To the editor:
By a margin of seven votes, on May 20, the Wolcott School District got a budget passed for 2027.
So now, what comes next?
Starting July 1, there is new leadership at OSSU and at Wolcott Elementary. Meanwhile, state senators and delegates are trying to figure out their best political response to the ever-increasing cost of public education. They are trying to enact remedies that the governor will endorse and at the same time, set the state school tax rate for 2027.
Whatever is enacted will either encourage or require change. It seems “encourage” is currently more politically possible and the direction the state will take. Voluntarily district consolidation and sharing of services seems to be major and desired ingredients in any plan for change they will “encourage.” Consequently, we are likely two to three years before any meaningful change is evident if even then. So, 2028 may be more of the same.
There is a lot of work to be done between now and the next budget cycle at the town and OSSU level. Our town is undergoing a town-wide reappraisal of all properties on the grand list which will improve our CLA while also significantly increasing the value off which our property is taxed. Our board of education will be looking at how best to respond to new state “encouragements,” and I really hope OSSU board members can be persuaded to revisit and change how they initially adopt and later revisit their budget if a member district’s taxpayers vote their budget down.
Our board and school leadership should not have to shoulder what lies ahead alone. And they also need to do more to keep all citizens in Wolcott informed as they move forward. Concurrently, Wolcott citizens need to get more involved and stay engaged with the Wolcott Board. If and when a potential change requires your vote, know the issue(s): know the consequences, know the costs.
Perhaps the potential reorganization and fiscal future of public education in Wolcott and across Vermont starts now. I’m just not “encouraged” it won’t be just more of the same. We shall see.
Waiting now to be encouraged.
Bill Cotten, Wolcott
