Book learning
Gala time
Energy committee starts new reading group
Dolphins celebrate season at awards event
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South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977
the DECEMBER 14, 2023
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SB school district drafts 14 percent spending increase LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
As school officials begin drafting its budget, the South Burlington School District is also grappling with the complexities of a state education spending and pupil weighting formula signed into law last year. The draft $71 million fiscal year 2025 budget reflects a nearly 14 percent increase in spending and a revenue increase of 6.53 percent, which includes a $2 million budget surplus from 2022, and the influx of impact fees for the purchase of the
South Burlington is making climate change a priority in its budget next year by tacking on additional tax increase percentages to fund its initiatives. South Burlington officials last week began what should be a six-week process to deliberate and decide on a final budget for the 2025 fiscal year. A vote to approve a final budget will be held on March Town Meeting Day. As it currently stands, the budget would tack on an 8.2
Starry Night
zero energy modular classrooms. In addition to a new weighting formula known as Act 127, the district is also facing inflation pressures, infrastructure needs, increases in health insurance costs, increases in negotiated labor contracts and the end of COVID-19 federal aid funding. In an initial budget presentation to the school board last week, superintendent Violet Nichols explained that increases in health insurance came in at 16.4 percent. See SCHOOL BUDGET on page 11
South Burlington budget to include 8.2 % tax increase COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
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percent increase in the tax rate to fund the city’s climate and policy budget, meant to begin funding initiatives laid out in the city’s climate action plan. City officials, for comparison, also offered an operations budget, “built to continue the operation of the city” absent the climate initiatives, city manager Jessie Baker said, which would only include a 4.8 percent increase on the tax rate. An average condominium owner in the city, because of the See CITY BUDGET on page 13
COURTESY PHOTOS
Vibrant Church in South Burlington held its annual Jay’s Christmas Party for Kids on Dec. 2 drawing 850 kids and their family members, and adding a new event this year, Jay’s Starry Night Christmas Party for Kids, held the night before. More photos on page 10.