Under Pressure, the GMUSD Approves Their Budget Minus $30K
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Stressed out? Pop bubbles on National National ECRWSS PRSRT STD Get Creative US Postage PAID Permit #90 Ski & Ride Snow Report Online Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018 White River Jct., VT www.VermontJournal.com Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 Day POSTAL CUSTOMER FREE JANUARY 24, 2018 | WWW.VERMONTJOURNAL.COM VOLUME 18, ISSUE 04 Under pressure, the Cavendish residents concerned GMUSD approves their about representation in unified budget minus $30K school district BY THOMAS FOSTER IV The Vermont Journal BY SHARON HUNTLEY The Vermont Journal CAVENDISH, Vt. - The Cav- endish Elementary School Board CHESTER, Vt. – With the dead- met on Jan. 16 to discuss the bud- line looming to pass a budget, the get for the upcoming year followed Green Mountain Union School Dis- by a joint discussion with Ches- trict board members during their ter-Andover Elementary School meeting on Jan. 17, voted to pass a Board. However, discussions soon budget total that was minus $30,000 shifted when community mem- from what was laid out in the latest bers expressed their concern with version in front of them. The new how the Green Mountain Unified number was the result of a motion School District would affect the made by Andover representative Joe elementary school. Fromberger, after earlier expressing Speculations emerged that the his unwillingness to pass the budget district’s long term goal would re- at hand. He noted that it would be an sult in the eventual closure of the “opportunity to find those savings Cavendish Elementary School, elsewhere.” Fromberger admitted GMUSD approves their budget. but the rumor was immediately PHOTO PROVIDED Cavendish Town Elementary School. that part of his frustration stemmed put to rest. PHOTO PROVIDED BY CTES.TRSU.ORG from the food service deficit num- George Thompson, principle of ber that had not yet been studied in sues including proposed elementary ward. There was discussion that the school for 29 years, responded Historical Society, reflected on when the CTES board, said, “The impor- depth or resolved leading up to the principal structural changes, and the educational opportunities that by saying, “There is no intent to Green Mountain Union High School tant thing is we are all trying to strive budget presentation. After continu- nursing staff changes that were then had been part of the discussion close the school.” He continued, was formed and how some of the so our children have maximum ben- ing discussion, the motion was sec- reversed. Of note however is that in during the initial Act 46 merger “It is important to keep elemen- more elderly residents in Cavendish efit.” Bont, along with both school onded and passed with one board recent weeks, the principal hire for talks has not yet been fully real- tary schools in the district.” feel a mutual distrust towards Ches- boards, were impressed with the member, Cavendish Representative CTES has now been termed an “in- ized and that this would be an op- Doug McBride, a representative ter after allegedly not getting the ac- community’s involvement and en- Doug McBride, voting no. terim position,” lasting just one year, portunity to revisit those. of both the CTES Board and the commodations they were promised. couraged future public conversation. The GMUSD finance committee along with an added teaching dean McBride had only heard about GMUSD Board, stepped into the The concerns arose after rumors sur- It was also agreed that transparency meeting had ended just prior to the of students at CAES, with those du- the retreat at the last GMUSD conversation and expressed that faced that the sixth grade, and poten- is a key component for a successful board meeting, but having dead- ties still undetermined. The implica- meeting but was excited that the CTES is “vitally important to the tially fifth grade, were being consid- transition into the newly formed dis- locked, did not have a final recom- tion being that the GMUSD board is board was finally talking about community” and that there has ered for relocation. trict. mended budget to present to the not yet done with a possible restruc- educational priorities. “I think it’s been no discussion of an eventual She continued, “Chester gets what George Thompson stated that this board. There was frustration voiced turing of the elementary school prin- going to open up the door to have closure. He also pointed out that they want...If you take out the sixth year’s budget for the school is normal from several board members and cipal staff. The board confirmed that serious conversation about the di- there is a clause in Act 46’s Ar- grade, you start kissing your school with no change in staffing patterns. community members that the board the high school administrative staff rection of our education. It should ticles of Agreement that prohibits goodbye.” He is set to retire at the end of the was seemingly unhappy with the will remain unchanged however. be a fascinating and engaging the immediate closure of a school Cavendish Elementary School school year, and Superintendent Meg budget at hand but voting to move Board Chair Marilyn Mahusky time as we sort this thing out.” in the next four years. Regardless, ranks 23 out of 169 in grade schools Powden said there will be an inter- it forward regardless. Cavendish summed up this year’s budget say- The administration needed he believes that the Cavendish in Vermont, while Chester-Andover im principle while the Supervisory resident Sara Stowell spoke about ing, “I think one way to look at this to decide where to take out the community should be confident Elementary School ranks 102 out of Union figures out the best admin- her unwillingness to vote for a bud- [budget] is that it is a bit of a step $30,000 by Friday, Jan. 19. TRSU that the new unified school dis- 169, and other community members istrative layout for the school. The get that the board was struggling to maintaining status quo…it gives this Accounting Bookkeeper Cher- trict won’t outvote them out of agreed when Caulfield said this is a next Cavendish School Board meet- agree on. “If this budget is approved, board and the community an op- yl Hammond confirmed that existence. problem. ing will be rescheduled for Feb. 26. I’ll go door-to-door telling people to portunity to continue this conversa- $10,000 was removed from Food While this offered comfort for While some were vocal about their More information on Act 46 and the vote against it.” tion going forward…” She went on Service and $20, 000 was removed some, public comments extended distrust, other members in the room Articles of Agreement can be found In speaking with McBride several to say that next year’s budget would from the Capital Reserve Fund. beyond the agenda. Margo Caul- spoke out for unity between the two at www.trsu.org or in the town clerk’s days after the meeting, he revealed be based more on long term educa- The district annual meeting is field, director of the Cavendish towns. Gene Bont, representative of office. that he voted no because “the budget tional goals and objectives. scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 27 in did not reflect the Act 46 enhance- To that end, Superintendent Meg the Green Mountain High School ments promised to voters.” He went Powden spoke earlier in the meet- auditorium at 7 p.m. Voting on on to add, “I voted no because there ing about organizing a retreat, along the budget will be by Australian Two men arrested in Mount Holly was nothing in the budget to im- with board members, teachers, and ballot in the Andover, Baltimore, prove education.” community members, in the early Cavendish, and Chester Town The budget process has been summer of 2018, to set educational Halls from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on home invasion fraught with many contentious is- goals and objectives moving for- Tuesday, March 6, 2018. BRGNS’ School vacation backpack program offering breakfast and lunch Antonio Diaz. Nicholas Sweet. LUDLOW, Vt. - Black River Good and Plymouth. PHOTO PROVIDED PHOTO PROVIDED Neighbor Services is offering a It is our goal to help families School Vacation Backpack program who may struggle to provide nu- MOUNT HOLLY, Vt. – At 11:53 intending to harm the residents. court appearance was on Monday, during the February school vacation tritious meals during the upcom- p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, State Diaz was taken into custody at Jan. 22. this year, which is the week of Feb. ing school vacation week. Food Police responded to a call from the scene and was processed at the Sweet fled from the property pri- 19. A week’s worth of breakfast and pickup time will take place on Old Turnpike Road in Mount Rutland Barracks. He was charged or to the Troopers arrival. He was lunch food will be provided. This Friday, Feb. 16 between 1-3 p.m. Holly where two men were us- with burglary, aggravated assault later arrested in a Cavendish resi- program is offered by registration To register your children, please ing weapons to force entry into with a weapon, assault and robbery, dence Monday evening. He is be- BRNGS’ school backpack program is only to school-aged children within contact Krey Kellington, BRGNS the house. The police reported unlawful restraint, threatening, ing held at Marble Valley Regional available for families during February the BRGNS service area, which in- Food Program administrator, at that the two males, identified as and criminal DLS. He will be held Correction Facility without bail vacations. cludes Ludlow, Cavendish, Proc- 802-228-3663.