NEW HARTFORD— Voters in New Hartford have had their say, and the verdict is they do not want an elementary school in town to close.
On Tuesday, New Hartford held an advisory referendum with the question, “Should the Bakerville Consolidated School be Closed?” Around 72 percent of voters said “no” in a final vote of 487-1275.
“Closing a school would be a disservice to the entire community and to the quality of education in New Hartford,” said Laura Wearne, who’s lived in New Hartford for 35 years.
The advisory vote came after a unanimous Board of Education vote back in December. The board voted to close the school due to declining enrollment. According to their estimates, the town would save more than $200,000 a year if Bakerville closed. Students in the K-2 school would instead attend one of the two other elementary schools in town beginning next academic year.
Residents fought back after the board’s decision and wanted their voices to be heard. As a result, town officials scheduled the referendum.
From here, the Board of Education has no obligation to make any decisions based on the outcome.
“It’s what the school board does with this information that is the issue now,” said Tom Buzzi, a New Hartford resident who has been leading the opposition to the planned closure.
Buzzi said, “I’m hoping they decide to work with us and go down that road.”
FOX 61 reached out to the superintendent and Board of Education chairperson, but did not hear back.
The board is holding a special meeting on March 22.