Weathersfield VT School Budget for FY 2019 Preview
Town Meeting is Around the Corner
Annual School Town Meeting
Saturday, March 3 10:00 a.m.
Annual Town Meeting
Saturday, March 3 12:30 p.m.
Both at Weathersfield School, Ascutney
Town Voting by Australian Ballot
Tuesday, March 6 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Martin Memorial Hall, Ascutney
The budgets for FY 2019 have been set. The details are off to the printers.
Over the next few hours I will be previewing the proposed budgets for the school, the town and the library.
Weathersfield School
The annual school meeting will be held Saturday, March 3 at 10 a.m. at the school. The warning can be viewed and downloaded: HERE
The school board is asking the voters to approve a budget of $5,630,601. The article states "It is estimated that this proposed budget, if approved, will result in education spending of $15,750.00 per equalized pupil. This projected spending per equalized pupil is 1.99% higher than the spending for the current year." The budget is down about $54,000 but the tax rate could go up as much as 10 cents.
So how can spending be down but taxes be going up to support the school?
So how can spending be down but taxes be going up to support the school?
SAPA-TV has produced an informational video, discussing the town, school and library budgets. You can view this video online or on your television. (SAPA-TV publishes their schedule daily.)
Superintendent David Baker explains that the state-wide property tax, the annual yield set by the State has changed. "The State property tax rate is one dollar, it's always been one dollar" Baker said during the video. Last year a $1 in revenue raised on the tax rate raised $10,200 the amount necessary to educate a child in Vermont. This is the property tax yield. The yield this year was lowered to $9,800. The proposed spending of $15,750 per equalized pupil is almost $6,000 more than the State average. Baker states in the video more information will be given at the March 3, Saturday meeting.
It was a negotiation year for the school board. Wages are up in some cases and benefits are down as the teachers and support staff will now be on an 80-20 benefits payment system. There will also be fewer students going to high school. The board will also be applying the 2016-2017 surplus of $154,723 on the revenue side of their budget.
Last year voters approved Article 5 of the school warning 351 to 126 approving the transfer of $220,911 from the FY2016 fund balance to a Property Tax Reduction Funded to be applied as a revenue should increased expenses or reduced revenues cause an increase to the tax rate over the next two fiscal years? Board will spend some of this money-$120,000-towards the budget revenue also.
These measures will keep the increase to about 10 cents. If these surpluses were not used a possible 15-16 cent increase would have had to have been proposed.
The annual school meeting is just around the corner, ask questions, get information and make informed decisions about the school's FY2019 budget.
Annual School Town Meeting
Saturday, March 3 10:00 a.m.
Annual Town Meeting
Saturday, March 3 12:30 p.m.
Both at Weathersfield School, Ascutney
Town Voting by Australian Ballot
Tuesday, March 6 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Martin Memorial Hall, Ascutney
If all appropriations for both the town and school are approved, the estimated combined homestead and municipal tax increase of 14.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation would increase property taxes on a $200,000 home by $292 to $4,716.
School Warning 2018
Last year's voting results:
Article 4: Shall the voters of the Weathersfield School District approve the school board to expend $5,684,463, which is the amount the school board has determined to be necessary for the ensuing fiscal year? It is estimated that this proposed budget, if approved, will result in education spending of $15,662.42 per equalized pupil. This projected spending per equalized pupil is 2.19% higher than the spending for the current year. (By Australian Ballot)Yes: 254
No: 227
Article 5: Shall the voters of the Weathersfield School District approve the transfer of $220,911 from the FY 2016 fund balance to a Property Tax Reduction Fund to be applied as a revenue should increased expenses or reduced revenues cause an increase to the tax rate over the next two fiscal years? (By Australian Ballot)
Yes: 351
No: 126