What's next for two Sullivan County school districts after defeat of merger proposal?

A month after a merger plan was rejected by voters, two Sullivan County school districts are likely to wait several months before testing the waters again.

With a combined enrollment of about 600 students and falling, Livingston Manor and Roscoe school districts have been considering a merger. However, voters rejected the proposal in a straw vote in October.

The measure was voted down by a vote of 217 to 200 in Livingston Manor, and 203 to 157 in Roscoe.

“It was a surprise to me," said John Evans, superintendent of both districts. "I thought there was community support for it. I believe there was some misinformation about what was contained in the study.”

A merger study recommended the districts arrange elementary school in Roscoe and secondary school in Livingston Manor. It showed eight positions that could be eliminated as current staff retire.

The study projected about $20 million in savings could be realized by a merged school district over the next 15 years through additional state aid and reduction of expenses.

Livingston Manor budgeted about $18.8 million for this school year and Roscoe's budget is $10 million.

Evans said a survey of voters has been conducted to find out why the communities did not support the merger. Results were not yet available.

Student opinions surveyed

Meanwhile, an editor of a school newspaper in Livingston Manor led a survey of more than 200 students in both districts about the merger idea, and the results may indicate the sentiment of the communities.

Michelle Adams-Thomas, a sophomore, wanted to get students’ perspectives because they are directly affected.

Of 238 middle school and high school students surveyed, 55.7% opposed the merger. Among their main reasons: longer bus routes, an unfamiliar environment, and the loss of traditions and identity.

Students who supported the merger were in favor of more class possibilities, more team sports, better facilities and the chance to make new friends.

“It would be stressful,” Adams-Thomas said. “I really didn’t want it to happen because we weren’t prepared as students to have such a big change. If we had more explanations of what was going on then maybe I could make a better decision on if I want this to happen or not.”

Angie Hund, a junior at Roscoe Central School, said she was scared of the merger plan at first, but started feeling differently as she got more information. For her, it would mean better sports and facilities.

“It would be a rough adjustment for both schools," she said. "But it would be beneficial for everybody in the long run.”

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School districts that hold a referendum on a merger plan are obligated by law to wait for a year before revisiting the issue. But Livingston Manor and Roscoe only held an informal straw vote, so the requirement does not apply.

According to the minutes at a Nov. 16 school board meeting, Evans said it might not make political sense to reassess community sentiment too quickly. He suggested waiting until April as the state Board of Regents may update the consolidation process for districts and funding to support it.

"If there are any changes or revisions to the merger process by (the state), the boards may decide to look at it again in the future," he said.

“Obviously we’ll continue to look for ways to work together and share resources and programs that can expand opportunities for our students," Evans said. "It’s just unfortunate that there was a financial element that associated with merging that are no longer on the table because that process has stopped.”