That budget will be presented to voters in the Washington West
Supervisory Union at Harwood's annual meeting on February 26 at 10 a.m.
at the Harwood Union library. While the budget will be discussed at that
meeting, it will be voted on by Australian ballot at Town Meeting on
March 1.
Harwood Union High School serves Warren, Waitsfield, Fayston, Moretown,
Duxbury and Waterbury. Harwood Union Middle School serves Warren,
Waitsfield, Fayston and Moretown.
The budget reflects declining enrollment at the local high school as
well as the school board's commitment to comply with the Vermont
Department of Education's Challenge for Change. That challenge spelled
out targeted reductions in spending at schools across the state.
To achieve the $188,000 reduction in the proposed 2011/2012 budget of
$12,005,768, the board is proposing a budget that cuts an English
language learner position by .67 FTE (full time equivalent), reduces by
.50 FTE a technical educator position and reduces by .20 FTE a music
position.
"There are also reductions in school supplies and special education
tuition expenses. Staff reductions have been made based on historical
class enrollment numbers as reviewed under the school board policy of
low enrolled courses. The board entertained one early retirement
proposal to reach the Challenge for Change goal," explained school
Principal Duane Pierson.
This year's proposed budget reflects a projected enrollment next year of
766 students, down from 780 students this year and down from Harwood's
recent peak enrollment of 862 in 2004/2005.
Voters in the Washington West Supervisory Union will also be asked to
approve an article calling for $50,000 to replace the water storage
tanks for Harwood Union's water supply. The original tanks from when the
school was built in 1966 are rusted through and must be replaced or the
state will close the school, explained school board member Freddie
Graves, Fayston.
The cost of replacing the cisterns is being presented as a special
article to allow the school to take advantage of a one-time state debt
forgiveness of $25,000 if voters approve a bond for the water tank
project - leaving the net cost to taxpayers at $25,000. If the $50,000
for the water tanks were included in the regular budget, there would be
no forgiveness and the cost of the project would be $50,000.
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