Six more school districts face budget voters tonight, tomorrow
By Guy Page
With the Legislature poised to approve a school funding ‘reform’ bill H.887 that includes a 12-15% property tax increase and four other tax increases, several school districts in Orange County will vote on school budgets tonight, and four other school districts statewide will vote tomorrow.
33 towns rejected school budgets at Town Meeting in the face of a proposed 20% statewide property tax increase. Since then, 21 of the 33 have rejected budgets a second time. H.887, which may pass the Legislature this week and face a gubernatorial veto, does not reduce spending but increases homestead (14.3%) and non-homestead (18%) property taxes and adds new taxes on short-term rental, “Cloud” internet services.
The Senate also is reportedly considering taxing clothing purchases of more than $150, raising taxes on sugared drinks, and dipping into reserve funds and tax surpluses to further reduce the property taxes.
As of this morning, neither budget reductions nor school budgets imposing budgets after three rejections by voters (“Three Strikes, You’re Out”) are on the table.
Orange County towns vote tonight – The Journal-Opinion reports today that Bradford and Newbury residents will gather for the Oxbow Unified Union School District annual meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Oxbow High School.
Total spending will approach $21 million under the proposed 2024-2025 budget to be voted on. Education spending will increase 16.25% over the current year, according to figures in the annual report.
Despite almost double the equalized pupils, a weighting factor the state uses to calculate tax rates, the continued decline in the common level of appraisal in both Bradford and Newbury may contribute to property tax increases. Projections show homestead rate increases of 11.8% and 11.2% in Bradford and Newbury, respectively.
The formal business portion of the meeting, including the budget vote, will get underway at 6:30 p.m. It is preceded by an informational session which starts at 5:30 p.m.
Corinth and Topsham residents will have an opportunity tonight to vote on the proposed Waits River Valley School District budget for 2024-2025.
Total spending is expected to cross $8 million for the first time with nearly $7.5 million coming from taxes. Despite a 12.7% increase in education spending, the homestead tax rates are projected to decline in Corinth and increase less than 2% in Topsham. The non-homestead rates in both towns show anticipated increases.
Voting on the budget will take place in person from the floor on May 6 at 6 p.m. at WRVS.
Essex, Westford, Alburgh, Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex & Worcester, Walden, Barnet, Waterford, South Hero to revote school budgets – Voters in towns that have rejected school budgets will get a second bite at the apple in voting tomorrow.
Whether or not they spit it out will be reported as soon as results are available. Voting times and locations, as known by VDC, are as follows:
Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex & Worcester – voting for these Washington Central School District towns is by ‘Australian ballot’ (voting booth). Some towns open polls at 7 AM, some at 10 AM, and all close at 7 PM.
Essex-Westford, 7 AM – 7 PM – Town of Essex: Essex Middle School in the Town of Essex. Town of Westford: Westford School in the Town of Westford. City of Essex Junction: Champlain Valley Expo Blue Ribbon Pavilion in the City of Essex Junction.
Waterford – from 10 AM – 7 PM in the Waterford School gym.