Jamaica votes to close school and rejects West River Ed budget

Jamaica has decided to close the Jamaica Village School and approved a measure for the town to acquire the property for $1.

The community of Jamaica has decided to close the Jamaica Village School, approving a measure for the town to acquire the property for a nominal fee of $1. The decision was reached with a significant majority, recording a vote of 102 in favor and 36 against the closure. Additionally, residents expressed their support with a 118-20 vote for the town to purchase the school building from the West River Education District (WRED).

The West River Education District's proposed budget of $15 million faced strong opposition, leading to its rejection by residents in a decisive 238-202 vote across its member towns, which include Brookline, Newfane, Jamaica, Townshend, and Windham. The Board Chairman observed the need for further efforts to engage citizens and adjust the budget in response to community feedback.

Superintendent Bob Thibault acknowledged the difficulty of closing a small local school, yet reassured the community that students would continue to receive quality education at the nearby Townshend Elementary School. He noted that the district has been facing challenges similar to those experienced statewide in terms of school enrollments.

Town Clerk Tom Tolbert indicated that the closure of Jamaica Village School is likely to take effect in the coming school year. The town is also looking into potential future uses for the building as part of ongoing discussions. 

Throughout this process, the Select Board Chairwoman expressed admiration for the community's active participation. Despite the challenging nature of the vote, she noted that many residents engaged with presentations from school representatives. The outcome is seen as a clear directive from the public, and a subcommittee has been established to explore the best possible future uses for the school facility, drawing on expertise from various local professionals.

State Representative Laura Sibilia has been recognized for her supportive role in the community, helping guide discussions and facilitate insights during this tough decision-making process. Following last year’s rejection of a similar proposal, the environment surrounding education reform and local school funding has changed significantly, which likely influenced the recent vote.

The proposed savings from the school closure are estimated to be around $294,000, while the School Board had to identify cuts of approximately $750,000 to avoid exceeding the state's spending limit, which could trigger higher taxes. The rejected WRED budget represented a 3.7 percent increase over the prior fiscal year, and anticipated increases in education tax rates have been projected for various towns within the district.

In a separate election, Kate Gehring from Newfane was reelected as an at-large member of the School Board. 

Overall, the community's recent decisions reflect a complex landscape of educational challenges and fiscal responsibility, prompting further discussions on the future of education in the area.