1 Golden Bomber Dr.
Ilion, NY 13357
Phone: 315.894.9934
Fax: 315.894.2716
Superintendent
Where do we go after the merger vote?
With Frankfort-Schuyler's sound defeat of the proposed four-school merger, residents now ask, "Where do we go from here?"
We move forward according to Ilion Superintendent of Schools Cosimo Tangorra, Jr.
"I have two goals—one short-term and one long-term," said Ilion superintendent Cosimo Tangorra, Jr.
Short-term—develop a 2012-13 budget
"First, I will buckle down to create a solid budget that keeps the needs of students and taxpayers in balance. We cannot lose our focus—we are here to educate our communiy's children."
While the community focused on the proposed merger, Business Manager Ken Long has been putting together the projected expenses and revenues for 2012-13. Mr. Tangorra will present the draft budget to the board of education. The board of education will review the budget and may chose to adopt it as presented or make changes. On or before Apr. 20, the board will adopt a proposed budget that residents will weigh at the annual budget vote on May 15.
Long-term—explore different organizational options
"In the long-term, I will begin looking at all of the options available to us to provide our valley's students with the greatest educational opportunities," he said.
That process begins with a joint meeting of the Ilion, Mohawk and Herkimer boards of education on Saturday, Jan 28. The boards will weigh the merits of a two-way or three-way merger and begin steps toward making that happen.
If the boards choose to pursue a merger, the interested districts would have to modify the previous four-school merger study and submit it to the State Education Department (SED). If SED approves the study, the communities would again hold public information sessions, board votes, an advisory referendum (straw vote), and a statutory referendum (final or binding referendum).
The earliest a new district could begin operation would be July 1, 2013.
