| by the Journal-Opinion Blue Mountain Union in Wells River could be one of the beneficiaries of a 2022 state law that ‘dramatically shifts’ Vermont’s education funding system. “The intent of Act 127 is, put simply, to direct education money toward students who need it more,” reports VTDigger. “The law is based on the understanding that certain categories of students cost more to educate. Those categories include low-income students, English language learners, and students at rural and small schools.” It does not get much more ‘rural and small’ than preK-12 BMU, which is anticipating an influx of state revenue under Act 127. Wells River is located in Orange County along the Connecticut River. The district’s equalized pupils, a variable used in determining the amount of state revenue local districts generate, have “basically doubled” school board members from Groton, Ryegate, and Wells River learned last night. With town meeting just around the corner, board members have been reviewing a proposed 2024-2025 budget. And while it may be another month or so before a draft is finalized, officials say they could propose an increase in education spending by as much as 20% with negligible impact on property tax rates. The new revenue will enable the district to retain several interventionists supported by federal pandemic relief funding set to expire at the end of the current academic year. BMU could also add a handful of new positions, set funding aside for a building renovation study, and purchase new books for students. Winooski, with its high number of English Language Learners, is another district that is prepared to use new state revenue to keep staff that were supported by federal pandemic relief. Not all districts, however, will benefit under Act 127, which takes effect on July 1, 2024. Mount Mansfield, for instance, states it may have to reduce education spending by over $6.6 million to maintain level property tax rates. Champlain Valley is another district that is preparing for adverse impacts under Act 127. The Journal-Opinion is the weekly newspaper serving Orange County and surrounding towns on both sides of the Connecticut River. Read more and subscribe (both free and paid packages) at http://www.jonews.com. |