The parents and voters within the Livingston Manor and Roscoe school districts have a big decision to make on Thursday, December 19 at each of the district’s gymnasiums – will the two finally merge to become one? 

In times past where this question was proposed to the community via a vote, the idea was dismissed. But much like a heads-up penny, the conversation keeps returning, urged back into the forefront by a majority of voters in the exit survey in May who wished to return to the topic, and a hefty incentive increase from New York State. 

That incentive has taken the form of roughly $30.7 million in merger aid over the next 14 years. This is up nearly $23.5 million from old estimations and calculations. The money alone speaks of a very powerful reason, but the history of closing schools in Sullivan County seems to be an even more influential one.

Data gathered throughout the past 40 years shows graduation numbers dropping steadily, with the exception of Liberty and Fallsburg, which have seen some growth instead. Most other schools have continuously leaned toward an average decrease. Results of these dwindling numbers make it so that the merging of school districts is not a new concept around here.

But that also gives a glimpse of good fortune, should the voters choose to consolidate. In the past, the school districts that have merged have gone on to supply opportunity, community, sports and scholarship for their engaging students. All of which should be allotted without withholding to all of those students belonging to either school.

Not to mention, Livingston Manor and Roscoe are basically already one-in-the-same despite their personal histories, just missing the unity in sharing a name, building and student body. So we ask voters to make their decision based on the needs of their children and future students to give them the best chances in such a critical time in their early lives.

At the end of the day, yes, a merger can be scary. Yes, it means letting go of what was and embracing something brand new, and yes, that is never a fun undertaking, but history and trends show that this will come to pass eventually. For the sake of the students, why not use the opportunity with this incentive to shape the future, not just accept it?