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School District Merger Study

Alfred-Almond, Arkportand

Canaseraga Central Schools

January 30, 2014

Castallo and Silky Education Consultants

Alan Pole and William Silky, Consultants

Why Consider Reorganization?Increase/maintain course offerings for studentsUpgrade facilities and equipment More cost effective administrative structureEliminate duplication of facilities, equipment, and staffConsolidate and coordinate support functionsReduce taxes

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Why Reorganization May be Difficult

Fear of losing local identityPerception the communities areincompatibleUncertainty over board representationLess personal attention for studentsBusing time for some students may be

increasedFear of losing job security by employeesNatural resistance to change

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Purpose of the Merger Study

To paint a clear picture of each district so that its neighbors have a good understanding of the assets and liabilities it brings to the merger

To develop a set of recommendations for the new board of education to consider regarding district organization, program, facilities, transportation, staffing, and finances should a merger occur

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Parameters for the Study

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Scope of the Study: Use data to provide objective information on:

-Adding classes/reducing staff-Creating building configurations by grade level-Adding bus runs/drivers-Calculating potential staffing savings-Assessing financial impact of the merger

Outside the Study Scope: Make decisions for the merged district:

-Name, colors, or mascot for the new district-Identifying classes to be added/staff reduced-Developing bus routes with stops-Deciding when staff savings might be realized-Deciding how financial decisions will be made

The Merger StudyProvides information for school district officials,

the communities, and the Commissioner on enrollments, program, facilities, transportation, staffing, finances, etc.

Facilitated by consultantsOverseen by school/community advisory

committee of 18-21 peopleLocations rotate between school communitiesReport is the responsibility of the consultantsAll 3 Boards of Education decide how to

proceed with the final study

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The ConsultantsBring an outside, unbiased perspectiveHave no local stake in the outcomeWill conduct the study in a fair mannerWill ensure that the process is openWill maintain contact with the State

Education Department and the District Superintendent

Will produce meeting notes after each committee meeting

Will be responsible for the final report

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Recommendations in the ReportWill benefit student learningWill be sensitive to the unique cultural

contexts of the school districtsWill be independent of special interest

groupsWill be educationally soundWill be fiscally responsible and realisticWill not recommend whether or not a

merger should occur

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The School/Community Advisory Committee

Equal number of people from each school community…for example:

1 teacher1 building administrator1 support staff4 community members

Superintendent and business office staff serve as advisors to the committee

Function is to advise the Boards and the consultants, communicate with the public, and prepare informative materials

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Expectations of Committee Members

Attend all committee meetingsFreely express their points of viewBe a key communicator with

stakeholder groupsBe respectful of the committee and

and the study processBe a positive contributing member in

other related committee activities

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Committee Meeting Dates(Tentative)

• April 10, 2014-Enrollments• June 5, 2014-Program• August 6, 2014-Facilities• October 2, 2014-Transportation• November 20, 2014-Staffing• January 8, 2015-Finance• March 5, 2015-Final Report

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Time Line for the Study/Merger(Draft)

January 2014-Boards meet to begin studyApril 2014-Study beginsMarch 2015-Study completedApril 2015-Study reviewed by S.E.D. May 2015-Study presented to Boards June 2015-Public information and discussion July 2015-Boards decide to go forth*August 2015-Advisory referendum*October 2015-Final referendum*April 2016-Vote for new Board members* May 2016-Budget vote July 1, 2016-New district begins operation*

12*Decided in conjunction with the State Education Department

Informing the Public

District newslettersNewspaper articlesDistrict web sitesNotes from advisory committee meetingsPowerPoint presentations from advisory

committee meetingsOpen advisory committee meetings-for

observation and limited comment SOON-Joint press release announcing the

study and the advisory committee

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Questions????

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