Merger Feasibility Study

The Canajoharie and Fort Plain central school districts conducted a merger study in 2024. The districts received state aid to help cover the cost of the study. Additionally, both have applied for grant funding to cover the remainder of the costs. 

This study, approved by each district’s Board of Education, is a required first step any time two or more districts are considering a merger. The study began in June of 2024 and culminated in January 2025 with a presentation of the findings to the communities.

On Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, the boards of education jointly decided the process should move forward after reviewing the study. A series of votes of the communities would then be required. The first vote, or Straw Vote, will take place on March 6, 2025. 

View the resources related to the Canajoharie and Fort Plain Merger Feasibility Study.

Forum Dates and Locations: 
● Wednesday, February 26, 2025 6 p.m. Virtual  Meeting - Click this link: meet.google.com/mgr-fpka-nzx

The final Thought Exchange to gather additional feedback, ideas and questions was conducted in January 2025. See the information gathered using the button below.

Timeline

  • June 2024 to January 2025: Districts must conduct a feasibility study and submit it to the state Education Department before merging. Consultants Leadership Solutions Advisors LLP worked with a committee of staff members and district residents and also met with students to conduct this study on behalf of the districts. The study was submitted to the New York State Education Department in December and presented to both boards of education.

  • January 2025: After reviewing the merger study, the Canajoharie and Fort Plain boards of education agreed to put the merger to a public vote.

  • March 2025: A straw poll, or advisory referendum, is scheduled for March 6, 2025. All eligible voters in both school districts will have the opportunity to cast ballots on the merger question. The purpose of this vote is to learn whether the communities support the merger.

  • Binding Referendum: If the straw poll passes in both districts, the state Education Department will schedule a final vote. All eligible voters in both school districts can vote on the measure. If a majority of voters in both districts vote yes, the districts will merge. A vote date will be determined pending the outcome of the straw poll.

  • Board Membership Vote: If the merger is approved, voters will have the opportunity to elect a new combined Board of Education to govern the merged district. A vote date will be determined pending the outcome of a binding referendum.

  • New District Begins - July 2026: The merged district would begin operations on July 1, 2026.

Save the Date

Advisory Referendum / Straw Poll Vote:

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Time: Noon to 8 p.m.

Location: Canajoharie CSD East Hill Elementary School Library

Voter Information

WHO CAN VOTE

To vote, an individual must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and a resident of the district for at least 30 days prior to the vote.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS

District voters who are on the Montgomery County permanently sick and disabled list will automatically receive an absentee ballot. For anyone else, they may call the district office at 518-673-6302 to request an application.

Applications for an early or absentee ballot must be received by the District Clerk no later than February 27, 2025 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or no later than March 5, 2025 if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

Merger FAQ

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR DECIDING ON A MERGER?

The first vote, a straw poll, will be held on March 6 at each school district. Locations and polling times are indicated throughout this newsletter. Residents will vote in their home district. If a majority of voters in each district say “yes” to a potential merger in this poll, a second, binding vote on the merger will be set by the state Education Department.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO STAFF IF A MERGER TAKES PLACE?

If a merger occurs, the newly elected Board of Education will first hire the new Superintendent of Schools. Other staffing decisions will then follow the typical process of any district, with the new superintendent working within a process to make staffing recommendations to the Board of Education during a transition process. Generally, staff from both districts will merge into a single seniority list based on their certifications and appointments in current districts.

WILL PEOPLE LOSE THEIR JOBS?

It is anticipated that scaling of staff would happen over time through resignations and retirements, along with the forecast of declining enrollment.
When employees resign or retire in certain content areas and positions, the merged district could choose to leave those positions unfilled if the educational needs at the time can be met with regard to enrollment.

WILL BUILDINGS IN EITHER DISTRICT BE CLOSED?

If a merger occurs, the newly elected Board of Education will make the final decisions about building configurations and programs during the transition period. These will be made based on the recommendation of the newly appointed superintendent. Historically, in similar district mergers, elementary school students would remain in their current “neighborhood” community schools. Nothing in the recent study suggests a benefit to consolidating elementary schools at this time.

WILL MY CHILD’S BUS RIDE BE LONGER?

If a merger occurs, bus routes and transportation logistics will need to be carefully planned during the transition process to minimize distances and durations of bus routes.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY TAXES?

The Canajoharie and Fort Plain districts have similar tax rates across their respective towns. Because of this, a merger is unlikely to result in significant tax increases.

Long-term impacts depend on the merged district’s financial planning. With the additional aid money the new district should be able to stabilize the tax increases over the next 15-20 years.

Tax increases are based in part on the budget set by the Board of Education each year. As happens in annual budget votes each May, Canajoharie and Fort Plain voters would continue to have the ability to approve or reject any budget proposed by their combined school district following a merger.

Merger Study Highlights

Working with community members, staff and students from both districts, consultants Leadership Solutions Advisors LLP prepared a merger feasibility study for the Canajoharie and Fort Plain districts. The study looked at:

  • The strengths and areas for improvement in each district’s educational program, including academics, extracurriculars, athletics and enrichment opportunities.

  • The challenges they face—from declining enrollment over time to difficulty attracting and maintaining essential staff, including new teachers.

  • The opportunities if the two districts merged to enhance the educational experience, supports and community connections and prepare students for the world and workforce of today and tomorrow.

While the proposed merger of Canajoharie and Fort Plain school districts aims to address challenges, such as declining enrollment and limited resources, the report suggests that combining the two districts could also create a unified educational system that supports excellence, equity and sustainability.

Educational Experiences

  • Curriculum and Programs: Both districts offer strong foundational curricula and student support services. A merged district could expand access to advanced courses, career and technical education (CTE), dual-enrollment opportunities and extracurricular activities.

  • Special Education: Collaborative resources could improve special education services, reduce out-of-district placements and foster equitable access to programs.

  • Class Sizes: Preserving small class sizes that promote positive relationships and individualized support is a top priority within the community. This could be achieved in a merged district with thoughtful planning and use of existing and new financial, staffing, facilities and professional development resources.

Organizational Capacity

  • Economies of Scale: The merger offers opportunities for economies of scale in facilities management, transportation and food service operations.

  • Staffing: Unifying instructional staffing could create specialized roles to better support curriculum development, technology integration and student services.

  • Facilities: Leveraging facilities across both districts could maximize efficiency and expand community engagement.

Financial Stability

  • Fiscal Position: Both districts maintain strong fiscal positions, supported by balanced budgets and reserves. However, rising expenditures highlight the need for strategic financial planning.

  • Financial Incentives: The merger would unlock significant financial incentives, including state reorganization aid of approximately $56 million to be used to offset costs over 14 years.

  • Operational Efficiencies: Streamlining operations and reducing redundancies would create a sustainable framework to support long-term growth.