OBSERVER Photo by Sara Holthouse The village of Panama is emphasizing their support of the ongoing school merger process following questions from members of the public.

PANAMA — The village of Panama’s board has been approached by multiple members of the community following the board’s February meeting about the board’s support of a potential merger between the Clymer, Sherman and Panama school districts.

This week the board answered those questions publicly. At the board’s March meeting, Mayor William Schneider emphasized that the village stands fully in support of the merger process.

“The village is very much for the merger and the merger study and is trying to do everything we can in our power to make sure residents know that this is a positive move forward,” Schneider said. “We’re working with the administration of the school to help them in whatever we can to make this process work for everyone.”

Schneider said if anyone ever has any questions about things spoken about at meetings or that they read about in regards to the village meetings in The Post-Journal to feel free to contact them through the village email via the website, panamany.com, or by calling 716-621-4024, or by attending meetings in person on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Village Offices.

The merger feasibility study is ongoing, with the next steps being the continuation of the community forums at Sherman Central School and Panama Central School. The Sherman community forum is Monday, March 9, at 7 p.m. at the school, and the Panama one is Wednesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. at the school.

“We encourage everyone to go and participate in those so that the best picture of our unique little community can be formed and the best plan to move forward can be made,” Schneider said.