What's next:

Public hearing at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 29, Weld Town Hall

Referendum: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 12, Weld Town Office

WELD - If voters decide to keep the local elementary school open, the town will have to pay more money to the school district, SAD 9 Superintendent Michael Cormier said at an informational hearing Tuesday.

The state has taken away the option for towns to withdraw from school districts, he said, because the state wants fewer schools, not more.

"You're married to SAD 9; there's no divorce," Cormier said.

SAD 9 directors have voted to close the Weld Elementary School, which has a projected fall enrollment of 13 students in grades three to six and nine students the following year.

Local voters must decide whether to keep the school open or close it and send their elementary school-age children to Wilton schools, about 15 miles away.

If voters in SAD 9 towns agree to consolidate with SAD 58, Coplin and Highland Plantation in November, Weld parents could have the option of sending their children to Phillips Elementary School, which may be closer for some students.

Parents could also request a superintendents' agreement to send their children to SAD 21 schools in the Dixfield area, but there wouldn't be a guarantee it would be approved by superintendents from both systems.

Weld taxpayers contribute $594,610 to SAD 9 for about 45 children in grades K-12, but the town raises nearly $2 less per $1,000 of property valuation for education than the other eight towns in the district, Cormier said.

The other towns in SAD 9 raise $8.95 per $1,000 of property valuation for education; Weld has to raise $7 per $1,000 of property valuation but ends up paying more because of the town's high valuation and student count, according to Cormier's handout.

He told about 40 people at Tuesday's meeting that if voters in the towns of SAD 9, SAD 58, and Coplin and Highland plantations do agree in November to consolidate, towns such as Weld would pay less.

Cormier said he has been committed to keeping the Weld school open over the years. He believes it is the lifeblood of a small community, he said, but he also realizes the school population is decreasing and the costs are not.

Residents will get more financial information at a public hearing at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 29, at the Weld Town Hall on Route 156, where annual town meetings are held.

A referendum on the closing will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 12, in the community room at the Town Office on Route 142.

dperry@sunjournal.com