“Merger Mondays,” a series of virtual public forums to discuss the proposed merger between Schenevus and Worcester Central school districts, will begin in February and continue through June.
Consultants Castallo & Silky LLC recently completed an annexation merger study report as the first step in the process of exploring a merger between the two districts. The full annexation merger study report can be read online at http://www.mscsw.org. Printed copies are also available at the district offices of both school buildings. If you would like a printed copy, please call either district office.
“Merger Mondays” will kick off Monday, Feb. 8, and continue on the second Monday of each month. The Feb. 8 meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature Board Presidents Stacie Haynes of Schenevus and Bill Fisher of Worcester. A link to the livestream will be posted to both districts’ websites and social media the day of the meeting.
For future forums, the districts will be reaching out to guests that may include; students from both districts, local elected officials, and representatives of other districts that have gone through the merger process that resulted in a successfully merged district.
These informal conversations will give the community the opportunity to continue to learn about the merger process and to ask questions about the issues that a merger could present.
District residents can also expect to receive a printed newsletter highlighting the findings of the merger study report this spring. While the report does not argue for or against a merger, it does include recommendations for a merged district, if an annexation merger were to occur. The report also details the merger incentive aid that would be available to a merged district.
The Schenevus and Worcester boards of education are expected to decide in June about putting a merger proposal before the public for a vote. More information about the merger vote timeline can be found on the merger website, http://www.mscsw.org.