Whitesville, NY — The Whitesville Central School District Board of Education and Superintendent are pleased to announce the completion of an extensive Optimization Team Study, initiated in the spring of 2024. This study was designed to gather insights and recommendations aimed at enhancing the educational landscape of our district.
The optimization process involved extensive stakeholder engagement, including interviews with 165 community members—comprising of students, faculty, staff, community members, and taxpayers. Additionally, the district received 98 extended response surveys that highlighted a diverse array of concerns, solutions, and suggestions, all critical for informed decision-making.
The Optimization Team, led by members of the Schmitt Leadership Group—Dr. Brian Schmitt, Mr. Robert Breidenstein, Dr. Ravo Root, and Mr. Bob Mackey—conducted a thorough analysis over several months. Collectively, the team brings over 100 years of district leadership experience to this endeavor. Their review included multiple years of the district’s financial aid and fund balance, an examination of contractual agreements related to recruitment and retention of instructional staff, and an assessment of 40 years of student enrollment data.
The final recommendations presented by the team are organized around seven key themes:
Avoiding a Status Quo Mindset: The community expects the Board of Education and district to take proactive action rather than maintaining the current state.
K-12 Merger Consideration: At this time, the district should not pursue a merger with another local school partner.
K-6 Educational Program Stability: Drastic changes to the K-6 educational program are not advisable at this stage.
Investing in Teacher Recruitment and Retention: The district should leverage its financial stability to enhance recruitment and retention strategies, stabilizing the workforce.
Tuition Agreement Formalization: Establishing a formal tuition agreement with a neighboring district will provide continuity for secondary students and their families.
Community Engagement as an Asset: The significant participation in this study underscores the value of community engagement in shaping the district's future.
Re-imagining Educational Approaches: The district should initiate a process to re-imagine its approach to education, programs, community engagement, and learning.
The Board of Education and Superintendent are committed to collaborating with stakeholders to implement these recommendations and to chart a path forward that ensures the continued success of our students and community.
The Board of Education anticipates, accepting the optimization team study report on November 12, 2024.