Ilion and Mohawk CSD give merging one more shot
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: January 8, 2013
And then there were two.
"It's the right number, For me, it's a better fit. In my mind, it fits better then with Frankfort or Mohawk," said Ilion resident, Richard Eldredge.
After failed attempts at a four and three school district merger, Ilion and Mohawk Central Schools are giving it one last shot.
"I really think Ilion and Mohawk will merge this time," said Ilion business owner, Sam Bottini.
Herkimer BOCES District Superintendent, Mark Vivacqua says the State Department of Education gave the go ahead for the two districts to move forward with a possible merger, instead of waiting a year and a day from the defeated three merger vote in October.
"All three districts indicated that they would agree to be released from that original vote, including Herkimer, and that paved the way for the commissioner to lay out the new two district proposed centralization," said Vivacqua.
Before districts can move forward with a vote Vivacqua says two petitions must be filed.
One is a list of at least 100 signatures from the schools in favor of a vote.
The other is to allow a voting place at Mohawk.
So with vote after vote, is two the magic number? Or, are residents "mergered" out?
"I'm sure people are kind of tired, but you have a lot of people committed to this thing one way or another," said Vivacqua.
And the Ilion residents Eyewitness News spoke with say they're both committed and confident in the proposed two district merger.
"I think both villages understand they need it. Consolidation is the secret to money," said Bottini.
"I'm quite confident it will pass. It should pass. It's good for the students, it's good for the children," said Eldredge.
"It's the right number, For me, it's a better fit. In my mind, it fits better then with Frankfort or Mohawk," said Ilion resident, Richard Eldredge.
After failed attempts at a four and three school district merger, Ilion and Mohawk Central Schools are giving it one last shot.
"I really think Ilion and Mohawk will merge this time," said Ilion business owner, Sam Bottini.
Herkimer BOCES District Superintendent, Mark Vivacqua says the State Department of Education gave the go ahead for the two districts to move forward with a possible merger, instead of waiting a year and a day from the defeated three merger vote in October.
"All three districts indicated that they would agree to be released from that original vote, including Herkimer, and that paved the way for the commissioner to lay out the new two district proposed centralization," said Vivacqua.
Before districts can move forward with a vote Vivacqua says two petitions must be filed.
One is a list of at least 100 signatures from the schools in favor of a vote.
The other is to allow a voting place at Mohawk.
So with vote after vote, is two the magic number? Or, are residents "mergered" out?
"I'm sure people are kind of tired, but you have a lot of people committed to this thing one way or another," said Vivacqua.
And the Ilion residents Eyewitness News spoke with say they're both committed and confident in the proposed two district merger.
"I think both villages understand they need it. Consolidation is the secret to money," said Bottini.
"I'm quite confident it will pass. It should pass. It's good for the students, it's good for the children," said Eldredge.
