On Thursday, Dec. 19, voters in the Livingston Manor and Roscoe Central School Districts approved a proposal to merge the two districts via centralization.

Voters approved the proposed merger by a vote of 351 to 227 in Livingston Manor and by 283 to 106 in Roscoe. The plan to merge, long considered by the districts, had been repeatedly voted down in the past, and was rejected as recently as October 2022. The vote in favor of the change was welcomed by both boards and school administrations.

“I appreciate our residents’ support of the measure, which will benefit our students and the communities,” said Superintendent John Evans “I want to thank all of the people who contributed to making this happen.”

New school board to form

A press release issued by the districts noted that also on the ballot were two questions on the composition and terms of the new district’s board of education. Voters determined the board would be seven members with terms of three years. Terms will be staggered.

Those interested in serving on the new board must gather enough signatures on a nominating petition to be placed on the ballot for the new Board of Education, with the election of board members expected to take place in February. More details on the petition process and the election date will be available soon.

Once in place, the new board will craft the district’s 2025-26 operating budget, which will go before voters on May 20.

The new district will begin operation July 1. Although building reconfiguration will not happen immediately, the extra funding through state incentive aid will begin at that time. A restructuring committee of board members, administrators, faculty, staff, parents and students will be formed to recommend the best grade configurations and building makeup for the new district, with implementation taking place gradually over the 2025-26 school year and beyond.

Town libraries may also be affected

The Livingston Manor and Roscoe libraries currently have their tax levies set through the hamlets’ individual school districts. When those two districts become one, the libraries may decide to merge as well. The boards of the Livingston Manor Library and Roscoe Free Library will be in discussion over the next month to determine how best to proceed.

The libraries already have a shared-services agreement that allows the Manor Library Director Peggy McGuire to serve in that capacity for both libraries, an arrangement that was instituted in August 2024.

For updates on the merger process, visit the LMCS website at lmcs.k12.ny.us, and the RCS website at roscoe.k12.ny.us.