Black Knights;
By this time, most of you likely received a postcard at your residence about the upcoming shared meeting of the with the Marion Board of Education and Williamson Board of Education on March 18. Below is more information about this upcoming meeting.
Shared BOE Meeting with Williamson Central School District
A shared meeting of the Marion Board of Education and the Williamson Board of Education has been scheduled for March 18 to discuss and explore a potential merger study. This meeting will provide an opportunity for the Boards of Education from both districts to come together, engage in thoughtful dialogue, and consider the future of both educational communities.
You might be wondering...
Who Facilitates the Shared Meeting of Boards on 3/18?
WFL BOCES District Superintendent, Lynne Rutnik, will be a guest during the Board Meeting on 3/18. She will facilitate discussion around the NYSED Feasibility Study for Reorganization and serve as liaison for both districts with the New York State Education Department.
Will there be Public Comment at the 3/18 Shared BOE Meeting?
The tentative agenda for the Shared BOE Meeting will include Public Comment. The anticipated agenda is as follows:
Meeting Called to Order
Lynne Rutnik: NYSED Feasibility Study for Reorganization Presentation
Open Discussion (BOE Members)
Public Comment: 30 minutes
BOE Vote (as applicable): NYSED Feasibility Study for Reorganization
Adjournment
Will the 3/18 Shared BOE Meeting Be Live Streamed?
It is important to both Marion CSD and Williamson CSD that the Shared Meeting of BOE on 3/18 be livestreamed for access by members of both communities. We are still working with WFL BOCES to identify the best creative solution for technology to do so at the offsite location for this meeting in Sodus. More to follow as information becomes available.
Where Can I Find More Information?
Marion and Williamson are collaborating with the Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES Public Relations team to develop webpages specific to the NYSED Feasibility Study for Reorganization on each of our district websites. We anticipate the NYSED Feasibility Study for Reorganization webpages going "live" on our websites later this week. In the meantime, additional SED resources for consideration:
What is a Reorganization/Merger Study?
A reorganization/merger study for school districts is a formal process in which two or more school districts explore the potential benefits, challenges, and impacts of consolidating. The study is completed by an outside consulting firm and typically involves gathering and analyzing data related to a variety of factors, including:
Financial Considerations: Evaluating how combining districts would impact budgets, funding, staffing, and operational efficiency. This includes examining possible cost savings, increased funding opportunities, or any financial challenges that might arise from the merger.
Educational Quality: Assessing whether a merger could enhance or impact the quality of education provided to students. This includes analyzing resources, curriculum offerings, class sizes, extracurricular opportunities, and student support services.
Community Impact: Considering how the merger would affect the local communities, including changes to school culture, transportation, accessibility, and community involvement in the schools.
Facilities, Logistics and Infrastructure: Reviewing the physical and administrative logistics of consolidating the schools, including facilities, staff distribution, and technology systems.
Legal and Governance Issues: Identifying any legal or governance hurdles, such as changes to school board structures, district boundaries, and compliance with state regulations.
The goal of a merger study is to gather enough information to make an informed decision about whether or not to move forward with a model of consolidation.
Who Decides on a Merger?
Merging school districts is a significant decision that can have wide-reaching effects on students, families, staff, and the surrounding community. As such, New York State requires community engagement, input and vote before a district(s) may move forward with a merger. Community involvement includes:
Public Hearings/Meetings: Public meetings or hearings where community members can provide feedback on the merger study and its potential outcomes are a facet of the merger study process. These meetings allow parents, teachers, students, and other stakeholders to voice their opinions and concerns.
Public Vote: A merger proposal requires approval through a public referendum or vote. This means the community ultimately decides whether the merger takes place.
Legal and Regulatory Requirements: States have specific legal processes that include public notice, discussions, and input before a merger can be finalized. This ensures transparency and allows community members to be part of the decision-making process.
While the BOE plays a key role in initiating and facilitating the merger process, this is a community decision.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and community, and we hope to see you on March 18th.
Sincerely, Dr. Lloyd
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