WOLCOTT – The April 15 school board meeting in Wolcott saw residents and board members each expressing their concerns and frustrations with the current state of the budget.
According to minutes, at the start of public comment Keith Cochran expressed his displeasure and disgust with the board going into executive session. Board member Melissa Morin responded, explaining when going into executive session the board is discussing cutting personnel.
Resident Marquise Houle said the special education budget is being “double dipped” with tuition students, asking how they can put a stop to this. Bill Cotton suggested they consider making Wolcott a kindergarten through eighth grade school.
Morin made a motion to approve the FY27 budget amounting to $6,298,447.05, with a savings of $65,883.00 from budget voted down twice, and dropping the tax rate by $0.02. Board member Roger LaChance seconded the motion. The motion passed, with one nay vote and four yea.
LaChance stated he wants the town to understand that the school is already working with a skeleton crew, and this is a devastating blow. “We need a functioning school for our students,” he said.
Board member Laura Kaiser felt that there is a lot of misunderstanding.
“This vote is hurting our students, we are at a place where we are no longer doing what is best for the children,” said Kaiser.
The school board will need to set a date and approve a warning at a future meeting.
