The Lamoille Ledger
Superintendent's News ~ February 16th, 2024
Important Dates / Resources
February 19th - EMUU Board Meeting (5:30PM) - Morristown Elementary
February 21st - EMUU Coffee Talk on Budget (6PM) Virtual Link
February 23rd - SSD Coffee Talk following Community Meeting (SES) - Stowe Library 9AM
February 26th - March 5th - Winter Break - (No School)
March 4th - EMUU Informational / Annual Meeting 6PM (Peoples Academy Auditorium)
March 5th - SSD Informational Meeting 8AM (Stowe High Auditorium)
March 5th - EMUU Budget Vote
March 14th - Early Release - 12PM
March 15th - Parent / Teacher Conferences (No School)
March 15th - Stowe Budget Vote / Annual Meeting (6PM)
April 8th - Early Release (Solar Eclipse) - 12PM
February Update
Dear Lamoille South Community,
This week, there are significant updates in reference to our budget and strategic plan. As you may be aware, legislators are scrambling to make an adjustment to the education funding formula. In addition to the letters I sent this week to EMUU and SSD, I have testified to lawmakers and published a part one and part two series advocating for our schools and communities. These may be helpful when understanding our current situation. The Stowe Reporter, Vermont Digger and Seven Days have also published recent articles on this financial crisis. I also invite you to attend one of the coffee talks listed above.
The other news this week is more connected to where we should be spending our time: teaching and learning. On Monday, we had a chance to present a comprehensive strategic plan update to the Lamoille South Board. That presentation is discussed below and I welcome you to review our progress. We have made significant gains related to our three goal areas: Academic Achievement, Equity, and Safe / Healthy Schools.
It is important to celebrate that despite the challenges that we face at a state level, our students are being sheltered from these discussions and are receiving a very high-quality education. Our schools are safe and filled with caring adults and we are committed to keeping it that way.
Sincerely,
Ryan Heraty
Superintendent
Lamoille South Supervisory Union
802-888-4541
Budget / Legislative Updates
Due to proposed legislative changes, the SSD Board voted to delay the annual meeting and vote until March 15th. The SSD board also reduced the budget by more than $1.5M in response to tax pressure and legislator requests. The revised budget includes a 9% education spending increase that does not address the critical repairs to roofing and parking lots that were in our first budget. The board also removed funds that were allocated for safety upgrades to the middle / high school entrance and one teaching position. You can view those slides HERE. Note: the board selected Option #2.
The EMUU Board is moving forward with a Town Meeting Day vote with their approved budget. This includes a 7% spending increase. The board put forward a conservative budget that takes into account two teacher reductions. The EMUU budget presentation HERE is still relevant and updated to reflect current conditions.
All legislators we have spoken with agree the reason we are facing such steep property tax hikes is excessive spending. To identify where this is happening, we have put together a list that outlines the increases of each district. You will quickly note that both EMUU and SSD are low on the spending list. We are putting forward very responsible budgets and will still face the impact of unprecedented spending across the state with tax increases of 11% ~ Morrisville, 17% ~ Elmore, and 27% in Stowe with a revised budget.
The newest legislative solution being proposed (H.850) was developed in a few days with a very limited policy analysis. Evidence has not been provided to support that this bill will reduce tax rates to a moderate level. Since we are all connected to the education fund, the only viable solution seems to be that every district be required to put forward a reasonable spending increase like EMUU and SSD. This may require a spending cap.
Please consider advocating to your state senators who are scheduled to vote on this bill very soon. We are doing our part and need their help. The Senate Finance Committee is reviewing the bill again today at 3PM which can be streamed HERE.
Senators
Sen. Ann Cummings (D) acummings@leg.state.vt.us
Sen. Andrew Perchlik (D/P) aperchlik@leg.state.vt.us
Sen. Anne Watson (D) awatson@leg.state.vt.us
Sen. Richard Westman (R/D) rwestman@leg.state.vt.us
Strategic Plan Update
On Monday, we presented our strategic plan update to the Lamoille South Board. We have included our academic data and steps take in all three goal areas. Click below to review. Please note that this data is a supervisory union level presentation and combines data from schools across the SU.
Solar Eclipse
On April 8th, our schools will have an early release in anticipation of thousands of visitors planning to visit Vermont for prime viewing. As you will note below, we are in the path of totality and it should be an exciting event. We have purchased special glasses for every student and you can read more HERE from the state or this Seven Days article HERE.
