A Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meeting is set to occur on Wednesday, September 27th at 6:30 PM. At the start of the meeting, a Town Hall – style meeting will take place for the District to hear reflections from our community regarding efficiency solutions as we plan for our future.
The District has examined savings opportunities in transportation and implemented a recommended solution this fall. We have also reduced instructional and support personnel and have fought to secure grant funding over the past 18 months.
It is very early in the budget-development cycle, however it is anticipated that we will be facing nearly a $1 million shortfall in next year’s budget. Morrisville-Eaton is not alone in these challenges. The phase-out of federal aid that was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic will hit most schools across the country in different ways.
Our district has some options to address the financial challenges, but no matter what the solution is, filling a $1 million gap will be felt one way or another.
From 2011 through 2014, the district explored a merger. In the end, the merger was not approved. In 2014, an efficiency study was explored to consider closing a building and maintain a single campus consisting of all student PK-12. Our enrollment forecast at the time of the study in 2014 showed that going to a single campus was not advisable. Our actual enrollment over time, however, did not align with the projections. Now we are serving just over 600 students – nearly half our enrollment in 1996. It may be time to reevaluate the options to consolidate and/or explore a merger with a neighboring district.
The purpose of the district presentation at the start of the PTO meeting on September 27th will be to share some facts of the past and today and explore possibilities for the future. We will welcome feedback, suggestions, take questions, and offer answers where possible.
Members of the community are welcome to attend the presentation on September 27th at 6:30 PM in the Edward R. Andrews Cafeteria. All are welcome to remain after the presentation to attend the remainder of the PTO meeting as well.
We look forward to this collaboration!