The holiday season is a particularly busy time for school administrators and board members, who are currently navigating the complexities of crafting budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. The task is made more challenging by the ongoing issues surrounding education finances. To facilitate this process, community feedback is essential. Local residents are encouraged to engage with the budget discussions taking place before the final approvals in mid-January.
Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union is hosting a series of informal gatherings, dubbed Coffee Talks and Library Chats, providing a platform for community members to discuss school-related matters with Superintendent Rene Sanchez. These sessions aim to foster open communication about the budget and other pertinent topics affecting the schools.
The first gathering will take place on December 10, 2023, from 08:00 to 09:30 at Keith’s Store in Pittsford. This will be followed by another session on December 16 at Sugar & Spice in Mendon, and a third on December 17 at Morningside Bakery in Brandon, both from 08:00 to 09:30.
In January and February, additional forums will provide further opportunities for community input. These include meetings on January 5 from 15:00 to 16:30 at Maclure Library in Pittsford, January 7 from 15:00 to 16:30 at the Brandon Free Public Library, January 15 from 08:00 to 09:30 at Whiting General Store, and February 2 from 15:00 to 16:30 at Chittenden Public Library. All sessions are free and open to the public.
In recognition of exemplary service in the field of education, Tina Rampone, the librarian at Castleton Elementary School and Orwell Village School, was honored as the Rosen Publishing Northern New England School Librarian of the Month for November. This accolade celebrates outstanding school librarians across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. As part of the recognition, Rampone will receive a curated selection of Rosen print titles for both libraries, along with a year of access to the PowerKnowledge Science database.
In addition to community engagement, local school boards are holding meetings to discuss ongoing educational matters. The Greater Rutland County Supervisory Union Board is scheduled to convene on December 2, 2023, at 18:00 at the GRCSU Central Office. Meanwhile, the Mill River Unified Union School Board will meet on December 3 at 19:00 at MRU High School.
As the holiday season progresses, community involvement in the school budgeting process is crucial. Residents are urged to take advantage of these opportunities to voice their opinions and contribute to the future of local education.
