Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Merger Community Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public asks for transparency on proposed merger committee as superintendent reports steady enrollment
Summary
A public commenter urged transparency on how a district merger community committee will be formed; the board said a feasibility study is ongoing and promised outreach. Superintendent Dr. Morrell reported enrollment steady at 1,152 and highlighted summer programs and staff acknowledgments.
During public comment at Tuesday's Southampton Union Free School District board meeting, a resident welcomed new board members and asked how the community merger committee will be formed and how residents will be informed so they can participate.
"I just wanted to make sure that there is transparency there," the commenter said, asking whether information would appear on the district website or other community channels.
Board members responded that the district is still conducting a feasibility study and does not yet have committee membership or the first meeting date; they said community members will be invited to participate, and the district will publicize meeting dates and membership when available.
Earlier in the meeting Superintendent Dr. Morrell reported enrollment is steady for the last three months at 1,152 students, noting one student exited to another in‑state public school and one entered from abroad in the last 30 days. He praised staff and community partners for a successful 2025–26 school year and highlighted the kickoff to the summer reading challenge and other summer programs.
"It was a year of substantial progress for our students and schools," Dr. Morrell said, thanking teachers, administrators and families.
Board members said they will share feasibility‑study chapters with the community and circulate information about committee opportunities later in the summer or early fall. The meeting record shows the district plans to begin community meetings in the fall after data gathering and feasibility analysis are complete.
Next steps: the feasibility study will continue; the board said it expects to schedule committee and community meetings in late September or October and will post details to district channels when dates and membership are confirmed.
