Hot topic: Weathersfield School Board chair Annemarie Redmond said she plans to raise for discussion the question of “putting some limit on school choice,” which would allow the Weathersfield School District — which oversees the 218-student K-8 Weathersfield School — to negotiate tuition rates if it designates between one to three high schools as preferred. Higher tuition expense is a major driver in the budget.

Budget: The Selectboard is submitting a town budget nearly identical with last year’s budget, proposing to spend $1.44 million through the general fund, of which $1 million would be raised by taxes, and $1.15 million through the highway fund, of which $947,000 would be financed by taxes. Town Manager Brandon Gulnick said the general fund has been reduced 4%, or $38,000, from the prior year. That translates into a slight projected decrease in the municipal tax rate this year for the general fund and proposing the same taxes as last year in the highway fund.

The proposed school budget of $6.57 million is $418,800, or 6.7%, higher than the current year. Spending per equalized pupil is projected to increase 10.1% to $20,526. Much of it is attributable to the rise in tuition expense, up an average of $1,000 per high school, according to Redmond, who said she expects the school tax rate will increase 10%.

Contested races: There are no contested races for any town offices but Kelly O’Brien, who lost a contested race for a Selectboard seat last year, is running unopposed to fill the two-year seat vacated by John Arrison. Selectboard vice chair Mike Todd is seeking another three-year term. There are no contested races on the school side. School Board members Jacquelin Antonivich, Kristin Bruso, Mark Yuengling and Jaimie Turner are all standing for re-election.

When and where: Because of the pandemic, discussion and debate on the Weathersfield school and town warnings will be held via Zoom on Saturday, Feb. 27, starting at 10 a.m. Voting by Australian ballot will be on Tuesday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Martin Memorial Hall in Ascutney.

— John Lippman