DELAWARE & SCHOHARIE COUNTIES — The Boards  of Education and Superintendents  of the Jefferson Central School District, Gilboa-Conesville Central School District, Roxbury Central School District, South Kortright Central School District, and Stamford Central School District have announced a collaborative initiative to examine the long-term sustainability and educational opportunities of their districts.

The five districts will jointly commission an Optimization Study, a comprehensive and data-driven analysis designed to evaluate potential strategies for strengthening academic programs,  

improving operational efficiency and ensuring the long-term viability of their schools. Within the Optimization Study, 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.

This initiative comes in response to shared challenges facing rural school districts across New York State, including declining student enrollment, increasing fiscal pressure, and the growing  

difficulty of maintaining a broad range of educational programs and services.

“The goal of this study is to provide our communities with clear and objective information about the options available to us,” said the district leadership in a joint statement. “We are committed to making thoughtful and transparent decisions that best serve our students and communities.”

The study will explore a range of potential approaches, including:

• Regionalization of programs and/or campuses

• Merger of districts

• Expansion of shared services and cooperative agreements

District leaders emphasized that no decisions have been made and that the study does not presume any particular outcome. Instead, it is intended to inform future discussions and support  

community-based decision-making.

As a next step, the districts will issue a joint Request for Proposals (RFP) to select an independent firm with expertise in educational planning and district organization. Community engagement will be a central component of the process, with opportunities for public input throughout the study.

“We recognize that our schools are at the heart of our communities,” the statement continued. “This process will be guided by a commitment to transparency, collaboration, and the best  

interests of our students.”  

Updates will be shared as the study progresses.