The Lamoille Ledger
Superintendent's Monthly News - April 12th, 2024
Important Dates / Resources
April 15th - EMUU Board / Budget Information Meeting (5:30PM) - Morristown Elementary
April 16th - EMUU Budget Vote (Polls open 8AM - 7PM)
April 22nd - 26th - NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)
May 27th - NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)
June 18th - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (Pending AOE Approval)
Monthly Update
Dear Lamoille South Community,
On Monday, Lamoille County was treated to a rare and spectacular event. I've connected with many students over the past few days that were able to enjoy the total eclipse surrounded by family and friends. It was truly a moment they will remember for the rest of their lives and although we weren't excited about closing school, it did seem like the right thing to do. I am very aware that any time we cancel school it can put a tremendous burden on families. We thank you for your support and flexibility. I've submitted a waiver to the Agency of Education, asking that this day is not added to end of the year. Since the cancellation was a request made by local law enforcement, it should be approved. Assuming the waiver is approved, our last day of school will be on June 18th.
Below are a few important updates, including some proposed changes that are happening at the statehouse around education finance. I'd like to remind all EMUU residents to please vote on Tuesday!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Ryan Heraty
Superintendent
Lamoille South Supervisory Union
802-888-4541
EMUU Budget Vote
Today, our teachers in Stowe wore red to support the EMUU Budget (see below). The vote is coming up next Tuesday; EMUU Educators and those in support of public education will be wearing red on Monday. Please consider supporting our budget which was defeated by only 22 votes on Town Meeting Day. This budget represents a spending increase far below the state level and a tax rate decrease. Three positions have been reduced in this budget to account for tax pressures across the state. This is a responsible budget that will take care of our students.
You can learn more about our budget HERE or by attending an informational meeting on Monday at 5:30PM which will be a part of our monthly EMUU Board meeting.
Legislative Updates
Over the past few months, we have heard from many community members that are frustrated with the state education funding system. It has been clear that our spending decisions and local property tax rates are heavily impacted by the decisions of other districts and Act 127 has exacerbated that concern.
We have been actively advocating at a legislative level to share the concerns of our residents and push for change. Two of the changes we have requested for the next budget season include more transparency on the ballot and a cost-containment spending cap. Both of these measures would be relatively simply to implement and would prevent a similar situation from occurring next year.
The long-term advocacy is centered on redesigning the funding system to be more in line with other New England states where each district receives a set amount that reflects the actual cost of educating the children in their town. A town can then raise additional resources as needed through local dollars but those would be paid with local revenue, not by other districts. Critics of a foundation model have pointed to what was in place prior to Act 60. This was not an equitable model as an adequate base amount was not provided to districts.
This week, the House Ways and Means Committee has written a bill that includes most of what we have asked for. There are some details in that bill that we cannot support as they have not been modeled in detail. It is good news however, that state legislators have listened to our concerns and are working to improve the system.
Student Advisory Councils
This past week, I had the chance to join the EMUU student advisory councils. Students at each school are working on presentations to the faculty at their schools connected to student climate data. On Wednesday, several students were able to join a panel at the Stoweflake where they spoke to students and educators from around the country that were visiting Vermont to learn from some of our educational practices that empower student voice.
A Visit from Madagascar
Students from Peoples Academy Middle Level were treated last week to a performance from Scrag Mountain Music. A visiting artist from Madagascar told stories, shared songs, and discussed local culture.
