Merger Study Project Coordinator, Shelly O’Boyle, said the Jan. 8 meeting will serve as the official launch of the study, where the boards will introduce the independent consulting firm, White and Partners, and their dedicated team who will be conducting the study with “expertise and impartiality.”

“White and Partners will provide a comprehensive overview of the study and what it will deliver,” O’Boyle said. “The public will walk away with an understanding of the seven areas that the study will analyze and a timeline of the study process.”

People should be interested both in the study and coming to the meeting, O’Boyle said, as the merger feasibility study focuses on the future quality of education for the students and the future fiscal impact on their communities. The study is set to objectively analyze the potential benefits and challenges of combining school districts, providing data to school boards and communities on financial stability, improved educational opportunities like advanced courses, special education, facility use, transportation, and tax impacts, ultimately guiding the decision on whether a merger is viable and beneficial for students and taxpayers.

“The Boards would like the perspectives of parents, students, community members, staff, faculty, and administrators,” O’Boyle said. “This meeting marks the official start of the research phase. It is the critical step where the Boards and their communities are presented with the study’s scope and structure.”

O’Boyle noted that this kick-off meeting is an early, foundational step, preceding any findings or recommendations and that no decision will be made without the rigorous analysis that is now beginning. Along with this meeting, the next step in the merger process also includes forming a steering committee. The steering committee will be made up of eight stakeholders from each district with representation from students, faculty and teachers, support staff, administration, parents/PTO, and the community. The steering committee is being formed now and those interested are asked to visit their district’s website or call their district for more information.

Other ways for community members to participate are available in the coming months, including through completing surveys and participating in upcoming community forums and focus group meetings.

The meeting on Jan. 8 will be recorded as well and placed on the three districts’ websites for those unable to attend the meeting.

“This is the start of the study,” O’Boyle said. “The three Boards are unified in wanting to ensure this is a clearly understood process, reflective of stakeholder input. The communities should expect transparent communication throughout the next few months before a final report is presented in June. The Boards want to assure that recommendations from the study are fact-based, fiscally responsible, and reflective of the priorities of every taxpayer and family. The Boards urge residents to engage with the many opportunities for input that will follow this initial

launch.”