Mohawk hosts first community forum for proposed two district merger
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: January 29, 2013
Merger talks and community forums are nothing to for Bill Lennox.
"We've been coming to them since the first merger. Just being a lifelong resident of Ilion, I've taken great interest in it," said Lennox.
After seeing a four and three school district merger fail, the Ilion resident wants to see if Mohawk and Ilion Central School Districts can give it one last shot when it comes to merging.
"Hopefully, because it was originally Ilion and Mohawk that wanted to merge, hopefully we're back to those two schools, that it will be a positive vote," said Lennox.
Bill along with other Valley residents came to the first of two community forums in Mohawk Tuesday night to get more information on the proposed two school district merger.
With topics such as transportation, and district size, Bill says it's crucial to stay informed.
"You have to continue to listen to everyone, there may be new points of view, every time I go I hear something new people discussing," said Lennox.
But it's not just the adults that have opinions on a merger.
"I'd be great for the most part," said Mohawk Student, Marlee Holleren. "Just some of the sports and everything with the sports would kind of be down about it, but the classes and everything would be great."
And while some are all for merging, as a first timer at the forum, one Mohawk resident says he needs more answers.
"It seems like everything's being rushed, and I just want to make sure it's good for everybody in both areas. Both the kids, parents, taxpayers, everybody," said Steven Niermeyer.
The next community forum is set for this Thursday at the Ilion Junior/Senior High School.
The vote on the proposed merger is scheduled February 12th.
"We've been coming to them since the first merger. Just being a lifelong resident of Ilion, I've taken great interest in it," said Lennox.
After seeing a four and three school district merger fail, the Ilion resident wants to see if Mohawk and Ilion Central School Districts can give it one last shot when it comes to merging.
"Hopefully, because it was originally Ilion and Mohawk that wanted to merge, hopefully we're back to those two schools, that it will be a positive vote," said Lennox.
Bill along with other Valley residents came to the first of two community forums in Mohawk Tuesday night to get more information on the proposed two school district merger.
With topics such as transportation, and district size, Bill says it's crucial to stay informed.
"You have to continue to listen to everyone, there may be new points of view, every time I go I hear something new people discussing," said Lennox.
But it's not just the adults that have opinions on a merger.
"I'd be great for the most part," said Mohawk Student, Marlee Holleren. "Just some of the sports and everything with the sports would kind of be down about it, but the classes and everything would be great."
And while some are all for merging, as a first timer at the forum, one Mohawk resident says he needs more answers.
"It seems like everything's being rushed, and I just want to make sure it's good for everybody in both areas. Both the kids, parents, taxpayers, everybody," said Steven Niermeyer.
The next community forum is set for this Thursday at the Ilion Junior/Senior High School.
The vote on the proposed merger is scheduled February 12th.
