Merger-Reorganization Information

Cazenovia CSD Explores Potential Merger with Morrisville-Eaton Central School District

The Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education approved a resolution in September 2024 to conduct a feasibility study to explore a potential merger with the Morrisville-Eaton Central School District. This decision follows an invitation from Morrisville-Eaton and aims to gather comprehensive data on a merger’s potential benefits and challenges.  

Key Considerations:

• Student Focus: The primary objective is to determine if a merger would enhance educational opportunities for students in both districts.

• Financial Stability: The study would analyze potential cost savings and the impact on taxpayers.

 

Upcoming Events:

Merger Study Community Town Hall Meetings

• Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. at Nelson Town Offices

• Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. at Fenner Town Offices 

• Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. at New Woodstock Library (Children's Room)

• Thursday, Feb. 13 at  6 p.m. at Cazenovia Public Library (Community Room)

 

State Aid and Funding:

If the districts were to merge, they anticipate an increase in total Foundation Aid due to the combined enrollment of both districts. However, the exact amount is uncertain and depends on the final state budget allocation. For more information, please visit the Frequently Asked Reorganization Questions document.

 

The Reorganization Process:

On June 20, 2024, a presentation from Dr. Sipple outlined the lengthy, multi-step process for school district reorganization, including:

• Exploration and Information Gathering: This initial stage involves understanding the reasons behind considering a merger and potential partner districts.

• Evaluation and Scenario Development: The next steps involve evaluating potential partners and creating different merger scenarios.

• Feasibility Study: A comprehensive study would analyze the potential impacts of a merger on various aspects, including staffing, transportation, academics, and finances. The feasibility study is an exploratory phase; the resolution to study a merger does not guarantee that a merger will occur.

• Review: The State Education Department reviews the results of the study? and the Board(s) of Education decide to either? reject, delay, or reevaluate the merger plan?, conduct further study?, modify the merger plan? or move forward with the next steps.

• Public Straw Vote: If the boards are in favor of moving forward, school communities would have separate straw votes, a non-binding vote, to see if the public is in favor of the merger. Petitions are another way to distinguish this, with the board appointing individuals to collect signatures.

• Public Binding Vote: If the merger is favored by the school communities, the State Education Department will assign a date for a binding vote that would solidify against or for the implementation of a merger.

• New School District Formation: A new school district would be established if communities approve the merger. How the districts plan to merge would be shared and discussed throughout the process.

   

Please note that during this process, the districts will be exploring funding opportunities and hosting community discussions. An example of this is working with grant specialists to fund the feasibility study and town hall meetings to discuss possible merger.

Community Engagement:

The district values the input of all stakeholders and encourages active participation in the decision-making process.

• The district will continue to share information through the website and previous notification channels.

• All community members can sign up for notifications for upcoming meetings and other school or district news through the Caz Community Group (via ParentSquare software), a voluntary group for community members who do not have children enrolled in the district. Sign up now at https://www.parentsquare.com/community_signups/94dc9c19-0570-4ecd-bd7a-868cb499bc46/new

 

Additional Resources:

• Dr. Sipple’s presentation tools for school district reorganization simulations and data exploration are available at nyeducationdata.org

 

More Information:

More information will be added to this page as it is available.

 

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Resources: 

Merger Study Grant Process: Cazenovia and Morrisville-Eaton Seek Funding (Jan. 10, 2025)
Board approves merger exploration feasibility study; funding needed to move forward (Sept. 23, 2024)
Dr. Sipple’s Presentation
Reorganizer Tool
Eagle News Article
Frequently Asked Questions
Castallo & Silky - Grade Configuration Study (March 2016)