WINDSOR — The proposed $11.76 million budget of the Mount Ascutney School District, now in its second year following the merger agreement between West Windsor and Windsor, represents an increase of a little less than 1.4%, or nearly $160,000, from the current school year.
School Board Chair Amy McMullen said the two main reasons for the increase are higher health insurance costs and a decision to switch the food delivery at the schools from a contracted service to in-house. McMullen said they will join with Hartland and Weathersfield, the other two school districts in the supervisory union, to provide food service.
“It has worked out well for them and while it will cost more, the quality will be better and we expect the participation rate (of students) to increase,” McMullen said.
If voters approve the budget — the only appropriation on the warning — Windsor’s homestead tax rate is projected to increase nine cents per $100 of assessed valuation and West Windsor’s by 10 cents. McMullen said changes in the common level appraisal are a factor in the tax rate impact.
McMullen, a Windsor resident, and School Board member Nancy Pedrick, of West Windsor, are running unopposed for seats on the board.
The informational hearing for the Mount Ascutney School District is on Saturday, Feb. 29, at 1 p.m. in the Lois White Auditorium at Windsor High School. Voting on the budget and election of officers is on Tuesday, March 3, in the Windsor Municipal Building from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and for West Windsor residents at Story Memorial Hall from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.