Capital Region BOCES District Superintendent Charles S. Dedrick appeared on behalf of the NYS Education Dept. to honor North Colonie and Maplewood for their annexation efforts.

October 27, 2008 - The North Colonie and former Maplewood school districts were honored recently by the New York State Education Department for the Maplewood annexation, a move that will benefit both students and taxpayers.

Maplewood was its own school district for more than 100 years but became part of North Colonie in July.

Speaking on behalf of the Education Department, Charles S. Dedrick, district superintendent of the Capital Region BOCES, said he has been involved in school consolidation efforts in the past and is fully aware of the difficulties such endeavors face.

“For the boards of education, administrations and communities to move beyond the emotion of the issue and so clearly focus on the best interests of children and taxpayers is commendable,” Dedrick told board members at their meeting on Monday, Oct. 27. “You have become a statewide example of a successful regionalization effort. I’m quite sure that what you have done will become a shining example for others to follow.”

School board members and administrators from both districts realized several years ago that joining together would result in educational and financial gains for both. However, they also knew that to convince residents it was the right way to go, they would have to set aside their emotions and convince residents to do the same.

In October 2007, North Colonie and Maplewood voters overwhelmingly approved the annexation proposal. The vote in North Colonie was 1232 to 248 in favor, while in Maplewood the vote was 214 to 29 in favor of the annexation.

“I thank and assure you that what you have accomplished has not gone unnoticed,” Dedrick said. “I will proudly point out your efforts whenever I am provided an opportunity to do so.”

The annexation will provide significant financial incentives to the expanded district including:

• $30 million in operating incentive aid over the next 14 years

• A major increase in state building aid (from 48 percent to 68 percent) will enable the district to address infrastructure needs at little cost to taxpayers

• The ability to stabilize future tax rates, while adding and improving upon academic and staff development programs