Voters reject plan to close Jamaica, Vermont school

Residents in Jamaica, Vermont, have rejected a proposal to close Jamaica Village School.

The Brattleboro Reformer reports that voters said no to a West River Education District consolidation plan that called for closing Jamaica Village and eventually Townshend Elementary in Townshend, Vermont.

Students from those two school would then attend NewBrook Elementary in Newfane after a modular building was added.

The vote against the school closure was 85 to 56.

"The West River board wanted to understand the will of the Jamaica people with regards to the school's operation and will work to best support their wishes," Superintendent Bob Thibault said after the vote. "Obviously, there are additional financial implications to the building being open with regards to the residents of all of the West River towns but we're optimistic that we will find a way to continue to support our students through the challenging economic times."

Jamaica residents also voted 110-30 to sell the school to the town for $1 if closure had been approved.