by Tony Gray
posted: 13 May 2021

WHITEHALL, NY --- Board of Education members voted overwhelmingly at their regular May meeting to end a brief merger with Granville Central School District, for football. Board member Richard LaChapelle was the sole dissenting vote, expressing surprise and concern about ending a merger that was just finalized a few months ago.

Indeed, the merger ended quicker than a repentant couple annulling their whirlwind Las Vegas marriage.

"I recommend we exit the merger with Granville," Whitehall Superintendent of Schools Patrick Dee told board members, adding Athletic Director Keith Redmond assured him there are enough current student athletes to safely run a full Junior Varsity and Modified football program using only Whitehall enrolled students.

One of the driving forces that inclined the Railroaders to enter the short-lived football merge was the size of the school body. School officials worried about younger players being pulled into the varsity program before they were ready for that level of competition because not enough depth on the football roster.

Superintendent Dee informed board members Redmond had researched the issue and indicated the full Railroaders J.V. and Modified football rosters would have time to develop at an appropriate pace to ensure they learned to safely play the game while they matured physically.

"We're currently at 34 students in grades 9-12 next year," Dee said. "With having enough students for safe a safe JV/Modified program, it will lead to sufficient numbers for a full team in 2023/2024."

LaChapelle demurred, wondering what happens if a handful of Whitehall students leave the district or decide not to continue with football. LaChapelle said he thought the next time the district plans a merger, the board should get stakeholders from the community and administration to meet with the board, "so we're not taken by surprise next time."

Dee retorted there was no surprise. He said the merger was studied for two years and the agreement was the best decision based on the information available. Redmond's information changed the equation.

Even though the Railroaders have reached the end of line with football, the district continues to find synergy with Granville in other sports. Whitehall and Granville will continue to be merged for cross country and soccer, under the Granville name, The Golden Horde. Granville and Whitehall Cross Country is a combined team.

Cheerleaders will continue to be able to cheer at all Whitehall JV games. "They also have the opportunity to do the other cheering as well," Dee said, "and we will offer to cheer at Granville Varsity if they (Granville) wish and their girls stil wish to cheer on the squad."

Granville Superintendent of Schools Thomas McGurl said he has been in contact with Whitehall. "Mr. Dee has let me know that Whitehall has counted the number and ages of the potential players they have," McGurl said. "As a result, they feel they have enough players to run a JV program that can grow into an independent Whitehall Varsity program."

"I want to wish them the best in this endeavor and I hope that we will have games [with] each other as they develop their varsity program," said McGurl.