ECRWSS Our Online PRSRT STD Christmas is Coming! US Postage Snow Report PAID Permit #90 White River Jct., VT See Pages 8A - 10A Returns Dec. 1! POSTAL CUSTOMER FREE NOVEMBER 22, 2017 | WWW.VERMONTJOURNAL.COM VOLUME 17, ISSUE 47 Act 46 deadline forces Happy Thanksgiving a school district vote on Nov. 28 See Events on Page 5A BY SHARON HUNTLEY The Vermont Journal LUDLOW, Vt. – In or- We are CLOSED Wednesday, Nov. 22 & Thursday, Nov. 23 der to adhere to the State of Vermont’s Agency of Educa- The office will reopen on Friday, Nov. 24 tion’s Act 46, which requires school districts to merge into larger districts to realize effi- ciencies and increase oppor- tunities for students, and to be eligible for the incentives offered through Act 46, the Holiday Stuff-A-Bus to deadline to approve a merger is fast approaching and must happen by Nov. 30, 2017. Over the course of over two Black River students and staff spell out “The Heart of our Community.” benefit local food shelf and a half years, several com- PHOTO PROVIDED mittees have been formed LUDLOW, Vt. - The holi- shoppers to help with to study the issue. The latest is a likely choose to go to Mill River High School/Middle School would day season is starting and the foods most needed: formal merger study committee High School. If Ludlow community be targeted for closure regardless. Black River Good Neigh- canned fruit, cranberry called the 706B Mergers Study members have success establishing When that happens, tuition dol- bor Services has announced sauce, pickles, olives, Committee, made up of both Lud- a Black River Independent School, lars would follow students to their that it will hold its annual mac & cheese, hot choc- low and Mount Holly representa- tuition dollars could also be used for assigned school, most likely Green Stuff-A-Bus food drive on olate, cookies, tea, cereal, tives, which considered four final this option. Mountain Union High School. Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9 candy, canned carrots, options. After a thorough analy- The district would realize a cost If Ludlow Community members a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Shaw’s peas, green beans and sis, the committee chose to move savings of approximately $600,000 in have success establishing a Black Market parking lot in Lud- corn, gravy, stuffing, forward with “Option 1,” selected overall educational spending which River Independent School, tuition low. This is BRGNS’ most soup, and coffee. largely because of financial con- would result in a 20-cent tax rate dollars could not be used for this op- important food drive of the Donations of money siderations and student options. decrease in Ludlow and a 12-cent tion. Choosing a different school, in- year. are always welcome and This merger proposal was present- decrease in Mount Holly. Additional cluding a possible Black River Inde- While there is abundant greatly appreciated since ed to and approved by the State merger incentives through Act 46 pendent School, would result in the joy to be found at this time much food will still need Board of Education, and entire tuition for any other of year, it is also a time that to be purchased. now goes before the voters choice other than the as- marks significant need in Volunteers are need- of both Ludlow and Mount signed public school, being our communities. BRGNS ed to sort the food as it Holly on Nov. 28, for a yes or “One thing that everyone can the sole financial responsi- employees and volunteers comes in, and count- no vote. Here’s what Ludlow agree on however, is that there bility of the parents. are very busy now as they less other tasks are re- and Mount Holly residents There would be no educa- prepare to deliver gifts and a quired to make sure that will be voting on and what a are no easy answers, and whether tional spending decrease, in full holiday dinner to those the Holiday boxes find yes vote or a no vote means. your vote is yes or no, the clo- fact it would likely increase, in need. Over one hundred their way to everyone The proposed merger therefore there would be no families from the immedi- who needs help. Please would combine the districts sure of Black River Union High tax rate decrease for either ate and surrounding towns call Krey or Audrey at of Ludlow, Mount Holly and School may be unavoidable.” town. Also, the additional will be helped this holiday BRGNS is holding a Stuff-A-Bus food drive. BRGNS’ Food Shelf, 802- Union district 39, which is merger tax incentives ex- season. STOCK PHOTO 228-3663 or visit 37B Black River, into a new uni- tended by Act 46 would go At the Stuff-a-Bus, food Main Street to ask how fied Pre-K through grade 12, away. shelf volunteers will hand out holi- day dinner menus and will ask you can get involved. likely to be named Ludlow-Mount add an additional 8-cent decrease The Small Schools Grants for both Holly Unified Union School Dis- in year one, and additional 6-cent elementary schools, totally approxi- trict. This district would operate decrease in year two, 4-cents in year mately $134,000 would be elimi- both Ludlow Elementary School three and 2-cents in year four. nated. These are not new dollars, and the Mount Holly School, Pre- Small School Grants totaling ap- but money that has been critical to Audi FIS K through grade six. The district proximately $134,000 would contin- the elementary school budgets in the would also operate Black River ue in perpetuity, being renamed the past. High School/Middle School until Merger Support Grants. The school board that governs the Women’s its closure, which would happen A new school board would be Ludlow and Mount Holly schools no later than June 30, 2020. After formed with eight total members, would be comprised of members Black River High School is closed, four from Mount Holly and four from all of the schools in the larger Ski World the district would provide tuition from Ludlow. district, not solely those of Ludlow for students grades 7 through The articles of the agreement and Mount Holly. Cup, 2017 12 to attend the school of their would provide protection for the The articles of the agreement for choice. both elementary schools, protecting the forced merger may not protect KILLINGTON, Vt. - Mark your cal- Here’s what a yes vote means: them from closure. the Ludlow and Mount Holly el- endar for the return of the Audi FIS A new unified school district Here’s what a no vote means: ementary schools. Women’s Ski World Cup to Killington, would be formed with Ludlow No new district would be formed. The State of Vermont’s Agency of Vermont on Nov. 25 and 26, 2017. Elementary, Mount Holly School The districts would submit a report Education is intent on their mission Following the rousing success of its and Union District #39. to the Secretary of Education by the to unify districts and realize efficien- 2016 event, Killington has been cho- Black River Union High School/ end of 2017 outlining their current cies across the state. As community sen to host the races on Thanksgiving Middle School would be closed governance structure, specifically members grapple with the decisions weekend through 2018. before June 30, 2020. Once the how it relates to Act 46. ahead, many are bristling with the school is closed, students grades Black River High School/Middle idea of losing their beloved commu- Pictured is Mikaela Shifrin as she seven through 12 will have school School would remain open in the nity middle school and high school. edges her way through a gate on choice and the tuition will be short term. However, based on the One thing that everyone can agree her winning run in the 2016 Womens paid equaling the average public policy goals of Act 46, which re- on however, is that there are no easy World Cup slalom event at Killington. school tuition rate as set by the quires merger action before 2019, answers, and whether your vote is state. The choice of school can be the state would most likely step in yes or no, the closure of Black River Get more info on the World Cup event either a public school or an ap- to force a merger with the neighbor- Union High School may be unavoid- at www.killington.com/site/to-do/ proved independent school. In a ing district, which includes Green able. World-Cup practical sense, Ludlow students Mountain Union High School or Voting will take place on Tuesday, would likely choose to go to Green they may redraw district lines al- Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at PHOTO BY JERRY LEBLOND Mountain Union High School together. Based on all other prior Ludlow Town Hall and Mount Holly and Mount Holly students would committee(s) research, Black River town office. INDEX CONTACT US CALENDAR EVENTS: ADVERTISEMENTS: NEWS: ATTENTION! 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