Missisquoi Valley School District #89 presents third FY25 budget proposal with $1.7M in cuts; tax impact limited by rising property values

At a meeting that began at 7:08 p.m., Missisquoi Valley School District #89 staff outlined fiscal year 2025 budget proposal number 3, saying the version voters will see totals $48,909,437 after roughly $1.7 million in cumulative cuts.

District staff presented line‑item reductions including a $250,000 cut to capital projects, several adjustments to district‑office and school staffing allocations and the removal of a proposed floating custodian position. "I didn't want anyone to think that we cut a custodian that's existing," said Staff member (S6), noting the role was planned but not yet filled. Staff said one teaching position that had not been filled was removed from the proposal.

Officials emphasized that the equalized tax rate — the portion of a homeowner's tax bill tied directly to the school budget — would be about $1.19 under the proposal, but many taxpayers have seen larger increases in their total bills because residential property values and the common level of appraisal (CLA) have risen. "If the CLA was at 100% in each town, these numbers would be zero," Staff member (S2) said while showing examples of per‑home impacts.

The district also discussed a Highgate Elementary roof project that had been in prior budgets. Presenter (S4) said contracting deadlines tied to an approved budget prevented the work from moving forward this fiscal year: "It's not going to be able to be done, in this next fiscal year," S4 said. Staff indicated the project will be reconsidered for next year's budget.

Staff described reallocation decisions that added roughly $128,000 to plant operations while increasing special‑education funding by about $250,500 to cover newly identified student needs and transportation. The presenters noted teacher step increases and changes in health coverage also affected salary and benefit projections.

On borrowing, staff explained Vermont law permits districts to borrow up to 87% of the prior year's budget only if no approved budget is in place by July 1. Officials warned that relying on that statutory borrowing would limit the district to essential services and could pause extracurricular activities, athletics and after‑school transportation until a budget is passed. "We usually earn interest by reinvesting short‑term borrowed funds," Staff member (S7) said; staff estimated the district typically earns about $300,000 a year on such reinvestments and cautioned failing to pass a borrowing article could be a net financial loss once interest costs are factored in.

Staff also highlighted district performance, saying Missisquoi Valley School District #89 spends about $1,500 less per student than the state average while remaining in the top half of state high‑school rankings and showing above‑average test results in math and language arts.

Several online participants asked clarifying questions about how many districts had passed budgets and about the difference between successive votes. Staff said as of the previous Friday the district was one of nine in the state without a passed budget and that some districts required multiple votes before passage. Community members also asked whether class sizes or professional development would be cut; staff said contracted teachers must be paid, cuts would target added or vacant positions first, and discretionary professional development that is not contractually required could be delayed.

Staff urged residents to vote on Tuesday, June 18 at the usual polling places (Village Complex in Swanton, the Arena in Highgate and Franklin Town Hall) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.