WELD – A public hearing on the fate of the Weld Elementary School will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the town hall.

While SAD 9 directors have voted to close the Weld Elementary School, the hearing takes place before voters decide whether to keep the school open or close it and send their children to Wilton schools, about 15 miles away. A referendum will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Weld Town Office.

The school projects fall enrollment of 13 students in grades three to six, and nine students the following year. While the school population is decreasing, costs are not, SAD 9 Superintendent Michael Cormier told voters at a recent informational meeting.

Cormier also told voters that if they decide to keep the school open, the town will have to pay more money to the school district.

Weld taxpayers contribute $594,610 to the school system for about 45 children in grades K-12.

Weld raises $7 per $1,000 of property valuation compared to $8.95 per $1,000 of property valuation for education in other SAD 9 towns.

It ends up paying more because of the town’s high valuation and student count, according to materials supplied by Cormier at the informational meeting.

If voters in the towns of SAD 9 and SAD 58 and Coplin and Highland plantations agree in November to consolidate, towns such as Weld would pay less, he said.

More financial information will be available at Tuesday’s public hearing.

Previous thoughts about the town withdrawing from the school district were squashed when Cormier explained that the state has taken away the option for towns to withdraw from school districts.

But, consolidation with SAD 58 could mean an opportunity for Weld parents to send their children to Phillips Elementary School.

which may be closer for some students. SAD directors will meet after Tuesday’s hearing.