Anti-merger group holds rally on Route 20
By MICHAEL RUKAVINA OBSERVER Staff WriterArticle Photos
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
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broctonballer
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12-06-09 12:04 PM
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Bill do you live in Westfield? Simple yes or no question no explanation needed.
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BillWestfieldNY
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11-23-09 8:18 AM
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The pro-merger group are the same people who pushed for spending millions on building projects at Brocton, if the merger is past in 3 years or less Brocton will be closed. Were those building projects a worth while investment, NO. At the time could the BOE see enrollment was declining, Yes. What kind of leadership would push for building projects what now will be worthless if the merger is passed? The same type of people who are now telling you the merger is a good idea. These pro-merger people could care less about the kids, about the taxes, about the communities. All they want is their agenda passed. They don't even know why they want their agenda passed they just do. Its all group thinking, follow the sheep.
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BillWestfieldNY
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11-23-09 8:13 AM
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Comments like I know the facts, I have gone to the merger meetings, I have inside people and information, I have read the study. Those people and those so-called facts are all put up by individuals like PAID-MERGER ADVISORS. People need to get a wider view of the merger, read about other mergers which have been voted up or down. Talk to Westfield residents, understand that after WESTFIELD was told taxes would increase they had over $850,000 in surplus money. Look at different options. Having Pro-merger people say they know all the facts is wrong because they have looked at the facts from those promoting or getting paid to get the merger passed.
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BillWestfieldNY
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11-23-09 8:06 AM
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It would really be nice to know the personal accomplishments of those who post?
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Whattheheck
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11-22-09 10:18 AM
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Captain, I am sure that engineers and scientists all learned from their parents the complicated formulas and theories necessary? Give me a break. Everyone has to learn from someone - whether it is from a classroom, practical experience or textbook. Knowledge is passed on from somewhere and since most kids are in school (if they show up - and some parents don't make them so let's not go there) 7 hours or more a day I would think that yes teachers DO have an impact on society heavily. Yes parents are extremely important, but I could never teach my daughter physics or cosmetology because I have not been trained to do that. And besides content, teachers must also deal with issues kids come to school with because of parents who are NOT doing what they need to for their kids. So how can that NOT be the most important job? Some kids ONLY get positive feedback or caring (or a meal) at school.
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Steveo
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11-21-09 8:33 PM
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These are our salaries at bcs that need to be trimmed or eliminated, and this is just a start! The School needs to be run like a business!!!!! Brocton Central Schools Skahill Jr, John $120,646 Brocton Central Schools De Land, Betty A $69,612 Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES Osborne Coy, Jennifer C (the pr person ...for Brocton) $49,261 those figures are from 04/2008 and have jumped a lot since then. unbelievable! and why do we need a public relations person from boces?
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broctonballer
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11-21-09 7:41 PM
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Well captain. I must say. THAT IS AN OPINION. My opinion is that they have made me what I am today. Of course my parents are huge parts of it, but that goes without saying. How stupid can you get? Without the guidance of some teachers, and left to the devices of others, I would be a much much different person then who I am today. Not for the better.
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Captain
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11-21-09 4:46 PM
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broctonballer must be an orphan? ...gems in our society??? Gimme a break. There are a lot of good teachers, but let's face it, they essentially pass along info that they've learned, and contrary to what teachers want you to believe, they are not the single-most important contributor in society...even if you think they are.
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broctonballer
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11-20-09 8:47 PM
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Teachers shaped me and made me who I am today. They are gems in our society. They are the reason I will be a successful person.
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Whattheheck
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11-20-09 8:31 PM
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hart78 - I say good. Level up the teachers for a change. What they do is invaluable. If you think it is such a great deal to teach you should try it and get those whopping salaries that teachers use to buy their Mercedes cars and diamond rings. Give me a break.
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Whattheheck
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11-20-09 8:27 PM
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Got cut off - Wall Street. Our "leadership" in Albany has relied on Wall Street to solve the financial issues for far too long and that is who we should be complaining to. Julie8 - do you not understand that the cap is for when a budget is voted down? I believe that in 1991 or 1992 Brocton had a 28% tax increase. So where was the cap then?
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Whattheheck
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11-20-09 8:23 PM
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I take offense to the teacher bashing. Most teachers (my parents are retired teachers and my sister is a teacher) do not make millions of dollars, yet put in long hours, work weekends, take work home and must hold Master's Degrees to keep their jobs. In addition, they only get gradual increases between 3-5% and that is in a good year. In some contracts the big whopping raise can be say $200, especially the first few years when they are "paying their dues" and getting their experience. Most starting teachers make less than police officers and many teachers teaching for 30 years or more do are making around $60000. They can not negotiate individually based on performance, and basing salaries on test scores is unfair because NO one would want to teach the struggling students because they would never get a raise. We complain about teachers but not about bankers taking taxpayer money to pay bill dollar bonuses. Teachers are not bankrupting our state, it starts and ends with Wall
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broctonballer
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11-20-09 7:50 PM
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That is insulting.. We are a democratic nation, and using our freedom of speech and expression just like the framers of the constitution intended. Pro or anti merger I do not care, those insults aren't welcome here.
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HaveANiceDay
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11-20-09 6:45 PM
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Captain wants everyone to earn what teachers earn. Sounds like socialism to me!!! From your previous comments I never would have pegged you as a commie!!
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broctonballer
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11-20-09 5:20 PM
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Thank you whattheheck. I completely agree with what you said. And in the word of Charles Loveland,even if the merger does cost more, if it is to help our students, I would pay more. I agree with him as well. Its about US. Its about US getting into college. WE are the ones who will be YOUR future.
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Captain
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11-20-09 4:51 PM
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There's no difference between scare tactics & comparing "other areas of the state" to gain someone's support for your position. Do you really believe those "other areas" have the same avg income level as us? Schools districts are SUPPOSE to provide what they can REASONABLY afford within the taxpayers' means, and apparntly, we're having a difficult time paying for what we offer now, yet you claim there's always room for improvement (higher costs)? If we all made what the avg teacher makes, maybe we could offer more. And student test scores (based on what we're paying) is a WHOLE other issue.
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Whattheheck
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11-20-09 4:06 PM
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Rumors and innuendo - here we go again. Spreading gossip to scare people so they will vote no. If people want to vote no then they have the right, but I want to know what solutions besides cutting teacher positions, extra curriculars, raising class sizes and basically providing a bare bones education to our kids? Do people realize that in other areas of the state kids are being offered several languages, sports like lacrosse, and other opportunities for kids to compete for spots at top colleges. Obviously our schools are doing a good job, but they can always do better. And why not vote to keep the discussion open - because at the moment the vote is a yes to keep the conversation going. Then the binding vote is when to really decide. But why kill it when we can get more info? Dunkirk? It will never happen. End of discussion.
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PhilJulian
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11-20-09 2:48 PM
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Broctonballer - The laws regulating city school districts are made in Albany and they can be changed in Albany, especially in these times when everyone is talking about consolidation and mergers. Dunkirk currently has about 2100 students and Fredonia about 1700, a total of 3800. Jamestown has over 5000 students so a combined Dunkirk and Fredonia would still be over 20% smaller than Jamestown. Dunkirk receives about $20 million in state aid per year. Given the 40% merger incentive the increase in state aid at Dunkirk would be $8million. Add to that the increase in Fredonia and we are talking big bucks to help local taxpayers. Of course the two communities are virtually joined at the hip so busing requirements would be minimal and less objectionable. Let's not let the false barriers stop our progress. The law on city districts is nothing but an excuse and it can be fixed.
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HaveANiceDay
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11-20-09 2:42 PM
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Greedy teachers!! I love it. Maybe you're being influenced in your opinion by the situation at CLCS. All other teachers usually recieve a raise of 3%-5% not 8-10%. Teachers are college graduates and in many cases hold a masters degree. Yeah the old way of awarding masters degrees was a joke, but today teachers must obtain a masters degree in their certification area. All of you seem like educated people. Think about this the next time you bash a teacher. Would you be as successful as you currently are without the collective efforts of your teachers from K through 12? People aren't born doctors or physicists or judges. They all have one thing in common. A teacher TAUGHT them!!
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Steveo
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11-20-09 2:22 PM
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A friend got a telephone call today from a Fredonia Board of Education member who told him that our fear of BCS being closed if we merge is a reality! And to spread the word! This Board of Education member also told him that if they were on the "merged" board of education, although they wouldn't want to, they ...would vote to close BCS! Nothing in Fredonia (Welock)
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bulldogtoday
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11-20-09 1:57 PM
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I think the time has come to restructure the school administration, with the declining of students why don`t we split the county in half and have two superintendents for the south and two for the north to run all the school districts.
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demmom
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11-20-09 1:14 PM
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I agree that teachers have become greedy and self-centered. So many of them are antimerger, because they don't want to face a new contract at "fair value". But I think it is NIMBY...don't close my school, plant,whatever. Maybe I am wrong, but the Mayville/Chautauqua merger didn't elicit such anger and venom. But it was pre internet. There is no "good" solution, but that is life.
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broctonballer
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11-20-09 1:09 PM
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The facts are in front of all of your faces whether you choose to accept them or not. Julie. You are so far against the merger that you refuse to see them. Your job at the school will be secure. They aren't eliminating staff. Thats what all Brocton employees are worried about. But they aren't going to do it. End of story.
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Captain
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11-20-09 1:04 PM
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That's the problem, denmom. We've been "putting up" for decades, while BOE members (& teachers) continue to ignore taxpayers' concerns. When will the standard pay raises end...when 3 or 4 districts are needed to merge to stay afloat? To HAND: I thought I did suggest a clear & fair alternative, considering the financial problems facing these 2 districts. State aid has been declining steadily due to the steady decline in student enrollments. And during this same time, our leaders recommended multi-million dollar expansion projects, AND WE APPROVED THEM??? And those who disagree with those projects or this merger are unfairly accusd of being "anti-education." Steveo's opening comments may be blunt, but they're shared by many. Teachers have brought this greedy reputation upon themselves, and show no sign of slowing down, even in the face of these current economic problems.
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demmom
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11-20-09 1:00 PM
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There seem to be all kinds of "facts" floating in this blog, yet you all say no questions have been answered. hmm. I'm confused. Should we do nothing? Roll over, play dead, cut everything, raise taxes, then move to a district where our kids have a future? Maybe you are not asking questions that have answers. Maybe we have to see what happens. Brocton naysayers, what is the problem? Fredonia hasn't cut anything yet, but their house of cards is falling too! Both districts are doomed and that means our children will not get a decent education. It is about the kids, people. The days of little districts is a thing of the past. There is no tax base to support Brocton Central School.
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