To the Editor:

The proposed merger between Potsdam and Canton’s school districts is based on many assumptions. I attended the Town Hall meeting last night in Potsdam and was alarmed to learn some of the feasibility study’s deficiencies.

At the center of the debate, of course, is the projection that a few years down the line – if the merger passes – the merged district would again be in financial trouble. That should be enough to give you pause. But also arising during the information session is the reliance of this projection on the state to come through with the same annual budget that the districts take individually, combining them into the merged district’s budget.

We have no assurance that this would be the case. In fact, from the state’s perspective, isn’t this precisely WHY they encourage these mergers? So that they can decrease the funding? Why else would they offer $35 million to make this happen? They also say they’ll lower taxes, this seems like a scheme to get folks on board who share our tax burden but have no kids in the schools.

Also arising last night was the issue of transportation. This, to me, seems to be one of the most fundamental and largest expenses for a merged district.

Transportation will be expensive in many ways. Financially expensive: think of fueling and maintaining those buses. Environmentally expensive: think of the increased number of buses and cars on the road. Traffic on Route 11 will dramatically increase, as will traffic surrounding the chosen Middle and High Schools. Transportation does not even appear on the feasibility study’s budget! They don’t know how much it will cost. Is it insignificant? I think not. Someone should have run these numbers. But they didn’t.

Yes, we need to save our schools. There is no question about that. We came to Potsdam because of its wonderful schools and I feel like they’re slowly being taken away from us. Obviously we cannot continue with the constant cuts to our budgets and unfair distribution of state funds.

The feasibility study is flawed and founded on some very bold assumptions. I respect Mr. Brady and the Board’s efforts, I know none of this is easy.

The four colleges, the hospital, they employ some brilliant people. There must be a solution out there; I challenge you people of Potsdam and Canton, find a way to save our schools. But don’t fall for this quick fix, it’s not the solution.

Doyle Dean

Potsdam