By Katy Savage
After two failed budget votes, the Slate Valley Unified School District is presenting a third budget to voters on Aug. 11.
The new $26.4 million budget is down about $220,000 from the previously defeated budget and down about $91,000 from the previous year’s budget. The proposed per pupil spending number is up 1.99%, to $16,393.
The equalized tax rate would increase by about .03 cents, to $1.45 per $100 of assessed property value. Tax rates for each town would be further adjusted by common level of appraisal. Voters in Fair Haven and Orwell, would see a tax decrease, while voters in the other SVUUSD-member towns towns would see a tax increase.
Fair Haven’s tax rate would go down .05 cents and Orwell’s would go down 2 cents, while West Haven would see a 16-cent tax increase, Benson would see an 8-cent tax increase, Hubbardton a 7-cent increase and Castleton would see a 4-cent increase.
The third budget is being presented after the previously proposed $26.6 million budget failed by just 95 votes. The same budget number was presented to voters again in June, but failed again by 262 votes.
“I felt good last time and was disappointed,” Slate Valley School Board chair Tim Smith said. “I think we’ve done a better job this time around of listening and answering questions.”
If the budget passes, a special education and a science/technology instructor for the high school would be cut. Both those positions are currently vacant, Smith said.
Smith said the large price tag of a $59.5 million bond presented to voters in March may have discouraged some from approving the budget. The bond, which was presented separately from the school budget, would have paid for extensive renovations to Fair Haven Union High School, as well as a new middle school, an 8,200-square-foot addition to the Orwell school, and a new, $842,066 elevator at Fair Haven Grade School, among other improvements. The bond was widely defeated 2489-719.
“We thought the school budget went down out of anger or displeasure with the bond,” Smith said “Maybe if it stood by itself without the bond attached, people would support that.”
Smith said the bond is no longer a discussion point. “It’s not even near the table,” he said.
School board members held virtual community discussions for each town in July. Some residents at those meetings were concerned there was a lack of information regarding the budget in town reports. Some were concerned about the cost of salaries and benefits, which make up 75% of the budget. Some people suggested a spending freeze and reduction in administration costs while a West Haven voter wanted to see zero increase to per pupil spending.
More information about the meeting is available on the district’s website.
Under state law, school districts can borrow up to 87% of the previous year’s budget until voters accept a new budget. So far the school has borrowed $2.5 million to pay for salaries and expenses required to start the school year.
If the budget fails again, “we go back to the drawing board” Smith said.
