School 'insolvency'

David O’Rourke, superintendent of the Erie-2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Board of Cooperative Educational Services, spoke to the Rotary Club of Dunkirk this week about a number of issues facing districts. At the top of the agenda was reorganization, distribution of aid and the struggle schools face to provide a basic education.

He also mentioned many times that his job is to support the 27-member districts in his BOCES.

Here is a portion of his speech — regarding mergers — and the "insolvency" issue. There is also a link, at right, to today's Publisher's notebook.