TROY, Mich. – The Troy School District issued a statement this week about a possible merger with Clawson Public Schools.
Officials with the Troy district said their board of education has not been officially asked to consider a partnership. However, they said they are open to having the conversation. Any request would need to come from the Clawson school board.
Troy officials also reiterated their commitment to students and staff in Troy.
Here is the letter to community members:
Hello ONE Troy,
Many of you may have seen news stories over the past week about a possible merger with the Clawson School District. We have been reticent to say much because our Board of Education has not been officially asked to consider any partnership, but I wanted you to know where we stand.
We are open to having a conversation around exploring the idea of a partnership, but any request has to formally come from their Board to our Board. If that should happen, we would spend considerable time studying the pros and cons to the Troy School District and have open and public dialogue about what this could look like.
Let me make one thing very clear: our singular priority is the students and staff in the Troy School District. Any conversation, exploration and ultimately decision—should it come to that—would be made with our students and staff in mind. This would have to be something that would be mutually beneficial to our communities for us to even consider it.
In the next few weeks, their Board is expected to make some decisions. If we are asked to formally consider a partnership, we will inform you immediately and keep you apprised every step of the way. Your thoughts and input are important and will be central to any discussion should the Troy Board consider further deliberation.
Kerry Birmingham
Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives
Troy School District
Clawson Public Schools considering building closure, merger
Earlier this month, Clawson Superintendent Tim Wilson expressed concerns about the district's future and is looking into solutions. The district has enough money for now, but in about three years, something will need to change.
Clawson has two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. Districts throughout Michigan are suffering from dwindling enrollment because there are fewer children, which means less money from the state.