{"id":10421,"date":"2013-08-12T15:44:32","date_gmt":"2013-08-12T19:44:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/inbox\/?p=10421"},"modified":"2013-08-12T15:44:32","modified_gmt":"2013-08-12T19:44:32","slug":"mergers-and-acquisitions-at-canton-potsdam-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/inbox\/2013\/08\/12\/mergers-and-acquisitions-at-canton-potsdam-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Mergers and acquisitions at Canton, Potsdam schools"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Hugh<\/a>

Hugh C. Williams Senior High School, Canton Central School District. Photo: Lizette Haenel<\/p><\/div>\n

As we’ve reported in the past, the Canton and Potsdam Central school districts have been exploring the idea of a merger<\/a>. This week, North Country Now is reporting<\/a> that “with $50,000 already in the bank, the…districts are seeking another $50,000 to pay for a study of a possible merger.”<\/p>\n

That first $50,000 is the result of efforts by New York Sens. Patty Ritchie and Joe Griffo, whose districts cover Canton and Potsdam, respectively. The second $50,000, the districts hope, will be from the New York Department of State — they’re asking the state to match the first $50,000 as part of its local government grant program.<\/p>\n

Potsdam Central School Superintendent Pat Brady told NCN that it’s in part due to cuts in aid that the districts are considering a merger in the first place:<\/p>\n

“[A] major reason Canton and Potsdam find themselves in a position to have to consider such a course is due to the reduction in state aid \u2013 a million dollars less than at the level that existed in 2008-09,\u201d Brady said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the costs of doing business, including labor costs, have been increasing, but the aid has not been enough. So our issues are in part the result of the state funding decisions, and our legislators recognize that fact.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe heard loud and clear the message to explore consolidation\u201d \u2013 a message Gov. Andrew Cuomo repeated during his visit Feb. 5 to Clarkson University \u2013 \u201cso we\u2019ve been looking at lots of options,\u201d said Brady.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The districts are seeking bids now for consultants to conduct a feasibility study; and then the next step would be public forums and, ultimately, a vote. “The feasibility study is the easy part,” Brady told the paper.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, either or both school districts may see something of financial bump from the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program (sponsored by the Monsanto Fund), which according to its web site<\/a> works to “strengthen math and science education in rural communities”. According to a press release, Canton and Potsdam are in the running with several other schools in the state for grants of up to $25,000.<\/p>\n

Here’s the full text of the press release (including a full list of New York state schools also in the running, some of which are also in our vicinity):<\/p>\n

America\u2019s Farmers Grow Rural Education Announces 2013 Finalists<\/b><\/p>\n

The Monsanto Fund is excited to announce this year\u2019s America\u2019s Farmers Grow Rural Education finalists. Nominated school districts from across the country submitted completed grant applications by April 30. For the past month, a panel of educators reviewed applications and sent the strongest submissions for consideration by the America\u2019s Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council. The Advisory Council, comprised of farmer-leaders with a vested interest in both agriculture and education, will select the winning grant applications from this pool of finalists.<\/p>\n

These New York school districts are in the running for grants of up to $25,000:<\/p>\n