The fact that a straw vote calling for centralization between the Fredonia and Brocton school districts could come as soon as December is bringing with it the reality that there will be two choices.
Prior to Thursday's centralization meeting between boards of education, the "Save our School" group held an outdoor rally along Route 20 in Brocton.
The gathering of 50-plus students, parents and community members was the first public gathering of those against centralization.
"We've met three or four times and we're here to make a statement to show the people that there are alternatives," said group spokesperson Dan King.
As the group held their signs high - "Save BCS No Merger" - King explained that the group's overall feeling is that neither the Fredonia nor Brocton boards of education have answered all of their questions.
"We're not getting all the answers that we want. They can tell us what it's going to cost if you don't merge - that our taxes are going up - but they can't tell us exactly what our taxes are going to be with the merger," King said. "We just want answers to all of our questions so we can make an educated decision."
Thursday evening the two boards were meeting at the Brocton auditorium for the second time - the fourth as a joint board for public comment - but to King the chance to ask questions and receive answers they seek can be difficult.
"You can go before the board and you can see the partiality. If you're for it it's been seen the board members applaud; the other ones, your time is up," he said. "If you're going to tell us the good things we need to know the bad things, and everything. How much will we save if we merge and how much if we don't? We don't know how much we will save if we don't."
Several group members who held signs along Route 20 were past and present students of Brocton Central. To them it's not necessarily the facts and figures but the idea that is keeping them from embracing centralization.
"Our school is so unique and so small, and that's kind of what we like about it," Alison Wahl, freshman at Brocton High School, said. "It's what makes Brocton, Brocton. Everyone here is really close, no one hate-hates each other and we all get along and we're all friends."
"I think Fredonia out-populates Brocton, hands down. I've been in that area enough times, we wouldn't have much of a chance," said Christopher Tanner, 2009 Brocton Central School graduate. "I was one of the smaller time students that tried to get into things that I knew I had no chance at if it was a bigger school, like sports. I wasn't the greatest player in the world. People like me that want to try something new in bigger schools don't get the chance to."
As an alternative to centralization, King said each district should be first looking internally to solve any financial issues it may have.
"It's time to look within to combine and save money, instead of going to Fredonia as the answer to our problems. We have classes that are too small that could be combined. Years ago they had 15-18 students in a class, now they have seven, eight, 10," he said. "Concessions have to be made both administratively and with teachers. Eventually it comes to a point where you can't ask for the moon and expect to get it. Everyone needs to give a little. I can't see why we can't have a superintendent for two or three different schools."
King said he'd be happy if the both schools could present everything they've tried to do to make things work and then show that there is absolutely no other avenue but centralization.
"It could be a good idea ... but more answers to questions need to be put out there," he said. "I'm open, but when you're constantly fed this is what you have to do, then it gets to why aren't these questions being answered."
The group has created a Facebook page, "Save Brocton School," for more information.
Comments on this article may be sent to mrukavina@observertoday.com
