By JIMMY LAWTON

POTSDAM – A merger of Canton and Potsdam School Districts would provide students with more opportunities at a reduced cost, according to Western New York Education Council, Buffalo.

Months of work sessions by the joint merger committee wrapped up last night as consultants, hired to lead the study, concluded that a merger could reduce tax rates and provide broader educational opportunities for students.

Consultants estimated a 42-cent reduction in Canton’s school tax rate and a $2.96 drop in Potsdam’s rate, if the district’s merge.

The merged district rate was estimated at $19.73.

While the school board would determine the actual tax rate, the consultant’s scenario estimated using about $1.3 million from the state’s $35 million incentive to reduce taxes.

Consultant Roger Gorham said that while the savings might not seem substantial on paper, it is largely due to the massive cuts already made by the schools over the last few years. He said the districts have already realized about $6 million in savings, but added that it would not be possible to maintain the same level of opportunity for students without the merger.

Consultants said a merged school district would be able to maintain current class sizes for the long term, while failure to merge would increase the number of students per class. This would be due to cuts in programs and staff seems inevitable if the schools fail to merge and the state dose not substantially increase aid for the districts.

Consultants said the merged district would allow the schools to add new sports teams to its athletic program, but could also make it harder for some students to make the cut as the pool for players would basically double. Consultants said this would be felt the most in popular sports like soccer, basketball and hockey.

Gorham said research indicates that a merger would be beneficial to both districts, but added that the decision will be up to the boards of education and the voters.

Gorham said consultants would finalize the merger study and present the report to the boards of education by June 19. After reviewing the report board members will determine if the study will be brought to a public vote.

If both boards approve, a non-binding “straw vote” would be held in each district. Consultants said if that vote is positive then a binding referendum would be held to finalize the process and determine the number of board members and their term lengths.