Three district merger forum kicks off in Mohawk
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: June 6, 2012
After a failed four school district merger attempt with Frankfort-Schuyler, the three other districts have moved on.
Mohawk, Ilion, and Herkimer Central School Districts will be holding several community merger meetings over the next 10 weeks to discuss a now possibly three school district merger.
So what's different this time?
"The biggest change is that it's a smaller district. So instead of being a size of a AA school, you're an A school, a little bit smaller. Geographically, we're very small so I think that there's advantages to the three" said Herkimer Superintendent, Gary Tutty.
On Wednesday night, the first community merger meeting was held in Mohawk for residents like Amy Smith.
Smith is a mother of four children in the Mohawk Central School district and with recent cuts, she says she wants the best for her children.
"Mohawk has cut back so many things, and my children really should have more opportunities," she said. "That's why I'm looking forward to the merger, because I think it will give them a lot more."
And Amy Smith isn't alone.
"I'd like to see it go through. I think that will give kids better resources that all three districts can offer rather than one," said Ilion Parent, Jamison Hayes.
But there are still some concerns.
"Now, I only have to run to two different buildings that are within two blocks of my house. If I have to pick up all four of my children, I have to run into three different towns to get them for appointments so that is going to be a little bit of an issue," said Smith.
Despite the concerns, Smith is still confident that a three district merger will be on it's way for the 2013-2014 school year.
The next scheduled community merger meeting will be at the Herkimer High School Auditorium on July 25th.
Mohawk, Ilion, and Herkimer Central School Districts will be holding several community merger meetings over the next 10 weeks to discuss a now possibly three school district merger.
So what's different this time?
"The biggest change is that it's a smaller district. So instead of being a size of a AA school, you're an A school, a little bit smaller. Geographically, we're very small so I think that there's advantages to the three" said Herkimer Superintendent, Gary Tutty.
On Wednesday night, the first community merger meeting was held in Mohawk for residents like Amy Smith.
Smith is a mother of four children in the Mohawk Central School district and with recent cuts, she says she wants the best for her children.
"Mohawk has cut back so many things, and my children really should have more opportunities," she said. "That's why I'm looking forward to the merger, because I think it will give them a lot more."
And Amy Smith isn't alone.
"I'd like to see it go through. I think that will give kids better resources that all three districts can offer rather than one," said Ilion Parent, Jamison Hayes.
But there are still some concerns.
"Now, I only have to run to two different buildings that are within two blocks of my house. If I have to pick up all four of my children, I have to run into three different towns to get them for appointments so that is going to be a little bit of an issue," said Smith.
Despite the concerns, Smith is still confident that a three district merger will be on it's way for the 2013-2014 school year.
The next scheduled community merger meeting will be at the Herkimer High School Auditorium on July 25th.
