Something that separates many of the smaller New York State towns and communities is individuality. Each of them value there own small town beliefs, activities and for sports the smaller town rivalries they have. Well it now faces some of these communities with a very tough decision as far as the future of there children. In central New York the towns of; Ilion, Mohawk and Herkimer now lay on the decision of combining the schools in the good of the children, and for each communities. It has been said if this 3 town merger doesn't take place, it will be a matter of time in which each school will have to cut a majority of clubs, activities, libraries, music and several other areas. Based on what has been discussed in the town meetings, it has been relayed that the state can't support, and will not support small communities and will dish out money if mergers are made. So it leaves community members asking themselves what is better for my kids, and how can the decision affect their future.
The arguement to against the merger rest on 3 keys areas; 1) Increase class size, which leads to less concentration on the individual student. 2) Increase levels of bullying, due to the increase levels of students. I believe that this can trickle down to issues with containment of controlling any fights, with a limited amount of staff members. 3) Travel issues with getting to school on time, and getting home at adaquete times.
The first issue is a increase class size, with the combination of 3 school districts obviously you can triple the amount of students at each grade level. This comes into play as far as isolating kids in the classroom. I can't see the logic that there will be 25 kids to a class. If they are eliminating teachers, how can this number hold truth? Also another interesting idea is how do all the students receive proper care from guidance counselers. If there are a decrease in the staffing, I can't see more then 3-4 counselers, that will have to cover 4 grade levels. This is a important part for interaction as far as preparing for college, and emotional support in hard times. Unless additional people are brought in, they will be needed more then ever with the new merge of schools. Kids will have more needs, and have to adjust using counselers to help them. This increase of class size will lead to kids being left out as far as sports are concerned as well. Even if you field modified, junoir varsity and varsity you won't be able to include everyone. Some sports (basketball) only carry 12 kids on a team in most cases. You also need to look at certain grade levels can play in certain sport levels, so there isnt a increase if you add junoir varisty. If you can create new sports, the impact won't be immediate. The new sports would more then likely need someone to coach with great patience and experience. Most kids would need time to learn the sport, so winning wouldn't be something to expect for the first few years.
Bullying is something that in the United States already is a high concern. It happens more in smaller communities because the areas are closer to each other, and there isn't as good of preventative care. Just in Ilion alone there was a gun and bomb threat when i was in school because of bullying. Combine 3 schools, with a increase load of kids that have natural rivalries. That doesn't equal a winning formula. I think isolation and groups get created by the tudent base, and they will clash.
The last area I see as a issue is commute time, and not only for kids to school but the community as a whole. The increase traffic flow because of the buses will slow down the traffic in each town. To me, this creates a issue getting to work. You now need to leave much earlier because buses take alot longer to communte, with stop and go traffic. Some people that travel to utica or farther may have issues making it on time. As far as school wise, kids will have to get up earlier, especially if they are going to another town for school. If you play sports, and you play outside the viewing area say Syracuse, you may get home at 9 or 10pm. Then to eat and do homework you may not get to bed until 12am, then be up at 6am the next day.
Reasonings for the merger are pretty clear; 1) Allow the children to continue in extra cirricular activities. 2) Expand the opportunities whether it's new sports or classes available. 3) Gel the community together for the children.
The first issue is very important, because not merging can result in some of the important areas that allow kids to learn and grow. Losing library and media centers immediately slow down the progress of learning. The Ilion library has one of the nicer libraries, with alot of computers and tools to learn. Taking away this limits students to gain information at school for projects and essays. Music is another area kids express themselves. Losing this, for some kids takes away a passion they have, and if they don't play sports then they have nothing outside of going to class. Losing clubs like a spanish club or english club also takes away from looking forward to something after school that a kid may enjoy.
The next issue is a merger will allow for the opportunity to increase the types of classes that are available, and the sports being offered. In Ilion when I attended school Spanish was the only option as far as foreign language, whether it has changed i don't know. But having the option for say chinese or italian could spark interest for kids trying a new language. This obviously can help them in the future when it comes to getting a job. Knowing another language is a huge bonus employers look for. As far as sports, the merger could increase new sports available to kids, which can help disburse those left out in others. There will be a learning curve, but it will get kids out there to be active and feel part of something. It does open up the open for those who aren't sur ewhat sport to do, to try something new and allow another kid to play a sport they want to.
The last area I look at that may help with a merger is to bring the 3 towns that have had rivalries in sports, and in general is coming together for the children. Putting aside that there is bad blood because of how close these towns are to each other, and they compete against the other. The easiest way for the merger to work is by the community coming together for each other, and for the future of this area. It's already a poorer area, so conflict between each town just makes things alot harder as far as advancing and becoming more successful as a region. With these 3 communities helping each other out, it not only goes a long way for the kids getting along, but also to help this area econmically.
Regardless of which side you decide to vote, each side has it's share of valid arguements. Each side could help or hurt the area as a whole. It comes down to your values and beliefs as a individual. You should vote in the best interest of your child, not the best interest for yourself. Whatever option will lead your family in the best direction from here forward. The decision rest in the hands of the community.
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