By Guy Page
Voters in Marlboro will decide Tuesday whether to close the town’s elementary school, a move supporters say is necessary to address declining enrollment and rising costs, but opponents argue would fundamentally change the character of the small Windham County community.
The question appears as Article II on the warning for the March 3 annual school district election and reads:
“Shall the voters of the Marlboro School District vote to close the Marlboro School effective July 1, 2026, and authorize the School Board to provide for the education of its students by paying tuition to public schools or approved independent schools, and to take all actions necessary to carry out this vote?”
School board members have cited steadily shrinking enrollment and high per-pupil spending as key factors behind the proposal. In recent years, the school has served a small student population, with some grade levels enrolling only a handful of children. Officials say operating a full K-8 program for so few students places financial pressure on taxpayers.
If approved, the measure would authorize the district to cease operating the school building effective July 1 and instead pay tuition for Marlboro students to attend public or approved independent schools.
The future use of the school building would be determined at a later date.
Supporters of the closure say tuitioning students could expand educational opportunities, including access to broader extracurricular programs, foreign language instruction, and specialized services that are difficult to provide in a small rural school setting.
Opponents, however, say the school is the heart of the community and warn that closing it could affect property values, reduce family participation in town life, and make Marlboro less attractive to young families. They also question whether long-term tuition costs and transportation expenses would ultimately save money.
The vote comes amid broader conversations across Vermont about school consolidation, demographics, and how to sustain small rural schools as the state’s student population continues to decline.
Polls will be open at the designated town location on Election Day, with results expected shortly after the polls close.