On Thursday, Dec. 19, voters in the Livingston Manor and Roscoe central school districts approved a proposal to merge the districts via centralization.
Voters approved the merger by a vote of 351-227 in Livingston Manor and 283-106 in Roscoe.
“I appreciate our residents’ support of the measure, which will benefit our students and the communities,” said John Evans, who is shared superintendent of both districts. “I want to thank all of the people who contributed to making this happen.”
Also on the ballot were two questions on the composition and terms of the new district’s board of education. Voters determined the board would be seven members with terms of three years. Terms will be staggered.
Those interested in serving on the new board must gather enough signatures on a nominating petition to be placed on the ballot for the new Board of Education, with the election of board members expected to take place in February. More details on the petition process will be available at a later date, as will the finalized date for the board election.
Once in place, the new board will craft the district’s 2025-26 operating budget, which will go before voters on May 20.
The new district will begin operation July 1, 2025. Although building reconfiguration will not happen immediately, the extra funding through incentive aid will begin at that time.
A restructuring committee of board members, administrators, faculty, staff, parents and students will be formed to recommend the best grade configurations and building makeup for the new district, with implementation taking place gradually over the 2025-26 school year and beyond.