Bradford, Vt.
The School Board’s proposed $7.1 million budget passed by a vote of 199-110. It marks a 1.7 percent decrease over the current year’s budget and is estimated to decrease the tax rate for residents of both towns.
School officials offered to cut one custodial position, one paraprofessional position and reduce the hours of a music and an art teacher in order to meet spending caps imposed by Act 46, the state’s new education law. As a result, a total of three full-time positions were eliminated in the budget, which also included a 3 percent salary increase for teachers and an 8 percent increase in health care costs for employees.
Under the budget, Bradford residents will see a 6-cent decrease in property taxes to an estimated 71 cents per $100 of a property’s assessed value. That leaves a home valued at $250,000 with a $1,775 tax bill.
The property tax is expected to drop by 3 cents in Newbury to 76 cents, or a $1,900 tax bill for a home valued at $250,000.
Act 46 also requires school districts to consolidate into new districts of at least 900 students by 2018. To meet that goal, Oxbow and the River Bend Career and Technical Center are joining the Blue Mountain and Newbury school boards to considering forming a pre-K through 12th grade regional educational district.
Oxbow High School’s enrollment has continued to decrease over the past decade. About 481 children were enrolled at the school during the 2005-06 school year, according to its annual report. But that number is expected to drop to 350 by the end of this year.
Beth Cobb, superintendent of the Orange East Supervisory Union, told voters on Tuesday night that a study committee has been meeting. If a merger takes place, she said, it’s possible for one school board to take on the responsibilities of governance for all of the area schools while advisory groups help track events at the local level.
Voters also approved a $2 million budget for the River Bend Career and Technical Center by a 237-71 vote. The center’s budget is paid through a combination of grants and outside tuition and doesn’t require local tax dollars.
About 12 people of voting age attended the high school’s floor meeting on Tuesday. During the meeting, which adjourned in about 45 minutes, two incumbents were re-elected. Voters elected Lisa Sharp to another term as clerk and Brian Schlager to another term as moderator.
After at least eight years in the position, Tracey Smith chose not to continue as the board treasurer. Residents didn’t elect another person to the position, which means the School Board will be charged with appointing a replacement.
“Now that your last baby is flying the coop, you can vacation and not have to worry about signing things,” joked School Board Chairwoman Angela Conrad-Schlager, who presented Smith with flowers and a card for her work.
School Board elections are slated for May.
Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.