By CRAIG FREILICH

Assemblywoman Addie Russell, D-Theresa, is initiating a round of discussions in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties to try to find solutions to stabilize the precarious state some North Country schools find themselves in.

At a press conference at her Watertown office today, Russell said she wants to establish an education policy conference to hear from “everyone interested in being part of a serious discussion” on ways to guarantee a sustainable future of public schools in the North Country.

Russell represents the 116th Assembly district, which includes all St. Lawrence County towns along the St. Lawrence River (Massena, Ogdensburg, Louisville, Waddington, Lisbon, Oswegatchie, Morristown, and Hammond) plus the towns of Canton, Potsdam, Rossie, Macomb, and DePeyster, and northern Jefferson County not including Watertown.

She represents Canton and Potsdam, where in October a negative vote in those school districts ended an examination of the possibility of merging the two districts to save money. The idea had been spurred on by an offer of monetary incentives from the state for several years after any merger, but analysis by consultants showed the merged district nearing zero fund balances again within seven or eight years, back where the districts are now.

A steep drop in state aid for schools, felt keenly in the North Country, has nearly depleted many schools’ reserves as they struggle to keep staff and program offerings at acceptable levels without asking local property owners to assume an even heavier load than they bear now.

“We want to discover the real areas of concern in the educational system in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties,” Russell said.

She said she plans several meetings in the two counties beginning in January before Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget message, to provide a forum for communities to discuss early learning, after school programs, arts, electives, and other matters in a larger discussion of maintaining public education in the North Country.

She said she wants a well-rounded representation from schools “small, medium and large,” from all parts of the school and larger communities.

“It’s important for the community to drive this, not consultants,” Russell said. “We shouldn’t be telling them what to do. We will discuss whatever they want to.”

Russell said she thinks that “they want sustainable solutions that provide for strong programs in school” that will ensure students are prepared to compete in further schooling and the job market. That’s what I hear. We want kids to be prepared but we can’t continue to raise taxes.”

Anyone who wants to participate in the public discussions is invited to contact Russell by mail to her Jefferson County District Office, Dulles State Office Building, Suite 210, 317 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, or by email to RussellA@assembly.state.ny.us.