Dear Neighbors,

The Washington County School Board votes TONIGHT (Tuesday 10/1) on whether to recommend closing the Doty (Worcester) and Calais Elementary schools. This is an urgent moment to support the overwhelming desire of residents to keep these essential community hubs intact in the heart of our villages, or simply to prevent an irreversible and devastating decision being made without due diligence or local voices being heard. Whether you live in these towns or not, please show your support TONIGHT in one of the following ways, even if you can't stay for the whole meeting:

***BY ZOOM: Attend the 6:15 meeting by Zoom and type your support for keeping our schools open into the zoom chat ("VOTE NO ON CLOSURE") anytime before public comments close around 8:30. Your presence will be noticed!
Zoom meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84935949997?pwd=qLjf1jrrfhAuJPWhfvO0evL8A5Swmg.1#success.
Meeting ID: 849 3594 9997
Password: 297072
Dial by Your Location: 1-929-205-6099

OR

***IN PERSON: Show up at Calais Elementary (321 Lightning Ridge Rd.) by 6:15pm - show the board that closing schools is not the answer. Small is beautiful! Wear red (Doty) and/or blue (Calais) for visual support. Your presence is important even if the board only sees you at the beginning of the meeting. Public comment period - roughly 8-8:30, though possibly earlier.

FURTHER DETAILS:

Meeting agenda (https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1727456636/wcsu32org/az7ldoed7fqt02znaxkn/10124WCUUS[...]pdf):

6:15 - opening
6:30 - presentation on reconfiguration - estimated at 90 minutes but could be more/less
8:00-8:30 - public comments (***could start earlier)
(other business until 9:15pm or later)

Further background on this issue: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h3ZVpcCtM2jEqL8stH761VTvqcv4A05-/view

Please support the wellbeing of our children and communities. Thank you all for your support.

Sophia Emigh
mother of two at Doty Elementary in Worcester

Event Info

Oct 5, 2024, 7:30 to 11 PM

Oct 6, 2024, 11 AM to 1 PM

Oct 6, 2024, 1:30 to 2:30 PM