CALAIS, WORCESTER – The Washington Central Unified Union School District (WCUUSD) configuration committee, the school board and district leadership have recommended the consolidation and closure of two elementary schools, Calais Elementary School and Doty Elementary School, citing low enrollment as a contributing factor. An election to vote on whether or not to close Calais Elementary School and send Calais students to what is now East Montpelier Elementary will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Calais Town Hall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
An informational meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Doty Elementary, and Saturday, Feb. 7, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Calais Elementary.
There are currently 89 students enrolled at Calais Elementary, with the district’s enrollment declining by 14 percent in the last decade. WCUUSD serves the five towns surrounding Montpelier, Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex and Worcester, with U-32 as the middle school and high school.
The district has developed a plan to move from five elementary schools to three sustainable campuses for the 2026-2027 school year. Doty Elementary School, with an enrollment of 57 students, and Calais Elementary School, would be consolidated with the remaining elementary schools. According to the mailer made available to Worcester and Calais voters, the district aims to keep commutes below 45 minutes, and finalize staff assignments by late March or early April.
The recommendation to close the schools was met with objections and confusion from the present students and residents at the December 17 WCUUSD board meeting, with 169 online attendees and many community members making their voice heard in person.
Some school board members were in favor of the proposal, whereas others voiced their opposition. According to the minutes, many spoke against the idea of moving ahead with reconfiguration in the form of small school consolidation. Some students delivered presentations, others made impassioned pleas to keep the school open. U-32 parents and staff spoke about the impact of reducing positions at the school.
The board approved an amendment to say they would honor a town against closing its school and not work to circumvent the town’s vote. Superintendent Steve Dellinger-Pate clarified that no school in the district meets the “small by necessity” criteria made available in draft documents from the state Agency of Education in early December, further compounding the district’s financial constraints.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
