Today's Election Will Decide High School Fate

The time for debate is over. On Tuesday, residents will let their ballots do the talking for them.

After months of planning and discussion about a potential , the is set for today with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at regular polling locations.

“It’s the most significant vote we’ve asked residents to make in the last 40 years or so, and there won’t be as significant of a vote in the foreseeable future,” said Town Manager Michael Caira. “We hope that regardless of residents’ stance on the vote that they come out and participate.”

Caira said he expects the turnout to be similar to a heavy turnout for a regular election, but admits, “You never know.”

Regardless of the results from Tuesday's election, a Special Town Meeting will take place Saturday at 10:30 a.m. If the school is approved on Tuesday, it will require a two-thirds vote at the Saturday session.

In 1997 when Wilmington Middle School and the current Public Safety Building passed, the vote took place during the regularly scheduled election. That year, the middle school passed at the ballot boxes by a narrow margin.

A total of 2,123 residents approved the school, 2,008 said no and 236 left the question blank, a difference of 115 tallies. Several days later at Town Meeting, the school passed by an overwhelming count.

“I said this before. It’s more than a school building, it’s the development of a major long term asset. It’s not just for the students, it’s for the whole community,” said Superintendent of Schools Joanne Benton. “People move into communities, the first thing they look at is the school system. We need to be competitive with surrounding communities.”

If approved, the school would cost the average taxpayer about $162 per year, beginning in 2013.

Benton said she will be on hand in Town Hall when the results are announced shortly after polls close at 8 p.m. The Superintendent said after months of hard work, it’s an exciting time for school officials.

“Let’s just say this. We can see the finish line, and we’re hoping the results are favorable,” said Benton. “It’s nervous anticipation from my perspective. I think everyone has done all that they can to get the facts out and make the argument for the school. Now it comes down to the individual vote.”