The start of a new school year always brings lots of planning, excitement, and maybe a few nerves. For Rockland Central School District students, families, and staff, this year marks an even bigger fresh start after Livingston Manor and Roscoe Central school districts merged into a unified school district in 2024.
The first day of school for Rockland Central’s roughly 600 students is Thursday, Sept. 4.
Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Superintendent John Evans of Rockland Central School District about what students and families should know about the upcoming school year.
Two school districts merged into one
Last December, residents of the Livingston Manor and Roscoe Central School district voted to merge the two districts through centralization.
The two districts have deliberated for decades on whether to merge into a unified school district, but Evans said declining student enrollment and state aid incentives made now the right time.
“Enrollment in all of New York State and a lot of rural schools has continued to decline. Over the last several decades, Manor and Roscoe have not escaped that,” said Evans.
READ: Voters Approve Merger of Livingston Manor and Roscoe School Districts
Under updated state incentive calculations, he says, the newly merged district would receive approximately $30 million in aid over the next fourteen years. Evans explained that the possibility of reducing the tax burden that comes with operating a school district and offering more educational opportunities was appealing for many residents.
New district = new buildings, mascots, and regulations
- New buildings: The Roscoe building will now serve as the Rockland Elementary School for grades pre-K through sixth grade, and the Livingston Manor building will serve as Rockland Middle/High School for seventh through 12th grades.
- Rockland welcomes a new mascot – the Wolves: The new school district welcomes its new mascot, the Wolves, this school year. Students voted on the winning mascot along with the district’s new school colors of purple and black with secondary colors of white, cool gray, and silver metallic. Evans said students and designers are adding final touches on the mascot and hopes the school board can adopt it soon.
- Students and staff navigate state cell phone ban: In May, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a statewide ban on cell phone use or any other personal internet-enabled devices during the school day at all public schools. Rockland students grades 5-12 will be able to lock their devices in Yondr pouches, and parents can reach students by calling the school office or using their district-provided email address. Here’s more on the district’s cell phone policy.
You can find more information on the Rockland Central School District’s website, including what families need to know about student drop-off/pick-up, transportation routes, school meals, and more.
Image: Rockland Central School District’s new logo (Photo Credit: Rockland Central School District)