The meeting started with anFY25 MTSD Budget Information Meeting from 6-7pm. The3-minute rule comment process was not used and a lively back and forth discussion with the audience and the board was able to be held.
Rep. Chris Taylor indicated that he suspects that Governor Scott may veto the yield bill due to the need for structural changes to how Vermont funds education so that a town’s dollars are more closely matched to a school’s budget. If vetoed, he believed the end bill would retain the additional13%property tax refund and buy-down/tax increases would stay the same. He indicated that the decreases Milton makes in the school budget do not equate to a1-for-1 decrease in our tax liability. Act 127 was designed to create equity in education; however, it has led to rich districts continuing to pass their budgets and districts like ours not passing budgets and having to make cuts. He appreciated the Board’s outreach to the community with opportunities to come face-to-face one-on-one to ask questions.
Superintendent Amy Rex discussed how the borrowing occurs if the budget fails to pass by the June 30,2024 deadline. She indicated that borrowing occurs on a month-to-month basis, up to 87% of the prior year’s approved budget, as you continue to try to pass the budget and spend only on things that you’re already contractually obligated to pay. She is currently unable to get answers on interest and tax rate. The Town Treasurer indicated that it may require the issuance of multiple tax bills if the budget is delayed too long. She indicated you can’t enter into new contracts and that by default reduces programming. She currently has a pending bus contract that they’re hesitant to sign. She indicated that when you have to wait to enter into contracts you lose out on opportunities(e.g. coaches get positions else where, bus company may not have the drivers or buses, etc.).
Comments/discussions regarding the budget came from residents/parents related to finding valid info on the budget, reaching voters without children, additional superintendent/board outreach, board giving feed back to Montpelier on Act 127, school reputation, disagreement with others’ reasons for voting “No” on the budget, concerns regarding test scores/proficiency, providing latest info to voters on what current property taxes would look like if passed with current school budget/yield (possible veto) based on your home’s assessed value if combined household income over $128,000, clarifying that if your adjust gross household income is under $128,000 you will generally not pay more than 2.51% of your adjusted gross household income towards property taxes regardless of whatever tax increase there is (it appears that the 13% additional property tax refund is getting put here further reducing tax burden for those making under $128,000 this year),Milton needs to do mor PR also when not in budget season, clarification of personnel cuts, interaction between board and administration, culture problems, lack of response from board/superintendent, and alack of full discussion of all possible budget cuts and impacts. There was appreciation of the format of this conversational forum.
Regular School Board Meeting
A first Community Comment period included a single comment read by a parent/resident addressing the budget issues caused by Montpelier and her belief that the school vote failing means the town doesn’t support its schools.
The Consent Agenda included an approval of a Warrant, Contracts, Ratification of MESA Support Staff Negotiated Agreement, and Approval of Minutes from various meetings.
Reports to the Board included:
-Superintendent Report–Discussed five $3,000 internal teacher mini-grants she oversees as part of the Faculty Master Agreement. Amy attended a conference and webinar.
-Operations Report–Did FEMA event where he was told that MTSD is the only school system with an active emergency plan with ALICE training, relocation drills, which works closely with Milton PD, etc. Had a wastewater clog issue. Have a500-footpipe location with ability to review/unclog only150 feet deep. Have future plan to put in a clean-out to be able to reach the entire500-footrun.Signs placed around town for June 4thvote and will be removed June 5th.
-Finance Report–Swapping banks earned more interest. Currently, underbudget. Jenn has been getting Federal grants saving local dollars.
-Committee Reports–Strategic Plan Committee met prior to meeting to discuss Goals of Academics and Health and Well-being. Also Discussed MTSD Mission and Vision. Presentations included a presentation on Multi-Language Learners–No longer called English as a Second Language (ESL) or English Language Learners (ELL). Had previously seen secondary migration from Burlington and Winooski, but now seeing more new arrivals moving directly into Milton with no English skills. Some have specific learning difficulties. Milton projects having 66 MLL students and they speak 22 different languages with most speaking French, Bosnian, and Nepali. Milton has three MLL teachers(up.5 this year) assisting. All MLLs get tested each year to see if they are English proficient to move off from being considered MLL.
Discussion portion of the meeting included discussions regarding the All Learners Network Summer Math Camp for 3-5thgraders to include ~43 students and 20 teachers using$41,000ESSER funds with progress tracking through the school year, the Ryan Memorial Scholarship Fund Accounts and availability due to recent reduced interest earnings, and a First Safety System Fire Alarm System Bid of $9,951.20 for 2 Herrick Ave (“The White House”) required by Fire Marshal for occupancy after an initial waiver was granted. Funds from capital reserve. The Milton Innovation Center (MIC) / Outdoor Classroom was discussed. Needed to remediate PCBs from floor before initiating ESSER grant-funded project.
An additional Community Comment period was held. One comment by a parent was made by a parent on several topics including clarifying a comment made at a prior MTSB meeting, addressing another’s proficiency comment made earlier in the evening, and supporting “Black Lives Matter” painted on the MHS electrical box. Another parent from the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) mentioned the PTA’s grant program for projects like those discussed by the superintendent earlier in the meeting.
Subsequently, Action Items included Approval of IT contract renewals, TruexCullins Design Update: Milton Innovation Center (MIC) / Outdoor Classroom, Approval of All Learners Network–Summer Math Camp using Esser Funds, and action regarding the MIC / Outdoor Classroom project.
Board comments includeda discussion of how the community outreach on the budget has been going.
The meeting ended with an Executive Session due to Premature General Public Knowledge and Contracts. The superintendent, Amy Rex, was invited to attend
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