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Missisquoi Valley board adopts FY27 budget and sets April 14 Australian‑ballot vote
Summary
The Missisquoi Valley School District board adopted a $52,153,854 FY27 budget draft, reported a $287,000 reduction from the prior draft, projected per‑pupil spending of $12,173 (0.1% lower than the current year), and approved the legal warning for an April 14 Australian‑ballot vote with an informational meeting April 7.
The Missisquoi Valley School District board voted to adopt the FY27 proposed budget and approved the legal warning sending the spending plan to an Australian‑ballot vote on April 14.
Administrators presented a revised budget draft of $52,153,854, representing a $287,000 reduction from the earlier draft and a 2.3% increase over current‑year expenditures. The district applied $285,000 in additional revenue (largely for excess/extraordinary special‑education costs that are now clearer) so the net change in education spending from the earlier draft was $572,000 less. Administration reported a long‑term weighted average daily membership of 3,228.17 and a computed per‑pupil figure of $12,173 — the warning text states this is 0.1% lower than current year spending as required by statute.
Board members discussed where savings were found: the district will not refill a recently retired veteran teaching position, intends to eliminate one vacant student‑support position and a contracted school‑based clinician, and expects $20,000–$40,000 in savings where teachers donate schedule time to Vermont Virtual Learning Collaborative (VTVLC) seats. Administrators noted continued staffing, scheduling and contract work will refine final line items once return‑to‑work decisions and contract acceptances are known.
Human resources director Bonnie Molton explained healthcare is set through statewide negotiated plans and that district employees typically pay a 20% share of premiums on the most popular plan (an 80/20 split).
After discussion and public‑question time about outreach and voter turnout, the board moved, seconded and adopted the budget and then read and approved the legal warning for the April 14 vote. The warning lists polling places and sets an informational meeting for April 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the Missisquoi Valley Union High School library (also available by Zoom). Administrators emphasized communications and early voting/absentee options to increase voter participation.
The board recorded the adoption at the meeting and instructed staff to arrange printing, ballot ordering and the informational meeting per statutory timeline.
