ELLERY – The Bemus Point Board of Education has approved a one-year merger of the Maple Grove and Chautauqua Lake football programs. According to today’s Post-Journal, under the merger plan, Maple Grove and Chautauqua Lake would both furnish two coaches, but Maple Grove would be in charge of furnishing the head coach.
School officials site shrinking student body along with costs as the two primary reasons for merging to the two programs.
The merger was met with criticism by parents from both schools – saying they both already field competitive programs and they fear school identity will be lost if the merger were to take place. Additional travel time and expenses due to players from Chautauqua Lake being bussed every day to Maple Grove was also a concern voiced by parents.
The merger agreement is intended for just one year, with the schools reviewing it after the 2013 season is over to see if it worked and if it should continue or whether or not it should end.
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