Veteran educator Shelly O’Boyle is leading a potential merger study of three Chautauqua County school districts, Clymer, Sherman and Panama.

She says her job is to work with all three boards of education and superintendents to make sure each district and its identity is equally represented during the process.

“It is not [a done deal] and I am very adamant in saying that to you, as well as to the community, because the boards really are looking for input. They’re looking to hear from their communities, they’re looking to examine the data,” said O’Boyle.

What You Need To Know

  • Many school districts in the state are facing low enrollment

  • Because of low enrollment and other issues, districts are making tough choices

  • Three upstate districts are conducting a merger study

The study kicked off in January, but the idea is the result of an exit poll during last year’s budget vote, as each school has between 300-400 students.

O’Boyle says while there are advantages and challenges to a merger, the goal is to ensure students are provided academic, athletic and extracurricular opportunities.

“Because that’s what it’s really about, right? You want to make sure that the students in your district have equal opportunities as other districts throughout the state,” said O’Boyle.

Christine Schnars, president of the State School Boards Association, says most districts are concerned about state aid and declining enrollment.

She says 90% of districts in the state have seen a decline, and a loss of more than 250,000 students in the last decade.

“It is alarming. When enrollment drops, state aid drops. And when you take those children out of your district, that also takes that money out of the district,” said Christine Schnars, president, NYS School Boards Association.

She says families leaving the state and a growing number of homeschoolers are just two of the reasons why.

As a result, districts have to make tough decisions that include closing a school building or exploring a merger.

“And I don’t want to see any district in the state where there are kids who are less fortunate and can’t get what they need, and go out into the world and try to compete with those that are in districts that can compete,” said Schnars.

Which is why O’Boyle says after a series of public meetings, the firm hired to do the study will compile the data, including financial information from BOCES and state ed, to present to each board.

“My most important role is making sure that all three districts come to a consensus as to how we’re moving forward,” said O’Boyle.

State leaders credit BOCES for helping combat some of the challenges districts face, saying its programs give these smaller districts opportunities they may not be getting because there aren’t enough students in the classroom.