The Essex Westford School District Board will next meet on Tuesday, January 9 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Founders Memorial Library (please note the change of location).
Agenda items include:
*Presentation - FY'19 Budget Framework and Statewide Data
*Task Team Updates
The public is welcome to attend.
The Board last met on December 19, highlights of the meeting included:
-The Board was given a presentation on a topic that has been and will continue to be a centerpiece of conversation statewide. The presentation was folded into our equity report around staffing and programs. At the state level, Governor Scott has called for level funding for any districts experiencing declining enrollment. In concert with his goal to meet a specific student to staff ratio of 5-to-1 throughout all districts in Vermont. We have been eagerly awaiting our own final numbers and received them as part of this presentation. Firstly, our equalized pupil count is up this year by approximately 1.5%, avoiding a declining enrollment scenario. Secondly, our student/staff ratio is currently 5.4 to 1 which puts us a decent mark above the target goal for Vermont districts and well above the state average (Which is at roughly 4.25 to 1). The Board takes matters of fiscal responsibility very seriously and will continually be working with administration to ensure that we are 'right-sizing' the district through the merger process, but to know that our ratio is above the state target and student population is growing affords us flexibility we would otherwise not have. Please note that staff generally includes all adults working in the district. This is NOT a student to teacher ratio.
The second part of this presentation was a survey of the current extra-curriculars and athletics offered by the various schools throughout the EWSD. These offerings vary quite a bit, some based upon student interest and others on school population. Volunteer programs were not included within the presented list which showed a significant range of activities available to students at all of our K-8 schools. As is, the list presented was a starting point for examining equity around the district and the Board looks forward to more detailed examination as we move further through the merger process.
-The Board received an update from our Student Representation task team regarding a conversation about having student voice at Board meetings. We will likely have a formal proposal for our first meeting in January but the research done alongside EHS students shows a keen interest for having such representation within our meetings. Student members of the board would not have a vote on board related matters but would be involved in meeting presentations and subsequent discussion. Having student representation would be new to our district, however most districts around us in Chittenden County have some form of student voice at the board level. In addition, the State Board of Education also has two student members (a junior and a senior in high school respectively). While the Board itself would need to hold a formal vote on any specific proposal, we feel that having student perspective is a valuable viewpoint and one that we should be taking advantage of.
-Please note that meetings over the next two months will largely be devoted to budget discussions.
For more information on the work of the Board, which includes, agendas, minutes, and meeting takeaways, please visit the following link: http://bit.ly/2vwTYdT
Nov 20, 2024, 6:30 PM
Third Thursday's - Creative Workshops for WomenNov 21, 2024, 7 to 8:30 PM
✝️Sunday Evening Service!✝️Nov 24, 2024, 5 to 7 PM