UTICA — Residents of three Herkimer County school districts have yet to vote on whether or not to merge those districts — a move the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce supports.
Merger talks have been under way in the Ilion, Mohawk, and Herkimer school districts, with the last community forum taking place in late August. A straw vote takes place Sept. 12, followed by a statutory referendum on Oct. 18.
The districts have cited tight budgets and dwindling funds as major reasons behind the merger consideration, and the chamber, in a news release, agrees that the rising costs of schools hold back the region economically and affect business growth.
“The Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce supports such consolidation efforts, applauds the efforts of the three school districts seeking the consolidation of educational services, and encourages the residents to support the establishment of one school district,” reads a Sept. 4 resolution passed by the chamber’s board of directors.
Contact DeLore at tdelore@tmvbj.com