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Somers board splits on NYSED regionalization planning; agrees to remain engaged for now
Summary
Board members debated the state's regionalization planning initiative at a Jan. 7 workshop. Some trustees urged opting out until a superintendent is hired; others argued the district should complete the strengths-and-needs assessment and participate so Somers retains a voice. The board did not adopt an opt-out resolution.
The Somers Central School District Board of Education debated New York State's regionalization planning initiative at its Jan. 7 workshop and, after a lengthy discussion, agreed to continue participating in the initial planning steps for now while some trustees said they would prefer pausing until the district has a permanent superintendent.
Harry (district official) opened the discussion, describing the initiative as "a collaborative regional planning approach for local districts to communicate what they need in order to ensure equitable education opportunities for all students," language he said is from the State Education Department. He and other trustees referenced state materials posted on the district website and on the NYSED site.
Supporters on the board said participation carries no required commitments and would give Somers a seat at regional convenings and a chance to identify opportunities the district could pursue with neighboring districts or BOCES. Trustee Margaret DiLorenzo said the process could help smaller districts pool resources and noted Somers already collaborates with neighboring districts through athletics and BOCES programs.
Trustee Pat Ribarro and others expressed concern about timing. Ribarro said the board could opt out now and opt back in later, and he favored waiting until the district completes its superintendent search and is not "in a transition year." Several board members and staff repeated that NYSED and BOCES have said participation in planning does not force districts to adopt any proposed activities.
Board members described the planning steps as two-stage: first, component districts complete a strengths-and-needs assessment; second, convenings are held to explore shared programs and potential priorities to bring to the state. Administrators said much of the strengths-and-needs work is nearly complete and that convenings would likely occur in January and February.
Trustees discussed examples of possible regional collaboration, including expanded CTE/BOCES programming, virtual courses that would let small cohorts across districts share specialized classes, and shared special-education program development. The district's Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES superintendent (Neil Boyle) and Commissioner Betty Rosa were referenced several times in the discussion as presenters or sources of information at recent regional meetings.
The board did not pass a formal resolution to opt out of the planning process. Several trustees said they would not vote to opt out at this time; one trustee explicitly said they preferred to opt out for now; one indicated an abstention. Administrators summarized the practical implication: if Somers does not complete the assessment or participate in convenings, it will not have direct input into whatever regional plan is reported out; if it participates it can choose whether to adopt any resulting activities.
Board members also agreed the district should publicize convenings and offer opportunities for community input if the process moves forward.
No financial commitments or changes to district governance were proposed or adopted during the meeting. A straw poll of board members resulted in a de facto decision to remain engaged in the initial planning steps and convenings "for now," with the understanding any future commitments would require board approval.
The board then moved on to its personnel consent agenda and other business.
