Williston
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NOVEMBER 30, 2023
Time for ‘a pause’
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
Should schools move beyond Black Lives Matter flag? BY JASON STARR Observer staff
Not throwin’ away my shot The CVU girls begin tryouts on Monday for a spot on the basketball team for the upcoming season. OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
The lone person of color on the Champlain Valley School Board said Tuesday it’s time to bring down the Black Lives Matter flags that have been flying outside local schools for more than three years. The flags were raised in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd — a school board decision made in summer 2020 to signify support for black members of the school community. “I’d ask that it come down at this point,” board member Babra Marden said. “The issues going on right now are not just about black community members. It is impacting everyone whether it’s color, race or religion. I am a person of color. I supported the flag going up, but at this time, we need to take a pause. That is my ask.” Marden’s remarks came during a board discussion about displaying a more inclusive symbol of support on school grounds. Shelburne parent Ni-
The Champlain Valley School Board is discussing whether it is time to take down the Black Lives Matter flags that were raised at local schools in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
cole Koopman brought the idea to the board in October, ques-
tioning how the Black Lives Matter group has responded to hostilities in Israel and Palestine. One Black Lives Matter
chapter posted, then deleted, an image promoting Hamas fighters in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, according to national news reports. Several chapters have since been unequivocal in their support for Hamas, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Koopman said this support for Hamas “has prompted questions and apprehensions among both Jewish and non-Jewish community members … Some see FLAG page 3
of a $300,000 home, for example, an additional $106 on their annual property tax bill. The tax increase reflects a spending increase of $1.2 million, resulting in a $14 million municipal budget proposal. The increase is needed to maintain the town’s current level of operations, Wells said. Possible staff additions under consideration — such as a police detective, police lieutenant, human resources director and parks staff — would amount to an additional $60 annually in property tax on a $300,000 home. Wells plans to present the bud-
get draft to the selectboard at its Dec. 5 meeting. The board plans two public hearings on the proposal in early January and plans to finalize a budget for voter consideration at Town Meeting Day by the end of January. “The overall theme of this budget proposal is continuing to address the intersection of increased cost to provide municipal services at the same time as focusing on expanding capacity to delivered services based on community and operational needs,” Wells wrote a budget transmittal letter to the board.
“I’d ask that it come down at this point.” Babra Marden Champlain Valley School Board
Spending spikes 6-8% in town, school budget drafts BY JASON STARR Observer staff
First drafts of the town and school budgets that will be up for voter approval in March carry spending increases of 8.7 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. Champlain Valley School District Chief Operation Officer Gary Marckres presented the school budget draft to the school board Tuesday. The board plans bi-weekly public budget meetings through mid-January before finalizing a proposal for the March 5 Town Meeting Day vote.
The school proposal would increase spending over the current fiscal year by $6.2 million, taking the CVSD budget over $100 million for the first time ($102.3 million). The primary driver of the increase is an increase in teacher salaries that the board previously negotiated with the teachers union, as well as an increase in the cost of teacher health benefits, according to Marckres. The district is also increasing pay by $2 per hour and offering dental care benefits for support staff. The cost for two new administrative positions is offset in the proposal by reductions elsewhere,
including the elimination of four para-professional positions. The increased spending will result in a property tax of $1.37 for every $100 of assessed property value, Marckres estimates — a 5 percent increase over the current fiscal year. The Town of Williston’s budget increase would also result in a property tax increase, according to preliminary estimates from Town Manager Erik Wells. The proposed property tax for town services is 37 cents for every $100 of assessed property value, a roughly 10 percent increase over the current fiscal year. The increase would cost the owner