By Bob Niedbala, Staff writer

niedbala@observer-reporter.com

MAPLETOWN - Southeastern Greene School Board took a stand Thursday opposing a plan to use a state grant the district and two other districts received to study a merger or the consolidation of services for anything other than its intended purpose.

The board voted unanimously on a motion stating if the $100,000 grant is not used by the districts for a feasibility study, it should be returned to the state.

Southeastern Greene, Carmichaels Area and Jefferson-Morgan school districts received the grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development to conduct the feasibility study.

The Carmichaels Area board, however, decided it did not want to participate in the study.

Carmichaels voted last week to serve as fiscal agent for the grant and will seek state approval to divide the grant equally among the districts for each to use for other programs.

Members of the Southeastern Greene board Thursday questioned whether the two other districts without Southeastern Greene could determine what happens with the grant, which was awarded to all three districts.

Board member David Richter also asked whether the study could still be completed without all three districts participating. He noted much of the information that would be needed for the study is public information.

Richter added he would like to see the issues of mergers or consolidation of services considered on a countywide basis, though that would probably require "sweeping changes" at the state level.

Board member Gary Yoskovich also said the state should do more to encourage districts to consider mergers or consolidations, which was, at one time, a priority for the state.

Board members agreed if the grant money is not used for the purpose it was intended, it should be returned to the state.

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