In a recent decision, the Southwestern Central School District has opted to merge five out of six fall sports teams with the Frewsburg Central School District. This move comes after careful consideration during a school board meeting held on Tuesday. While the majority of the mergers were approved, some faced opposition within the board and from concerned residents who questioned the potential impact on student opportunities. Additionally, Superintendent Maureen Donahue presented preliminary figures regarding an upcoming property tax reassessment that could significantly affect local taxpayers.
The Southwestern Central School District is consolidating its varsity and junior varsity football team, competitive cheerleading squads, girls' varsity swim teams, girls' varsity tennis teams, and boys' varsity swim teams with those of the Frewsburg Central School District. The merger aims to streamline resources and provide broader opportunities for students. However, not all decisions were unanimous. Board members Josh Gesing and Dr. Elizabeth Laczi opposed the football and tennis team mergers, while Gesing abstained from voting on the girls' swim team merger. Interestingly, Rick Hartmann was the sole supporter of merging the boys' soccer teams despite administrative recommendations against it.
During the public comment session, several residents expressed concerns about the implications of these shared sports programs. Troy Durnell inquired whether approving the mergers might result in excessively large teams leading to cuts. Eric Clark, a parent from Frewsburg, raised questions about whether such collaborations would diminish opportunities for Southwestern students or bring any adverse effects. These discussions highlighted the community's interest in ensuring that student athletes continue to have meaningful participation in their respective sports.
Beyond sports, Superintendent Maureen Donahue addressed the financial aspect of the district by presenting preliminary data on an impending property tax reassessment. She emphasized that although the total tax levy collected by the district will remain constant, the composition of these collections will shift due to the reassessment. Approximately one-third of assessments are expected to increase, another third to stay relatively stable, and the final third to decrease. In her presentation, Donahue outlined that the current tax rate stands at $22.495 per $1,000 of assessed value for the Town of Busti but could drop to $10,825 per $1,000 post-reassessment. Furthermore, adjustments may also occur within the STAR and Enhanced STAR programs, impacting eligibility thresholds.
As the Southwestern Central School District moves forward with these changes, both in sports and taxation, it underscores a strategic approach to resource management. By merging certain athletic teams, the district seeks to enhance competition and collaboration among students while addressing budgetary constraints. Meanwhile, the anticipated tax reassessment offers a chance for equitable distribution among property owners. Together, these initiatives reflect a commitment to improving educational and extracurricular experiences for students amidst evolving fiscal realities.