Regional School District 19 explores three-year rolling average to smooth town levy contributions

Regional School District 19 officials and representatives from member towns discussed a proposal to change how town levy contributions are calculated, aiming to reduce abrupt year-to-year changes in local tax obligations.

Deborah Hulgren, chair of Regional School District 19, opened the meeting and said the discussion was intended to "get any additional facts people need and to, really assess whether we, move forward." The proposal under consideration would keep the October 1 enrollment count as the base but replace the single-year figure with the average of the October 1 counts from the three immediately preceding years.

Why it matters: Town officials said single-year enrollment counts can cause sharp levy spikes that are difficult for small municipal budgets to absorb. "It's just amount of sort of leveling ... from that perspective," said Tim, the district presenter, explaining the calculation. Tim described the method: "we'd be looking at that same October 1 number ... from the 3 immediately preceding years ... and then using that average as the levy distribution percent basis." Supporters said the change would not change the total region tax burden over the long run but would smooth how costs are allocated year to year.

Regional precedent and legal path: Sharon, one of the district presenters, said the group consulted the experience of Region 13 and its business manager, who implemented a rolling-average arrangement without changing state law. Sharon said the process Region 13 used required member towns to "agree upon and approve a process to calculate a method ... execute a memorandum of understanding ... and then the towns would draft a joint letter to the state board of education" requesting approval.

Process questions and town approval: Officials spent much of the discussion clarifying what local approvals would be required. Several participants noted that some towns may require a referendum, others a town meeting or legislative-body action. Amanda said she had "reached out" to an attorney and would circulate guidance; Sharon and others said they would confirm legal requirements and timelines. Multiple participants suggested a November referendum could be timed to allow the change to take effect for the following year if approvals align.

Local concerns and presentation requests: Town finance officials asked the district to show absolute dollar impacts in addition to percent charts so voters and boards of finance could see concrete year-by-year examples. Steph Summers, a board of finance chair who identified herself at the meeting, requested that presenters provide both models and projected yearly impacts in dollars. Several town representatives emphasized communication and user-friendly visuals to help build local support.

Scope and policy choices: Attendees discussed the averaging horizon. Several participants described three years as a reasonable compromise; one suggested four years because it aligns with a typical high-school span, while five was considered too long. The group agreed to seek informal consensus on a three-year approach before drafting MOU language.

Next steps: The district will circulate Region 13 sample documents and a draft presentation, compile anticipated public questions and answers, and confirm what each town needs—referendum, town meeting or legislative approval—based on counsel’s guidance. Sharon said she would send Region 13 materials after the meeting, and Amanda said she would follow up with legal advice for the three towns. The group agreed to reconvene after budget season to finalize a draft MOU and a timeline.

No formal motion or vote was recorded at the meeting; attendees treated the session as an exploratory and preparatory step for possible formal actions later this year.