Specifics About the Budget, part 1

This post is one of a series of CVSD Board communications about the proposed 2019-2020 school budget.There are three articles that votes will see on the ballot. (Articles VII, VIII, IX)

Article VII asks voters to approve a consolidated budget for operating all schools in the five towns of the 4000-student Champlain Valley School District for the next fiscal year starting July 1, 2019. The proposed budget for operations and maintenance of our six schools is $78,901,170, an increase of 2.7% from the prior year.

Proposed budget increases can be attributed to the cost of goods and services, including contractual obligations for salaries and benefits. Some increased staffing next year to address class size goals were largely offset by reductions in other areas across the district.

In our second year as a merged system, we estimate savings of $331,000 due to consolidation for a total of $612,000 over the first three years. These savings include reductions in audit costs, board costs, operations administration, transportation efficiencies and controlling the savings which come from teacher retirements.

To provide further opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback, we are offering a series of budget information meetings across the CVSD. The list of meetings can be found on the district’s website and you are welcome to attend any presentation, in any town, that are convenient for you.

In addition, our budget website page has many resources, including our Annual Report and our FY 2019-2020 Proposed Budget Flyer, and our Budget FAQ’s. 

Hard copies of our Annual Report can be found at each school and town office or can be mailed to you by calling 985-1914. The CVSD Board Budget Meetings were recorded and can be viewed at www.RETN.com. Lastly, email us at CVSDBoard@cvsdvt.org with any questions.

We encourage all residents in Champlain Valley School District towns to vote either on March 5th or earlier at your town offices.