This budgeting season has been challenging to say the least. School Districts across the state are experiencing incredible inflationary pressures this year. In a typical year, we can more closely predict how our budget will impact property tax rates. That is not true this year, and it makes it harder to understand the impact of our budget decisions on taxpayers.

Your board worked hard throughout the budget season. Ultimately, the Board made the decision NOT to postpone and redevelop the budget. As we mentioned in an earlier update we primarily wanted to avoid confusion for voters who had already received their ballots. In addition, the projected tax rate (which is still just a projection and subject to change) is not significantly different from the one we approved in January. We did not take this decision lightly.

Please view our Budget Report FY24-25 at https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1708536753/wcsu32org/rfmypyh2j7kbuw0f3kuv/2024WCUUSD[...]pdf

We look forward to seeing you at our annual meeting on March 4th at 5:30 pm at U32 in person or virtually. We will share our budget and also review what is happening in Vermont, what our schools need to support and how the work of the finance/configuration committee will help make our district sustainable in the future. Please see the link below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89926779447?pwd=TWJTTUhTR25qb3E4cXlvNS9yT0VhQT09#success
Meeting ID: 899 2677 9447
Password: 738737

Annual Meeting Agenda will include:
Vermont Education Funding Context
Vision, Core Values and Input
Configuration Study update
FY25 Budget Proposal and Tax Rate Projections.

In addition, here are some common questions we have received:

If the current budget impact is not significantly different what was the current projected tax we had approved in January?

Here is the link to the budget: (https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1705588068/wcsu32org/qmxoblq0w6jqzgwlmjen/WCUUSDBudg[...]pdf) we had approved in January with the 5% cap please see page 33 for the numbers then.

Why are we not making configuration changes now?

The decision to research and make a determination about configuration is a significant one. The Board is still in the early stages of studying our options and the implications of each option. Most importantly, the Board has committed to engaging the community on the different options early in the process. Configuration without meaningful community input won't serve our students or our communities well. In addition, it is possible that some of the configuration options would require a vote of our communities. The full board will be discussing the information at our April 3rd meeting at Calais Elementary. Here is the link to the last finance/configuration committee meeting information:, https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1708610975/wcsu32org/m1la7m7f96miqybakc94/Configurat[...]pdf .

What are the factors we used for the budget calculation:

Long term weighted average daily membership = 2,376.88 (LTWADM)
Common Level of appraisal (CLA) - Statewide Adj by Town
Property Yield = $9,769 (Feb 8th projection) It is set by the legislature to raise enough homestead property tax revenue to fund the statewide education fund.
Spending Per Pupil = $15,488
Equalized Homestead Tax Rate = $1.5855

What is the estimated tax increase per town?

Berlin
Common Level of appraisal: 72.29%
Post Legislative Session Tax Rate FY 23-24 $1.734 FY 24-25: $ 2.193
Increase: $ 0.459 (26%)

Calais
Common Level of appraisal: 72.34%
Post Legislative Session Tax Rate FY 23-24 $1.864 FY 24-25: $ 2.192
Increase: $0.328 (18%)

East Montpelier
Common Level of appraisal: 70.33%
Post Legislative Session Tax Rate FY 23-24 $1.797 FY 24-25: $ 2.254
Increase: $0.457 (25%)

Middlesex
Common Level of appraisal: 71.72%
Post Legislative Session Tax Rate FY 23-24$1.823 FY 24-25: $2.211
Increase: $0.388 (21%)

Worcester
Common Level of appraisal: 79.09%
Post Legislative Session Tax Rate FY 23-24 $1.744 FY 24-25: $ 2.005
Increase: $ 0.261 (15%)

When can I pick a printed copy of the Budget Report?
You can access the report electronically here: https://www.wcuusd.org/resources/annual-reports. Printed copies will be available at town offices, schools and by request by Thursday February 29th. If you are requesting a printed copy, please contact the Central Office at (802) 229-0553. We needed to hold the printed copy as long as we could to accommodate the new legislation.

We hope this information is helpful for voting on your school budget. Also: please remember to ask for your Career Center ballots and vote. The CVCC budget is included in the WCUUSD budget and does not additionally impact your taxes.

Given the challenges we have faced over the past few years, I believe we are capable of collaborating to lead WCUUSD not only through the current budget season, but also in our efforts to build a sustainable school district for all.

Thank you for your support of public education,
Flor Diaz Smith, Chair

May 20, 2024, 9 to 10 AM

May 21, 2024, 8 to 9 AM

May 24, 2024, 7 to 9 PM