Mayfield and Northville boards vote toSeptember 1, 2010
The Northville and Mayfield boards of education have voted to move ahead with a feasibility study for merging the two districts. Both boards also authorized their superintendents to apply for a $35,000 grant from the New York State Department of Education and Local Government Efficiency Grant Program, which would allow the districts to retain an experienced, qualified consultant to conduct the feasibility study.
The Northville board approved the resolutions during a joint meeting of the two boards Tuesday evening in the Northville library, while the Mayfield board approved similar resolutions during a special meeting Thursday morning.
The boards have been meeting since July to discuss the possibility of merging or sharing services. The second joint meeting included a presentation by Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery Board of Cooperative Educational Services (HFM BOCES) Interim Superintendent Mark Vivacqua, who described the merger process and discussed the financial incentives available from the state.
"This is a key step in our exploration of sharing services or reorganizing our districts," said Mayfield Superintendent Paul G. Williamsen. "We need to keep all of our options open. Merging is an option that could prove to be very beneficial for both districts and, most importantly, our students."
Both districts faced difficult financial decisions last spring that included staff cuts and program reductions. In addition to the financial crisis at the state level, both districts are owed money by the Hudson River Black River Regulating District (HRBRRD), which is also facing a funding crisis.
"The incentives offered by the state for schools that are willing to merge are substantial," said Northville Superintendent Kathy Dougherty. "A merger could allow us to offer expanded academic programs and extracurricular opportunities, sustain employment and help offset taxpayer expenses."
The next joint meeting between the two school districts is scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 27, in the second-floor room of the Mayfield Jr./Sr. High School library. During that meeting, the two boards will hear from a group of consultants that has experience conducting merger studies.