BROCTON - Action at a joint session between Brocton and Fredonia Central School Boards Thursday resulted in the unanimous approval to move ahead with a straw vote on the proposed merger of the two districts.
According to a proposed time line provided by BOCES District Superintendent Robert Guiffreda, this straw vote, also called an advisory referendum, could take place on Dec.15.
Residents in each district would be asked to vote to approve or disapprove the proposed merger.
If the advisory referendum (straw vote) indicates support in both districts, a formal request for the merger should be placed before the voters of each school district, as soon as possible.
Again, according to the time line, formal resolutions from each school board would be forwarded to the Office of Management Services by Guiffreda asking the New York State Education commissioner to authorize the new merged district.
By Dec. 24, petitions containing the signatures of 100 qualified voters are to be submitted requesting the commissioner to call a special meeting to vote on the proposed merger.
A second petition, also containing the signatures of 100 qualified voters, is required requesting the commissioner to establish a voting site in each district.
The commissioner then issues an order calling a special meeting in each district for a merger referendum. This must be scheduled within 30 days following the receipt of the petition requiring the vote.
Voters would be provided with information regarding absentee ballots and the referendum could be held by Jan. 20, 2010 in each district.
In addition to the centralization referendum, the following would be included in the vote.
The number of board members to serve the new district: 5, 7 or 9.
The term of office of the elected board members: 3, 4 or 5 years.
Provision for staggered terms of the first board: which is elected by a plurality with the candidates receiving the most votes elected for the longest terms.
According to Brocton Superintendent Jack Skahill, if the straw vote is defeated, a second straw vote may be held "if there is a change in the merger proposal."
If the straw vote is approved but the statutory or final vote is defeated, the school districts must wait a year and a day before calling for another statutory vote, he said.
"Following a positive straw vote, the residents of both districts will be given the further opportunity to voice their opinions before the statutory vote," he said.
This gives the residents more time to digest the information contained in the feasibility study, prior to the final vote.
If the statutory vote is approved, the commissioner orders a special district meeting to elect the board of education for the new district.
Petitions for board membership will be available and distributed by Guiffreda's office.
The filing deadline for these petitions is March 2 and the candidates meet with Guiffreda to determine the placement on the ballot for voting.
Information regarding absentee ballots will be made available by March 5.
On March 23, a special meeting will be held to elect a board of education for the newly merged school district.
Guiffreda will hold an organizational meeting of the newly centralized district, the board members will take their oaths of office and the board is empowered to conduct business as appropriate to prepare for the first year of operation of the newly created district.
This includes adopting a budget and holding a special meeting for its adoption.
The boards of education for the former districts will continue to administer their own districts as usual until Aug. 1, 2010.
The new district officially begins operation July 1, 2010.
