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Community Letter from DCMO & Broome-Tioga BOCES Superintendents

Posted March 4, 2026

Dear Community Members,

The feasibility study involving the Deposit CSD and Hancock CSD is progressing, engaging various committees comprised of diverse stakeholders to gather important perspectives, promote transparency, and facilitate open lines of communication.  We are grateful for the participation of so many individuals in this important endeavor as ensuring voices and perspectives are heard is a critical part of the study.  In being selected to serve on a respective committee, participants have agreed, among other things, to fully commit to and actively support the committee and study process.  This includes communicating openly, factually, and consistently with the public while providing valuable feedback to our consultants regarding factual findings, pertinent information, and emerging insights.  

We are aware of several conversations and/or communication threads, external to the committee and consultant work, that have emerged about the feasibility study.  While this is always part of the broader process, when topics similar to those that have been visible come up, questions and concerns are naturally raised.  As such, we want to take a moment to clarify where things stand.

Right now, this is simply a New York State Education Department (NYSED) Feasibility Study for the Purpose of Centralization.  Its purpose is to gather information, look at facts, listen to people, and provide analysis to both Boards of Education.  It is not a vote, and it is not a decision to merge.  Under New York State Education Department guidance, there are several formal steps that must happen before any merger vote could be scheduled. Those steps include:

• Completing the feasibility study

• Publicly sharing the findings

• Providing an opportunity to gauge community sentiment

• Securing demonstration of public support for a future vote 

• Receiving authorization from the Commissioner of Education for a public vote

At this point, neither the Board of Education for Deposit CSD nor the Board of Education for Hancock CSD has decided to move forward with anything beyond conducting a feasibility study.    When the study is complete, reviewed by NYSED, and approved by NYSED for public release, the Boards will review the information and decide what, if anything, should happen next.  Be assured, if a merger vote were ever to occur, it would be up to each community alone – not the study consultants, not the committees, not either Board of Education, not the superintendents, and not NYSED.

The purpose of this study is straightforward: gather clear, honest information so decisions are based on facts rather than assumptions.  We encourage you to allow the process to do its work.  Let the information come together.  Ask questions.  Stay engaged.  Recognize that NO outcome has been determined.

Thank you for staying involved, informed, and for caring deeply about your schools and communities.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Stone, Ed.D.

Broome-Tioga BOCES District Superintendent

Michael Rullo

DCMO BOCES District Superintendent

Deposit and Hancock School Communities Continue Collaborative Review Process

Posted March 9, 2026

The merger feasibility study between Deposit Central School District and Hancock Central School District is now underway and continues to progress through several stages of information gathering, discussion, and analysis. Since the study began in January, students, staff, families, and community members from both districts have been participating in meetings and engagement opportunities designed to help the study team better understand how each district currently serves its students and how future needs might be addressed.

The goal of the study is to carefully review data, explore opportunities and challenges, and provide both Boards of Education—and the broader community—with information that can support thoughtful decisions about the future of the districts.

January- Launching the Study

The feasibility study began in early January with a two-day on-site visit to both districts. During this visit, the study team toured school facilities, observed daily operations, and conducted interviews with district leadership, staff members, and students.

The visit also included a joint kickoff meeting of the Deposit and Hancock Boards of Education, where the study process, timeline, and engagement opportunities were introduced.

At the same time, the districts launched the Community Engagement ThoughtExchange, which allows residents to share questions, ideas, and feedback throughout the study.

February- Listening and Learning

Much of February was dedicated to gathering perspectives from students, staff, parents, and community members about educational opportunities and district operations.

Several engagement opportunities were held, including:

•Student Voice sessions, where students shared their experiences and ideas about learning in their schools
•Stakeholder Work Groups, made up of parents, staff, and community members
•Focus Groups, which provided smaller settings for deeper conversation
•Advisory Committee meetings, where participants reviewed findings and helped guide the study process

Early discussions focused on Educational Experiences, including academic programs, extracurricular activities, student opportunities, and support services.

Later in the month, conversations shifted to Organizational Capacity, examining district operations, staffing structures, and the facilities and services that support students and staff.

March- Continuing the Analysis

The study continues this month with additional discussions focused on Financial Sustainability. These conversations explore financial considerations, resource allocation, and long-term sustainability for both districts.

Community feedback remains an important part of the process. In addition to the online ThoughtExchange, paper copies are being made available at central community locations such as libraries, town halls, and senior centers to ensure that residents have multiple ways to share their perspectives.

Where We Are Now

The study is currently in the information-gathering and analysis stage.
Student input, stakeholder discussions, and operational data are helping the study team better understand how each district functions and what opportunities or challenges may exist moving forward.

What Happens Next

April- The study team will prepare a draft report summarizing the information gathered throughout the process. Stakeholder groups, student representatives, and advisory committee members will review the draft and provide feedback to help refine the report.

May- The preliminary report will be submitted to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for review. NYSED may request clarifications or revisions as part of its evaluation process.

June- Once the report has been reviewed and approved by NYSED, the final report will be presented at a joint meeting of the Deposit and Hancock Boards of Education. The community will have an opportunity to review the findings and learn more about the study’s conclusions.

Following that presentation, each Board of Education will determine whether to advance the process to the next step, which could include consideration of a public referendum.

Community Engagement Remains Central

Community participation has been a key part of the study so far and will continue to play an important role as the process moves forward. Residents can stay involved by:

•Sharing feedback through the Community Engagement ThoughtExchange
• Participating in committee meetings if they have been appointed to a study group
• Reviewing updates, reports, and presentations shared by the districts

Community members are encouraged to visit the study information website regularly, as new materials, updates, and responses to questions will continue to be posted throughout the process.

Important Reminder: A Study, Not a Decision

It is important to remember that the current work is part of a feasibility study, not a final decision. The purpose of the study is to gather information, explore possibilities, and provide both Boards of Education and the community with a clearer understanding of potential options for the future.

We appreciate the thoughtful questions, feedback, and participation from students, families, staff, and community members. Your engagement helps ensure that this process remains open, transparent, and informed by the perspectives of both communities.

Deposit CSD and Hancock CSD – Stakeholder Committee Update

Posted February 4, 2026

We appreciate the feedback shared by community members regarding the scheduling of stakeholder committee workgroups. We understand that daytime meeting times can be challenging for those with work and family commitments, and we value the importance of making this process as accessible as possible.

In response to this feedback, we are pleased to offer additional evening meeting opportunities for each of the following stakeholder committees.

•Educational Experiences

•Organizational Capacity

•Financial Sustainability

•DRAFT Report Feedback

These sessions will be held from 6:00–7:00 p.m. on February 10 and 24, and March 18 and April 14, respectvely. To sign up for these evening commitees, we kindly ask that you use this form.

These evening sessions are intended for individuals who were unable to participate in the earlier daytime meetings. If you have already signed up for a stakeholder committee, there is no need to register again—we already have your information.

Participation on a stakeholder committee is a meaningful time commitment. We encourage interested volunteers to carefully review the meeting dates and expectations to ensure they are able to participate fully.

This is one of several opportunities for students, staff, families, and community members to share input, ask questions, and stay informed throughout the feasibility study process. Your voice matters, and we thank you for taking the time to engage.

Community input is an important part of this study, and we will continue to make adjustments when possible to support broad participation.

Sincerely,

Denise Cook, Superintendent of Schools, Deposit Central School District
Lori Asquith, Superintendent of Schools, Hancock Central School District

Deposit CSD and Hancock CSD Welcome Leadership Solutions Advisers for Initial Site Visits 

Posted January 23, 2026

As part of the Feasibility Study, Deposit Central School District and Hancock Central School District will be welcoming members of Leadership Solutions Advisers (LSA) for initial on-site school visits in both districts on Tuesday, Jan 27 and Wednesday, Jan 28 with a snow date make-up for Hancock on Thursday, January 29. 

These visits represent an important early step in the feasibility study process. During their time in Deposit and Hancock, the LSA team will visit school buildings and key operational areas to better understand each district's unique context. This includes meeting with staff and administrators, observing classrooms, and learning about the daily practices that support student learning in each community. 

Engaging directly with students, staff, and school leaders allows the feasibility study to be grounded in authentic, firsthand experiences. During the site visits, the LSA team will: observe teaching and learning in action; examine how facilities, operations, and systems support educational experiences; and gather information that will inform subsequent conversations with the Advisory Committee,Stakeholder Work Groups, Focus Groups, and Elevating Student Voices sessions. 

These site visits are informational and exploratory in nature. They do not assume any outcome, but rather help ensure that future discussions and analyses are based on an accurate understanding of both districts. This work reflects the shared commitment of both school districts to transparency, collaboration, and community engagement throughout the feasibility study. We are grateful to our students, staff, and administrators for welcoming the visiting team and sharing the important work happening in our schools each day. 

We look forward to keeping you informed as the feasibility study continues and to sharing what we learn together.

Sincerely, 

Denise Cook, Superintendent of Schools, Deposit Central School District
Lori Asquith, Superintendent of Schools, Hancock Central School District

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