Why don't more school districts merge in Chautauqua County?

Posted by Ruth Lundin 
on Mar 10, 2014
 
John Lloyd introduced Deke Kathman who is retired from Jamestown Public Schools where he served in many capacities, retiring as Superintendant.  His subject, a very timely one, “Why don’t more School Districts merge in Chautauqua County?”  The simple answer:  strength of “community identity” ties, especially with the home high school.  Schools should merge for many reasons, but Kathman believes primary among these is that merging provides improved educational opportunities especially at the high school level.
 
In Chautauqua County there are 18 school districts, 20,000 students.  Density is 17.  Average district size k-12 is 1,100 students.  Clymer has 400 students with a graduating class of 32.  JHS-5,000 students.
Is 18 school districts too many?  The best comparison is to Oswego County.  Same numbers of students similar density, with half as many districts.
 
Why merge? 
  • Multiple staff efficiencies (administrators, teachers, bus drivers, food service, etc). 
  • NYS incentive aid.
  • Property tax savings
  • Often students want to see the change
  • Student enrollment is projected to continue to decline.  Declined from 23,000 to 20,000 in 10 years.
  • Expanded instruction opportunities, especially at the high school level.
 
Why don’t they merge?   
  • The process of merger that is required by the State Education Department (SED) is tilted toward failure because it has so many obligatory steps.  At any point along the way, a “no” response by either district stops the process and it must start all over again.   
  • Financial concerns are an issue. 
  • Geography/Density too sparse. 
  • Inertia
  • Political non-starter
  • Perceived loss of “community identity” at the high school level. 
 
Relevant developments recently are hopeful, but not sufficient.  They include athletic mergers and shared services, proposed “Regional High School” legislation in Albany, accelerating pressure points.  There are also negative trends pressuring for merger such as less school aid, capped property taxes, diminished rainy day funds and declining enrollments.
 
The one change that could make a significant difference in Dr. Kathman’s opinion is to “un-tilt” SED’s obligatory merger protocol. This could inspire regional high schools. 
 
John Lloyd with President Sharon Hamilton and speaker Deke Kathman.