CLAREMONT, N.H. (WCAX) – Amid a budget deficit that could be as high as $5 million, the Claremont School Board has voted to close an elementary school in the city mid-year.
“Together we are all Bluff strong” is posted on the sign outside Bluff Elementary School — a signal that emotions are running high in the Claremont School District. It comes after the School Board voted on Wednesday to close the school where more than 130 students attend.
The younger grades will go to the Maple Avenue School in Claremont, while 4th and 5th graders will go to the Disnard Elementary School. No staffing positions will be cut, and the children will stay with their current teachers.
According to district documents, the planned closure is due to staffing shortages, specifically around special education. The consolidation is expected to save the district about $60,000, likely only a fraction of the overall deficit, which could be as high as $5 million.
“Extremely sad,” said Jean Fahey, a parent whose kids attended the school. “We don’t know what happened with all the money. And I hope we get answers to that. There was certainly some kind of mismanagement of money. And certainly, people who were in positions that handle funds at the district level should know and be competent enough to not let this happen.”
Fahey worries about the transition for current students. However, another parent we spoke to said kids are resilient and will adjust quickly.
The district has hired a comptroller to audit the books. A final report has not yet been released.
The district says families will officially find out their new school assignments on October 10 and start in their new buildings on October 20.
