Marion and Williamson boards hear two merger‑feasibility proposals, defer selection after executive session

Marion School Board and the Williamson Board of Education met jointly at Sodus Central School District to hear two firms competing to be contracted through BOCES to conduct a merger feasibility study. The boards were presented with contrasting approaches for community engagement, timelines and financial modeling and deferred any selection after a joint executive session.

The first team, Leadership Advisors, described a process‑driven approach centered on five core values — purpose, passion, partnership, process and product — and emphasized advisory committees, focus groups and broad community engagement. "We start our work around enhanced educational experiences," said Matt Cole, a retired superintendent representing Leadership Advisors, who said the firm typically organizes site visits, advisory committees of roughly 20 people and an eight‑month study timeline that can be shortened to five or six months.

The second team, Meyer Merger Studies, led its presentation with two headline estimates: a projected $71,800,000 in merger incentive aid and an estimated 95% building aid rate on qualifying costs. "Those two numbers are massive and they should have gotten your attention," said Dr. Josh Meyer, who also stressed that student outcomes must drive decisions. Meyer and colleague Justin Gardner described the feasibility study as a high‑level analysis to inform whether districts should proceed to a full merger study, and warned that merger incentives are time‑limited and tied to eligible project costs.

Board members probed both teams on deliverables and scope. Leadership Advisors said feasibility reports can still yield actionable recommendations for districts that choose not to merge. Meyer cautioned that 95% building aid applies only to qualifying eligible costs and described the "staircase" idea — shared services and partnerships as intermediate steps before a full merger.

Community members used the public‑comment period to press for clarity and scope. "I'm on the fence about this whole thing," said Stephanie of Williamson, urging the boards to ensure the study addresses whether students' academic proficiencies would improve. Other residents asked that feasibility teams include objective outside experts on finance, transportation and facilities and requested open forums and roundtables for real‑time answers.

After presentations and public comment the boards moved into a joint executive session to discuss contracting. When they returned to public session, Chair (Speaker 1) announced, "we are not taking action on accepting either one of the proposals for tonight," and said the boards would continue conversations and follow up with the districts and BOCES about next steps. The meeting adjourned after motions to end the session were approved by voice vote.

What happens next: the boards said they will continue discussions with BOCES and the presenters about the scope and deliverables they want in a feasibility study. No contract or formal study authorization was approved at the meeting.