School Board Update
January 8, 2005
Dear neighbors,
News of school board happenings has been outpacing my ability to post updates
lately. Not much of the news is good. Since I last wrote, the Board learned
that we had overestimated the state's "common level of appraisal" (which just
came out) so that the budget we voted on that seemed like an 8 cent per
$1,000.00 of property value tax increase is actually closer to a 10 cent
increase. I understand that this type of last-minute scrambling to nail down a
budget is fairly typical, but it doesn't make the process less frustrating.
Raising taxes is an imperfect solution at best. In part due to the impact of
last year's reappraisal, rising rents already have forced families of
approximately thirty students at Wheeler to leave the district – this is notably
higher transience than usual. Every notch up in the school tax also decreases
the likelihood of the budget passing, in which case we will need to cut nearly a
million dollars by June 1st.
I have heard from several constituents in past days about concerns over the
Board's decision to cut positions including the Barnes principal and several
social workers. I certainly understand the concerns expressed. When the
administration recommended that Wheeler and Barnes share some positions (largely
due to their relative proximity and dropping enrollments) and that district-wide
social services be reduced, it was with the very large caveat that this
situation could not continue for more than one year. The Board directed the
administration to find cuts that did not increase class sizes, and we tabled the
discussion of school closing, and this was the alternative they came up with.
I don't want to write too much about these cuts at the moment because my sense
is that the budget situation is still in a bit of flux, and I think I will have
different news after the finance committee meets next week. Superintendent
Collins has been working with our principals on some other short-term ideas in
recent weeks, but I don’t know what they are yet or whether the Board will
approve them. We are in a tough spot, but I do feel confident that our district
administration is working closely with school staff and communicating well with
the Board towards making the best decisions possible for next year. The more
important discussion is longer-term. A diverse community task force organized
by our Board chair, Paul Hale (phale@bsdvt.org) will start meeting soon and
hopefully provide us with some creative solutions for the future. In the
meantime, it always is worthwhile to send your ideas, criticisms, etc. to:
superintendent@bsdvt.org. You can also post your thoughts on the district
message board (www.bsdvt.org)
or contact me (awerbel@bsdvt.org) or Fred Lane (flane@bsdvt.org).
The good news I can report is that we have three dynamic superintendent
candidates coming to Burlington High School on January 17th from 3:30 to 6:30
p.m. to meet with the public. Jeanne Collins (our acting Superintendent),
Armando Vilaseca (Colchester Superintendent), and Donald Carlisle
(Superintendent in Miller Place, New York) made the final cut. I am thankful
that such experienced and accomplished administrators applied for the job.
Please join us on the 17th and weigh in with your opinion.
I also would like to take this opportunity to let you know that I am up for
reelection as school commissioner this year, and hope I will have the honor of
continuing to represent our vibrant ward for the next two years. Despite the
stress and worry, I really do enjoy the intellectual and political challenges of
service as a school commissioner and I know that I have learned a lot on the job
that has made me a more effective representative. Last year, I met some of you
while knocking on doors during a terrible cold spell. This year, I thought I
would try to gather signatures for my ballot petition at Speeder and Earl's on
Pine Street, and invite you all to come and chat with me about your concerns and
ideas for the board. This will be my one-and-only campaign event (no bumper
stickers or posters I promise). Please join me for a cup of tea or coffee on
Saturday, January 21st between 9 and 12. Three hours should be about right for
conveying the full news from the Board -- which is so hard to fit in a written
post.
Stay warm,
Amy Werbel
Ward 5 School Commissioner
12 Catherine Street
awerbel@bsdvt.org