Orange East Supervisory Union
Newsletter 1/23/2026
Message from the Superintendent
Dear Orange East Supervisory Union Community,
As we head into the weekend, I want to take a moment to thank all of you, teachers, support staff, administrators, students, families, school board members, and community partners. Public education is truly a shared effort, and I am deeply grateful for the care, commitment, and collaboration that define our schools.
This newsletter includes several timely updates that reflect both the challenges and the strengths of our district. First, with freezing temperatures and significant snowfall expected this weekend, we are sharing important safety information and cold-weather guidance, particularly related to outdoor activities and athletics. Please take time to review these updates and prioritize safety. I recommend you limit outdoor exposure for children and animals during the coldest parts of the coming days.
You will also find an update regarding immigration enforcement and student protections. Recent federal policy changes have raised understandable questions, and we want to be clear and transparent. Orange East Supervisory Union remains fully aligned with Vermont law and Agency of Education guidance. Our schools are committed to protecting all students, ensuring equal access to education, and maintaining schools as safe, welcoming places for every child in our care.
This newsletter includes both Vermont legislative updates, including highlights from the Governor’s recent budget address, and an overview of local budget development across our districts. Our school boards are doing thoughtful, difficult work to balance rising costs, educational quality, and the financial realities facing taxpayers. I want to extend sincere appreciation to our board members for their leadership and to our communities for your continued engagement and support. We are all united in the important work of running strong public schools for our students.
Warmest regards,
Heather Lawler
Superintendent of Schools
Orange East Supervisory Union
Extreme Cold Watch
Please see below information regarding the extremely cold weather conditions expected in the coming days.
Weather Alert
The National Weather Service of Burlington has issued an Extreme Cold Watch for much of Vermont from 7:00 pm Friday until 1:00 pm Saturday.
Dangerously cold wind chills of 20 to 40 below zero are possible. The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. Wind chills of 30 to 40 below zero are possible in the Adirondacks. Elsewhere, minimum wind chills of 20 to 30 below zero are possible.
In order to prepare our school communities for the upcoming weather, please consider utilizing and sharing the below information and resources.
VPA Outdoor Activity/Athletic Event Cold Weather Guidance
If hosting an outdoor athletic event or activity during this time period, please see the Vermont Principals Association 2026 Policies document to review appropriate cold weather guidance from the VPA.
Forecast Information
www.weather.gov/btv or www.weather.gov/aly.
Winter Weather Safety Information
Vermont Department of Health Winter Weather Safety (includes translated materials): healthvermont.gov/winter-weather
Winter weather tips from Vermont Emergency Management: Winter Safety | Vermont Emergency Management
Overnight shelter information: Current Shelters and Warming Centers | Vermont Emergency Management
Alerts
General public safety: Vermont Alert | Vermont Emergency Management
Travel safety: New England 511| 511 Traffic | Commuter Information
Protecting All Students in Our Care - ICE Procedure is in development
On January 20, 2025, the federal administration rescinded long-standing policies that had limited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement actions in so-called “sensitive locations,” including schools.
In response, the Vermont Agency of Education (AoE) has issued updated guidance to help schools ensure that all students continue to have equal access to education, regardless of actual or perceived immigration status. Orange East Supervisory Union is fully aligned with this guidance and with Vermont law.
We want to be very clear about our practices:
No student will be released to immigration or law enforcement officials unless a valid judicial warrant or judicial order is presented.
No information protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) will be shared unless required by a valid judicial warrant or judicial order.
Administrative warrants or immigration detainers do not meet this standard and do not authorize access to students or non-public areas of school buildings.
There is no legal requirement that entitles federal immigration authorities to enter the non-public areas of a school building such as classrooms, offices, or student spaces without a judicial warrant. An “administrative warrant” or “immigration detainer” is not judicially issued and does not carry the legal authority of a judicial warrant.
Both federal and Vermont law protect students’ rights to an education. In Plyler v. Doe (1982), the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that states may not deny access to free public education based on immigration status. Vermont law further guarantees all students educational opportunities that are substantially equal, regardless of immigration status. In addition, Vermont’s Public Accommodations Act prohibits discrimination based on national origin, citizenship, or immigration status.
Orange East Supervisory Union is currently formalizing a procedure that will provide clear guidance to all school personnel. This procedure is currently in draft form and being reviewed by the principals and school boards.
Vermont stands united in protecting all children in our care. Orange East Supervisory Union remains committed to maintaining schools as safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments where every student can learn and thrive without fear.
If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your school administrator. We appreciate the trust you place in us and the shared responsibility we hold to support and protect our students.
January 13 Updated Immigration Guidance for Schools, Vermont Agency of Education
Legislative Update 1/20 Budget Address
Scott emphasized that Vermont spends more per student than almost every other state, yet families are paying more while schools struggle to deliver stable programs. He called for full implementation of Act 73, tighter control of education spending growth, and consideration of a statewide spending cap to prevent further tax increases. As he put it, “We cannot continue to prop up a failing system at the expense of other priorities, and we cannot ask Vermonters to continue to pay more while providing less and less for our kids.”
To provide short-term relief, the governor proposes $105 million in property tax relief to cut projected increases roughly in half, but he stressed this money is meant to ease taxpayer pressure, not enable higher school budgets. He urged school boards and administrators to “dig deep and get creative” to rein in spending, noting that last year some districts increased budgets when relief became available, worsening long-term inequities. Scott emphasized that education reform is coming, local budgeting decisions matter more than ever, and unchecked growth in school spending directly threatens affordability for families, staff, and taxpayers.
You can watch the video or read the full transcript on Vermont Public.
OESU Budget Updates
Things are moving quickly with the budget creation across our four member school districts. On January 20, 2026, I presented a January Superintendents Report with preliminary numbers. Since then, two of our member districts have moved forward with warning their budgets. Although the proposed budgets show increases, they do include spending cuts. That can feel confusing, so I want to explain what that means in clear terms.
What is a Level Service Budget?
A level service budget means keeping schools operating just as they are this year; the same teachers, staff, programs, and supplies and paying next year’s costs. Many of these costs are outside local control. For example, health insurance is set by the state and is increasing by 7.3% this year. Because costs go up even when services stay the same, level service budgets this year would require spending increases between 13% and 30%. That level of increase is not sustainable for our communities.
What is a Level Funded Budget?
A level funded budget uses the exact same amount of money as last year. To do that, districts must make major cuts, since costs like contracts, salaries, and health care still increase. This type of budget would require reductions in staff and student programming.
Finding the Middle Ground
Your school boards are working hard to find a responsible balance between these two extremes. That means making difficult decisions and real cuts while still protecting students and classrooms as much as possible.
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Blue Mountain Union has warned a $12,856,291. budget which is a 6.66% spending increase.
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Thetford has warned a $11,203,688. budget which is a 6.89% spending increase.
These modest increases are the result of thoughtful discussion, careful review, and many hard conversations. I want to sincerely thank our school board members for the time, care, and commitment they bring to this work on behalf of our communities.
We are also deeply grateful to our taxpayers for your continued support of our schools. We understand the financial pressures families are facing, and we do not take your support for granted.
Community open forums are being planned so you can learn more, ask questions, and share feedback. Dates will be announced soon. We are committed to transparency and hope you will feel informed and confident as you head into budget votes.
Thank you for supporting our students, our staff, and our schools.
Budget DRAFTS and WARNED as Presented
Blue Mountain Union (BMU) WARNED Presented on 01/21/2026
Oxbow Unified Union School District (OUUSD) DRAFT Presented on 01/14/2026
Thetford Town School District (TTSD) WARNED Presented on 01/23/2026
Waits River Valley School District (WRVSD) DRAFT Presented on 01/08/2026
Orange East Supervisory Union (OESU) DRAFT Presented on 1/20/2026
What Is LTWADM and Why Does It Matter?
LTWADM (Long-Term Weighted Average Daily Membership) is how Vermont counts students for school funding. Instead of using just this year’s enrollment, the state averages student numbers over several years, giving more weight to recent years. This helps avoid sudden swings in funding.
When enrollment declines, LTWADM goes down. Even if school costs stay the same, fewer “funded students” means the cost per student goes up, which can put pressure on budgets and tax rates. Many school expenses like staff, buildings, transportation, and health care don’t shrink quickly when enrollment drops.
LTWADM is meant to create stability, but during periods of declining enrollment it can make budgeting more challenging for schools and communities.
Other Newsletters and Links to School News on Facebook
Bradford Elementary Newsletter 1/23
Waits River Valley Newsletter 1/23
Orange East Schools are on Facebook! Follow us!
Blue Mountain Union is on Facebook
Bradford Elementary is on Facebook
Newbury Elementary School is on Facebook
Oxbow Middle High is on Facebook
Thetford Elementary is on Facebook
Waits River Valley School is on Facebook
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday February 4, Early Release for Professional Development
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Blue Mountain Union Board Meeting at BMU at 6:00 PM
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Thetford Town School District BUDGET INFORMATION Meeting 5:00 PM
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Thetford Town School District Meeting at Thetford Elementary at 6:00
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 OUUSD Board Meeting at Oxbow at 5:30 PM
Thursday, February 12, 2026 WRVSD Board Meeting at Waits River Valley at 6:00 PM
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Blue Mountain Union BUDGET INFORMATION Meeting
February 25 - March 3 February Break - no school
Saturday, February 28, Thetford Town Meeting Day, Thetford Academy
Tuesday, March 3, Town Meeting Day
Tuesday, March 3, Blue Mountain Union Budget Vote\
Tuesday March 3, Thetford Town School Budget Ballot Voting
TBA Oxbow Unified Union School Budget vote will be in April
Save the Date - Gone Guys Movie Screening Thursday, April 16, 2026
TBA Waits River Valley School Budget vote will be in early May
Full Calendars are available on the OESU website at https://www.oesu.org/calendars.
Gone Guys Screening
Gone Guys is a 45-minute documentary set in rural Vermont that explores a growing challenge happening “hidden in plain sight”: the increasing disengagement and isolation of boys and young men—from school, from work, and from one another. Through compelling personal stories, national research, and thoughtful animation, the film helps frame the conversation in an honest, accessible, and deeply human way.
This is not a film about blame or simple answers—it’s a starting place. As the filmmakers share their vision for the project, the goal is to help families, educators, and communities recognize that they are not alone and that meaningful solutions are possible when we come together.
The documentary has already sparked powerful conversations across Vermont since its premiere, drawing strong turnout at screenings and earning major recognition—including Best Documentary Feature at the Vermont Film Festival and the Jonathan Daniels Award at the Monadnock International Film Festival.
Save the date for an upcoming screening on Thursday evening, April 16. More information coming soon.
Orange East Supervisory Union (OESU) is located in the beautiful Upper Valley of the Connecticut River, The Central Office is located in Bradford, Vermont. The SU includes Blue Mountain Union School, Bradford Elementary School, Newbury Elementary School, Oxbow Middle High School, River Bend Career and Technical Center, Thetford Elementary School, and Waits River Valley School. The Supervisory Union proudly serves and connects the towns of Bradford, Newbury, Corinth, Groton, Ryegate, Thetford, Topsham, Wells River and local tuition towns. We all work together to support student learning and improve educational outcomes.
Orange East Supervisory Union
64 South Main Street
Bradford, Vermont
(802) 222-5216