HARDWICK, WOLCOTT – Following voters’ rejection of both the Wolcott and Mountain View Union (MVU) School District budgets last week, staff received an email message April 10, notifying them contracts for the coming school year would be delayed.
School board meetings this week on Wednesday in Wolcott and Thursday in Greensboro are scheduled to take up FY27 Budgets.
The email message to staff Friday, titled, “Notice of Reduction In Force (RIF) due to an unapproved School Year 2026-2027 budget,” was written over Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Baker’s signature and sent by Human Resources Manager Tess Martin.
“Without an approved budget, contracts for the 2026-2027 school year cannot be sent to the staff at this time,” it said after explaining it was written notice required under a contractual agreement between the Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union (OSSU) and Orleans Southwest Education Association, a local union of the Vermont NEA (National Education Association).
A paragraph followed explaining the importance of staff to the district, with Dr. Baker writing, “Please understand that the Mountain View Board believes in building strong partnerships among students, families, staff, and the community to provide an education that is relevant and meaningful to each child. To do this, we value and need our current staff.”
The message continued, “Contracts will be issued as soon as possible once funding for your position is secured. Your position information is below.“
The message was received with concern as word spread through the community.a Front Porch Forum (FPF) post by Hardwick’s Joe Nudell said, “Today, teachers and staff employed at MVU received Reduction in Force notices due to the second failed budget vote this week. For those who voted “No,” and those who chose not to vote: this is doing harm to children, and to the teachers and staff who dedicate their lives to educating and caring for them.”
Others took the opportunity to call the MVU district’s direction into question, with a FPF post by Doreen Cota, also of Hardwick, ending, “This is not about opposing safety, required repairs, or responsible maintenance. It is about transparency, consistency and ensuring that decisions reflect the direction voters have clearly communicated through two budget votes.”
When a majority of voters reject a budget twice, it should meaningfully change the path forward,” she said.
Opportunities for residents to contribute to conversations about the next proposed budgets will be available for Wolcott on April 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wolcott Elementary School.
There will be a 15 minute public comment period at 6:05 p.m. and 70 minutes for discussion of three items identified as; a SU Board Meeting Report Out; FY27 Budget and Redistricting Survey.
Then, action items scheduled for 7:40 p.m. include “FY27 Budget” and “Proposed Revote Timeline.”
The public can access the Wolcott School Board meeting by phone at (574) 404-7630 PIN: 142 648 471# and online at meet.google.com/vfh–bcpw–wzg.
The following evening, April 16, the MVU School Board will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lakeview Early Education Center.
The agenda for that meeting includes 10 minutes for public comment beginning at 6:10 p.m., then 30 minutes for four discussion items at 7 p.m., listed as: FY27 Budget; Retain Financial Consultant; SU Meeting Update and Facilities Update. Three action items scheduled for 7:30 p.m., include “Proposed Revote Timeline (including date for special meeting).”
The public can access the MVU meeting by phone at (240) 903-4200 PIN: 295 687 217# and online at meet.google.com/xuh–mpkf–hwf.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
