Dear Wildcat Families,

The sun is shining, and even though it's just 10 degrees, I’m grateful for it!

It’s hard to believe we are already in March. Soon, trees will sprout leaves, birds will return, and flowers will bloom. This is truly a magical time of year for nature and our children. In the second half of the school year, we witness significant growth, both academically and in social and emotional development. Below, you'll find some resources to help foster independence in kids of all ages.

Tomorrow is an important day for our district and others across the state. Regardless of your stance on the CIUUSD budget, I encourage everyone to make their voices heard by voting. Yesterday, the chair of the CIUUSD Board shared an insightful post on the Front Porch Forum, and I recommend reading it. While we will know the outcome of the vote by Wednesday, please remember that Kindergarten registration is still actively underway!

Thank you for your continued support and engagement in our community! Please find the link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxvqhWew9W3_Jg3w8wZQsJ3ZJlRlg-y94xTWqIhAdJcGikIA/viewform?usp=dialog

As always, my door and inbox are always open,

Mrs. H

The only definitive result of a "no" vote is that the schools are not funded for next year. The CIUUSD Board would then be required to present reduced budget proposals for subsequent votes until a budget is approved.

A 'NO' vote would not change the plan back to what we have this year. Maintaining the configuration in place today would result inn another big property tax increase - as much as 17.5%. The Board did not believe that it could propose such an increase, nor that there would be any chance of voters approving such a budget if we did propose it.

Whether this vote passes or fails, the North Hero School will remain open. The Board does not have the authority to close the North Hero School. It can only be closed by a vote of the Town of North Hero community. Even if the school were closed, it would not save much money. The proposed budget already includes most of the staff savings that could be achieved by closing the school, since we have already eliminated the separate principal and combined the grade level staffing. Building operating expenses would not be greatly reduced since utilities and heat need to continue to avoid rapid deterioration of the building.

Voting YES on this budget would result in the average class size of 16.5 students and several large grade levels would continue to be split into two classrooms. The projected maximum class size would be 22 students (and this would NOT be kindergarten.)

The budgets over past few years have covered essential maintenance but no money for work that could be postponed. The Grand Isle and North Hero schools have similar unmet maintenance needs, EXCEPT for the North Hero heating system. The Grand Isle School heating system was replaced because it had totally failed, repair parts were unavailable, and operation was dangerous. The North Hero School system needs attention but has not failed. The current wide-ranging education proposals circulating at the state level make it prudent to postpone all but the most critical projects.

Is some of the information on the ballot wrong? Yes. The $10,712,720 budget request on the school ballot is correct, the percent student cost increase is not. The figures the Agency of Education gave us as ballots went to press were incorrect, requiring us to print that there would be a 5.8% increase in per-pupil spending. The actual increase is 2%, based on a per-pupil expense of $15,288. Our estimate is that tax rates would change as follows:
Grand Isle +4.9%
North Hero +2.0%
Isle La Motte -2.5% (decrease)
The difference is due to differences in property value changes between the three towns. Actual tax rates will not be finalized until the legislature and Governor act.

Our family calendar has more events than what is listed below. Be sure to click the Link to the Family Calendar.

March 6th- End of Year Basketball Celebration (email Coach Hannah for additional information)

March 11th- CIUUSD Board Meeting

March 12- Bolton Ski Day

March 19th- Bolton Ski Day

March 21st- 5/6 Dance 3-5 PM

March 31st- No School, family conferences

If your child falls significantly below, you will receive a letter by the end of the week, both electronically and in the mail.

2024-25 Yearbook is available for purchase. Starting at $25.00

LIfetouch - GIS code is 13507325

Email: ahanlon@gisu.org
Website: https://www.grandisleschool.org/
Location: 224 U.S. Rte 2, Grand Isle, VT, USA
Phone: 802-372-6913
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grandisleschool.org

Attendance Form: https://forms.gle/ABSvVURCxvqbMfXw7