Just two weeks after mulling over planned budget cuts, the Tiverton School Committee officially voted to close down elementary school operations at Fort Barton School during their meeting on Tuesday, Feb 11.
A similar plan was discussed last year, resulting in backlash from residents of the town. That plan was ultimately abandoned, but it turned out to be just a one-year reprieve for the small and beloved elementary school that will close at the end of this school year.

According to plans discussed during the Tuesday night meeting, Fort Barton students and teachers from will be reassigned to the two other elementary schools in town, Ranger and Pocasset Elementary. In addition, the district expects to eliminate nine positions at the elementary level as a result. However, the committee announced that the district should be able to retain social-emotional learning (SEL) specialists in this scenario, a move that would not have occurred if all three schools remained open.

In making the decision, the school committee cited financial constraints, as they are currently working to eliminate $1.9 million from their 2025-26 budget.

“I’m not willing to make these sacrifices for a school building,” school committee president Diane Farnworth said about the choice of either keeping Fort Barton open or laying off SEL specialists at the school.
During the meeting, Superintendent Peter Sanchioni discussed statistics that support the need for SEL teachers. Among these were 22 percent of students living in single-parent homes, 29 percent of students witnessing domestic violence, and 19 percent having special education needs. Sarchioni said there is a direct correlation between students in these demographics and the need for SEL specialists in the school district.
After the meeting, Sanchioni sent out a letter to parents announcing the news.

“I understand that this news is deeply upsetting and raises many questions. Please know that I recognize the emotional impact that this has on our students, staff, and the entire Fort Barton community,” Sanchioni said in the letter.

Since the town is still repaying the state voter-approved bonds from 2004 for the construction of a new elementary school, Fort Barton will continue to operate in some educational capacity. However, the specific nature of that capacity remains unclear.

Sanchioni said no decision regarding the reconfiguration of elementary school districts has been reached yet. He said it will be discussed at the next school committee meeting, scheduled for Feb. 25. Future plans for Fort Barton School will also be discussed.