Febuary 27, 2015
CANASERAGA, NY – Approximately 70 residents showed up to Canaseraga, Arkport, and Alfred-Almond Central Schools’ last merger study Thursday evening at 6 pm in the Canaseraga Central School gymnasium. The main purposes of the meeting was to combine all the work they put together within the last 10 months to “paint a picture of each district” and to make recommendations about a possible Canaseraga, Arkport, and Alfred-Almond merger.
Topics discussed include declining enrollment in all three schools, the attempt of having a universal Pre-K program in each elementary school, broadening the high school curriculum, providing and developing athletic and extracurricular programs, new grade arrangements for students, a new bargaining agreement for staff, a new administrative structure, and developing a new financial plan should a merger occur.
Concerns were brought up via the fear of closing the Canaseraga School, losing approximately 100 students (approximately 50% of student body) via the merger.
According to Board Consultant Bill Silky, the attendance areas were to remain as they were by redistricting to balance the numbers for the three schools.