The agenda for the November 6th Prudential Committee meeting has a single item-- Regional Education District (RED) discussion. More simply, this topic concerns whether Essex Junction should consider studying the merits of joining with other school districts to form a single district with one school board. Specifically, the currently imagined RED would consolidate three separate districts within our Supervisory Union (SU) (Westford, Essex Junction preK-8, Essex High School/Tech Center) with a fourth standalone district (Essex Town preK-8).
The economics of Essex Junction have changed since the last study of school consolidation almost ten years ago. Many of the inputs and outcomes have changed as well during that time. Tax incentives (over a period of 4 years) now exist for districts/SU's that unify. Grants to fund studies and transition costs are also now available.
Other districts are considering the same concept (Chittenden East SU, which includes Bolton, Jericho, Richmond, Underhill Town, Underhill ID, Huntington, MMU High School just voted on consolidation with all but Huntington approving consolidation).
These new developments, along with the result of previous year's budget/tax impact make a compelling case to consider all options. Know that this discussion is simply to allow the Prudential Committee to understand their own recommendation on this topic.
Should the board consider authorizing study of consolidation, two very important points remain:
1) We will turn to the citizens of Essex Junction to help identify all questions and concerns which will need to be fully addressed in the study. (A public engagement meeting would be warned, to inform the Prudential Committee decision and a committee would be formed comprising both school board and community members).
2) Should the study result in compelling evidence in favor of consolidation, the decision to consolidate would be left to the voters of Essex Junction. This is not a school board decision.
Please come and listen to the background information on Thursday, November 6th, 2014, 6:30 pm at Park Street School which will determine your school board’s decision to study, and study only, the formation of a Regional Education District.
We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the discussion of whether or not to endorse a study. Please contact myself (mismith@ccsuvt.org) or any other board member with your comments.
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