News Summary
The Claremont School Board has voted to close Bluff Elementary School immediately due to a significant budget deficit. Students and staff will be transferred to Disnard and Maple Avenue schools, with the transition scheduled for October. Community members expressed strong emotions about the closure, fearing disruptions to education as the district faces ongoing fiscal challenges and scrutiny over special education services. The decision reflects broader cutbacks and concerns about the district’s financial management.
Claremont – The Claremont School Board voted 4-1 on Wednesday night to implement the closure of Bluff Elementary School, effective immediately. This decision comes just weeks after the start of the new school year and is aimed at addressing a significant multimillion-dollar budget deficit facing the school district. As part of the closure plan, students from Bluff Elementary, along with their current teachers and paraprofessionals, will be transitioned to Disnard and Maple Avenue schools, with the first day at their new schools scheduled for October 20, pending fire department inspection.
School officials, including Principal Melissa Lewis of Disnard Elementary, have assured parents that the relocation will not result in job cuts for the staff. The board made the decision after reviewing two proposals presented by the three elementary school principals regarding staffing and the potential impacts of the closure. One proposal focused on the closure of Bluff Elementary, while the other considered reassigning special education case management services.
During the board meeting, numerous parents and community members voiced their concerns and emotions regarding the closure of Bluff Elementary, urging board members to reconsider their decision. Parents expressed fear over the potential disruptions to their children’s education and the overall negative impact of such a move. Meanwhile, board members raised additional concerns about staffing challenges in the upcoming months as the district grapples with its budgetary constraints.
Interim business administrator Matt Angell emphasized that the closure of Bluff Elementary remains a viable option and that further evaluations will take place depending on winter capacity issues at the remaining schools. The administration has proposed a timeline for consolidating students and teachers that requires completion by October 15, 2025. The proposed restructuring of the school district includes grade-level designations, with Disnard Elementary assigned to grades kindergarten through second grade, and Maple Avenue designated for students in third to fifth grade.
Some elementary principals have raised objections to the rapid closure of Bluff Elementary, promoting a more gradual approach to preserve the community integrity and provide a smoother transition for students. After discussions, the board opted to table the closure proposal for further consideration at an upcoming meeting.
The budget crisis has also led to heightened scrutiny of the district’s operational practices, as allegations arise regarding the failure to meet state and federal obligations for special education services at Bluff Elementary. School Board Chair Heather Whitney has questioned the information provided by district administration concerning the staffing shortages impacting special education services.
The financial challenges facing the Claremont School District have resulted in various cutbacks including layoffs, canceled sports programs, and increased concerns regarding the future of the district’s educational standards. Adding to the community’s discontent is the recent revelation of a $39,500 severance package given to former Superintendent Chris Pratt amidst the ongoing budgetary struggles.
Claremont residents have expressed outrage over the district’s financial management, attributing the current fiscal crisis to factors such as unfilled vacancies, teacher resignations, and insufficient special education services. As the situation unfolds, parents continue to express feelings of uncertainty and distress over the implications for their children’s education as the district navigates these challenging circumstances.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- WMUR: Bluff Elementary School Closure Vote
- Wikipedia: Claremont, New Hampshire
- WMUR: Claremont School Board on Bluff Elementary
- Google Search: Claremont School District
- Valley News: Claremont School Restructuring Plan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Special Education
- Union Leader: Bluff Elementary in Claremont to Stay Open – For Now
- Google News: Claremont School Board
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MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
