WALES — Voters in Wales, Sabattus and Litchfield will vote April 8 on whether to close Sabattus Primary School.
After years of interim fixes and much debate and study, the Regional School Unit 4 directors voted unanimously Jan. 8 to close the school at 36 No Name Pond Road.
Per state law, all three communities must vote against the closure for the school to remain open, but a single affirmative vote will lead to its closure.
According to RSU 4 documents, the school was built in 1953 and was slated for closure more than 10 years ago. Technology firm Siemens was hired by the district to evaluate the buildings and infrastructure as it considered an addition to Oak Hill Middle School and the closure of both Sabattus Primary and Libby Tozier schools, the latter in Litchfield.
The “janitors closet” at Sabattus Primary School Monday afternoon on No Name Pond Road in Sabattus. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
In a June 2022 report, Siemens estimated nearly $5 million was needed in upgrades to meet the state public school standards and guidelines for school construction and major renovation projects.
Additionally, the school board has estimated the cost of keeping the school open would be more than $358,000 a year.
The school district has faced increasing pushback from voters over its proposed budgets, especially in the past two years.
If voters elect to close the school, the town gets the right of first refusal on the building.
Charter schools would get the right of second refusal. If no charter school wants the building it would be sold by RSU 4.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wales Town office, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sabattus Town Hall and the Litchfield Sportsman’s Club.
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