OBSERVER?Photo by Joan Josephson Richard Ketcham shares his thoughts about the Brocton-Fredonia school districts merger Thursday evening.

BROCTON — At a joint meeting Thursday, the Brocton and Fredonia School Boards unanimously approved going ahead with the merger between the two districts. This came after both boards listened to comments from Brocton and Fredonia residents about the possible merger. For the most part, many of the speakers supported the merger. But, there were those who spoke out against it. Their protests were supported by an estimated 44 people who displayed signs on both sides of Route 20, leading up to Brocton Central’s driveway. These individuals met at a private home to discuss their opposition to the merger. There were approximately 300 individuals who attended this latest informational session held at the Brocton auditorium on the proposed merger They were told the school boards were here to answer questions not to convince the audience. Instead, they were told to make up their own minds.