District Almanacs

Top 5 Schenevus Myths About Merger

Myth #1: In an annexation, Worcester gets all the property and takes us over and we lose our district. It is a takeover and Schenevus loses all of its rights to a school district.

Truth: In an annexation, Schenevus residents become part of the Worcester Central School District and would have a vote in future decisions. The district would now include Schenevus’ property, which then "belongs” to all the resident taxpayers of the enlarged school district.

Myth #2: Our taxes will go up

Truth: Tax increases are based in part on the annual budget set by the Board of Education each year. Schenevus voters will have the ability to approve or reject any budget proposal. On the other hand, without a merger, Schenevus will continue to be unable to cover its expenses at or below the minimum tax levy increase. It is projected that maintaining current programming at Schenevus would likely require tax levy increases of between 6%-10% each year without a merger.

Myth #3: Worcester just wants to do the annexation because they will get assets, they don’t care about our kids.

Truth: In a merged district, all the students living in Schenevus and Worcester would become “Worcester’s kids.” There would be no more “our” and “their,” but instead, “we.”

Myth #4: The teachers at Worcester will treat the Schenevus kids like outsiders.

Truth: Teachers welcome new students into their classrooms every year. Whether they are former Schenevus teachers teaching in Worcester, or entirely new teachers who will be hired by a merged district, all teachers are expected to treat their students with kindness and respect, regardless of where the student lives.

Myth #5: The merger incentive aid will run out and taxes will increase to be able to support the additional programs.

Truth: While it is true that the merger incentive aid only lasts for 14 years, there is no evidence that tax increases will be needed to support any additional programs. Research shows that small districts (500 students or fewer) have the best potential to save money through efficiencies by merging.

The Board of Education can choose to save some or all of the merger incentive aid of approximately $11 million for the future so that there won’t be a tax impact after the merger aid stops. All taxpayers will have a vote in how this money is used through the budget process.

Top 5 Worcester Myths About Merger

Myth #1: Our taxes will go up

Truth: Tax increases are based in part on the annual budget set by the Board of Education each year. Voters will continue to have the ability to approve or reject any budget proposed by the enlarged Worcester Central School District following a merger.

Myth #2: Schenevus has more debt than Worcester

Truth: As of June 30, 2021 (the end of the fiscal year), Worcester’s total debt including buses $20,164,532 — about two times’ that of Schenevus’ ($9,835,621). Both districts are currently able to manage debt through the use of state aid and as a part of the general fund budget. This would not change in a merger. What would change is the state aid ratio for new building improvements and additions, which would increase to 98% instead of the current 85%.

Myth #3: Schenevus’ building is going to cost too much to fix.

Truth: While some repairs to the Schenevus school building are needed, all schools need regular building proj-ects to maintain their buildings. For 10 years after a district merges, there is a new aid ratio, which in this case would be 98%. Therefore, only 2% of the cost of repairs to any building will fall to local taxpayers.

The estimated total cost of the needed repairs in Schenevus are about $2 million. By comparison, recent capital projects in the region include a $27.6 million capital project in Unatego; a $19 million project in Afton; an $8 million project in Walton; a $5 million project in Cooperstown; and a $3.5 million capital project in Laurens, according to local media reports.

With merger aid, the local share of the needed repairs to the Schenevus building (paid by taxpayers in Schenevus and Worcester) would be an increase to the annual budget of about $1,400 per year

Myth #4: We will have to change our district name.

Truth: Any name changes will be up to the Worcester Central School Board of Education. It is typical in an annexation merger that the annexing district keeps its name unless the board decides differently.

Myth #5: Our kids will lose spots on sports teams.

Truth: While it is possible that there may be more competition for top spots on varsity teams, a merged district also has the potential to field more athletic teams and offer other types of sports, making it possible for a greater number of students to have choices in what sport they chose.