February 20, 2020 • Williston Observer • Page 5
5 things to know about the school budget proposal This article was submitted by the Champlain Valley School Board 1. HOW VOTING FOR OUR SCHOOLS WORKS On or before Tuesday, March 3, voters will be asked to approve one budget for all public schooling in the Champlain Valley School District (CVSD). The district includes the towns of Charlotte, St. George, Williston, Shelburne and Hinesburg. Voted ballots will be brought to a central location (CVU high school) and co-mingled (all town ballots mixed together) prior to being counted by representatives from each town’s Board of Civil Authority. 2. WHY THE BUDGET IS INCREASING The proposed budget is increasing by 4.4 percent this year. It covers salary increases, a 13.2 percent increase in the cost of health insurance and increases in the cost of goods and services at the rate of inflation. The budget also reflects higher special education costs, which are partially offset by state revenues. More specific information about the budget can be found at www.cvsdvt. org/budget. 3. WITHIN THE BUDGET, CVSD IS STRENGTHENING PROGRAMMING AND SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS CVSD is focused on improving early literacy outcomes, increasing STEM opportunities and supporting students who come to school with social-emotional struggles. School counselor and administrator roles are being restored at CVU to best meet the
needs of, and support, all students. 4. RISING PROPERTY VALUES ARE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTOR TO INCREASING TAX RATES Property tax rates are based not on the budget increase but on the increase in the “net cost per equalized pupil.” CVSD is fortunate to have a slightly increasing equalized student count, which, when coupled with the board’s conservative fiscal plan, lowers the community’s tax exposure to 3.2 percent. Changes in the state funding calculation lower this even more, to a 1 cent increase on the equalized tax rate. Offsetting this good news is a two-cent decline in the consolidation incentive our district receives. The largest impact on local tax rates is the CLA (Common Level of Appraisal), which is the adjustment the state makes to assessed property values so they reflect current market values. Property values in our community are continuing to rise, and the adjustment is applied to the tax rate. 5. OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT ARTICLES ON THE BALLOT There are several procedural votes that are taken at the CVSD Board of Directors’ Annual Meeting. This is held on Monday, March 2 at 5 p.m. in CVU room 160, and all are welcome. On Tuesday, March 3, besides the budget, the board is asking for approval to apply $725,000 of the fund balance — the district’s financial reserves — as revenue to lower the tax rate. There will also be an article for voters to consider the purchase
of three new school buses. With the help of a state grant, two of these buses will be among the first electric school buses in Vermont. And finally, the board is asking for support for a $6 million capital construction bond. We have a website set up to provide infor-
mation about the proposed bond. This can be accessed via the school district’s website: www.cvsdvt.org. For more information, visit www.cvsdvt. org/budget or email cvsdboard@cvsdvt.org, and remember, you can vote early!
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Essex Players present ‘Drinking Habits’ The Essex Community Players begin performances of “Drinking Habits” beginning Feb. 28 at Essex Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., in Essex. Performances continue Feb. 29, March 6-7 and March 13-14 with 7:30 p.m. start times. Matinees (2 p.m.) are scheduled for March 1, 8 and 15. Ben Certa of Williston will make his stage debut as “George” — the good-natured groundskeeper for the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing convent. Certa dipped his toe into the theater world by running light/sound boards after watching his father working light and sound and his step-mother on stage with Essex Community Players. This will be Certa’s first role on stage. The play description: “The nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing have been secretly making wine to keep the convent out of the red when two reporters go undercover as a nun and priest to expose these partners in wine. Wine and secrets are inevitably spilled as the plot twists to a blessed end.” For tickets, visit www.essexplayers.com.
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Williston’s Ben Certa, as ‘George.’
Shelburne Players present ‘Laughter on the 23rd Floor’ The Shelburne Players are ready to take on one of Neil Simon’s most popular comedies, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor.” The play focuses on Sid Caesar-like Max Prince, the star of a weekly comedy-variety show circa 1953, and his staff, including Simon’s alter-ego Lucas Brickman, who maintains a running commentary on the writing, fighting and wacky antics that take place in the writers’ room. Actors include Bob Bolyard of Burlington,
Alex Chang of Shelburne, Clem Turmel and Stephen Moore of Milton, Craig Bailey of Shelburne, Jay Caton from South Hero, Jeff Barker of Burlington, David Belvedere of Winooski and Rachel Feldman of Middlesex. The play will be directed by Adam Cunningham. Performance dates are March 27, 28, 29 and April 2,3 and 4 at Shelburne Town Center. To reserve tickets and for more information, visit www.shelburneplayers.com.
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