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JULY 30, 2020
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
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School start date delayed two weeks Governor urges fully reopening schools By Jason Starr Observer staff
Gov. Phil Scott on Tuesday pushed back the start of school statewide to Sept. 8 and encouraged school districts to fully reopen their buildings to students, especially at the youngest grades. For the Champlain Valley School District (CVSD), the new start date is two weeks later than its original Aug. 26 start plan. The announcement came as a surprise to CVSD administrators, who discussed the ramifications of the change during a meeting Tuesday. “We are still trying to figure it out,� CVSD Communications Director Bonnie Birdsall said Tuesday. “There are a lot of pieces, and we’re trying to explore what it impacts.
Administrators are not sure whether school will be extended two weeks in June, or whether the Agency of Education will allow for fewer than the traditional 175 days of school. “The idea is that this will give us more time to plan so we make sure things will start out right,� Birdsall said. Last week, the district announced plans for a hybrid school schedule, with only half of a school building’s students allowed for in-person instruction at a time. Students will be at school two days per week, with three days of learning from home — although a fully remote option will also be offered. At a press conference Tuesday, Gov. Scott, along with Health Commissioner Mark Levine, Education Commissioner Dan French and Rebecca Bell, president of Vermont’s chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, urged school districts to return to fully
in-person programs, especially at the elementary school level (preschool through grade 5). “In Vermont, this is the right time to open schools,� said Levine. “We have achieved a stage of viral suppression that will allow us to open schools comfortably.� For schools that are opening with hybrid models — which were designed this summer in response to the coronavirus pandemic — the extra two weeks will allow time to make sure their plans are adequate to address the needs of all students. “School districts, school boards, teachers and administrators should take this extra time to make sure they, and their hybrid and online solutions, are ready and effective so we can deliver for our children and build confidence in the public education system’s ability to be flexible and responsive — because faith in the system is key to returning to in-person instruction,� Scott said.
Sunset scamper
Observer courtesy photo by Brenda Carpenter
ABOVE: Burton Carpenter is a 10-year-old Yellow Labrador. Brenda Carpenter of Williston and her family enjoy these sunsets from their home on Walker Hill. They had Burton at a “sit“and then released him for a treat, so he was on the move toward Brenda’s husband Randy in this photo.
Residents debate adopting town energy plan force under the guidance of the planning commission over the past two years. On Tuesday, the selectEven without full implemen- board held the first of two public tation, Williston’s energy plan hearings ahead of a decision on will satisfy the requirements of whether to adopt it into the Town Act 174, giving the town a say in Plan. Planning Director Matt Bouwhere the Vermont Public Utility Commission sites renewable ener- langer advised the board that adopting the plan will signal to the gy projects in town. The selectboard is considering state that the town will do its part adopting the 45-page plan into its to help Vermont achieve its renewgoals — to source 90 Comprehensive Town Plan. It was able energy CSWD ScrapFoodWaste-10-25x3-H-snap.pdf 1 6/17/20 3:07 PM written by a volunteer energy task percent of the state’s energy needs By Jason Starr Observer staff
from renewable sources by 2050. After adoption, the town will be considered “energy compliant� and receive “substantial deference� in renewable energy siting decisions. After the hearing, board members informally signaled their support. A second public hearing is scheduled for August. But while the board may be willing to adopt the plan, implementing it, including creating and filling the position of “energy co-
ordinator� and seating a volunteer energy committee, is less certain. “I do not want to commit to making this a priority in the next budget season,� said board member Jeff Fehrs. A group of nearly 100 residents, led by the Sustainable Williston group, signed a petition urging the board to adopt the plan and hire an energy coordinator. “We are excited about the opportunity for us as a community to take this concrete step towards
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a more sustainable and resilient future for Williston,� states the petition. The planning commission also supports adoption and hiring of an energy coordinator. The plan lists 15 specific actions the town needs to take in order to transform its use and production of energy in support of the state’s goals. Actions cover the areas of transportation, building energy ussee ENERGY PLAN page 2
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