Study will look into consolidating schools

CANTON — Two consultant groups will team up to study how the region's 18 public school districts could save money either by full-fledged mergers or by consolidating some of their services and staffing.

Research will be handled by Organizational Leadership Services, Clifton Park, through a partnership with the Rural Schools Association of New York State, Ithaca.

The study carries a price tag of $126,176, according to Thomas R. Burns, superintendent of the St. Lawrence-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services.

Mr. Burns said the schools should explore different options because the state eventually could decide to impose its own cost-cutting solutions for small, rural school districts.

"I would rather see us at the table than on the menu. That's my fear if we wait too long," Mr. Burns said. "It's better for us to be proactive and get out in front of this."

BOCES decided to spearhead the study after seeking input from various school district superintendents within the region.

The cost of the study will be divided among the 17 public school districts in St. Lawrence County and Harrisville Central School District, Lewis County.

The BOCES board is expected to approve the spending at its Sept. 9 meeting.

Mr. Burns said he believes the money is being spent well.

"There's a potential to save a considerable amount of money," he said. "When you consider the amount of possible savings, the cost of the study is really quite small."

Following their research, the consultants will issue a report outlining various options. Those will include the feasibility of creating a few large regional high schools by consolidating districts.

The consultants were selected over two other applicants interested in doing the study: the University at Buffalo's Regional Institute and the New York State School Boards Association, Albany.

Its affiliation with the state's Center for Rural Schools, Cornell University, Ithaca, made the Rural Schools Association a strong choice for the job, Mr. Burns said.

"They have access to all sorts of demographic information," he said. "They've done a number of broad-brush studies in terms of mergers and regional high schools."

Previous work includes a 2004-05 study for Broome County and the city of Binghamton in the Southern Tier.

"That county was facing a similar situation, facilities closing and losing enrollment," he said.

Dennis Sweeney of the Rural Schools Association will oversee the study as project manager. Data collection is expected to begin this fall, with the final report released next summer.

Researchers will tour school districts, conduct surveys, interview constituent groups and "crunch data."

The public will have chances to offer input later in the process, Mr. Burns said.