Merger for Middleburgh? Maybe but Unlikely

MIDDLEBURGH - The "M" word, merger, came up at the end of last week's Middleburgh school board meeting. The thought elicited different opinions and may lead to more discussions, though an actual merger with another district seems unlikely and far in the future, if it is even considered.

Board member Wes Andrew brought up the thought of merger or consolidation of buildings in the topics of future discussion portion of the meeting.

The reason for the mention, Mr. Andrew said, is a student enrollment trend that continues to decrease. MCS has 100 fewer students in the last 10 years and that trend is likely to continue in the future.

Educational programs are harder to "do the smaller we get," A possible merger with another district may offer more educational opportunities for MCS students, he said.

An actual merger with another district would be far in the future, and unlikely considering the current make-up of the school board.

To formally begin to discuss a merger, board members would have to agree to put the item on the agenda, according to board President Pam Standhart.

In addition, another district would have to express formal interest in merging with Middleburgh. Currently there is no such interest, said MCS Superintendent Mark Place.

Ms. Standhart said she would be interested in serving on a merger committee because mergers are supposed to save money "but in reality that doesn't happen."

Board member Becky Binder also expressed doubt about the positive effects of a merger. She did say that she was in favor of discussing sharing sports and other areas with neighboring districts.

Mr. Place noted that even with mergers, costs do not go away.

There is no guarantee of savings, Mr. Place added.

Costs such as health insurance do not decrease. MCS has to pay for health insurance for 201 retirees.

"We don't escape those costs," he said.

Business administrator Robyn Bhend said the state does provide re-organizational aid that would decline over a time period.

Mr. Andrew added that the district does not have to merge, he just wanted to start the discussion.

Any formal discussion, Mr. Place said, would have to include a scope, what the district wants to explore and what it does not want to explore.

The other board members agreed to look at sharing sports, other educational programs, transportation, with other districts.

Mr. Place said the district could invite the athletic director to a meeting to discuss sharing sports programs with other schools. MCS already shared programs such as wrestling with other districts.

Ms. Standhart said that down the road, the district may talk about a reduction of buildings.