Superintendent's Message

Today I gave this testimony to the House Ways and Means Joint Education Committee in Montpelier regarding the new education funding formula. Along with several other superintendents and finance officers, the committee heard the significant challenges we have all faced this budget season. Legislators were most likely waiting to hear this testimony before considering any further course of action about education funding, but the Agency of Education is undergoing updated budget collection data. You can watch the entire committee meeting here. My testimony starts at 37:22.

Town Meeting Day also falls on Super Tuesday this year. It is also the end of Winter Break and as many of you may be out of town, be sure to request your ballot here. You can mail your ballot to City Hall, 180 Market Street, or drop it off at the 24/7 drop box at the main and back entrances of City Hall. Those ballots must be received by noon on Monday, March 4th.

Two budget quick facts: The 2023-2024 $62 million dollar budget had a 7% tax increase. The same exact budget, to the cent, if rolled over to 2024-2025 would yield an increase of 38% (18% after tax cap). This is because of factors in the education spending formula that are out of the District’s control.

The difference for taxpayers between the 18% proposed tax increase and the 16.5% increase that would be applied if our budget failed multiple times and if we had to revert to our current budget is an additional increase of $9/month for the average homeowner in South Burlington ($438,000 home value).

I continue to reach out to our community regarding our budget and recently sent letters to members of our community to share information and materials. I also spoke with WCAX and Seven Days in interviews providing background on our budget and I will share when that story is published.

For those, who like me, appreciate a good visual, please see the below graphics which shows information about budget amounts, ensuing tax rates and cuts needed.

Due to the tax rate generated by numerous factors out of our control, we will need to work together to support our schools. If you would like to share information about our budget on social media or with friends, family, colleagues or neighbors, please feel free to share any of these materials found here.

Some other helpful materials regarding the budget statewide:

• Story from Vermont Public on rising cost of education

• Tim Jarvis, Senior Director of Operations and Finance spoke to NBC5 about our budget and what. Watch the story here.

• The Other Paper article on the letter from the board to state legislators

March 5: Town Meeting Day

If you are not registered to vote, you can do so here, up to the day of the election.

For more details, please visit the Budget page on our website at www.sbschools.net/budgetfy25.

The district uses PowerSchool and School Messenger to send out all updates and notifications. regarding school closures and other important information.

Please note that transportation updates are only sent to families who have subscribed to transportation services on PowerSchool.

Please make sure all your information is up to date in PowerSchool so you can receive all notifications as quickly as possible.

Congratulations to SBHS Class of 2024 members Maya Jones (SBHS) and Ayowunmi Adewuyi (Burlington Technical Center/SBHS) who were honored as Presidential Scholars in a ceremony at the Statehouse this past Monday. Guidance Counselor Meg Hughart, Assistant Principals Meghan Sweet, and John Craig, and Principal Patrick Burke attended the ceremony.

Maya founded the SBHS Black Student Union in her junior year which became a space for black and brown students and supporters to address issues of both institutional racism and systemic advocacy. Maya also made some changes to the student tour guide program, making it much more student-friendly. Reminding us how crucial lunch is for students, she now makes sure new students have access to peer groups at lunch and includes information about the school’s affinity spaces for students of color. She has been a mentor and leader on the dance team, working with younger participants on learning routines and team building. She is currently enrolled in a Holocaust Studies course, AP Environmental Studies, and AP Psychology, all of which are challenging. As a senior, she now reads the announcements to the school daily, is a 3 season athlete, and is an elected leader on the Student Council. Maya reached her goal GPA and makes meaningful connections with adults and students every day. She also mentors younger students in the work of social justice advocacy.

Ayownumi successfully completed her coursework at SBHS this past summer in order to join the Burlington Technical Center’s Health Science Academy as a second year student. She is taking the program at the more rigorous Honors level and will complete the program with college credit in Anatomy and Physiology II through Vermont State University. She will be eligible to sit for National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Phlebotomy certification in the spring and is an active member of HOSA Future Health Professionals. Ayowunmi is deeply engaged in her community, is in the Diversity Club, and is active in the Black Student Union. She is also a member of The Society of Torch & Laurel and the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. She volunteers at the Human Society and as a kids’ leader in her church. She is deeply committed to learning about other cultures and history as well as providing a welcoming space for people to celebrate their unique backgrounds.

Know a student who should be highlighted? Nominate them here.

This month’s staff spotlight is celebrating those transportation workers who have been working at the District for 10 or more years. These individuals have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the critical service of safely getting our students to and from school every day, plus providing them with the opportunity to participate in enrichment activities such as field trips, extracurricular activities, and athletics. They wake up very early to get their buses ready for the day, deal with threatening weather and bad road conditions (and yes, oftentimes loud and distracting behavior from their young passengers!). They establish trusting relationships with many of their students and families. They have admirably braved the chronic bus driver shortage we are facing, covering unfamiliar routes and pitching in to help when they can. Their jobs are far from easy, and require a certain skill set and personality type to endure 10 or more years in the seat.

• Kathy Larock (1997): Transportation Supervisor (and frequent van driver and bus monitor when we are short-staffed!)

• Slade Bosley (2003): Monitor for Special Ed Bus 22 (Orchard/FHTMS/SBHS)

• Paula Poquette (2007): Driver for Bus 12 (Georgia and the Burlington Tech Center)

• Barb Willette (2009): Monitor for Bus 2 (Special Ed Alternative Schools)

• Brice Goldsborough (2011): Driver for Bus 10 (RMCS/FHTMS/SBHS)

• Tim Collins (2012): Driver for Special Ed Bus 22 (Orchard/FHTMS/SBHS)

• Jim Kirkpatrick (2013): Driver for Special Ed Bus 28 (RMCS/FHTMS/SBHS)

• Sean McKenzie (2014): Transportation Coordinator, while also full-time Driver for Bus 5 (Orchard/FHTMS/SBHS)

Please join me in extending a big “Thank You” to ALL our transportation team members, but especially those who have been with us for a decade or more!

Know a staff member who should be highlighted? Nominate them here.

The United Way of Northwest Vermont created a list of all Chittenden County nonprofits that allow teens below 18 to participate in volunteer opportunities. If your student would be interested, you can find the full list here.

On Monday, February 19th, the seventh-grade science fair will be held from 5:30 -6:30 in the cafeteria and the library at FHTMS. The seventh graders have been working on their science fair projects for nearly 2 months and there will be over 60 projects on display!

The Greater Burlington Girls Soccer League (GBGSL) is a non-profit recreational soccer league, run by volunteer coaches and board members. Their objective is to introduce soccer to young girls, without cost being a concern. They have the lowest registration fees in the area, and offer scholarships to families who cannot afford them. They have many South Burlington kids in their league, but are always looking for more! If you are interested, you can register here until February 5th and the season starts in early May. Email infogbgsl@gmail.com with any questions.

Some great events are happening at the South Burlington Public Library!

The district is hiring! Please follow the links to read the full descriptions for these roles.

Bus Drivers (and Bus Aides)

Training available obtain Commercial Driver's Licenses to eligible candidates, full and part time positions available as well as van drivers and bus monitors

Special Ed teachers:

Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School

Lunchroom:

Middle School

Elementary

Traffic Monitors

Substitute Teachers

Full job descriptions are available on School Spring. If you have questions on hiring processes or on employment, please contact Elissa Galvez, Employment Specialist, egalvez@sbschools.net (802) 652-7247.

Thank you for reading!

Violet

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