Those who complain that school mergers still lead to higher taxes are not incorrect. However, they are wrong to dismiss the lessened burden of taxes the consolidation brings.
Last week, the Empire Center for New York State Public Policy released its latest findings on the highest tax burdens. Those municipalities with the lowest burdens in the county were in the towns of Chautauqua, Ellery, Ellington and Westfield. Their school district: Chautauqua Lake.
So while taxes may have increased in these townships, the decision to merge the Chautauqua and Mayville schools has eased the burden paid by district residents over the last 17 years.
