Schools will have the ability to opt-in or out of the school regionalization plan, according to state education officials.

The New York State Education Department’s proposed regionalization plan would encourage schools to share resources across districts – a proposal that some parents said would erode local control of districts.

Under the proposal, districts would fill out a "strength and needs" survey, and a plan to share services would be developed.

Critics argue that regionalization could dilute the quality of education in districts and impact their ability to make decisions that best serve their students.

Betty A. Rosa, the state commissioner of education, said in a letter that the public comment period has concluded and added two revisions. One of which is a “voluntary participation acknowledgement.”

It states:

“To address concerns about mandatory participation, a new provision will be added, which allows districts in consultation with their school boards, to elect not to participate in the regionalization planning process by submitting written notification by January 15, 2025.”