Chariho school committee votes to close Hope Valley Elementary in FY26; budget cut estimated at $875,000

The Chariho Regional School District school committee voted on a motion to close Hope Valley Elementary School at the end of fiscal year 2026 after a lengthy budget workshop and public comment session. The committee’s action reduces the district’s proposed budget increase to about 0.68 percentage points after state aid, according to district finance staff.

The vote came after more than an hour of presentations and public comment about enrollment, classroom capacity and operating costs. Superintendent Gina Picard told the committee the district had been phasing out new enrollments at Hope Valley and presented updated cost and enrollment figures that the committee asked staff to prepare.

Picard said the block of savings the district expects if the committee closes Hope Valley includes about $400,000 for four certified staff reductions and roughly $100,000 for two non‑certified positions (a teaching assistant and a custodian). She also listed building maintenance and utilities at about $195,000,…