Dear Families, Staff, and Community Members,
We are writing to share important information about our school districts and the students we serve.
Along with four neighboring districts, our district has agreed to jointly commission an Optimization Study. This study will provide a clear, fact-based understanding of the options available to our school communities and help guide thoughtful decision-making for the future.
Why are we doing this?
Like many rural school districts across our state, we are facing three serious and interconnected challenges:
• Declining Enrollment — Our student population has been shrinking steadily, and that trend is expected to continue.
• Fiscal Pressure — As enrollment declines, so does funding. At the same time, costs continue to rise, creating increasing financial strain.
• Limited Educational Opportunities — Tight budgets and smaller enrollments make it increasingly difficult to offer the full range of courses, programs, extracurriculars, and student support services our children deserve.
What will the study examine?
The Optimization Study will take an honest, thorough look at the full range of structural options available to our five districts. This may include:
• Regionalization — Developing shared programs and/or campuses to expand student opportunities while maintaining local district identity.
• Merger — Two or more districts combining to form a new or expanded district, which could provide a larger student base, broader programming, and increased state financial support. Two school districts – Jefferson and Stamford – are interested in convening a Merger Study to see if combining districts increases educational offerings, improves efficiency, and increases state financial support.
• Shared Services and Other Cooperative Arrangements — Partnerships that reduce costs and expand programming without requiring structural change.
Important to know
No decisions have been made. This is a study — not a predetermined outcome. The goal is to gather the facts and analysis our communities need to make informed, thoughtful decisions together.
What happens next?
The five districts will jointly issue an Request for Proposal (RFP) to select an independent firm to conduct the study. Community engagement will be a central part of the process — your voice matters and will help shape what path, if any, our districts choose to take.
We will provide regular updates as the process moves forward. I encourage every family, staff member, and community member to stay informed and engaged. These are your schools, and this decision belongs to all of us.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
With respect and shared commitment to our school communities,
The Boards of Education and Superintendents
Stacy E. Ward, PhD
Superintendent
Roxbury CSD
53729 State Highway 30
Roxbury, NY 12474