BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Big ballot items this year involving school closures in merged supervisory unions.
In Cabot, voters denied a ballot item to close the Cabot School. This is the third time this item has been on the ballot.
Those in favor of closing say they have concerns over the sustainability of the building, the size, the potential for more opportunities elsewhere, and the expense it takes to operate it.
Those in favor of keeping the school open say it’s in a convenient location and the history with the town is meaningful. They say they would like to maintain local voting power.
Also in the Northeast Kingdom – Hardwick, Greensboro, Stannard, and Woodbury voted that they recommend the board keep Lakeview Elementary School open.
Some voters who send their students to Woodbury and Hardwick elementary schools don’t see Lakeview’s full benefit compared to those schools, which are home to 56 and 222 students respectively.
Others in favor of the school staying open feel it has a strong impact on the community and keeps the village alive.
Now the board is going to consider this recommendation.