Possible Three District Merger up for discussion
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: January 25, 2012
The four district merger proposal failed, but now the possibility of a
three district merger with Herkimer, Ilion, and Mohawk is up for
discussion.
Some of the feedback the Herkimer Board of Education received in regards to the four district merger was, are they moving to fast and do they actually think they can do this kind of reorganization between January and July of 2012.
Herkimer resident, Douglas Miller isn't afraid to admit he voted against the possible four district merger.
He says it all happened way to fast. But now, after learning more information, Miller says merging is a must.
"I think if we spend a little more time, an extra year, 18 months, they'll be able to address those and come up with answers that the public wants to hear," said Miller.
With the discussion of a now possible three district merger, Herkimer Interim Superintendent, Gary Tutty says there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.
"We're going to have to work with the State of New York and The State Education Department to find out what kind of timeline we have, if there is an interest," said Tutty.
School Board President, John Cipriano says they also must review and re-work the plan so it fits the mold of the three district merger.
"As of now, we tentatively have support from all three school boards and all there remaining superintendents to do a rework of the plan," said Cipriano.
Most everyone agrees that changing up the plan isn't going to happen over night, or even in the next school year.
Douglas Miller says that's perfectly fine with him.
The three districts plan to have a meeting this Saturday to continue the discussion.
Some of the feedback the Herkimer Board of Education received in regards to the four district merger was, are they moving to fast and do they actually think they can do this kind of reorganization between January and July of 2012.
Herkimer resident, Douglas Miller isn't afraid to admit he voted against the possible four district merger.
He says it all happened way to fast. But now, after learning more information, Miller says merging is a must.
"I think if we spend a little more time, an extra year, 18 months, they'll be able to address those and come up with answers that the public wants to hear," said Miller.
With the discussion of a now possible three district merger, Herkimer Interim Superintendent, Gary Tutty says there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.
"We're going to have to work with the State of New York and The State Education Department to find out what kind of timeline we have, if there is an interest," said Tutty.
School Board President, John Cipriano says they also must review and re-work the plan so it fits the mold of the three district merger.
"As of now, we tentatively have support from all three school boards and all there remaining superintendents to do a rework of the plan," said Cipriano.
Most everyone agrees that changing up the plan isn't going to happen over night, or even in the next school year.
Douglas Miller says that's perfectly fine with him.
The three districts plan to have a meeting this Saturday to continue the discussion.
