Northville, Mayfield voters face $1.8M question

Posted at: 09/17/2012 3:06 PM | Updated at: 09/17/2012 3:45 PM
By: Abigail Bleck

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FULTON COUNTY -- Cats and dogs may not get along but the Mayfield Panthers and Northville Falcons may soon have to.

"I got three kids in school and it would definitely hurt them," worried Dean Spencer of Northville.

A proposed merger between the two school districts might be the only way to close a combined $1.8 million budget gap.

"These fiscal times show we need money to maintain the business of educating kids. That's the reality of it," explained Mayfield Superintendent Paul Williamsen.

If approved by voters Tuesday, each town would maintain an elementary school.  All middle schoolers would attend classes in Northville and high school aged kids would go to Mayfield.

"Small schools are better schools.  Big schools cause too many problems," believed another Northville resident, Laura Singer.

The plan calls for the elimination of 12-15 jobs.  Mayfield alone has already cut double that.

"That's it.  I have no one else to lay off.  We need to educate our kids," maintained Williamsen.

And, Williamsen believes, that education would be more well rounded if the consolidation is approved.   Non-mandatory classes, like art and music would be saved.

"Not only keep, but improve.  Bring more fine art programs to the district, is my desire," added Williamsen.

But it's the desire of the voters that matters most.

"It might make sense.  When I went to school here, there were a lot more kids in the classroom than now," said Ian Byrne, of Northville.

The polls are open Tuesday from noon to 8 p.m.  If the merger is approved there will be a binding vote at the end of October.  Click here for more information.