Informational Hearing Minutes - February 22, 2022 (virtual meeting)

Board Members present: Herb Ogden, Board Chair; Dick Dale, Vice Chair; David Chandler, Jim Salsgiver, Ben Freeman, Melanie Virgilio, Jane Worley, Deb Lyneis, Lindsay Ralph, Alex Wilde, Jeff Wilson and John Wilson.  Absent: Leigh LoPresti

BRSU Superintendent Randi Lowe, BRSU Director of Finance Sue Wilborn

Staff member Celeste Keel and Burr & Burton Academy Headmaster Mark Tashjian

Vermont State Representatives from the School District:  Rep. Seth Bongartz, Rep. David Durfee and Rep. Kathleen James.

Other members of the communities were also on ZOOM or by telephone participating in the meeting.

Moderator Oliver Olsen went over the procedures of the virtual meeting and asked anyone wishing to speak to please use the “raise hand” signal.  Herb Ogden then thanked the Superintendent Randi Lowe and her staff, fellow board members and the community for another great year and the continued support of the children in our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Articles to discuss:

Article 1:    To hear and act upon the reports of the School District Directors and Officers.

A motion was made by Dick Dale to accept the reports as presented and seconded by Herb Ogden.  The motion carried.

Vermont State Rep. Durfee then spoke about the large surplus in the state educational fund and that it will be passed along next year to reduce the tax rate.  Rep. James spoke briefly about the issues at hand on the Ed Committee.  Currently Act 28 deals with literacy, Act 35 is about inclusiveness within our schools, Act 67 deals with community schools, Act 72 is about facilities and Chapter 11 deals with Union School Districts.  The Ed Committee is not taking on any new bills at this time as their plate is full.  Rep. Bongartz began by reiterating the thanks given to Superintendent Randi Lowe and then spoke about Rule 2200.  This is about school choice and using public dollars for independent schools.  Currently there is a bill S219 in the House by Sen. Campion which supports school choice and the ability to using public monies for independent schools.  He stressed the importance of the bill and if it were to fail, the problems it would create for Burr & Burton Academy and our community.

Article 2:    To discuss articles to be voted upon by Australian ballot.

See articles 4-12 below.

Article 3:    To transact any other business which may legally come before this meeting.

Oliver Olsen asked Dick Dale to step in as moderator as he wished to address the meeting and cannot do so as moderator.  Oliver Olsen then stated that he was speaking as a voter and parent in the district.  He referenced Rep. Bongartz and stated that the threat is real, he encouraged the school boards to fight the action and to not allow destruction of our independent schools.

With no other business to come before this meeting, Dick Dale moves to adjourn, seconded by Herb Ogden.  The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.

To be voted by Australian Ballot on Tuesday, March 1, 2022:

Article 4:     Shall the voters approve the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Taconic and Green Regional School District be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 7pm at the Currier Memorial School?

Herb Ogden explained the rotation of the annual meeting and hopes the rotation will be back on track by next year. 

PASSED                 YES 263          NO  28

Article 5:     Shall the voters authorize the School Board to borrow money by issuance of notes not in excess of anticipated revenue for the fiscal year July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023?

There was no discussion.

                 PASSED                YES 250              NO  49

Article 6:      Shall the voters approve payment of the announced tuition rate of Burr and Burton Academy in the amount of $19,200 for the 2022-2023 school year for resident pupils in grades 9 through 12 who attend any approved Vermont independent school? 

Headmaster Mark Tashjian spoke about the 2-year journey the school has been on since COVID-19 began. He stated how it has been hard, nerve racking, frustrating and at the same time exhilarating and exciting.  Students are back in the classroom and sports have resumed.  He noted that the tuition increase is 3.8% vs. the inflation rate of 7.5%.   He is very proud and grateful to the community, parents, faculty and staff during these last two years. Overall, he stated that this community is very powerful! 

                 PASSED                 YES 263              NO   40

Article 7:   Shall the voters of the school district approve the school board to expend $34,133,626, which is the amount the school board has determined to be necessary for the ensuing fiscal year? It is estimated that this proposed budget, if approved, will result in education spending of $19,089 per equalized pupil. This projected spending per equalized pupil is 7.0% higher than spending for the current year.

Superintendent Randi Lowe first thanked her faculty, staff and the T&G Board for their kind words and that she appreciated them but couldn’t have done it alone without the support of her teams. She and BRSU Finance Director Sue Wilborn then presented a slide show to explain the items influencing the budget increase of 2.7%. Sue Wilborn also explained the cost shifting between the T&G School District and the BRSU District.  

PASSED                 YES 242                      NO  59

Article 8:   Shall the voters authorize the School Board to transfer the unassigned General Fund surplus existing on June 30, 2022, an amount estimated to be $990,159, to the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund?

There was no discussion.

                 PASSED                 YES 249                          NO  48

Moderator Oliver Olsen then asked Superintendent Randi Lowe to explain the significance of the reserve funds in Articles 9, 10 and 11.  Superintendent Randi Lowe the importance of supporting these funds for future expenditures.

Article 9:    Shall the voters appropriate the sum of $250,000 for the Building and Grounds Reserve Fund?                                                       

PASSED                 YES 249                          NO  50

Article 10: Shall the voters appropriate the sum of $125,000 for the Bus Reserve Fund?

PASSED                 YES 261                          NO  38

Article 11: Shall the voters appropriate the sum of $50,000 for the Technology Equipment Reserve Fund?

PASSED                  YES 256                          NO  45 

Article 12: To elect the following Officer and School Director positions:

• Moderator to serve from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023

• School District Clerk to serve from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023

• School District Treasurer to serve from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022

• Manchester - One (1) Director for a two (2) year term expiring in March 2024

• Four (4) Directors from any of the four (4) largest towns (Danby, Dorset, Londonderry, Manchester) for three (3) year terms expiring in March 2025

ELECTED:                                                                      VOTES

Moderator – Oliver Olsen                                                   249

School District Clerk – Sandra Pinsonault                        261

School District Treasurer – Andrew McKeever                 258

Manchester School Board Director – Jon Wilson              247

At-Large School Directors

         David Chandler                                                       243

         Lindsay Ralph                                                         210

         Alexander Wilde                                                      210 

         Jeff Wilson                                                              237

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra Pinsonault

School District Clerk