School News:
- Snowdays! We are trying something new this year with snowdays, in that they will be remote days, and will not need to be made up in June. Stay tuned for more information from classroom teachers about "weather" remote days!
- It's C week... and you know what that means? Mr Hill is here in Moretown!! He will be here all week for in person instruction.
- For those families who have children with asthma, please make sure asthma plans are on file with the nurse as soon as possible.
- If you have updates about medical or dentist appointments, please send an email or give a call to Claire Lindberg, our school nurse. You may get a call from her about this if our records are not updated.
- If you have a specific concern related to screening or health guidance related to screening questions, please email your questions to Claire Lindberg (clindberg@huusd.org). We will work to provide a timely response to your concern. We ask that you review the linked guidance from the Vermont Department of Health.
Thank you so much for completing the screening questions using Pick up Patrol before 7:10 daily.
Check out last week's Weekly district Updates Here:
https://huusd.org/covid-19-information - Weekly Community Bulletins tab on the right
Intradistrict School Choice for 21-22 is now open. Link to form is on this page: https://huusd.org/apply-for-intradistrict-school-choice
Community News/Opportunities
Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff. As always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities.
Never parented during a pandemic? We haven’t either! Join the MRV Libraries and Hannah's House as we work towards adding some tools to our parenting toolkits with a new online bookclub. During the first series we will read and discuss the book Respectful Parents, Respectful Kids: 7 Keys to Turn Family Conflict Into Cooperation and explore creating a family environment based on mutual respect, emotional safety, and positive communication. Through the generosity of co-sponsor Hannah’s House, free copies of the book will be made available to all participants. Registration is required and space is limited to foster better conversation. Register HERE, or visit Moretown Library's website to sign up.
Hannah's House offerings:
Hannah's House
PO Box 217
Waitsfield, VT 05673
802-496-9715 office
Just a reminder that Harwood's ROC Diaper and Sanitary Product Drive is still in need of donations. We are collecting diapers, feminine hygiene products, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products and have a special need for black specific soap and hair products. Drop off locations include HUHS, CMBS (drop box in front of the school), TBPS and KC's Bagels. If you would prefer to make a financial donation, checks can be made out to Harwood ROC. All donations go to resettled Vermonters and are greatly appreciated. Our drive will run until December 20th! Thank you for donating! If you have any questions please reach out to sbartolomei2021@huusd.org or jrundle2023@huusd.org
School Board Updates
SUBJECT: HUUSD Board Begins Budget Deliberation
BODY: The HUUSD Board met remotely on Wednesday, December 9th in a meeting focused primarily on the FY22 school district budget. The Vermont Tax Commissioner’s letter, which was published December 1, predicts a 9% increase in education property tax bills (about 10 cents, or $200 on a $200,000 house) even before any cost of living adjustments or cost increases are added for consideration. This statewide cost increase is driven primarily by the effects of COVID on the economy and a mandated increase in the Education Fund’s contribution to the teacher retirement system.
In terms of local education costs, Director of Finance Michelle Baker, presented the first look at a level service budget (that is, what it would cost with no change in current programming or school configuration), which indicated a 3.6% increase in expenditures -- a little below the tax commissioner’s projection of a 3.75% statewide average. Local cost growth is driven primarily by increased health care costs and contractual salary increases for employees. In the coming weeks, the Board will hear more about projected revenues for next year, projected student numbers, and other components of the state’s school funding formula.
In some good news, the district has a $2.2 million fund balance from last year. This surplus is primarily due to savings that occurred when in-person learning had came to a halt in March due to COVID. There are several options for how to use this fund balance including asking voters to 1) transfer it to the maintenance reserve fund; 2) save it for future use (a “rainy day fund”); or 3) to apply it to the FY22 budget. The Board may also approve a combination of these options.
The Board will continue working towards finalizing a FY22 budget at its Dec 16 and Jan 13 meetings. Learn more by clicking on the “FY22 Budget Development” section on the right side of this page: huusd.org/business-office. Members of the public are encouraged to share their thoughts during public comment at meetings or to email the Board at cen-huusdboard@huusd.org.
In addition to budget discussions, the Board
1. heard from the Superintendent on new COVID screening procedures and current district COVID numbers;
2. unanimously approved the conversion of 5 paid work days to 5 paid vacation days for all HUUSD employees in recognition of and thanks for the significant additional work and efforts caused by COVID;
3. unanimously authorized the high school facilities committee to meet with architects from TruexCullins to review the latest design plans for the Harwood campus; and
4. approved a committee to interview applicants for the District Clerk position.
The next regular Board meeting will be December 16th, at 6:00PM. Remote meeting requirements have made it easier than ever to participate in or view School Board meetings, and we hope you will consider joining us. You can also email the board with your thoughts at cen-huusdboard@huusd.org
-- To participate live through Zoom, simply click on this link at the meeting’s start time: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/386460007#success
-- To view either live or after-the-fact on YouTube, use this link: tinyurl.com/huwebapp-youtube-live
-- To view on Mad River Television, use this link: www.mrvtv.com
Thank you for continued support,
The HUUSD Board
Bookfair Letter Fall 2020
