Protect Our School, Protect Our Community

Westford Elementary School (WES) is the heart of our rural community. The recent school board decision to consolidate WES middle school was made without a clear long-term plan, transparent community engagement, or a full understanding of the impact on students and families. We want to ensure that every step moving forward is thoughtful, equitable, and in the best interest of Westford’s children.

Join the Conversation – Community Forum

Sunday April 6, 2025 - 11AM - 1PM
Westford Common Hall
21 White Church Ln, Westford, VT

This forum is an opportunity to become informed, hear from experts, and share your perspective.

Read Letter to the School Board

What We’re Asking For: A One-Year Pause

We are calling for a one-year pause on the consolidation of Westford’s middle school to ensure that decisions about our children’s education are made with transparency, thorough planning, and community input.

This pause will allow district leadership to:

  • Conduct a comprehensive study on how consolidation will affect student outcomes, including mental health, academic performance, transportation, extracurricular participation, and class sizes.

  • Develop a realistic, fair transportation plan that does not require two-hour bus rides for Westford students.

  • Provide genuine opportunities for parents and residents to participate in decision-making, rather than implementing plans without local input.

  • Outline a multi-year plan that guarantees Westford Elementary School remains a viable and sustainable part of the district.

  • Establish a requirement that Westford residents must have a majority vote before any future consolidation or closure of WES is approved.

Parent Voices on the Issues

  • “We are new to Westford, and not even in the Westford school yet, but part of why we moved here is our attraction to the small school that we’ve heard so many good things about! I feel strongly about this not happening.”

  • “It's really upsetting. I loved the idea of our daughter being close to home in a small, community-focused school. The email frames this as a better middle school experience, but it's really about money. The budget mentions 'affordability' too often instead of focusing on what's best for the kids.”

  • "I’m strongly against relocating pre-K to Essex Elementary. I like having the littles close for storytime, and the commute would be tough on them and morning schedules. Mixing all district pre-K classes increases germ exposure, and I’m unsure if Four Winds or PTO-funded opportunities would still include them."

  • “I have been distraught about the threat of school closure or consolidating the middle school. I have four kids ages 1-7 and am struggling to imagine a scenario where they are spread between 3 different schools. I agree that Westford school has a special culture and I’ve loved seeing kids in the older grades interacting with my crew.”

  • "I’m very upset about this decision. It feels wrong to make it without consulting the town, especially without giving us time to prepare.”

  • "I believe this is the first step toward closing our school altogether. The pre-K relocation to Essex Elementary will make it unrealistic for many families, and it’s already challenging for working parents to participate. Losing our community school will also hurt property values.”

  • "I’m a Westford mom with a K and 5th grader. Like many parents, I’m freaking out a bit, especially with my 5th grader. I’m writing to see how I can help stop grades 6-8 from moving to EMS."

  • “I’m a parent of preschool aged children here in Westford and I absolutely am in support of keeping Westford school as is/ no movement or closure of any classrooms.”

  • "Westford School does something with 6-8th graders that no other middle school can. I’ve seen firsthand the difference in students from the three middle schools. Westford kids stand out for their maturity, independence, sense of community, respectfulness, and positive behavior.”