StockbridgeBudget Okayed
By Tiny Voter Turnout
By Susan Pelletier

The annual School District meeting was brought to order by moderator Kent Butterfield at 6:40 p.m. on Thursday, April 10th at the Stockbridge Central School.

There was an extremely poor showing of less than 25 people. The town clerk Kathy Brown read the warning.

Kent Butterfield was re-elected to his post as moderator.

School director Shari McLaughlin welcomed voters and introduced Carl Groppe and Betsy Shands, the other school board members. There were two representatives from the supervisory union, Supt. Tim Mock and SPED coordinator Deb Matthews.

Melissa Levy was thanked for her service as a school board member and was presented with a SCS sweatshirt. The school staff was recognized as was the PTO, recreation committee and parent volunteers.

It was mentioned that the Johnsons received the Theresa S. Brungardt Award which is the highest honor bestowed by the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association for their outstanding work on the playground committee.

The school board spoke of some of the year’s accomplishments, which included new employee guidelines, improved internet connections, the biomass energy conference, on-going policy review, public information sessions, strategic planning, and ELF program of VINS, which has long been recognized as a model of effective environmental education for schoolchildren.

When discussing expenses and looking at enrollment, SCS is one of the few schools in the state that is not losing enrollment, as it is expecting the the same number of students—69—next year.

The cost per pupil is below spending levels of two years ago. The elementary expenses were up by 5.24%. The middle school budget is increasing by 13%, since receiving schools have increased tuition and there will be an increase in the number of high school students.

The amount for the supervisory union is almost exactly the same as last year $330,000, which includes special education services (SPED).

A question and answer session followed with discussion of health insurance, salaries and SPED services. It was noted that there are 10 SPED students from Stockbridge, that includes grades K-12.

Voters agreed to pay taxes in equal installments due Aug. 15 and Oct. 15.

A recommended school budget of $1,435,586 for the 2007-08 year was accepted by a voice vote.

Acting school board member Betsy Shands was nominated and elected for a three-year term..

At the end of the meeting, Cheryl Rivers brought up discussion about joining the town and school meeting—one reason being the especially low turnout.

It was felt by some, however, that the reason for the low turnout may be because so much of the budget is mandated that people may feel their hands are tied. A reflection was also made that perhaps the absent voters felt such confidence in the school officials that their attendance was not needed.