Odessa-Montour looks at shared services

    ODESSA—The Odessa-Montour school board will be doing a facilities use study, which Superintendent Jim Frame said, Thursday, Oct. 18, could explore the possibility of a consolidation.
    During the regular board meeting, Frame said the next workshop session, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 25, would be focused solely on this. He added the district received one of what will hopefully be three proposals to do the facilities use study. He explained this means looking at how much space is needed and what reorganization could be done.
    The district will also create a long-term plan, which Frame said could involve potential mergers or consolidations if that is found to be needed. He added he wanted clear communication with the public on this because it is an ongoing discussion with the board.
    Earlier in the meeting during public comment, resident Robert Tuttle said he was back to ask the board if they have or will be doing a study on merging with Watkins Glen Central School District. He cited a Cornell University study that student numbers are down 5.5 percent.
    “If we don’t act now, the state will act on it,” said Tuttle.
    In other business:
    • Chris Weinman, GST BOCES executive director of career and technical education, presented on this year’s summer school. He said the BOCES district had 1,907 students in seven regional summer schools. Of that, 36 O-M students went to 46 classes.
    • The board accepted two donations: $100 from Kirt and Anita Menzi for the school lunch fund and $30.66 from Target Take Charge Education Program.
    • Students from all schools recognized the board during School Board Recognition Week.