Superintendent's Message

Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff,

On Tuesday, our proposed budget was defeated 58% to 42%. This news is disheartening as it will require cuts to staff and programming, but we have the opportunity to revise the budget and bring it back to the voters.

At last night’s board meeting, three options were presented for reducing the budget and tax rate increase. All of the options would see significant reductions to staffing and programming. The board voted to adopt a $69,530,000 budget which applies the FY22 $2.27 surplus to revenue and sees a tax rate increase of 14.5%. This is a decrease of $1,662,891 and sees a tax rate increase that is 40% lower than our previous budget and is lower than the statewide expectations.

The re-vote will now take place on Thursday, April 4th. If you had requested a early ballot for March 5th, then you do not need to request a new ballot; one will be sent to you. If you have not yet registered to vote, you can do that here.

All the options that were presented to the board last night would see reductions to staffing and programming, but this option sees the fewest cuts. But please know that supporting students, staff and parents/guardians is at the center of decision-making.

We will be holding a pre-vote hearing at the April 3rd board meeting (similar to the Pre Town Meeting Day meeting at). I will share more details on that when they are available

School board member Alex McHenry has resigned his seat and the board will be selecting a new member. Candidates can apply now and will be interviewed by the board during an open board meeting on April 3rd. Board members will then discuss the candidates in an executive session immediately following, then return to an open session to announce their decision.

Applications are available at www.sbschools.net/schoolboard. They will be due no later than 4 pm on March 27th. Please send to Delina Gilroy at dgilroy@sbschools.net. Applications received after that time will not be accepted.

The board approved the 2024-2025 school calendar last night and you can find it here.

In the 8 months that Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism and Social Emotional Learning Monica Desrochers has been with the district, she has had a huge impact.

She was instrumental in the rollout of the Panorama Surveys and is continuing to compile that data to help us have a clearer picture of our district. She also played a huge role in the development of the Transgender and Nonbinary Student Policy, working closely with the QSA and GSA to get student input on what should be included. Along with several students, she started a Leadership Team at the middle and high school to focus on social change. She also organized an Anti-Racism Coalition made up staff that are taking a hard look at our hiring practices.

She is in all five of our schools every week, working with staff and students on how best to support themselves and each other. And in addition to all this, she has also been lending a hand at Orchard with administrative duties and supporting students. This is all just a small glimpse into what Monica does for our district and you can see all the great work she is doing on the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism website. Thank you for everything Monica! We are so lucky to have at South Burlington!

Amazing work, Chloe and Lily!

In looking at the larger transportation of South Burlington, please complete the online survey to provide input on the South Burlington's Active Transportation Plan. Your feedback is invaluable in creating a plan that will help South Burlington be a great place to walk, roll, and bike! Click here to complete the survey!

Registration for School’s Out Summer Camp is currently open to all SB families. Find more information here.

The district uses PowerSchool and School Messenger to send out all updates and notifications. regarding school closures and other important information.

Please note that transportation updates are only sent to families who have subscribed to transportation services on PowerSchool.

Please make sure all your information is up to date in PowerSchool so you can receive all notifications as quickly as possible.

Best of luck to the SBHS Boy’s Hockey Team as they take on Rice Memorial for the championship tonight! The game starts at 8 pm at Gutterson Arena at UVM. Go Wolves!

SBHS is hosting the New England Dance Championships this Saturday, March 9.

23 teams will be attending this event from VT, C,T and MA. The SBHS Varsity Dance team returned to the podium on February 17th as the Pom State Champions and were also in the top four in the Hip Hop genre. Come and cheer the team on as they vie for the Championship!

Doors open at 11:00 am and the competition will begin promptly at 12:00 pm. SBHS Varsity POM is scheduled to take to the floor at 12:22 pm and Hip Hop is scheduled to take to the floor at 2:04 pm.

Best of luck to head coach Ali Gingras and the whole Varsity Roster:

Katie Ford, Kate Popick, Catie Palmer, Izzy DiStefano, Sophie Warren, Ashton Kinney, Julia Todd, Juliette Spitelle, Liza Lisnic, Niara Wijetunga, Gretchen Wertleib, Callie Beyor, and Annie Boutin.

Tickets are available online only: https://gofan.co/app/school/CNESSPA

You can also watch the event streaming here (if you subscribe):

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/south-burlington-high-school-south-burlington-vt/gam2328032125

A special message from Common Roots - who brings our children Farm to School lessons (preschool through grade 5) at no cost to our district, and 4 other South Burlington community programs (16 years):

You have probably heard that Burlington VT will be a focal point of much activity during the Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8th. Children in the South Burlington Schools will be released by noon on that day and there will be no School's Out program.

Common Roots has designed a special Eclipse Party with families and children in mind! They have NASA-approved glasses for each ticket holder.

The Common Roots' Eclipse Party is designed to engage all ages with healthy food, live music by Chad Hollister (including the song he wrote for Common Roots Nourish to Flourish that some children know well and will be invited to sing with him), movement, exploration in Wheeler Nature Park, and lots of games from Big Blue Trunk! A memorable day of fun ~no one should miss~ during this once-in-a-lifetime astrological occurrence!

Dress for the weather, rain, snow or sunshine! Common Roots will have an Event Tent on site.

For more details, go to the Ticket link through Seven Days COMMON ROOTS ECLIPSE PARTY TICKETS

Common Roots will give limited free family passes to each principal.

Should you have any questions--please contact Liz@commonroots.org

Our Common Roots Team looks forward to seeing the Solar Eclipse with you!

Here are some family friendly events the South Burlington Recreation Department is hosting:

FREE Family Skate:
Come join us for a free family skate at Cairns Arena courtesy of Kris Luce-Allstate Insurance on Saturday, March 9th from 3:10-5:10pm. Bring your own skates or borrow from the rink for free! All are welcome to attend. Come the entire time or stop in around your schedule!

FREE Spring Arts/Crafts & Gardening:
Enjoy an afternoon with the family for a spring arts & crafts and gardening event sponsored by Northeast Delta Dental on March 16th from 1:00-3:00pm at the UMall (storefront next to Target). Design and decorate your own planting pot and receive seeds and soil before you leave! Will also have DIY wooden birdhouse kits, paper pinwheel decoration and more!

FREE Egg Hunt:
Who is ready for an egg hunt? Join us at City Hall and Rick Marcotte Central School on March 30th from 1:00-3:00pm. Bring the family and enjoy an egg hunt for all ages, arts and crafts, complimentary face painting, music, food and refreshments courtesy of Sommers Chiropractic. First 250 kids in attendance will receive a reusable bag to color and decorate! (RMCS is not affiliated with this event, only allowing the city to use the space.)

No advance registration is necessary for any of these events.

And some great events happening at the South Burlington Public Library!

The district is hiring! Please follow the links to read the full descriptions for these roles.

Orchard Elementary Principal

Bus Drivers (and Bus Aides)

Training available obtain Commercial Driver's Licenses to eligible candidates, full and part time positions available as well as van drivers and bus monitors

Special Ed teachers:

Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School

Lunchroom:

Middle School

Elementary

Traffic Monitors

Substitute Teachers

Full job descriptions are available on School Spring. If you have questions on hiring processes or on employment, please contact Elissa Galvez, Employment Specialist, egalvez@sbschools.net (802) 652-7247.

Thank you for reading!

Violet

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