School leaders in Dundee and Hammondsport say they are exploring a potential athletic partnership that could expand and stabilize sports opportunities for students in both districts.
In similar letters sent to families and community members, Hammondsport Superintendent Brian Corey and Dundee Superintendent Chris Wood said the two districts have begun preliminary conversations about a possible collaboration. Officials stressed that discussions are exploratory and no decisions have been finalized.
Hammondsport has a long history of sharing athletic programs with neighboring schools, including Campbell-Savona, Avoca, and Prattsburgh. Some Hammondsport students have also participated on a smaller scale with the Bath-Haverling school district.
Dundee, meanwhile, maintains a nearly full sports partnership with Bradford school, except for football, fall cheerleading, and girls wrestling, which are shared with Penn Yan. Those Penn Yan-Dundee programs would remain unchanged under any new partnership, though a merger with Dundee could allow additional students to participate.
Bradford previously partnered with Hammondsport in athletics before shifting to Dundee. In 2025, Bradford began formal discussions about a potential full-scale district merger. While talks with Watkins Glen School District received the most attention, conversations also included Dundee and Campbell-Savona. Last week, Bradford and Campbell-Savona announced plans to study the possibility of merging their districts.
Wood said Bradford’s exploration of a merger prompted Dundee to consider steps that would ensure consistent athletic opportunities moving forward.
District officials in both Hammondsport and Dundee said any potential partnership would be aimed at sustaining programs, strengthening teams, and maintaining opportunities for students. If approved, the earliest possible implementation would be the 2026–27 school year.
