The Deposit Central School District and Hancock Central School District are working together to complete a merger feasibility study, and we are pleased to share several new updates with our families, staff, and wider community.
Why a Feasibility Study?
Conversations about sharing and merging services between the two districts have taken place for more than 30 years, with the first documented merger study completed in 1992. Since then, the districts have successfully collaborated in a number of areas, including:
· Shared staffing
· Professional development opportunities
· Athletic programs
These partnerships have strengthened educational offerings and opportunities for students in both districts.
As operational costs continue to rise and financial pressures increase for small rural districts across New York State, both Boards of Education agreed that an updated feasibility study is necessary. In March and August 2025, both Boards approved the study and selected Leadership Solutions Advisers to coordinate and manage the process.
Resources Now Available
Several important documents are now available to help community members understand the work ahead:
· Kick-Off Letter outlining the purpose and scope of the study
· Detailed Study Timeline with major milestones and phases
· Description of Stakeholder Groups, including how to get involved
These documents are now available and will remain posted for public access on our central webpage.
Central Merger Study Webpage
To maintain transparency and make information easy to find, a dedicated webpage has been created to host:
· Documents and reports
· Announcements and meeting summaries
· Frequently asked questions
· Future survey links
· Public engagement information
Visit the page here:
https://sites.google.com/dcmoboces.com/deposit-hancock-merger-study/home?authuser=1
Bookmark this page to stay informed throughout the process!
Opportunities to Participate
Community members who wish to join a stakeholder group may complete an interest survey linked in the stakeholder description.
➡ Interest Survey Deadline: January 30th, 2026
Please note: While stakeholder groups require mandatory meeting attendance, there will be many additional opportunities for public input through in-person sessions and online or paper surveys.
Commitment to Transparency
Both districts are committed to a thorough, well-informed, and community-centered process. We will continue to communicate frequently as the study progresses.