Regionalization Victory Letter

OCTOBER 12, 2025

Victory for Local Control: Regionalization Rule Confirmed as Optional

The Coalition of New York State School Board Members is proud to announce a major victory for local control and community decision-making. The New York State Education Department’s controversial Regionalization Rule has now been confirmed as optional, not mandatory, ensuring that districts choosing not to participate cannot be compelled to do so.

This outcome reflects the power of collaboration and the effectiveness of advocacy when school boards, community leaders, and elected officials work together. From the start, the Coalition of New York State School Board Members took the lead in raising awareness about the Regionalization Rule, informing the public, and uniting stakeholders across the state to defend local decision-making authority.

“This is a clear victory for every community that believes local control should remain in local hands,” said Kerry Wachter, Co-Founder and President of the Coalition of New York State School Board Members. “Our goal from day one was to make sure that this rule, if it remained in place, could never be used to force districts into regionalization. We worked to ensure that districts retained their right to decide what’s best for their students and communities — and that’s exactly what this ruling confirms.”

In its decision, the Court secured binding commitments from the State Education Department and its counsel that:

1. The Regionalization Rule is optional and not mandatory; and

2. Districts that opt out of regionalization efforts are not required to participate in any way.

This affirmation guarantees that local Boards of Education maintain full control over whether and how to engage in regionalization discussions, consistent with the values and priorities of their communities.

“The Coalition was founded on the belief that informed and engaged school boards can protect the integrity of local education,” Wachter added. “This decision validates that belief and shows what’s possible when we stand together, stay informed, and act with purpose.”

The Coalition of New York State School Board Members will continue to advocate for transparency, accountability, and the preservation of local control in all state education policies.

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CENTER MORICHES UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

COLD SPRING HARBOR CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

CONNETQUOT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

EAST MEADOW UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

EASTPORT-SOUTH MANOR CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

HAUPPAUGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

HEWLETT-WOODMERE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

ISLAND TREES UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

JERICHO UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

LOCUST VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

MANHASSET UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

MASSAPEQUA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

MOUNT SINAI UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

OYSTER BAY-EAST NORWICH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PLAINEDGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

SEAFORD UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

SHOREHAM-WADING RIVER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

WANTAGH UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

WEST ISLIP UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

WYANDANCH UNION FREE SCHOOL DISCRICT