Lamoille North District Update

Lamoille North Supervisory Union l January 30, 2026

Dear Lamoille North families, community members, and staff,

Our schools exist for one simple and essential purpose: to educate and care for every child who walks through our doors. That commitment does not change based on background, circumstance, or where a family comes from—it is at the heart of who we are and what we are entrusted to do.

Recently, the Vermont Agency of Education has provided updated guidance related to immigration matters and the protections in place for students and families. We are sharing this information to ensure our community understands how we continue to uphold the rights, safety, and well-being of all students in our care.

We want to be clear and reassuring: our schools are safe, welcoming places focused on learning, growth, and belonging. We do not ask about or track immigration status, and we remain committed to maintaining student privacy while following all applicable laws. Above all, we will continue to act in ways that support children’s ability to learn, feel secure, and thrive.

With appreciation,

Catherine Gallagher M.Ed.
Superintendent of Schools

Lamoille North Supervisory Union

Federal and state law prohibit schools from denying enrollment based on immigration status, and Vermont schools are required to protect students from harassment or discrimination based on national origin, citizenship, or immigration status. Families who believe discrimination has occurred have multiple avenues for support and reporting under state and federal law.

The guidance also emphasizes the importance of student privacy and thoughtful enrollment practices. Schools do not collect information about a student’s or family’s immigration status, and student records remain protected under FERPA. Districts are encouraged to carefully review what information is considered “directory information” and ensure families understand their rights. When enrolling students, schools may accept multiple forms of documentation to verify age and residency, and should avoid requesting documents that could reveal immigration status. A Social Security number is not required for enrollment.

Finally, the memo outlines steps schools can take to support students and families during emergencies. Vermont law now allows for standby guardianship in the event a parent is unable to care for a child due to an adverse immigration action, and schools are encouraged to remind families to keep emergency contact information up to date. While recent federal policy changes may increase immigration enforcement activity in communities, schools are not required to allow immigration authorities into non-public areas of school buildings without a valid judicial warrant. Overall, the guidance reinforces Vermont’s commitment to safe, welcoming schools where every student can learn and thrive.

Read the guidance in further detail at this link.

Education funding and governance continue to receive significant attention at the Vermont Statehouse in the early weeks of this newest legislative session. In his FY 2027 budget address, Governor Phil Scott cited rising education costs and ongoing property tax pressures, noting that statewide education spending has increased substantially over the past several years while student enrollment has declined. Vermont’s overall FY27 budget totals roughly $9.3 billion, with approximately one-third of that funding coming from federal sources, underscoring the complexity of balancing state and federal resources.

The Governor’s proposed FY27 budget includes $105 million in one-time funding for property tax relief, which state officials estimate could reduce the average projected property tax increase by roughly half, from about 12% to approximately 5.6%. The Administration has emphasized that this funding is intended to ease the burden on taxpayers, not to create additional capacity for school budget growth.

At the local level, Lamoille North Supervisory Union consistently works to develop responsible budgets that account for inflationary pressures while remaining mindful of taxpayer impact, and to bring forward budgets intended to support student needs while being as fiscally responsible as possible for the communities we serve.

Alongside the budget proposal, the Governor has asked legislators to consider an education spending cap (S.220) as a potential tool to help mitigate future increases, particularly beginning in FY28. This proposal has generated a wide range of perspectives, with some viewing it as a way to improve cost predictability and others expressing concerns about impacts on local decision-making and the ability to meet student needs. No final decisions have been made, and these discussions remain ongoing.

In addition, the Vermont Secretary of Education recently shared a “VSBA Regional” consolidation map as part of ongoing exploratory work related to education system restructuring. This sample map organizes current school districts and supervisory unions into 13 regional groupings and, in this scenario, places Lamoille North Supervisory Union in a region with Orleans South Supervisory Union and Lamoille South Supervisory Union. While this map is one of several conceptual models and has not been adopted as policy, Lamoille North believes that any discussion of potential mergers must clearly demonstrate both legitimate, sustainable cost savings for taxpayers and clear, positive impacts for students. Without transparent, reliable information in these two areas, it is difficult for lawmakers, school officials, and Vermonters to make informed decisions or share informed perspectives.

Again, at this time, there are no immediate changes to Lamoille North schools or programs. The district continues to monitor state-level conversations and legislative activity. We will continue to keep our community informed as proposals evolve and as their potential implications for local districts become clearer.

The Lamoille Restorative Center, in partnership with Lamoille North, invites our community to an important evening of film and conversation centered on boys and young men—and the “quiet crisis” so many families, schools, and communities are witnessing today.

On Monday, February 2nd at 6:00 PM, we will gather in the Lamoille Union Auditorium for a special screening of the award-winning Vermont documentary Gone Guys, followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A.

While the event is totally free, we ask you to please reserve your seat(s) at this link.

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.

This community event is co-hosted by the Lamoille Restorative Center and Lamoille North Supervisory Union, and is made possible by the Richard E. & Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation, whose support helped bring the film to life, and the Vermont Community Foundation, which has expanded access for screenings and community dialogue like the one being hosted here in Hyde Park.

Event Details

📍 Location: Lamoille Union Auditorium (Please enter through the Event Doors)
📅 Date: Monday, February 2
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM (Doors open at 5:30)
🎥 Includes: Film Screening + Panel Discussion + Audience Q&A

🪑Reserve Your Seat: Use the following link to reserve your seats: Gone Guys 2/2/26 Tickets

Whether you are a parent, caregiver, student, educator, mentor, or community member, this evening is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and engage in a conversation that affects us all. We hope you’ll join us as we come together to better understand what boys and young men are facing, and how our communities can respond with connection, care, and purpose.

We hope to see you there.

The Lamoille North Supervisory Union and School District invite you to attend our 2026 Annual Meeting on Monday, February 16, at 7:00 PM in the Community Education Center (CEC) at Green Mountain Technology & Career Center in Hyde Park.

This meeting is the best opportunity for community members to learn about the proposed FY27 school budgets and hear directly from district leaders and school principals. A free community dinner will be offered, followed by:

• Budget presentations from district leadership

• School-level explanations from principals

• Time for community questions and discussion

The FY27 budgets continue to prioritize high-quality instruction, student supports, career and technical education, and the district’s commitment to equity, access, and opportunity for all learners.

Your participation matters. We encourage all community members to attend, ask questions, and take part in this important conversation about the future of our schools and communities.

You can learn more about our FY27 school budgets online at our Budget Information and Resource Page linked here.