Tuckahoe Schools: Merger Vote Will Go Forward

As part of an ongoing process of merging the Tuckahoe and Southampton School Districts to save about $8.9 million tax dollars, the Tuckahoe School Board voted this week to approve a community vote on the merger. 

According to a report on 27-east, the vote was unanimous and the only thing standing in the way now of an Oct. 29 community-wide vote is an approval by the Southampton School Board to move the proposal forward.

The Southampton School Board is expected to give its green-light on Oct. 1. 

A merger of the two school districts has long been in the works with a comprehensive study started 8 months ago. That study, which not only outlines costs and tax impacts associated with a merger, but also instruction and administrative needs and transportation logistics, was presented and signed off by the State Education Department earlier this month. 

To read the full study, click here. 

Prior to the approval of the study, the school boards started the process of merging the school districts by requiring that all Tuckahoe students attend Southampton High School through a mutual agreement starting this school year. Prior to the agreement, parents of the Tuckahoe School District, which does not have a high school of its own, had the option to send their children to Westhampton Beach High School or Southampton High School. 
 
Patch wants to know: Do you support a merger of the two school districts? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.