Jaffrey-Rindge voters said no to a proposed new addition to the middle high school that would have added three new programs to the district’s Career and Technical Education offerings.

The addition would have included an expanded construction trades program, with three classes per semester for a total of 54 seats; a culinary arts track with three year-long classes each year and a total of 54 seats; an EMT course with 12 seats; and a security and public safety track with four classes per semester and a total of 192 seats.

Had it been approved, the total cost of the addition would have been $22.9 million. About $16 million would have been provided by the New Hampshire Department of Education, which has designated funding for Career and Technical Education improvements. The district would have been responsible for the remaining $6.8 million, through a bond.

Because the article would have required taking on additional debt for the district, it required a 60% vote in order to pass, but failed to reach even a majority vote overall.

“ I am deeply disappointed that the long-term value of career and technical education was not recognized by enough voters for this article to pass,” stated School Board Chair Chris Ratcliffe, who was reelected on Tuesday. “At this moment, I do not see a path forward for this project. However, what remains clear is the continued need for strong investments in workforce development and educational opportunities for our students.”

While a majority of Jaffrey voters did vote in support of the proposal, overall the vote was narrow, with only 13 more yes votes than no in a 706-693 result. The vote was more-decisive in Rindge, where residents voted 1,074-611 against the proposal, for an overall district vote of 1,317 for and 1,767 against.

Candidate Forbes Farmer, who ultimately lost his bid for Rindge Select Board to  Larry Cleveland, said that it was a tough year for the school to be asking for such a big project.

“I see a need for it, but it’s come at a terrible time,” Farmer said.

Judy Unger-Clark of Rindge said she was in favor of the program. As a former teacher, she said she has seen schools with robust career training programs and their benefits.

The funds from the Department of Education for the Jaffrey-Rindge project were included in Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s proposed budget, which has yet to be approved by the Legislature. Jaffrey-Rindge and schools in the surrounding area were considered for the funding at the tail end of a 20-year cycle of funding similar projects. Members of the Jaffrey-Rindge School Board touted the funding as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity for the district.

“I am incredibly proud of the work our district, in collaboration with the state and our community, put into developing a plan that was the only one included in Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s proposed budget,” Ratcliffe said. “This initiative would have provided students in our district and the surrounding areas with critical, skills-based learning opportunities – a pressing need in New Hampshire’s workforce – while  75% of the funding from the state.”

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.