NEW HARTFORD – The Board of Education in New Hartford is sticking to what they say is right for the town by moving forward with plans to close Bakerville Consolidated School at the end of this school year.
On Tuesday night, board members met for the first time since a town referendum last week in which 72 percent of residents voted in favor of keeping the school open. Residents hoped the board would change their minds due to the vote, but they left the meeting disappointed.
“I think you have some egos and a lot of pride on that board right now. I think that's really unfortunate. I don’t think they're really thinking about what's best for the students, and they aren't listening to the will of the people clearly,” said New Hartford resident Kelly O'Dell Longhi.
On December 8, the board voted unanimously to close the K-2 school, but then residents petitioned to have a say. On March 15, 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.
The vote was non-binding and the final decision remained with the Board of Education. On Tuesday, two motions that would have kept the school open failed.
“We felt still strongly that Bakerville School should be closed and that we should do the shifting of the students to New Hartford Elementary School and Ann Antolini School,” said Sue Lundin, chairman of the Board of Education.
Lundin told FOX 61 closing the school would save the town around $210,000 a year, but it’s about more than the money. She also said it would allow all grade levels to be in the same building and for the classes to be able to intermingle.
Residents say they won’t vote in support the school district budget later this spring if Bakerville School isn’t on it. Others say they are looking into their legal options to fight the board’s decision.