001and um school board October meeting at 5:49. Um the the first item on the agenda is reorganization because uh Nikki Buck resigned at the last meeting and uh so we need to elect the new chair of the board. So that's our first first item on the agenda and then after we get through the agenda we should probably well I think we should actually do introduction before we um reorganize. Does that make sense? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, what do you mean you like? >> Well, we have a new board member at the table organiz. >> He should be here soon. But, um, >> okay. >> Why don't we just for the record, Heather, do you want to start just introduce? We'll go around. >> I'm It's really nice to meet you. >> So, that's Roy
002and so current vice chair and supervisor union board member as well. I'm supervisor board member as well. >> I don't know. >> Okay. I'm glad >> orth >> and and Beth was appointed by the board at the last special meeting. She's a member of the home board. Way to go. March. >> Um, John checked at town hall. It's actually took 127, >> right? >> We did not mean to trick you, but >> yeah, he like gave me all the transition papers. Then he need to double check. >> So, oh, you're really in it now. I guess. >> Okay. >> Thank you for not running over. >> I know. >> Thank you. We appreciate that a lot. assistant principal Frank Romeo principal >> I'm Hannah Benimone member >> oh uh Ryan has member this is just
003our we'll move for the public >> you can >> face extraordinary >> oh that's you. >> No. >> Oh, Emily. I was like, wait a minute. We got a department. Okay. >> All right. So, we are going to now reorganize and um so I am going to take a motion for a chairperson for the board. >> All right. I'll move that board to become chairperson of the school board. >> Okay. We need a second. >> I'll second that. >> Okay. Uh any other nominations? I have to accept first of all. Sorry. >> Yes, I accept. >> Okay. >> Any other nominations? >> Okay. Any I don't think we have to discuss it. Anybody wants to >> You're going to be great. >> Be great. >> I feel like this is I feel like isn't this
004the way that it's supposed to go? Like oldest person like not older person personal. >> All right. But we also now need to >> We need to vote on that. So we need to vote myself. >> All those in favor of the chairperson can say I >> Okay. Now, Beth was the vice chair. Yes. So, Beth, I'm gonna have you take over and we need >> All right. I will take nominations for vice chair. >> Um I I could be vice chair. Be vice chair. >> What are you currently? I'm just Are we going to do like this egg game? This like shell game of now what? >> Yes. >> I don't know what I am. I the tre No, not treasurer. The the No, I'm the >> signer of the manifest. >> No, I'm
005definitely not the signer of the manifest. clerk. >> I'm thinking the clerk. >> The clerk. >> Maybe you're the clerk. >> I don't know what >> Who's on first is right. You're so organized. >> I would like to make a motion to uh nominate Heather as vice chair of the Hartland School Board. >> I can. >> Have you found Russell and the dog? >> Okay. He's walking around somewhere. Do you know where the game is >> outside? >> No. >> You gota just put in your phone uh Paradise Park. >> Okay. >> In Windsor. >> You got to go. You'll you'll find it. It's on Route 44 in Windsor. >> Okay. By Kennedy Pond. >> Just go past. But do you accept? >> Yes, I will happily accept. >> I'll What do you say? All
006you say all those in favor of All those in other as vice chair say >> I >> and then we'll figure out what else we need to film. >> Uh you definitely need a sign of the manifest because Nikki was doing that >> sign of a manifest. So last time we manifest who lives closest to Windsor monthly and a sign off on all the financials. >> That's what the signer >> I I was already assuming that I was taking. >> Oh, okay. Ryan, I nominate Ryan to be the signer of the >> I accept. >> Second is there. Yeah, I >> all in favor of I >> already did. We need a representative on the SU board then still because it's me and you and it's always the chair. So we need another one basically
007to film my >> I can take that. >> Oh, you're going to do it now? >> Yeah. >> I have some good news. We matched with >> So I nominate Hold on. Sorry, I'm in the middle of an online class. I'm gonna run too. >> So I as >> I second. >> Um any changes additions to the agenda? >> No. if we're good. >> Um, we don't need to move these around at the end. We'll go over any things like that. >> Yes, we can do that. >> And that's You could do it now if you wanted to adjust. >> Wait, do we need to approve the minutes? >> Hold on. So, changes in additions to agenda. So, I'm going to move the resation um up below approval of the minutes because that's >> We
008can do that before the public session. >> Yeah, before session. So, approval of September 2nd minutes. >> Uh, I move to approve the SEC September 2nd minutes. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. September 29th, we have a special meeting. >> I was not there for it. So, >> so you willain. >> I move to to approve those minutes of the special meeting on September 29th. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I stayed. Anyone say? >> Okay. Great. And so we're going to move up down to item five real quick for discussion. Motion resignation announcement. >> So Frank, >> do I >> share the resolution? >> Yes. So um we had a teacher a teacher um resign um he gave us two week notice uh and he just ended on
009Friday. So it would would have come in sometime uh September 20th I believe. Um, and that was I want to give a reason, right? >> Personal reasons. That's it. And so we accepted it to >> So do we have to accept his res? So we have to >> um Oh my god. Matt. Yeah. Mr. T. >> Mr. Mr. Accept Mr. T's resation. >> I'll second. All in favor? Hi. >> All right. So, we're gonna be moving to public session in three minutes. So, just so you Ryan, you are the clerk currently. >> So, you're going to be the clerk and the sign of the manifest. Um the number >> and I williz Well, thank you for being here. >> Good to see you. It's so good to see you. >> Everybody's good. >> Applying to
010college. >> Thank you. I mean, I'm >> No. Do you want me to start? Okay. Okay. >> Yes. Okay. Um so welcome to everyone who is here tonight um both in person and virtually and um door is still open so some people may continue to join us. Um we are going to um spend a little bit of time tonight um offering a little bit of an overview of act 73 um which is a new Vermont law governing education. Um and uh we hope that that will be relatively brief and then we're really here because we want to hear from you all. Um we are sort of at a now where there's a very very active and relatively brief dialogue happening in the state as we look towards designing districts or have a pretty big impact
011on and but we feel like it's an opportunity for H Heartland to have the solution be a part system gets designed acknowledging the um the limitations that may exist and the fact that many of the people who see this coming don't necessarily know that it's all positive um but we want to really think sort of solutionsoriented and how can we express our values and our priorities as a town um to have some control over how how things shake out over the coming months. Um so just for by way I think we should might just start with introductions and then Christine Bourne our superintendent will will give a little bit of a >> brief presentation. >> Yeah. >> Yep. Frank Romeo school principal. >> I'm Michael Sher the assistant principal. >> I'm Hannah Benzone um the
012one of the members on the board. >> I'm Bethanne Schwarz. I'm the newest member on the board. >> I'm Ryan Pezanowski also on the board. >> Heather Veneta. I feel like we're all we're all on the board. Christine Bourne, superintendent >> and student rep for the board. >> She's pretty awesome. All right, so this is a very brief simple overview of Act 73. I'm sure you've heard about it on the news and probably know much of this, but um we thought it'd be a good place to start. So, uh Act 73 was passed in June of this year and signed into law by Governor Scott in July. and it will bring it's go the goal is to bring sweeping changes to how Lamont schools are paid for and run. Um one of the key components
013of act 73 is opportunity and access for all students across state making it more a more equitable system because currently it is not um in some districts spend a lot less money on education have a lot less resources than others. So that's part of the the rationale behind it. Um, so there is a redistricting redistricting task force that uh has been appointed and they've already started meeting. I think they've met three or four times. They have four more meetings until December 1st when they are charged with bringing maps to the um legislature three three up to three maps. And those maps turn um what we currently have in Vermont as districts and supervisory unions into into larger districts. And the range that they're um aiming for is between four and 8,000 students in each of
014those larger districts. Um, I was asked to just give an overview of supervisory unions as opposed to school districts because there are some differences and there's a lot of discussion right now on the task force about whether we um maintain SUS, whether we just go with single districts or whether we do a combination of of the two of those um operational systems like we do now. So, uh we are a supervisory union. Windsor Southeast is a supervisory union made up of um three districts. So in in supervisory unions there are multiple boards and there is um more local control. In uh single school districts there's one board. So Springfield school district is one is is a is a school district one board. um Hartford, same same structure. Just to give you some context um in
015a supervisory union because you have multiple districts and multiple boards, you have multiple budgets, you have multiple audits, you have multiple payrolls, you have multiple and associations within that um structure. In a school district, you have one budget, one audit, one payroll, etc. Um, in a supervisory union, you have school choice with tuitioning for nonoperating districts. So, uh, Hartland, for example, is a school choice school because you have a nonoperating high school. So, you need tuition students out in our supervisory union. Manutney school district um does not have a nonoperating district. They're a prek12. All all the students in the NASA school district which is within our res union go to school um and middle school too actually um in a school district there can be some limited school choice opportunities. So um just for
016context in the Mount School District there is some intradist choice that can happen and and the boards can make those policies and plans. So there is there can be limited school choice in a district with you can't move employees within the SU um unless they are SU employees in a school district model you can. So if you have multiple elementary schools within your school district and you have larger um numbers of grade level students in one school you can transfer staff around um in a district. We can't do that in supervisor unions. Um in a supervisory union there is um there is less of a seniority seniority protection for employees because it's just smaller numbers in a school district. There's appears to be more seniority protection for more people because there's just larger numbers um
017of employees. And uh lastly, SUS cannot own their own property but but school districts can. So those are the major differences between districts and supervisors own >> supervisor unions cannot own properties. So we have to rent our supervisor union space. You can't buy it. It's just it's just in >> like your building. Yes. We're not talking about like the school itself. >> Well, as supervisory does not own the Hartland school H heartland school district. >> Does that make sense? >> Yep. >> Okay. Um so some other key some key changes with the legislation uh the law if new districts are made they'll be larger and you um we will no longer have um the local school board in Hartland or our supervisory union board. Now this you know this there's a lot of unknowns right
018now because the lines haven't been drawn. The maps are not out yet. the um school district uh the school governance is not set yet but likely there will be um no longer Harland school board. Uh there is a voting board group that is currently needing to developable schoolboard representation maps. So, it looks like uh and I think it's by by law um when those lines are drawn and those districts are created and the the boards are um elected, representation will likely be based on population. So, Hartland has roughly 3,000 people. Um Windsor has roughly 3,000 people. Woodstock has less. Woodstock would have probably less representation on a larger school board. That makes sense. Um there will be a new school funding system. That's what this is a lot of what this is about. What will
019go into play after consolidation happens if it goes through. Um and starting in 2028, uh schools are going to get money based on a set amount per student. It's a it's a um foundational formula and the districts or rescues or whatever we end up being will get um education opportunity payments based on an amount in the last year that it was discussed a lot. It looks like it's around 15,000 per student as it as is. I'm sure it will change um as we as we you know move through this. There will be, they've said, um, additional funds for students on IEPs or students that are English learners or low-income students because, um, historically they they cost more money to educate those those students within the system. So, there'll be some adjustments for that in within
020the formula. But, um, will you tell us what >> the current? >> Yes. Hartland charge per student. Uh I think last year the H Heartland per student uh was around it was under just under 19,000 I believe. >> So it will 185. Yeah. >> So there will likely be some um cuts. Yes. Um to what we can provide in our schools. So, and that's, you know, there's a balance between what the taxpayers can can handle and and um I think we're trying to figure that out, but also provide the best opportunities in education for our kids. Luckily, I don't have to do that. Somebody somebody else has to do that. Um there will be um in this um transformation, there'll be a new statewide education property tax that will replace the current system, which is
021very complicated and hard for people to understand. Um, it's supposed to be simpler. There'll be three different tax tiers and that will start, implementation will start in 2028. So, we've got a little bit of time. Um, you've probably already heard this. Many private and religious schools will no longer be allowed to use public tuition money. Only schools meeting strict rules can get public funds. students um already enrolled. You know, if your student is currently um going to Kimble Union Academy, they can finish out their high school career there, but no, after this year was the last year for um public dollars going to some independent schools. Um so that's just that's part of the legislation. Um there are class- size minimums as part of this law that that are going into effect next year. So
022as we are working through the budgeting process currently we are working all the numbers to see if we meet the requirements of class size minimums and those class sizes are there's no requirement for kindergarten first grade is 10 which is um roughly what we have uh to uh second through uh fifth grade is 12 middle school so six through eight is a class size minimum of And at the high school level in the in the core content classes, which are the graduation requirement classes, there needs to be um 18 students in each of those classes. So that goes into effect starting next year. Um there are many unknowns. Uh Hartland could see new district lines, new tax rules, fewer options for high school. We don't know. So I I can't really speak to a lot
023of that. Um but would love to get your input tonight on what your what your thinking is. Um, this is just the timeline. It's small. So, max by I can't even see it on my own computer. December maps by December 1st are due. The redistricting task force must deliver those. Um, it's a it's an enormous task. The timeline is unrealistic and they are they are um continue to ask for the data they need from the agency and are not being provided well with all the data they need to make the decisions they need to make. So that's just one of the considerations or concerns. Um by July 2026, that's this coming July, new district boundaries become effective. By November of 27, the first new school board elections will will happen. And then by 20 July
024of 2028, the new districts are fully operational or supervisors or it depends. They keep calling them districts and they don't do whatever it may decision. >> Yeah, sure. >> I could also share the like it >> and this is all being recorded all >> Yeah, >> it's it's um the the time it's an enormous task. There are lots of things that are going to have to be done to make this happen which um are going to take a lot of time and resources to do to do it. So, we'll see. I guess we'll see. Would love um the timeline to be extended. I think that would make a lot of sense. You don't want sleeping transformation like this done um in a rush. You don't or it's not going to have the changes we want
025it to have. Um so I just wanted to mention you may have seen in the paper there was an article that um mentioned that some local school boards have been having conversations. So, uh, the Laser Southeast board, some of the board members, I think most of them were there, the some members from Hartford School Board and some members of the Mountain View, which is Woodstock, have met. They um, I will say many of them are um, don't support this act, but they recognize that it's probably a wise idea to talk about who it makes sense to partner with if that comes to fruition. So, they did send a letter to the task force basically saying that um our our supervisor unions, districts, we share educational goals. We do share a career and tech center. That's
026the Harford Tech Center. Um and we're and we're geographically aligned. So, it would it would make sense for us to be in conversation about that. There is no plan for that. I want to I want to say that out loud. It's just conversations that we'd be willing to talk about that if this needs to happen. So, I do know that in the article I read in the paper, there was um at the end of that article, there was um mention of uh a plan for Woodstock's new bond that's going out for a high school that well, >> but that was not part of the discussion that happened at this meeting. So it ended in it ended up in the paper, but it was that's not there was no consensus that we're gonna all go to
027school. Let's not. So just make that clear. >> People have asked people have asked, right? >> Um so I think the purpose of tonight is the board would like to hear from you. There are a couple guiding questions that I will read and then I'm gonna turn it over to the new um chair. So the questions are um one around high school choice. We know H Heartland has high school choice. We know that um there is um strong sentiment in this community that that's an important part of the educational experience for students here. So um Act 73 will reshape education governance and funding. We know that high school choice is a valued part of of our community, this community. So, we would like to know why does school choice matter to you and your family?
028If it does, if it doesn't, you're feel free to say that as well. And what are the opportunities that could be realized with a regional high school model? There's a lot of talk about a regional high school model. No construction funding to make it happen, but there's talk about it. Um, great. And then which strengths of the H Heartland Elementary School under the new law are most essential to preserve and build upon and what key opportunities for growth and improvement for our school and students do you see as a result of the potential change brought on by Act 73? and just some areas, educational areas to for you to think about um in your response and and others as well that um appeals to you. But certainly programming and academics um athletic arts usually are
029part of um school um students experience in some way or other clubs or what or whatnot. um location, transportation. Um think about your lives and your families and um what's going to be reasonable in terms of you know driving your kids to school and activities and um also I think Portland's a really special community. It's pretty tight-knit. There's a lot of connection here and assume people want to preserve that some way. So, um, thinking about that community connection, um, is also important. So, I think I'm going to turn it over to and I'm going to turn it over to you guys. Um, so it's really about, um, hearing from all of you what your thoughts are around this. So, if you have a comment, um, we'd love questions, um, we can certainly take. I will
030tell you, we probably can't answer a lot of them because so many of them are still outstanding, but we can certainly try and if we can't get them tonight, um, we'll get them out to you at a later time, um, as well. So, if you have a question or a statement, um, raise your hand, come on up to the mic, um, so make sure it's recorded properly. Not to make you like nervous about it, so we can make sure it's recorded properly. Uh when you do that, >> who's going to be the first one? >> Uh Llaya Morsy, H Heartland resident. Um so I just want to clarify and make sure is it >> you're going to start all over again. >> It's right on the top. Hello and provider Morrisy Hartland res. Um I
031just want to make sure I understand some of the key pieces that I think will be impacting our community. One is I think it sounds like we're going to look at a 20% reduction in per child allocation. Um is that kind of correct? Uh, I we're going to Yes. >> Yes. Some something along those lines. So, um, like I I'm just thinking about all the things that I value here like our wonderful drama and music program. Um, our community early dinner or dinners with the community. There's lots of things that make Hartland special. So that breaks my heart to think if any of those were to go away. Um it's probably I don't know why we're part of Maryland. Um and the other piece I'm thinking about the requirements like 15 children per middle school.
032We don't have that per class. So what does that mean? Does that mean we are going to have like 24 kids in each middle school class and somehow squeeze them into one room? Um, just thinking about the quality of education. I know the kids already struggle with listening with the teachers. I'm just picturing 24 kids squished in the room together. So, those are kind of my two big concerns. I am resident. I also teach in Harvard. Um the high school choice is definitely something the reason that we moved to Harvard. So that's that's kind of a thing. um in that seeing our children having different needs for high school and knowing that that would allow that option. There just aren't many options in Vermont. So it's it was important for us for that reason just
033knowing that they had different needs. Um, so I think that's part of it. And I think for those of us who have children who are in middle school or kind of older or being close to that, this this causes a lot of anxiety and not knowing like what are our options in the near future and like what should we be thinking about and what big life family decisions should we make and that type of things. Is there any timeline around when something like choice would either be >> Yeah. >> rented or something? Like there's no timeline around that. >> Uh before 2018. >> Well, I think the goal is that we're going to know this year and if if it falls apart, if they can't agree on a map, then all of it goes away
034on a formula. Um, so I think they're they're pretty determined to figure it out this this session. >> I think even if it if that does get decided that, you know, school choice is going to be limited in some way. I think potentially having an idea of like if a student has a graduation date of a certain, >> you know, date, >> then that student will have these options. You know what I mean? Like knowing kind of whose grandfather would bother in, who's not, like all of those things would be wonderful. Uh, Laura Percy, I just had kind of like a clarification question. Is this something that like how we operate now is not going to stand and something will definitely change. How that looks, we don't know, but >> potentially, okay, not necessarily. Like
035if they can't decide, if they can't agree on a map, >> nothing happens. Okay. >> Um >> the foundation formula is now law. >> Yeah. But I think it's dependent on >> redistricting. >> So yeah, it's it's a really uncomfortable place to be >> because we're not sure. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. But come so clarified is around say March when re-election of our school board and things like that. We can anticipate having a school board reelection and those kinds of things and having our heartland school board in place >> before next year. >> Yes. >> But it could be until um also clarify the question maybe we don't have answers yet sadly but is there going to be some kind of clause in place about siblings? Are we going to, you know, if we have
036a child that's, let's say, a junior and then a sibling is about to be a freshman, are they going to be permitted to attend the same school? Because that is a huge transportation issue for parents. >> Just a big concern for >> But I don't think so. Right. There is not currently a family grandfathering clause in >> so we can potentially have kids and that's Texas. >> Interesting. >> Yeah. The child might be I'm the grandfather but the grandfather but not the family. >> Yes. >> That's not >> I would imagine that's going to come. >> I would think especially for a larger world district. I'm gonna go in. Um I feel like my husband and I came maybe 11 years ago at this point to talk about where the act 63. Um and one
037of the things we said is we moved to this town for high school choice. I mean, it's I would say the number one reason why we moved to H Heartland um is because we loved being able to choose. We have three children, so being able to um decide what high school in the area would work best for each child was something that we really wanted to make sure that we could fulfill for our children. Um so, I'd be sad to see that go away. Um you know, I I hope we're able to keep that. Um, I'm nervous that we're not going to be able to. Um, I'd say if we're not able to keep high school choice, I feel like for me, I think a regional high school sounds interesting because you're pulling from three
038towns or three areas that, like you said, we have a lot of commonalities with, you know, the surrounding town. So, I feel like for me, my number one is to keep my school choice. However, we can do that would be great. Um, but if we can't do that, I would be interested to look at and see what it would be uh to make some sort of regional school in the area. So, >> hi, my name is Julie Hamlin, Harland resident, and I echo a lot of sentiments from earlier on about the major concerns and curriculars that are offered locally here in Hartland. class sizes, academic resources, um, and just the fulfillment that we all have in why many of us choose a small town life and then as they get older having the school choice
039going on. So, one specific question that hasn't been asked yet and I haven't read about it, but um concern is with the school choice potential limitation that also sets the boundaries statewide. I'm imagining Vermont's trying to keep money in Vermont, which would initially eliminate New Hampshire as a school choice and uniquely being in the upper valley. Those are all things that are nice to consider. So curious about that and how we respond to it. Also, thank you for knowing, seeing the lines being drawn that this is coming and is eminent and starting the early conversations about if we have to be doing this, what can we be doing locally to those that we align with it. So really tough spot but just echoing those sentiments and those are my immediate concerns. Thank >> just to
040answer that Julie I don't think anyone knows and obviously the New Hampshire school right now that people have access to is handover and so I think that you know >> and right anyone can we get anyone it's not district okay >> because KUA will definitely be out because it's a high >> but I think nobody knows right now exactly but yes there's definitely a motivation to keep money in the state um and it's unclear you know one of the things that's going to change and this actually gets back Laya to your question about sort of like the percent reduction in cost one thing that Hartland will benefit from is that this is going to lower the high school tuition like we spend a lot of money on high school tuition to all the high schools
041that we send to and that's because we're not empowered to negotiate those costs so when Woodstock High School worries about losing their arts and and extra You just stole my thunder. >> They increase the tuition for sending schools, right? And we bear the brunt of that. So, one thing that will help is that it's not like it's going to necessarily be a 20% reduction at the elementary level because some of that will be offset by, you know, we're spending above 20,000 per high school student in the town. Um, and so that will be, you know, a little bit helpful. But one of, you know, I think the idea is that one of the cost containment strategies is to minimize schools that can set a tuition price. So, I was going to piggyback on that. School
042choice is super expensive. It's super expensive. And being from a district that, like Hannah just said, was at one board meeting one day when they raised it $2,000 and then the next day I'm at this board meeting having to cut teachers because of what other districts are doing. Like it's it's killing this down. And so like I I like school choice. I do. But it's it's not affordable anymore. It's not affordable because there's no cap. The state refuses to put a cap on it. So instead of putting a cap on it, they're just going to get rid of it. Um or at least that's what I feel like in my opinion. And the idea of a regional high school is like a brilliant one. Like we've got three great districts that can come together and
043really make something amazing. And one thing I know the um state's trying to do, which I really appreciated, is like make sure that every district has a technical center. And we already have Hartford, which is fabulous. and like so that doesn't mean so that means that if we have a regional high school we could do a regional high school and still have Hartford. It's not like that's going to go away. So all students who go to Woodstock right now or Windsor who are part of the Hartland uh the Hartford program, they miss half a day of school from their sending town and they go to Hartford and like what a wonderful world it would be if they were there the full time because the sense of belonging is really hard when you're in two different
044schools and things like that. So I see this idea of like a regional high school like as much as I don't love it and I would love to again keep our school choice if we have to do something it would be great and between all three of these town like districts Hartland's in the middle we should build it right here in Hartland then you guys don't have to worry about schleing any kids anyway it's gonna be right here so maybe just and you know I I very much feel Heather's sentiment about potential beauty of a regional high school. I think it is probably important to just reiterate something that consume said, which is that right now the idea of a regional high school is very far and very very many millions of dollars in the
045future. And so I think it's important to note that that combining these districts would not magically appear the regional high school, right? So what it would mean is that actually we would more likely have access then to the current existing high schools which exist in this UN as yet undefined new SQ they be the choice until this regional school is developed. >> One would hope but I think a really important side that I want to just make sure we go back to is this idea of a district versus an SU. So I think it's important to note that we don't know what they will say to a town without a high school who is in a district with multiple high schools. Will all of the kids in that un what's the term that's used for
046us? um nonoperational >> nonational will they tell all the kids in the nonoperational town you can pick between these three or will they say to the kids in the nonoperational town here we're going to draw a Mercedes-Benz sign and this third goes here and this third goes here and this third goes here and so I think one thing for us to potentially discuss is is one of the hopes for Hartland to retain our district status as opposed to becoming a larger district, you know, do we do we want to advocate for the for the right to do that within an SU? They're going to decide. We're not really We are not voting members on this committee, but it's something we could advocate for that would retain some degree of local control and ability to make
047those decisions. The argument against that is that it's it is theoretically more expensive um because you're you're having to contain your own administrative um work within the district, but there's nobody's yet produced data that consolidation saves money. So there are state examples of this. Maine did it and did a you know pretty big study and they didn't save any money in consolidating. So and you know when we think about cost, yes, tuitioning kids to other high schools has cost money. What has cost way more money than that is health insurance for our teachers and staff. And that is entirely outside the control of anyone in this room or in the state of Vermont, right? Because that's about inflationary climate of healthcare in America. So it's so I think we should be a little careful that
048saying like getting rid of tuition is the is the answer to keep property taxes low. Property taxes are going to keep going up because it costs more to do everything. Um provide health insurance and you know cost of living and adjustments etc. And so that is just the the kind of counterpoint I think to seeing the regional high school as the obvious answer to all of this is that a it's pretty far in the future and b signing on to that we may relinquish a lot of control >> and this will not save money. Um this plan will not save money. I don't want anybody to think that it will it's very clear that it won't. Um, and I think it came up because taxes increased considerably after um, you know, there were some reasons
049for that, but mostly the COVID money ran out and we had hired additional staff and we needed them. Um but I mean um there are people that um created this bill that under the guise that we have to save money that come out publicly and said this this is not going to save money. So just to be clear on that and so you know then the question is then why are we doing this >> right? Right. >> Well, they come back to the opportunities and resources for kids making that more equitable across the state. >> There are districts um no Hartland spends 185 on a student. Slate Valley spends under 10. So there are inequities across the state and I think that's part of the rationale behind the legislation. But there are other ways to
050do that besides consolidating. So >> yeah, >> Anna Brooks, first grade teacher out of Portland, and I'm thinking about our near future and class sizes. >> What will that look like moving forward if we don't meet the requirements? It will look like um larger class sizes likely. >> I think what are they saying? What's the maximum um what are they saying about combining grades? You can only combine two grade levels. And um I have a question out. >> Does kindergarten count in that since it's not part of the minimum like can you do a K12? >> Um I don't think so. Okay. I think it's just two grade levels. Um I have a question out to superintendent association because we do have schools that have multi-age classrooms. So they cross those bands. So you may
051have a one two and in one it's 10 and two it's 12. So you have to have 11. Um, so there there are a lot of unanswered questions, but you know, as it looks right now, I think Heartland's going to be okay next year in terms of meeting that minimum. Is there a maximum >> under EQs? I think >> Okay. So, there's a max. >> EQS is education equality standards. >> Yes. So, there's a maximum, but they're setting a minimum. >> They're setting a minimum. >> And the minimum is also averaged over three years. So, it's not like, oh, we didn't have enough kindergarteners this year. we have to make a a sudden change. It will be averaged over three years and then the education department has the right to come in and make adjustments
052that they see. So it's a >> and there is a waiver process that you could >> but good question. >> Hi Sarah. Um, I'm Sarah Taylor and I'm a H Heartland resident and former school board member and uh along with my friend Laura here, I also sat on the ACT 46 committee. So just about 10 years ago um I know some of you in the room remember those days um but for those of you who don't um just about a little more than 10 years ago actually we were charged with a a what was supposed to be a very largecale consolidation um in Vermont very similar to to what you're seeing here but didn't go quite as far as act 773 does but um we for was two or three years. I think it felt
053like >> it felt like 17, but I think it was three years from the the beginning of the process until our final report. We uh spent many many hours and honestly a lot of Vermont taxpayer money um looking at the possibility of consolidating within just within the SEU at that point. So we were they were only asking people to look within existing SUS and um many times during that process we you know we said we wish we could look bigger. We wish we could could look at a regional option. We wish we could talk to Woodstock and Hartford and Norwich and see if we could put something together. Um because this smallcale uh consolidation that we were looking at had um you know there would have been a lot of upheaval and um there just
054wasn't a big upside because there wasn't a lot of money to be saved. And so I want to commend the the board for being open to having those conversations. I think it's really really important to sort of see what those possibilities are and look at at you know what what we can do if we collaborate. One question I had was how many uh what would be the uh the student population among those three uh districts? >> It's roughly 3,800. So pretty close. >> So pretty close to that to that number. So that's interesting. Yeah. >> Um, so you know, one of the um, one of the things that I', I've actually been sort of following in a extremely nerdy way. I think because I spent so many hours on looking at act six, I've been
055sort of following this process and I even I'm embarrassed to say that while I fold laundry, I sometimes watch the the uh, redistricting task force meetings. My family thinks I'm crazy, but um, it's really interesting. So, if you haven't done that, if you haven't watched any of those meetings, you should absolutely do it. They're right. You just Google uh redistricting task force and uh state of Vermont and you'll find them. And it's really interesting to get a sense of what people are thinking. Uh we have two local members on that task force. um Rebecca Hulcom who is uh Sarah tremendous and former uh secretary of education who lives in Norwich, has a lot of experience with the uh you know Hanover Norwich schools um and Jay Badam is the former superintendent of the handover Norwich
056schools um who lives in Stratford. And so those two people would be fantastic people to share your thoughts with because our wonderful board here um is working hard to understand and to come up with their response that they don't really have any control or power over this situation at all. This has been put on them. Um and those members of the redistricting task force are the people to contact to say I you know this is something that's important to me. this is something that, you know, I'm interested in. And um I don't want to go on too long, but um one of the things that I've sort of learned watching these meetings is that there are a lot of towns who have approached the task force to say that they see a supervisory union as
057being the most, you know, sort of the most efficient way to um continue to deliver education. And so that is something even with the conversations happening regionally, you can make that known to the task force. Um, and you know that that may be that may be worth it. Um, and then the final thing I'll say and I'll stop talking. Um, is and I'm you know Laura and I I think both would be happy to answer any sort of historical questions about what we learned during the actage process. There's a final report that has just like a wealth of stuff in it that we spent money figuring out. you know, um and and it might be worth, you know, just taking a look at that report. Um but just the final thing I'll say is I
058think it's really important to think about governance because um you know, we as you pointed out, we can design an amazing regional high school and if there aren't construction funds to build it, it won't exist. And so in that case, I think it is really important to kind of look at the maps and figure out where are the population centers. Uh where does Hartland fit within a representative um governance system? Um would we have you know who would who would our who would we be aligned with? Would we have the power to make decisions about where possible district lines might be drawn? And it it sounds a little cynical of me and I I I would like to say, you know, collaborate, cooperate, and you can trust your neighbors, which I think you can, but
059I think it's important to know that all towns have have self-interest um like it or not. And it's just really important for for you as a board, I think, to understand where those um where those votes are coming from and what some of the scenarios are as this district comes into existence. So um thank you for all your work. I so appreciate it. >> Okay. Um I was just made aware that there is a public hearing of the redistricting committee um up in Bradford on Friday from 4:30 to 6:30. Um and there is an option to join virtually as well and there are three more sessions following in different parts of the state. Um >> I had Lori send an email to all the should be in your email this information but happy to send
060it again if people need it. Yeah, there's four dates. So, and they you can join virtually to all of them. >> They're really they're really to um give verters opportunities to share their their um perspectives and priorities. So, encourage anybody to Yes. Can you share when the timeline would be for when school choice would be impacted because I'm trying to think I have a >> seventh grader and I just wondering you know is that something that >> No because it might not be we don't know we don't know yet >> as soon as we know we will >> Could it I mean could it be in fact as early as next No, >> not until 2028. >> Likely um the president. >> So I was going to say our current eighth graders will we can
061safely say >> yes current eighth graders next year but seven current seventh graders. >> Yeah the the first new school are November of 2027. So the lines will be drawn by then. that board I think will have some control over some things. um especially if there's uh if it's if it ends up being Hartford Winds or Woodstock, there will be a governing board over that um district or supervisory union and I think they would have some some say um whether or not they would grant um choice within those high school, >> but that's not till November 2027. So then that would mean our current seventh graders would still be beyond that since they're going to be next year will be >> when that comes 27 will be n >> but 26 27 >> but the
062new districts will would theor if this all goes through would take effect in July. So, as the seventh graders begin their eighth grade year, a district would theoretically >> be in place >> and that would govern where they went to high school in whatever new system might potentially exist. >> July of 2026 >> next summer, right? So, as they start their eighth grade year, these new lines >> Yeah. But there's got to be I mean I think like rationally about this there's got to be a transition period with this board to a new board and a transition to >> it's not like all of a sudden we walk away >> teacher contracts and all sorts of contracts that there's there's a lot of work that has to be done. Um, so >> but fortunately all
063that work is free. So that's part of the cost savings, right? >> It'll be done by little work at night. >> Yeah. Do this. >> So that would probably mean we lose access to at least three of the schools, right? Handover, Sharon, and Putney. >> Well, anything maybe or >> you've already lost access. We've already lost access to Py because that's a private. >> Sharon's done. No, Sharon so far will continue because they um meet state guidelines and because they have a a sufficient number of >> uh number of low-inccome students and then handover because it's in New Hampshire >> uh not necessarily because Norwich, right? So there's a sense that what's you know what's good for Norwich should be good for everyone else and but we don't I've heard people on the task force
064say that but I don't know yeah I don't I don't know if you've heard the same >> I mean I think yeah I have heard the same I mean I think that Norwich um what one person said to me is if you think people in Hartland are worried you can't even imagine the worry in Norwich >> because the foundation formula has a much bigger impact on them because they have no control over the tuition in handover and so a huge amount of the funding just flies out the door. Um and so they have you know yeah so I think there's a possibility that that that they are willing to argue a case that then can be used as precedent but I think just again I think I I think it would be helpful I mean
065our our plan is to use some of what we've heard tonight to to to send a letter to the to the committee sort of on behalf of the board but really ideally representing the people that we have heard from either tonight or after this meeting if people reach out. Um it it seems to me that you know many people express a real um desire to maintain the um educational programming at H Heartland um you know extracurricular activities specials um that that feels important. Um, I hear, you know, a lot of people expressing a desire to retain some ability for choice, which seems driven out of a desire to have a chance to get to know your kid and see what might work well for them in a in an area where um there's not a
066lot of, you know, there we're oftentimes tethered to one school. There's not privacy options. There's not a lot of other options. having that opportunity. Um, I've heard people talk about the sort of logistical pieces of this, the importance of having a school that works within our busy lives as, you know, working parents, how to get everybody where they need to go. That piece, you know, just not wanting to expose our kids to um the burden of being at a school that is an hour away and two hours away from where their sibling is. Um, are there other and and then governance which you sort of mentioned actually in a different way but I think I'll maybe just capture that word to say that that idea of sort of having some say over how it goes
067I think is something that Hartland like almost everyone in Vermont really clings to quite fiercely that idea of being able to have some control locally um and some representation. Yeah, Julie. >> One thing that occurs come up in conversation just listening as people are introducing themselves itself. >> Yeah. >> Because of the school, what we have to offer the community and school choice. So my followup observation to that is what is this going to have an impact on the economic vitalization of Vermont making it appealing for people to relocate to the area as the downstream captive act. all these families chose to move through this we have it structured today. Would they make that same choice if we put together all of what this act 73 is trying to accomplish >> or would it make
068it less appealing we stay in New Hampshire we don't get those families at all >> other items of discussion >> I feel like I already know the answer but my my kids are very much into athletics and and they've been, you know, >> personally playing sports since they they've built relationships. It's boosted their confidence. It's, you know, now what does that mean for, you know, sports in the future? You know, if we consolidate all of a sudden are they not allowed to play sports with their peers, they know this is behind. >> I mean, I think that's a huge part of their development. Um, >> I'm sure that's on the back burner at the end of the day for whoever is making these calls, but but it's what makes it >> or to balance off
069that I think what happens if like we do get these sort of super districts and what are like we play Hartford and Windsor like those are like they're the closest we play Rutland. We play, you know, kind of all these ones that are around us like now it's like, okay, I guess we're playing up in North Country and like down in Brad. We are, but like can you imagine what this is going to look like if you know it's gonna well it's going to be interesting amounts of teams and >> you're going to have to >> I just want to commend all of you or I mean not having taken this on but having it brushed upon you I suppose and >> it's so hard to take what has been passed down and then deal
070with where the rubber meets the road and so thank you all doing work. >> I think we will call this meeting or we just have to set our next agenda for our meetings according to this agenda. But >> we can do that. We don't need to have you guys separate unless you have important agenda that you would like us to add. >> And I think all of our email addresses are available. So if as you sort of continue thinking about this, if you want to send any feedback, we genuinely genuinely want to have it integrate into a bit of feedback from Heartland. >> And also, as Sarah said, like let your voices be heard at these meetings. Like I appreciate so much that you showed up here. Unfortunately, we we can't do much, but you
071can do more by showing up at these other meetings. There's four of them. you can show up at all four and like keep saying the same thing because like maybe maybe someone will hear you >> al also your your representatives and senators because the the task force will have to come up with these three maps >> but then the legislature is going to have to vote on it >> and so it's really important that especially once the maps come you know once people see what they actually are >> excuse me and what the what effect they would have but it's really important to be in touch with um Elizabeth and John and Allison and Becca and Joe >> and those are your your five people and let them know how you how you feel because
072they will actually have >> the ability to approve or not approve the snaps. >> Yes. >> Control. And maybe just one final thing just because I have really spent like a lot of time thinking and reading and ruminating and worrying and so maybe just I hope it's not overly polyiana but just as like a final parting thought um that does sort of make me feel a little calmer about this is this is going to shake out somehow that none of us can predict. At the end of all of this, there are going to be a lot of really wonderful families in this area who care deeply about providing an incredible community, good academics, athletics, arts, drama, and we are supported by an incredible cohort of educators. And none of that's going away. So, whatever lines
073get drawn, that stuff still exists. And I think that just provides me with a little bit of reassurance that like we we have to ride these waves a little bit. And where it lands, there will still be all of these like all of you that are in the room tonight, right? You're still going to be my kids. you know, alternative parents and village. And so I think um you know, that just does kind of reassure me a little bit that there's there's there's good bones around here and we still have that to fall back on. So >> being overly apologet Mr. Chair, >> thank you guys. >> Well, I put that up. >> Okay. Yeah. >> And the budget will just be priorities. >> You know, it's going to be a sad sad day. It's
074going to be a sad day when if all of this shakes out, >> I will no longer be I would like to. >> Okay. Do you agree? >> I prop do you want to say the second motion? Second go. >> All those in favor something about the >> We did. Oh, did you? No. Yeah, we did. >> They sent a letter. I mean it was from like it was not really there wasn't really heart come