Voting Yes

Based on an average operating expense increase of about 2.8% per year, the two districts combined would be projected to have an annual operating cost of approximately $14 million — if no costs were cut.

As of June 30, 2021, the two district’s combined debt would total just over $30 million.

The merged district would qualify for $1.1 million in incentive operating aid for the 2022-23 school year. This is in addition to the approximately $13 million in combined state aid the merged district would be likely to receive.(The exact amount of state aid is unknown, since it is part of the annual state budget.)

The two districts would have a combined fund balance of approximately $3.2 million.

Building projects would be funded at a rate of 98%.

Based on 2021-22 enrollment data, the merged district would be projected to enroll about 621 K-12 students (317 K-16 students and 304 Grades 7-12 students).

If class sizes were kept consistent with class sizes in the current districts, the number of students per classroom could break down roughly as follows (student per class figures are averages):

• Kindergarten: 12/13 students per class (three classrooms)

• First grade: 16 students per class (two classrooms)

• Second grade: 16 students per class (two classrooms)

• Third grade: 18/19 students per class (two classrooms)

• Fourth grade: 17/18 students per class (two classrooms)

• Fifth grade: 16 students per class (two classrooms)

• Sixth grade*: 22/23 students per class (two classrooms) (*if sixth grade is in the elementary building)

ƒAt the secondary level, a merged district could maintain all programming currently offered by both districts for Grades 7-12, while eliminating up to 22 redundant sections. For example, Schenevus’ two seventh-grade social studies classes and Worcester’s two seventh-grade social studies classes — each with fewer than 20 students — could be combined into three classes total, eliminating one section. This could allow a merged district to add programming at the secondary level, such as:

• Adding a second foreign language program

• Increasing the number of electives, Honors courses and/or Advanced Placement courses

Merger incentive aid could fund summer enrichment programs for K-5 students, similar to the programs that were funded by pandemic aid in 2021.

If current opportunities are preserved, students in the merged district would have opportunities to participate in soccer, cross country, basketball, baseball/softball and track, as well as 18 different clubs or activities.

The district would likely be classified as a Class C school for athletics participation. However, classification can vary year over year, and could change between a C and a D, depending on enrollment.