Educational Enhancements Possible Through A Merger

Roscoe CSD

December 4, 2024

Educational Enhancements Possible Through A Merger

Vision and Planning

A newly formed district will have the unique opportunity to plan and develop a new school experience for our students and the entire school community. This planning is an opportunity to bring forward the best aspects, programs and resources each individual district has to offer while searching for new, enhanced opportunities that can only be attained together.  Once a decision has been made by the voters in both communities to merge and a new Board of Education is in place, a transition team and restructuring committee made up of board members, administration, teachers, support staff, parents, community members and even students will be established to guide the transparent, inclusive work of moving forward. These transition teams should begin by focusing on everything the district wants to achieve for its students.

Through a merger the unique talents, interests and NYS teaching certifications held by the teachers and staff in each individual district are combined. Once the full restructuring has occurred, having separate buildings dedicated to specific grade levels, programs and resources will allow the new district to greatly expand the educational and extracurricular opportunities for all students.

A school district merger can bring several educational benefits to students, improving opportunities and outcomes. Below is a detailed outline of the types of programs and services possible:

1. Expanded Academic Offerings

  • Broader Course Selection:
    Students can access a wider variety of classes, including Advanced Placement (AP), dual enrollment college class, and electives like arts, music, and vocational training.

  • Specialized Programs:
    Merged districts may afford specialized academic programs, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) tracks, gifted education, culinary arts, or language immersion programs.

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE):
    Access to modern facilities and resources for vocational training prepares students for diverse career paths.

2. Enhanced Extracurricular Opportunities

  • Sports and Arts Programs:
    A larger district may fund a more extensive range of extracurricular activities, such as competitive sports, theater, band, and academic clubs.

  • Inclusive Participation:
    Students with varied interests and talents can find niche activities outside of sports suited to their goals, enhancing personal growth and school engagement.

3. Improved Access to Resources

  • Updated Facilities:
    Merged districts may pool resources to upgrade schools with better technology, science labs, libraries, and athletic facilities.

  • Qualified Educators:
    Larger districts can attract and retain highly qualified teachers, offering students instruction from specialists in diverse subjects.

  • Special Education Services:
    Enhanced funding and staffing support for students with disabilities, including tailored instruction and expanded in-house therapy services.

4. Equity in Education

  • Addressing Disparities:
    Combines resources to reduce inequities between schools, ensuring all students receive a high-quality education regardless of location.

  • Increased Funding per Student:
    Larger tax bases can provide a more equitable distribution of funds, improving student-teacher ratios, classroom resources, and extracurricular programs.

5. Social and Cultural Benefits

  • Diverse Peer Interactions:
    Merging districts often unite students from different socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and cultural competency.

  • Sense of Community:
    Collaborating under one district identity can foster unity, school pride, and shared goals among students.

6. Improved Academic Performance

  • Data-Driven Approaches:
    Merged districts can invest in analytics and interventions to track and improve student performance.

  • Professional Development for Teachers:
    Teachers benefit from shared resources and training, leading to more effective instruction and better student outcomes.

7. Preparation for Postsecondary Success

  • College Readiness:
    Expanded counseling services and programs such as college prep courses, scholarships, and mentoring.

  • Workforce Readiness:
    Enhanced career education prepares students for the job market with internships, certifications, and industry partnerships.

8. Stability and Long-Term Opportunities

  • Sustainable Funding:
    A merged district can optimize budgeting and planning, ensuring consistent funding for academic programs and services.

  • Innovative Initiatives:
    Larger districts may have the means to experiment with new teaching methods, technology integration, and curriculum updates.

By pooling resources, expertise, and opportunities, a school district merger can create a richer, more equitable educational environment for students. These benefits ultimately enhance learning, broaden horizons, and prepare students for future success.



Some Examples of Specific Expanded Academic Offerings That Could be Possible in a Merged District Should Student Interest to Support Them Exist:


Core Academic Courses

  • Advanced Placement (AP) Courses:
    Classes such as AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP U.S. History, and AP English Literature could become available, allowing students to earn college credit.

  • World Languages:
    Students may gain access to a wider range Spanish classes over a wider range of grade levels. Through Distance Learning French, German, Mandarin Chinese, or American Sign Language (ASL) could be offered if enough student interest exists.

Elective Courses

  • STEM-Focused Electives:

    • Robotics and Automation

    • Coding and App Development

    • Engineering Design and 3D Printing

    • Environmental Science Projects

  • Humanities Electives:

    • Creative Writing

    • Journalism and Media Studies

    • Psychology and Sociology

    • Philosophy and Ethics

Fine Arts and Performing Arts

  • Visual Arts:

    • Digital Photography and Graphic Design

    • Ceramics and Pottery

    • Advanced Painting and Sculpture

  • Performing Arts:

    • Advanced Band, Orchestra, or Choir

    • Theater Arts and Stagecraft

    • Dance Choreography and Performance

Specialty Programs

  • Business and Entrepreneurship:

    • Principles of Marketing and Advertising

    • Financial Literacy and Investment Strategies

    • Entrepreneurship Incubator Programs

  • Agriculture and Environmental Studies:

    • Sustainable Agriculture and Aquaponics

    • Forestry and Conservation Science

    • Horticulture and Landscaping

    • Plant Science and Food Production

  • Culinary Arts:

    • The Farm to Table Experience

    • Advanced Food Science

    • Advanced Baking & Desserts 

Technology and Media

  • Broadcasting and Film Production:
    Students can learn video editing, audio production, and storytelling for modern media.

  • Game Design and Animation:
    Classes in creating 2D and 3D games or animated films using software like Unity and Blender.

  • Digital Music production:
    Classes in creating, editing and mixing music using various digital media technologies. 

Physical Education and Wellness

  • Outdoor Adventure Education:
    Activities like hiking, rock climbing, and survival skills.

  • Specialized Fitness Classes:
    Yoga, Pilates, weight training, Spartan training or martial arts.

Interdisciplinary and Experiential Learning

  • Capstone Projects:
    Multi-disciplinary courses that encourage students to address real-world problems, such as climate change or urban development.

  • Service-Learning Electives:
    Community outreach combined with academic work, like developing proposals for local civic projects.

Elementary Program Enhancements:

  • Additional Academic Supports and Services:
    Small group individual supports that focus on core academic skill development  

  • Motor Lab and Adaptive Physical Education:
    Multi-sensory fine motor skill development and adaptive physical education classes

  • STEAM Academies in 5th & 6th Grades:
    Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math electives in the upper elementary grades.

  • Transition Grade Level Classes:
    Multigrade transition classes that allow struggling students extra time to develop grade level proficiencies.  


By offering these expanded courses and electives, merged school districts can cater to a diverse range of student interests, preparing them for college, careers, and lifelong learning.


Merger vote set for noon-8pm Dec. 19 at Livingston Manor, Roscoe gymnasiums

Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, in the Livingston Manor and Roscoe Central School Districts gymnasiums for voters to decide if the two districts will merge via centralization.


A series of meetings will be held where voters can learn more about the merger proposal, which aims to increase academic and extracurricular opportunities for students at all levels as well as provide financial stability for the community.

The public is welcome to attend the following meetings:

  • Dec. 3: Roscoe PTA meeting held at the Roscoe Diner at 7 p.m.

  • Dec. 11: Roscoe Free Library at 3 p.m.

  • Dec. 12: Livingston Manor Free Library at 6 p.m.

  • Dec. 16: at the LMCS Board of Education meeting at 6 p.m.

  • Dec. 17: at the RCS Board of Education meeting at 4:30 p.m.

Earlier this year, New York state changed how merger aid would be calculated, which would result in about $30.7 million aid over 14 years, an increase of about $23.5 million from the old formula. A majority of people at both districts who filled out an exit survey at the May budget votes, when provided this information, said the districts should revisit the merger.


A merger study addendum was completed and appropriately filed with the State Education Department, where it was approved in September. In October, both boards unanimously voted to move forward in the merger process to gather petition signatures in support of a merger. The required number of signatures in both districts were collected and on Nov. 7 the boards approved the signatures and unanimously voted to move forward with the reorganization process. The resolutions were forwarded to the BOCES district superintendent to initiate the formal reorganization process with the State Education Department, which formally approved the vote date of Dec. 19 on Tuesday, Nov. 26.


The SED commissioner also approved a Board of Canvass, which will inspect the voting machines and poll books before voting begins, supervise and conduct the polling, count ballots and certify the election. Named to the board are Laurie Allen-Kuehn, Edward Park, Lillian Constant, Janice Phillips, Judith Emory, Carole Edwards, Judith Tuleweit and Jan Carlson.

To vote on the merger, residents must be 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, a district resident for at least 30 days and be registered to vote at their county board of elections, which will automatically register them to vote at their district. If not registered with the county, residents must register before Dec. 13 at their district’s main office between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. while school is in session.


More information about the merger can be found on the merger page of each district’s website. Questions or concerns may also be directed to Superintendent John Evans at  john.evans@lmcs.us, jevans@roscoe.k12.ny.us, 607-498-4126, ext. 6105, or 845-439-4400, ext. 1201, or contact a member of either district’s school board.