A final public vote will not go forward on a possible merger for Wyoming and Pavilion central school districts. Wyoming district voters shot down the proposal Wednesday.

While Pavilion voters approved the potential merger by a vote of 464 to 225, Wyoming district voters voted down the idea 195 to 150.

Superintendents in both districts say the schools received huge cuts in state aid funding this year and have declining student enrollment.

The superintendents say a merger would not have closed either school or eliminate jobs.

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A potential merge between Wyoming Central School and Pavilion Central School is reality, and the superintendents of both schools said it's a marriage of necessity.

"The problem here, right now, is what every other rural school is facing. The inequities in state aid," said Wyoming Central's Superintendent, Sandra Duckworth.

Wyoming Central has an overall enrollment of about 140 students. Duckworth said this year the district received a major hit in funding.

"For every student here, each of these students lost $2,275 in state aid. That's a lot of money."

Ken Ellison has faced the same problem. As Pavilion Central's Superintendent, he said a lack in state aid has forced him to let go of staff, and cut back on programs and supplies.

"Some of the highest state aid cuts per pupil in the state of New York occurred in our region," he said.

The public was made aware of a potential merger back in the fall. Officials said it is a smart move, saving money and bringing two communities together, but most importantly, benefitting from more than $15 million in state incentives.

"I think all along, the thought was we'd rather be at the table talking, rather than being on the table, having the State Education Department making a decision for us," Duckworth said.

The superintendents said a merger would not close either school or eliminate jobs, but rather, it would keep Wyoming Central open to kindergarten through fifth grade students in that district, and send middle and high school students to Pavilion Central. Elementary students in the Pavilion district would remain at Pavilion.

"We hope it passes, and I think it's going to be for the better of the community, and bring people closer," said one voter.

Another voter said, "It's a great thing for both districts, especially the Wyoming District. There's a lot more potential for students getting into a bigger district."

If Wednesday's public advisory vote is passed, a final public vote would take place in February. If that vote passes, the merger would become effective July 1st.