There are core reasons that Cazenovia school is declining in enrollment. Its not just Cazenovia, its the entire NY State economy. Many families with the means to leave, go, and those on the outside looking to move in opt for more cost effective places instead. As nice as Caz is, the cost of living there is high compared to other places.

NY, and especially Caz, has a a reputation for high taxes. My effective combined property and school tax in NY was about 900% higher than what I was paying on the house I owned in NV (based on assessed value). Yes, you read that right. If I hadn’t already owned the CNY property already, I would never consider buying in the area, no matter how pretty and nice the community was. My property taxes in NY approach that of a mortgage payment that will never go away.

Also, there is the state income tax. Taking a job in NY would translate to a pay cut for many because of the money going to state taxes. That’s not a Caz problem, its a NY problem.

On top of that you have to add in a decidedly anti-business climate (strong unions, regulations, more taxes) to understand why many businesses will leave CNY, few will start up there (and remain), and almost none will move there from wherever else they are now. Unless its a business that focuses on something in NY itself, you can be far more competitive elsewhere. Business decisions are made by the algebra of dollars and cents, and doing business in NY State just doesn’t add up for most companies. No jobs = no families. That’s the most simple algebra of all.

I don’t see this problem reversing anytime soon. NY has been on this glide path for nearly 30 years and won’t be competitive as a place to do business until some very significant changes are made.