Orion High School - Consolidation Talks

Consolidation Talks

In 2007, representatives from Orion Community Unit School District 223 met with representatives of neighboring Cambridge and Sherrard, Illinois school districts on separate occasions to discuss merger possibilities and consolidation study reports.

Based on the report's recommendations, if merger were to occur with Cambridge, the existing Orion High School building would be used as a high school for the new district. If merger were to occur with Sherrard, Orion High School students would attend the current Sherrard Junior and Senior High School building, and the current Orion High School building would become the middle school for Orion and Sherrard.

A survey of students, parents, and teachers in all districts was also conducted with regard to Orion and Sherrard. Overall, 63% of both district's respondents were against consolidation. Surveys were more favorable of an Orion-Cambridge consolidation than an Orion-Sherrard consolidation. Frequently quoted oppositions to the Orion-Sherrard consolidation included Orion's debt, the already large size of the Sherrard district, and the incompatibility of school cultures due to a historic interconference athletics rivalry.

In 2009, district superindent David Deets commented that the consolidation topic remained on the district's radar because of the economic challenges districts face. No formal conversations have been scheduled with any of the region's districts regarding consolidation. Before reorganization talks can even begin, a feasibility studies must be completed, and then a Committee of 10 would have to be formed to prepare a consolidation proposal. A public vote is required to authorize any proposal deemed acceptable by the districts involved. Deets acknowledged the process is long, there is much information to process, and that there are many other issues on the radar. While Orion's population and economy remains relatively stable due to a proximity to the Quad Cities no comment was made regarding the community's efforts to address new housing starts, business improvement districts, marketing campaigns, or other indicators that address the district's overall population, or the ratio to school age population.