School merger questions addressed at Brocton village meeting
Fact Box
"We have not had swimming, wrestling track, cross-country,
a modified program or a girl's golf team. We believe there would be
a greater opportunity for students
to participate in a wider variety
of sports."
Brocton School Superintendent Jack Skahill
By ANN BELCHER
OBSERVER News Correspondent
BROCTON - A packed Village of Brocton Hall was the setting for the regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees Wednesday, as their meeting opened with several residents posing questions to Brocton Central Superintendent Jack Skahill, Fredonia Central School Director of Instruction Joe Reyda and Brocton School Board President Rodney Geiben regarding the potential school merger.
"We have looked at a number of things; we haven't just been sitting back," Trustee David Hazleton responded, as Skahill answered Trustee Art Donavan in response to what would take place with transportation for both districts. "As we lose population of students, this is a silent killer in terms of the money the district will get from the state," stated Hazleton.
Skahill emphasized Hazleton's comment to those seated shoulder to shoulder at Wednesday's meeting by stating that at BCS alone, in 2000, the population of students in the school building was 785. For the 2009-2010 school year, that number has fallen to 623. A statistical analysis included in the merger's feasibility study projects that by 2012 that number would fall again, to 600 students.
Brocton Mayor Dale Abram questioned Skahill whether a majority vote would lean toward Fredonia in terms of the number of board members who would be seated on a combined school board. Skahill responded that Jamestown Plastics Owner Jay Baker typified that scenario, by being a board member from the smaller school district, Chautauqua, and who now serves as Board President for the combined Chautauqua Lake Central School District.
Skahill also clarified that the housing options that have been most closely considered project that the BCS building itself would not close down, but would house the elementary population.
Abram added that although he feels the current plan that has been presented is "a wonderful plan," he has heard younger couples that reside in Brocton express worry about what would happen to Brocton's sports program in the event of a centralization.
"We have not had swimming, wrestling, track, cross-country, a modified program or a girl's golf team," Skahill said. "We believe there would be a greater opportunity for students to participate in a wider variety of sports."
Abram questioned why Skahill feels there is an opposition to the proposed merger.
"Is it a question of sports programs, or identity?" Abram said,
"There are a few things that have no definite answers," said Kirk Smith, a Brocton graduate who operates a business in the village water and electric districts. "Are our taxes going to go down if the schools merge?"
"They will go down," Skahill said. "And that's the reality. Let's take a look at the things we know in savings. Seventy-five percent will be used for tax reduction. The fact that there will be one centralized office has been estimated at a $250,000 savings; $500,000 savings with the closing of Wheelock's building. We have estimated the cost savings to be in excess of $2 million."
Skahill also added that this proposed merger would see the existence of only one superintendent, as he is set to retire this year.
Smith also addressed the board by asking what would happen to the revenue that would be used to pay for the much-needed transformer for the village if the school were to close during its process. Abram answered that probably 10 percent would be affected, and Hazleton added that these were all questions that the board of trustees have posed to the centralization committee to be answered for taxpayers in the village when the issue was first introduced.
In other business, the board agreed to schedule a workshop to meet with Fire Chief Tim Tresler and vendors for three different ambulance models to review the possibility of the village leasing an ambulance vehicle. The board also approved Tresler to finish purchasing the remainder of an equipment package, including radios and headsets.
Streets Department Head Tom Allen also announced that the Chautauqua County Highway Superintendents Association will be collecting new, unwrapped toys as part of a Toys For Kids campaign. Residents and employees in the village of Brocton are encouraged to donate an unwrapped toy, valued at $10 or less, at the village office before Dec. 8. Any toys collected at local municipalities will be donated directly to children living in Chautauqua County.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Dece. 2 at 7 p.m.
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11-22-09 8:25 AM
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Amazing all this talk about opportunity for kids and time and time again the big concern is SPORTS. I still want to know how much we would save if Brocton is closed all students in Fredonia??? I have slso heard that is what the committee recommended and it was changed by the boards. Stop trying to apease everyone to get this passed. Get down to $$and cents. I bet there is a bundle to save closing Brocton down. Hey Mr. DiBonzo how about an answer or Skahill how about you do you have an answer???
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