Voters in Calais and Worcester Vote to Keep Small Schools Open

Washington County residents reject proposals to close local elementary schools

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Voters in the towns of Calais and Worcester, Vermont have decided to keep their local elementary schools open despite declining enrollment and budget challenges. In Calais, 398 residents voted to keep Calais Elementary School open, while 249 voted to close it. Similarly, in Worcester, 212 voted to keep Doty Memorial School open, while 114 voted to close it.

Why it matters

The decisions by voters in these small Vermont towns highlight the importance of community identity and the role that local schools play in shaping a town's character. Closing these schools could have had significant impacts on the towns, leading to concerns about property values, population decline, and the overall vitality of the communities.

The details

The votes came after the Washington Central Unified Union School District had proposed closing the two elementary schools due to declining enrollment and budget pressures. However, residents in both towns rallied to keep their local schools open, rejecting the closure proposals. The superintendent of the school district said they will now work with the communities to ensure all students receive a quality education.

  • The vote in Calais took place on February 10, 2026.
  • The vote in Worcester also took place on February 10, 2026.

The players

Steven Dellinger-Pate

Superintendent of the Washington Central Unified Union School District.

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What they’re saying

“Regardless of the outcome, we remain steadfast in our mission to nurture and inspire all students within Washington Central. We understand that these discussions touch the heart of our towns' identities. We thank the voters of Calais and Worcester for their participation and look forward to working together to ensure every child in our five towns receives the education they deserve.”

— Steven Dellinger-Pate, Superintendent

What’s next

The Washington Central Unified Union School District will now work on finalizing a roughly $3 million school budget that will be voted on by residents during Town Meeting Day.

The takeaway

The decisions by voters in Calais and Worcester to keep their small, local elementary schools open demonstrates the strong community ties and identities that are often tied to these institutions, even in the face of enrollment and budget challenges. This underscores the important role that community input and engagement can play in shaping the future of public education in rural areas.