HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Steering Committee - 04/09/2014 AGENDA
SOUTH BURLINGTON STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 6:00 P.M.
FREDERICK H. TUTTLE MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY
500 DORSET STREET
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT
1. Election of Officers (Action)
• Chair from the City Council
• Vice Chair from the School Board
• Secretary— City Manager
2. Approval of minutes of January 22, 2014 Steering Committee Meeting (Action)
3. City Center/Market Street Schedule
4. City/School Financial Stewardship Collaborative (Discussion)
.5. Voter Information (Discussion) • •
.
6. Other items to come before the Committee
7. Adjournment
If you are interested in having an item placed on a future agenda, please contact the
superintendent.
Any person requiring special accommodations to attend this meeting should contact the
superintendent's office at 652-7252 at least 72 hours before the meeting.
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10
Summary of H.889, an act relating to setting the statewide education
tax base rates and base education amount for fiscal year 2015 and making
several changes to Vermont's education financing laws.
To read the bill in its entirety, go to
http;/./www.leg.state.-vt.usidocs/2014/Bills/Intro/H-889.pdf
28 March 2014
Introduced by the House Committee on Ways and Means on March 27, 2014, H.889 sets
the education tax rates and base education amount for fiscal year 2015; its 26 sections
also make a variety of changes to Vermont's education financing laws.
1.FY15 Tax Rates and Base Amount
Sections 1 and 2 of the bill set the base homestead property tax rate, the statewide
nonresidential property tax rate,the base applicable percentage tax rate, and the base
education amount for fiscal year 2015.
The base homestead rate is set at $0.98 per $100 of equalized property value,
up four cents from 2014 but three cents lower than originally recommended by the
Commissioner of Taxes. This base rate is adjusted by district based on local spending;
the average rate statewide will be $1.49, up eight cents (or 5.7%) from 2014.
The nonresidential rate is set at $1.515 per $100, up seven-and-a-half cents
(or 5.2 %)from 2014. This rate is uniform statewide and is not adjusted based on local
spending.
The base applicable percentage rate—paid by homeowners with household
incomes under $90,000—is set at 1.90 %, up from 1.80 % in each of the last six years.
As with the homestead rate, this percentage is adjusted by district based on local
spending; the average rate statewide will be 2.89 %, up from 2.7% from 2014, a 7
increase.
The base education amount is set, according to its statutory inflationary
formula, at $9,382, up 2.5 % from last year. This figure is used to calculate local
homestead and income sensitivity rates. A district's education spending per equalized
pupil (e.g., $13,000) is divided by the base education amount; that number(in this case,
1.39) is then multiplied by the base homestead rate and the base income sensitivity rate.
The resulting rates (here, $1.36 and 2.64 %) are the rates for residents of that district.
2.Applicable Percentage
Section 3 of the bill raises the statutory floor for the base applicable percentage
rate beginning in fiscal year 2016. The rate is set annually but, under current law,
cannot be set lower than 1.8 %. H.889 would push the floor up to 1.94% after FY15.
1. Form of Budget Vote
Section 4 of the bill requires that school budgets be voted in a specific form that
includes—in addition to the total proposed budget amount—the education spending
per pupil and the percent change in education spending per pupil from the
prior year. (The vote is still on the entire proposed budget, not on education
spending, which is the figure used to determine tax rates but does not include state
categorical grants and other revenues.) This would affect budget votes beginning in
fiscal year 2016.
4.Fast-Growing Districts
Section 5 of the bill repeals the "fast-growth provision,"which benefits larger
districts with quickly growing student populations. Typically, a district's long-term
membership is based on their average daily membership (ADM) over two years (the
current year and the prior year). The provision repealed here allows districts that gain
at least 20 students in a year to add 80 percent of the increase in their long-term
membership calculation, instead of 50 percent. (For example, a district with loo ADM
one year and 120 the next,without the fast-growth provision,would have a long-term
membership of 110, the average of the two years. With the provision, it would be 116.) A
handful of districts benefit from this each year. This would take effect beginning in
fiscal year 2016.
S. Small School Support Grants
Sections 6 and 7 of the bill phase-out most small school support grants.
Currently, no districts receive these grants, which essentially reduce local property tax
rates; districts with enrollment of fewer than 100 students, or with an average grade size
of 20 or fewer students, are eligible. The statewide cost of the grants is $7.7 million in
fiscal year 2015. Section 6 would require that a school district be small due to
geographic necessity in order to be eligible for a small school support grant,beginning
in fiscal year 2019. The Secretary of Education would determine this annually based on
. .driving times, distances, and travel routes. Based on the methodology of a 2011 study,
roughly 24 of the no districts would still be eligible.
Section 7 of the bill allows for a three-year phase-out of the grant for those
districts no longer eligible in fiscal year 2019 (because they are not geographically
isolated). Upon application, districts would receive (in 2019) two-thirds of the support
they received in 2018; in 2020, they would receive one-third of the 2018 amount; in
2021, they would no longer receive support grants.
6.Municipally-Owned Lakeshore Property
Sections 8 and 9 of the bill allow the towns of Hardwick and Thetford to vote to
exempt from their municipal taxes any parcel of land (but not buildings) that provide
public access to public waters located in Greensboro (for Hardwick) and Fairlee and
West Fairless (for Thetford).
7. Homestead Occupancy
Section 10 of the bill amends the definition of a homestead. A principal dwelling
and parcel of land surrounding the dwelling owned by an individual as their domicile for
at least 183 days of the year would qualify as a homestead. Currently, "homestead"
depends on the owner occupying the property as of April 1.
8.Excess Spending
Sections 11 and 12 of the bill change the definition of excess spending for fiscal
year 2016 and beyond. Under current law, the excess spending threshold is 123 % of the
average district education spending per equalized pupil in the prior fiscal year. A
district that spends over this amount is essentially double-taxed on the amount by which
they go over. (For example, if average spending in one year is $13,000,the threshold for
the next year would be $15,990. A district that spends $16,090, instead of having their
tax rate based on that figure,would have their rate based on that figure plus the amount
by which they went over the threshold, or $100; their rate would be based on $16,190
instead.) The threshold is set to drop to 121 % in fiscal year 2017 and remain there.
These sections would retain the 123 % and 121 %levels,but tie them to average
education spending per equalized pupil in fiscal year 2014 increased by inflation
(specifically,by the most recent New England Economic Project cumulative price
index), instead of tying them to the previous year's average spending.
The effect this change would have depends both on the rate of inflation and the
rate of school spending changes. If education spending per equalized pupil continues to
increase faster than inflation,this would result in a lower (and increasingly lower)
threshold than would exist under current law. Given trends ng iin es slower than
school spending over
inflation,this would result in a higher threshold.
the last couple decades, it seems likely this will results in a substantially lower threshold
down the road,with more and more districts being affected by it.
g.Electronic Generating Plants
Sections 13 and 14 allow the town of Vernon to continue to be taxed as if its grand
list included an operating electric generating plant until the end of fiscal year 2017. The
tax benefit from this exception would be phased out in steps in fiscal years 2016 and
• • 2017. .
•
•
so. Renter Rebate
Sections 15 and 16 relate to the renter rebate program,which allows renters that
pay over a certain percentage of their income in rent to receive a rebate. The program is
based on the assumption that
household's
Section 15would reduce
es toward property taxes for
e that percentage the building, paid by the landlord. to 19 %; this
would apply, retroactively,to claims filed in calendar year 2014 and on.
Section 16 of the bill directs the Vermont Housing Council to report next January
to the Senate and House tax committees with recommendations on how to develop
programs to assist renters in lieu of the current renter rebate program,which some
legislators feel should not be paid for out of the Education Fund.
Y1. Income Sensitivity Slope and Housesite Value
Section 17 of the bill extends the income sensitivity"slope"for homeowners with
household incomes over $90,000. Currently, those with household incomes under
$90,000 pay their education property taxes based on their income (see Applicable
Percentage, above) instead of based on their property value. (If their housesite's value
is greater than $500,000,they also have to pay the property tax rate on the amount over
a half million dollars.) Those with household incomes over $90,00o have the option of
paying the applicable percentage of their income instead of paying the property tax for
the first $200,000 of housesite value; beyond that amount, they pay the property tax.
This reduces the education taxes paid by households with incomes between $90,000
and roughly$104,000, creating a tax slope from those who pay based on income (below
$90,000) to those who pay solely based on property value.
This section would increase the housesite value for which households with incomes over
$90,000 could pay based on income, from $200,000 to $250,000. This would extend
the slope out to $129,000. (At the high end of the adjustment (as the slope tapers off),
the benefit is minimal.) This section would take effect retroactively and apply to claims
filed for fiscal year 2015.
12.Income Sensitivity Limit
Section 18 of the bill reduces the maximum allowable property tax adjustment
from $8,000 to $6,00o for all households excluding those with one or more owners age
65 years or older, for whom the maximum would remain $8,000. This would affect
households (without a 65 year or older owner) with low incomes and very high property
values. This section would take effect retroactively and apply to claims filed for fiscal
year 2015.
13. General Fund Surplus
Section 19 of the bill designates where any General Fund surplus will go at the
end of each fiscal year. One-third will go to the Education Fund; one-third will go to the
State Teachers' Retirement System for payment of the retired teacher health care
obligations; and one-third will remain in the General Fund Balance Reserve, or"rainy
day reserve." Of the one-third appropriated to the Education Fund, the Emergency
Board will determine what portion represents sustainable growth in the General Fund
transfer to the Education Fund, and that amount will be added to the base amount used
•
to calculate that transfer.for the next fiscal year. • .
14. Thetford Tax Rates
Section 20 of the bill corrects an error in calculating Thetford's education
property tax rates in fiscal year 2014, which were higher than they should have been.
$113,125 is appropriated from the Education Fund to the Therford School District.
is, Property Tax Appeals Study
Section 21 of the bill creates a Property Tax Appeals Study Committee to study a)
how a reduction in listed property value affects towns; and b) the costs to towns of
defending property tax appeals. The committee will report to the Senate and House tax
committees next January with findings and any recommendations for legislative action.
16.Appropriation
Section 22 appropriates and transfers $6 million from the Supplemental Property
Tax Relief Fund to the Education Fund to help reduce the education property tax rates
for fiscal year 2015 from the levels originally recommended.
17.Education Financing Reform
Section 23 of the bill states the General Assembly's intent to transition to a tax
system for financing education in Vermont that incorporates an education income tax.
A number of components to be included are listed: 1) homestead and nonresidential
property taxes,but with a much lower homestead rate that would be uniform statewide;
2) an education income tax structured as part of the current income tax system and
adjusted locally from a statewide base rate in the same way that the homestead property
tax rate currently is; 3) and the elimination of income sensitivity adjustments.
The section ends by stating, lilt is the intent of the General Assembly to pass
legislation in 2015 and 2016 to implement [this plan] so that the first year the education
income tax would be in effect would be calendar year 2017, and the money raised would
provide funding for schools in fiscal year 2018."
17. Tuition Report
Section 24 directs the Agency of Education to report to the General Assembly,by
next January 15th, on the current system of setting, paying, and receiving school tuition
in Vermont. The report is to review the historic practices of Vermont school districts
paying tuition; and current law and practices for establishing tuition rates.
18. Repeals; Effective Dates
Sections 25 and 26 repeal two sections of statute and set effective dates for the 26
sections of H.889.
This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Appropriations for review. It is
expected to pass out of that committee, at which point it will be taken up for
consideration on the House Floor. � • . :• • .
Summary of H.883, an act relating to expanded prekindergarten—grade 12
school districts
To Read the Bill in its entirety, go to:
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/does/2o14/bills/Intro/H-883.pdf
March 25, 2014
(Introduced by the House Committee on Education)
H.883, an act relating to expanded prekindergarten—grade 12 school districts, requires
Vermont's 282 school districts (note: currently serving 89,256 students through school
district sizes ranging from nine students to 3,993 students) to realign into an estimated
45-55 "expanded districts"by July 1, 2020; all supervisory unions (note: currently
serving from two to 14 school districts)would cease to exist.
Expanded districts would be governed by a single board and operate a single
budget. They would be designed to recognize historic community relationships, existing
school district connections, and geographic obstacles.
Findings and Purpose As Stated Within the Bill
H.883 creates prekindergarten to grade 12 districts and replaces the current
governance structure to streamline operations and facilitate comparisons across
districts, allowing school board members and district leaders the ability to analyze their
operations and draw on the experience of other districts thus ensuring educationally-
effective and cost-effective decision making. Because educational leaders will have .
better data on which to base decisions, governance reform will bend the curve of
educational expenditures over the long run.
The current education finance system has considerably reduced the variability in
what our communities spend on education,but there remain sharp inequities in the
breadth, depth, and quality of opportunities to learn. The current structure,with its
substantial inequities, multiple small governing units, and conflicting lines of authority,
makes it too difficult for our schools to work together coherently to support our
ambitious goals for our students. Technology, globalization, and other societal demands
are changing what students need to know and be able to do in order to contribute to
building a strong economic and civic future for the State. These changes place
tremendous demands on our schools; responding to them requires substantial changes
in how and what teachers teach,how schools are organized, and what opportunities they
provide.
This system of prekindergarten to grade 12 systems will enable educational
leaders to focus on improving learning in a customized, locally appropriate way,while
spreading administrative functions over more schools in order to achieve operational
and cost efficiencies. It also will enable principals to become building-based
instructional leaders, and superintendents of these larger districts to become systems-
level leaders and managers.
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Larger districts with multiple schools and greater numbers of students have the
potential to expand opportunities for school choice to all public schools and eligible
independent schools within the district. This could encourage the creation of grade-
specific school, magnet schools, and schools that provide for more cultural,
socioeconomic, and educational diversity.
Voluntary Realignment
School districts will have the opportunity to voluntarily realign into expanded
districts by establishing a study committee and preparing a plan of realignment to be
approved by both the State Board and the electorate of the districts. If approved,the
plan will become the expanded district's articles of agreement; it will address, among
other things, representation,voting procedures, school choice, and conditions under
which a school building could be closed.
The realignment plan will incorporate the essential components (see below). The
expanded district,under the plan,will be responsible for the education of resident
students by a) operating a school or schools for all grades; b) operating a school or
schools and also paying tuition to one of the four historic academies; or c) in some other
manner after receiving a waiver from the State Board— options to do so include paying
tuition to an out-of-state public school, a public school in another expanded district, or
an approved independent school. The plan also must provide for the election of an
initial school board prior to the expanded district's existence to handle the transition. It
also must address the transition of employees to the new employer.
Districts working toward voluntary merger must submit preliminary plans to the
Secretary of Education on or before July 1, 2016; the Secretary would have 6o days to
recommend the-plan for approval or rejection to the State Board,which•would also have •• .
6o days to make a decision. If the board does not grant approval, it will provide
guidance on issues to be addressed prior to the submission of a final plan. Districts that
have submitted preliminary applications are then eligible to submit final realignment
plans. If the board approves of a final realignment plan,the districts'study committee
will present the plan for a vote of the electorate. If the electorate approves of the plan by
July 1, 2017, the districts will be realigned into the proposed expanded district.
The State Board will approve a realignment plan if it complies with the essential
components (see explanation below) and if it does not exclude an existing district that
would be an appropriate member of the district and that is geographically isolated from
other potential districts. If a final realignment plan is not approved,then those existing
districts will be realigned according to the statewide plan (see below).
Design Team and Statewide Plan
The bill creates a design team to monitor the voluntary realignment of school
districts and to design a proposed statewide plan for all remaining districts—districts
that do not voluntarily realign—to be realigned into expanded districts. The design team
will conduct public engagement activities and will solicit information and guidance from
current school board members. By November 1, 2017, the design team will submit a
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statewide plan for approval by the State Board and subsequently by the Legislative
Committee on Administrative Rules. Final approval of the statewide plan will occur by
July 1, 2018.
The design team will be made up of nine geographically representative members
with a broad range of knowledge of and experience in the Vermont education system
and in Vermont communities. By July 1, 2014,the Speaker of the House,the Committee
on Committees, and the Governor will each choose three members for appointment,
none of whom will be State Representatives or Senators. In addition to engaging the
public and school board members,the team will monitor and maintain a public
document that charts the progress of the voluntary realignment in order to provide
guidance to the State Board and Agency of Education and to inform the statewide plan
design process.
The statewide plan will include initial articles of agreement that will govern the
action of expanded districts that did not voluntarily realign until each district adopts its
own amended articles. It also will establish transition procedures for a)the creation of
each expanded district, including provisions for the election of an initial school board to
transition to the new structure; b)the assumption of debt; c) ownership of property; and
d) shifting employees to the new employer. The plan also will preserve a district's ability
(as of the act's effective date)to continue to pay tuition on a student's behalf—a district's
options would not be limited when it ceases to exist as a discrete entity.
Essential Components
Each expanded district—whether voluntary realigned or created under the
statewide plan—will.respond to essential components. Districts will: . •
•
• Be designed to recognize each community's character, historic relationships,
existing district connections, geographic obstacles, and existing transportation
infrastructure.
• Be responsible for the education of all resident prekindergarten—grade 12
students with educational opportunities that meet the State Board's educational
quality standards.
• Operate a career technical education center or enter into an agreement for
resident students to attend one in a neighboring district.
• Have an average daily membership (ADM) of at least 1,250 or result from the
realignment of at least four existing districts, or both, unless granted a waiver
(see Waivers,below).
• Be governed by no more than one elected school board.
• Adopt one district-wide budget.
• Negotiate district-wide collective bargaining agreements and employ all licensed
and non-licensed personnel as employees of the expanded district, which also will
be the local education agency(LEA).
• Be designed to
o Maximize the effective, flexible, and efficient use of fiscal,human, and
facility resources to support student achievement.
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o Foster stable leadership by developing and supporting school and district
leaders.
o Hire,train, support, and retain excellent administrators,teachers, and
staff.
o Promote budgetary stability leading to less volatility for taxpayers.
o Account for and report financial information in a manner that promotes
transparency and public accountability and supports a statewide
integrated data collection system.
o Promote a shared commitment to a strong, flexible, and coherent system.
• Create school-based community councils (who will work closely with school
principals) designed to build partnerships among families, staff, and the
community and strong community involvement.
Performance Indicators and Accountability
The Agency of Education will develop criteria to measure the essential
components in order to provide guidance to school districts pursuing voluntary
realignment;to the State Board when reviewing proposals; and in the development and
adoption of the statewide plan. The criteria also will be used to measure performance
and ensure accountability after districts have transitioned to expanded districts.
By January 1, 2015, the Agency will present a detailed explanation of the
performance indicators to House and Senate education and tax committees for review
and potential adoption of legislation that would help the process and clarify State policy.
By July 1, 2020,the Agency will have fully implemented statewide,integrated
systems to maintain financial reporting and accounting and longitudinal student data.
•
. Each expanded district will have the technological ability to provide all.requested data •
and to access all data to which they are entitled. (Obstacles inhibiting a district's ability
to comply with this will be identified by July 1, 2018; the Agency will provide technical
support to assist districts to overcome those obstacles.
Waivers
By May 1, 2015,the State Board will develop criteria and a process by which it
may grant waivers to the 1,25o ADM or four district requirements to districts that wish
to realign in an alternative manner. Waivers would be granted only if doing so would
not isolate an existing district. The criteria would be guided by the essential
components.
During and after the creation of expanded districts, districts are encourage to
explore innovative ways to expand opportunities for students and to seek waivers of
State Board rules or other legal requirements that inhibit implementation. Innovations
may address instructional practices; the use of technology and data systems; services
provided to discrete population of students, including gifted and talented students,
students with limited English proficiency, and students at risk of academic failure or
expulsion; early education and school readiness; preparation and counseling of students
for postsecondary opportunities; or any other area of education policy.
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Legal and Fiscal Research Group
The bill creates a research group to research legal and fiscal issues. The group
will present options by January 1, 2015 to the General Assembly for review and potential
legislative action. The group's work will be used to inform the voluntary realignment of
districts and the decisions made by the State Board of Education, the Agency of
Education, and the design team.
The issues to be studied will include a)voting and representation on school
boards; b)the accommodation of operating and non-operating districts; c)the Vermont
Supreme Court decision in Brigham v. State; d)the CIA, grand lists, and tax rates; e) a
statewide, uniform, integrated longitudinal student data and financial accounting and
reporting system; f)the funding and payment structure for career technical education
centers; g) employment contracts; h) municipal ownership of property; i) procedures for
voting on a district-wide budget; and j) unique matters relating to incorporated school
districts.
The research group will be composed of individuals with relevant fiscal and legal
expertise at the Department of Taxes and Agency of Education, as well as other
individuals selected by the Commissioner of Taxes and Secretary of Education. The
group will consult with the Secretary of State,the Attorney General's office,
representatives of school districts and other municipalities, the Joint Fiscal Office, the
Office of Legislative Council, and others.
Costs
The bill creates a special fund-the Prekindergarten—Grade 12 School District
Special Fund—with monies available to the Agency of Education tb support this .
transition to expanded districts. It would be used a) to provide technical assistance to •
districts and to the design team and State Board in developing voluntary realignment
proposals and the statewide plan; b)to support the State Board's review of applications
and of the statewide plan; c) to support the design team's work; d) to reimburse up to
$20,00o in fees incurred by groups of districts during voluntary realignment; and e)to
provide $50,00o in grants to expanded districts for legal services, technology systems
upgrades, and other transitional costs.
The bill would appropriate $4 million from the Supplemental Property Tax Relief
Fund, which provides for allowable uses to include "incentives or rewards to ... control
education spending while improving quality."
End
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STEERING COMMITTEE 22 JANUARY 2014
The South Burlington Steering Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, 22 January 2014, at
6:00 p.m., in the Library of the Frederick Tuttle Middle School, Dorset Street.
Members Present: City: K. Dorn, City Manager; P. Nowak, R. Greco, C. Shaw, H. Riehle; School
District: D. Young, Superintendent of Schools; E. Fitzgerald, Steering Committee Chair; M.
Lalonde, J. Beatty, D. Bugbee, D. Fleming
Also Present: J. Stewart, School District; T. Hubbard, Deputy City Manager; B. Nowak
1. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not related to agenda items:
No issues were raised.
2. Minutes of 12 October 2013:
The Minutes of 12 October 2013 were approved by common consent.
3. Public Hearing: Proposed City Program Budget, 2014-2015:
Mr. Hubbard reviewed the considerations used in preparing the budget, including:
a. Keeping any increase to a minimum
b. Maintaining the FY14 funding level for city programs and services
c. Meeting contractual obligations
d. Funding for one additional Police officer (bringing staffing back to 2011 level
e. Continued support for the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Mr. Hubbard then outlined the impacts this budget would have on city programs and services:
a. Reductions in paving
b. Reduction in contributions to capital reserve fund
c. Reduction in payment to the sick bank
d. Reduction in contingency fund
e. Reduced amount for City Hall improvements
f. Reduced amount for the Winooski Valley Park District
g. Reduction in Phase II of facility assessment
h. Postponement of filling vacancy for economic development position
Mr. Hubbard noted that fund for energy efficiency projects will be from a loan rather than from
the regular budget.
STEERING COMMITTEE, 22 JANAURY 2014, PAGE 2
Mr. Hubbard also noted that the city had to make up for a $400,000 carryover from the balance
sheet used for the FYH145 budget and also for a one-time infusion of funds from the "due
to/due from" which helped fund expenses in FY14 ($686,000).
Budget increases include:
a. 18%for health insurance
b. $156,000 for property insurance
c. Contractual salary increases
Total revenue reductions for the general fund for FY15 amount to $658,689. Total expenditure
reductions amount to $322,963.
The total budget expenditure from all funds in the FY156 budget is $30,696,423. This results in
a % cent (1.18%) increase. In addition, water use fees are being increase by 1.59%, sewer fees
by 2.0% and stormwater fees by 2.5%.
The total average tax and utility increase for the average condo owner will be $24.51 for the
year, or$2.04 per month. The total average tax and utility increase for the average single
family home owner will be $29.59 for the year, or$2.47 per month.
Mr. Hubbard noted that the salt budget will go over this year, and the city will have to bring in
money from the balance sheet to cover this.
Regarding City Hall upgrades, it is hoped that outside and downstairs work can be done in 2014
with no work being done in FY2015.
Mr. Fleming was concerned with pushing costs along to the future when they will be more
expensive.
Ms. Fitzgerald asked if the city has ADA issues. Mr. Hubbard said there is a grant to do an audit
to identify issues in parks, etc. A report is expected in the fall.
4. Public Hearing on Proposed School district Program Budget for 2014-2105:
Supt. Young said the total school budget is $44,297,297., which represents a 3.05% increase.
He noted that this is due in part to an 8.27% residential tax rate with CLA from the State. Supt.
Young stressed that the Board was diligent in trying to keep the rate of increase down.
Key additions to the school budget include:
a. $45,000 to evaluate and implement the Common Core Standard
STEERING COMMITTEE, 22 JANUARY 2014, PAGE 3
b. Additional support—a teacher leader at the Middle School and a High School
504 coordinator for students in need of support.
c. Continuation of mentoring for 45 students (previously funded by a grant)
d. One-to-one laptop initiative for grade 12
e. $95,000 for new computers for grades K-6
f. Lease-purchase of 3 new buses
g. $50,000 to fund a portion of the Nutritional Services deficit
h. A 4.5% health insurance increase
Supt. Young noted that all three bargaining units are in negotiations, so salaries and benefits
are not solid numbers at this point.
Budget reductions include:
a. Tuition payment to Vocational Tech Centers ($62,000)
b. Staffing in non-classroom areas, including special ed outside contractual
services
c. Information technology budget for new computers
d. Spending for increased monitoring of Pre-K program
e. Contingency account
f. Contribution to retirement plan
Mr. Stewart noted the school district contracted for an ADA study in the Middle and High
School, and they are obligated to follow ADA guidelines with upgrades. This used to be funded
in the operating budget, but with the state increase this is not practical. The major concerns
are with elevators to allow access to the second floor for handicapped students. Mr. Stewart
noted there was an approved bond in 200 for outside work which never happened. That
money ($1,675,000) is in a separate fund, and the school district will be going to the voters to
allow that money to be spent for the ADA issues. This would also cover issues with bathrooms
in the High School, roof work at the High School and Chamberlin School, and High School
windows.
Ms. Nowak noted how difficult it was to bring in a city budget knowing what the school district
was facing. She hoped the city and schools can find more collaborative ways to work together
as they have done with the pension plan.
Mr. Dorn noted that $2,100,000 of the school budget goes out of South Burlington.
STEERING COMMITTEE, 22 JANUARY 2014, PAGE 4
Supt. Young noted some of the areas in which the city and schools have been, and can continue
to collaborate, including:
a. Library costs
b. Community use of schools
c. Use of the city bus garage for school buses
d. Use of school electrician and plumber for city
e. IT support from the school to the city
f. Budget process/budget book
g. Elections held at schools
h. Legislative breakfasts
i. Increased visibility of school resource officers and Police Department
j. On-going meetings
k. The summer rain garden
5. Other items to Come Before the Committee:
a. Master Planning:
Supt. Young said there is renewed talk regarding master planning. There have been 3 meetings
scoping out the needs to bring to the respective boards. There will be shared proposal brought
to the Steering Committee.
Mr. Dorn noted the city has a planning grant to do planning work in the Airport neighborhood.
The city also has a grant application in to the Regional Planning Commission to add to that.
Mr. Dorn also noted that the task force that was looking into the potential for a City Hall,
Library and Recreation facility in City Center unanimously recommended a single facility to
house all three uses. This could also include administrative offices for the school district.
Ms. Nowak noted the increased concern regarding break-ins at homes attributed to drug use.
She and Ms. Riehle are on a committee to discuss ways to protect the community and are
considering re-activating the Neighborhood Watch. There is also talk with the Energy
Committee about keeping homes well lit to discourage intruders. Ms. Fitzgerald noted the
extent of work being done in the schools regarding drug and alcohol issues. Ms. Nowak noted
there will be a "drop box" at the Police Station for people to dispose of medicines that are no
longer needed.
With regard to Form Based Codes, Mr. Dorn reported that the Committee has sent its
recommendations to the Planning Commission. A second workshop to address these will be
STEERING COMMITTEE, 22 JANUARY 2014, PAGE 5
held on Saturday (25 January) at 1 p.m. The Committee will now look at the rest of the city
with the exception of the airport area and parts of the Southeast Quadrant.
Mr. Lalonde said it is the School Board's belief that form based codes shouldn't go into effect
until a "school safety zone" is included. Ms. Greco noted the city is waiting for a legal/judicial
opinion on that.
The next meeting of the Steering Committee will be on 4 April, 2014. There will also be a joint
effort on March 3, prior to the Town Meeting.
As there was no further business to come before the Steering Committee, Ms. Nowak moved to
adjourn. Mr. Lalonde seconded. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was
adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
, Clerk