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School officials outline 6–8 middle‑school plan and possible November bond; residents press for costs and clarity
Summary
School representatives presented a concept to move 6th grade into a 6–8 middle‑school model with an addition to Otter Valley and said a bond could come to voters in November; residents asked for readable budget pages, enrollment figures and a clear cost estimate before the board proceeds.
At a Leicester selectboard meeting, a school representative who identified herself in the meeting as Lorraine Bertrand summarized a conceptual plan to adopt a 6–8 middle‑school model and to bond for major building repairs and an addition if the community supports it.
“We do not have a cost estimate at this time. What we have is a concept,” Bertrand said, adding the district’s budget increase is 2.92 percent. She told the selectboard the district would present a bond to voters in November only if community feedback supported moving forward.
Residents and selectboard members questioned whether the 6th grade could be accommodated through interior reconfiguration rather than a large addition, asked where buses and entrances would be relocated and pressed for enrollment and staffing numbers. One attendee asked for the budget materials in a readable, full‑page format so voters can understand funding priorities.
School officials said they will compile enrollment figures, produce clearer budget pages for public distribution, and provide two cost scenarios if the board chooses to pursue a bond: one to repair the existing building and a second that adds the middle‑school addition. Officials emphasized the current presentation was advisory and that no binding vote will be taken at the upcoming informational meeting.
