Shelly O’Boyle, Clymer-Sherman-Panama merger study project coordinator, right, speaks to members of the Chautauqua County Legislature’s Planning and Economic Development Committee. To her right is Sherman School Board President Teresa Guzman and Clymer School Board President Ed Mulkearn.

The Clymer Central School District is asking Chautauqua County to help finance the project underway for a merger among Clymer, Sherman and Panama school districts.

On Wednesday, the county legislature will vote on a resolution for the county to give $100,000 to aid in the merger.

The request is being made by the Clymer School District, although all three schools are in support of the request.

Shelly O’Boyle, Clymer-Sherman-Panama merger study project coordinator, appeared at the legislature’s Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting.

She noted that a study indicates that the three schools could have their enrollment drop by as much as 62% in the next five years. The schools could be facing a $2 million drop in revenue, in part because of a projected 15% increase in health insurance and other contractual benefits against a 2% property tax cap.

“The 2% just doesn’t balance out the expenditures,” she said.

O’Boyle said the initial price tag to merge the schools is $185,000.

O’Boyle said the three schools have applied for a $31,250 sta-te grant and the schools are committed to matching that amount.

Mark Geise, the deputy county executive for economic development and the chief executive officer for the county Industrial Development Agency, noted the schools already have a consultant.

The money they are seeking from the county would not be used for the study, but for other items.

“The hundred (thousand) that they’re asking for is for all the other stuff involved with pushing it out – having public meetings, answering questions, and on and on and on,” he said.

This isn’t the first time the schools have looked into a merger of some sort.

In 2017, a Clymer-Panama merger was rejected by Clymer voters.

Before that, in 1995 a merger of the Clymer and Sherman school districts also had failed.

Geise said they’re trying to avoid a repeat failed vote.

“Part of the reason it failed in the past, we think, is because of the misinformation. … What (O’Boyle) is doing is making sure that this is rolled out in the proper way,” he said.

Clymer School Board President Ed Mulkearn noted that all three schools have classes with as few as 10 students in a class.

Legislator Fred Johnson, R-Westfield, asked school officials if they’ve considered distance learning.

Clymer School Board President Ed Mulkearn responded that while they’re open to distance learning, that would need to be implemented at the state level.

O’Boyle said distance learning doesn’t always work for younger students.

“In second grade, when you have nine kids in a class, distance learning doesn’t meet that need,” she said.

Legislator John Penhollow, R-Stockton, noted that the schools and their buildings are the hearts of each community. He asked about what the future of the buildings will be.

O’Boyle said part of their studies is to look at what buildings can continue to be used and repurposed.

Penhollow also asked about school taxes, which are generally the highest property tax bill.

O’Boyle said he doesn’t know if taxes will drop with a merger, but he believes that if the merger doesn’t take place, each school district will struggle and be asking taxpayers for budget increases over the 2% tax cap.

The Planning and Economic Development Committee backed the resolution, which allows the full legislature to vote on it Wednesday.