NEWS: Board approves merger exploration feasibility study; funding needed to move forward

Sept. 23, 2024

The Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education approved a resolution for a merger exploration feasibility study during its regular meeting on Sept. 16. 

“The board taking this action does not mean we will merge. Nothing has been decided,” said Superintendent Christopher DiFulvio. “It simply means we are taking the next step towards getting more information on whether a merger would benefit our students and community members so they can then give us feedback on whether we should continue down this path.”
 

A feasibility study could cost up to $100,000 and be a shared cost between the two districts. Typically, districts looking to move forward with the process apply for grant funding, bullet aid, or other aid to help cover the cost. 
 

“We have limited options when it comes to funding the study. The district could apply for a grant, but the window to do that is between April and June. Senator Shelley Mayer, chair of the Committee on Education, is actually pushing to get a bill passed that would allow the state to reimburse districts and fund these types of studies. The Morrisville-Eaton superintendent and I have both reached out to Senator Joseph Griffo and Assemblyman Al Stirpe urging them to support the bill,” said DiFulvio. “It’s unlikely it would be passed in time to help our situation though.”
 

The district has already received $375,000 in state bullet aid, so that’s also an unlikely avenue for funding. 
 

“One of the only other options is getting taxpayers to help cover the cost. It would be a last resort. We are doing everything we can to not put this on them. We’re anticipating less funding for schools and may need to revisit surpassing the tax cap again. Districts across the state are being put in a difficult position. That’s why I want to push for Governor Hochul to issue an emergency executive order to pay for the study,” said DiFulvio. “It’s even a possibility that the board may decide to table the study for now due to the funding issue.”
 

Administrators and the board of education have spent several months researching the impacts of a potential merger. The process started in January of 2024 after the Morrisville-Eaton Central School District approached the district to consider a merger after increased financial incentives were announced by New York state.

 

The district held a community merger presentation in June featuring Cornell University professor and researcher John Sipple who studies how public schools and communities adapt to policies and challenges like mergers. Information shared during the presentation can be found on the district website.

 

The district is still seeking quotes for the study. If the district is able to secure funding, the next step would involve getting the board’s approval of the funding source and group chosen to conduct the study. If one is completed, there would be opportunities for the community to weigh in on the findings and to give feedback.