Our Brochure
Ask a question - the members of the committee will find the answer and get in touch with you or post the Q+A here.
- Who is on the Study Committee? Here is some info about the volunteer members.
- Where can I read the entire Act 46 as enacted? Try this link. (Don't hit print! It's a 64 page PDF document.)
- Where can I read the approved Report & Articles of Agreement that the Study Committee prepared? Try this link. (Don't hit print! it's a 34 page document.)
- How can I contact the Committee? In person, come to the next meeting. By email, this is the link. By phone, call the WCSU office.
- Who is consulting with the Committee to prepare the report from this study? Mr. John Everitt.
- Where can I find information about each school? Information about each school - presentations by school principals.
MORE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM THE PUBLIC INFORMATION FORUMS
This is the follow
up from our first three community forums in January and February, 2017. Below are the questions that have been asked at the meetings and their
answers. If you have questions that are
not answered here please come to the Public Information meetings on Feb. 20th
in Windham and March 1st at L&G or send an email.
Q: How will
transportation work?
A: Transportation planning is one of the first responsibilities of the new board. We cannot say what it will look like at this point.
A: Transportation planning is one of the first responsibilities of the new board. We cannot say what it will look like at this point.
Q: Do taxes change
after 4 years?
A: We know we have the incentives for the first four years. After the first 4 years we don’t know.
A: We know we have the incentives for the first four years. After the first 4 years we don’t know.
Q: Is there one
board for all that schools K-12?
A: Yes. The current board remain until July 1, 2019. After that the new unified board would take over with the current district boards remaining in existence until they wrap up their affairs.
A: Yes. The current board remain until July 1, 2019. After that the new unified board would take over with the current district boards remaining in existence until they wrap up their affairs.
Q: Will schools be
closed?
A: Article 14 requires a vote of the town to close a school. A school can close but it will not happen without the consent of the town involved.
A: Article 14 requires a vote of the town to close a school. A school can close but it will not happen without the consent of the town involved.
Q: What is the
composition of the board?
A: Representation is based on population: Newfane - 3, Brookline - 1, Townshend - 2, Jamaica - 2, Windham - 1 and 2 at large members elected from the entire district once it is formed.
A: Representation is based on population: Newfane - 3, Brookline - 1, Townshend - 2, Jamaica - 2, Windham - 1 and 2 at large members elected from the entire district once it is formed.
Q: What if there is
no petition filed to be on the ballot for the new board?
A: There can be a write in candidate. If no one is elected the town board can appoint a member to the new board.
A: There can be a write in candidate. If no one is elected the town board can appoint a member to the new board.
Q: How does
consolidation affect hosting Pre-K?
A: The new board will determine how Pre-K will be offered district wide.
A: The new board will determine how Pre-K will be offered district wide.
Q: How will this be
changed by any new legislation during the current sessions in Montpellier?
A: As of right now only deadlines for compliance are proposed to be changed.
A: As of right now only deadlines for compliance are proposed to be changed.
Q: What happens if
there is a "no" vote?
A: The Towns can ask the state to stay in the structure we have, but it is unlikely they will let us. It is most likely they will want us to go with the plan we've created as they have already approved it.
A: The Towns can ask the state to stay in the structure we have, but it is unlikely they will let us. It is most likely they will want us to go with the plan we've created as they have already approved it.
Q: In the new
structure, will there be an Annual School Meeting on Town Meeting Day?
A: No. There will be a separate annual meeting for the district, much like the system L&G uses now.
A: No. There will be a separate annual meeting for the district, much like the system L&G uses now.
Q: Where would the
"center of the Universe" be for this district?
A: That will be decided by what is most practical for the new Board.
A: That will be decided by what is most practical for the new Board.
Q: When will the
school choice within the district first be available and what will the process
be?
A: The new Board will have to come up with a system for it, but the earliest it might be available is September 2019.
A: The new Board will have to come up with a system for it, but the earliest it might be available is September 2019.
Q: Does the
district have enough students to meet the State's size requirements?
A: Yes, because we would be forming a “side by side” with the new River Valley Unified School District – comprised of Dover, Marlboro and Wardsboro.
A: Yes, because we would be forming a “side by side” with the new River Valley Unified School District – comprised of Dover, Marlboro and Wardsboro.
Q: What does
representation look like on the new board if a town opts out of the
consolidation?
A: Representation stays the same as shown in the report as the opted out town still sits on the board for matters related to L&G. (See Article 17.) An opt out town however will not vote on the at-large members starting March 2018. The opt out may become moot if the State Board of Education, in their statewide plan, moves towns in union high school districts into a unified system.
A: Representation stays the same as shown in the report as the opted out town still sits on the board for matters related to L&G. (See Article 17.) An opt out town however will not vote on the at-large members starting March 2018. The opt out may become moot if the State Board of Education, in their statewide plan, moves towns in union high school districts into a unified system.
Q: If the WRED
forms does the LGUMHS cease to exist as a legal entity?
A: Yes, as well as all the town school districts voting to join the unified district.
A: Yes, as well as all the town school districts voting to join the unified district.
Q: How is this
possible as the towns that vote to form it should need to vote to dissolve it?
A: The articles call for the dissolving of districts if the unified district is formed. A yes vote forms the unified district and dissolves the existing district simultaneously. The articles specify the start date for the unified district and the ending date for the town boards of the member districts. (See Article 13.)
A: The articles call for the dissolving of districts if the unified district is formed. A yes vote forms the unified district and dissolves the existing district simultaneously. The articles specify the start date for the unified district and the ending date for the town boards of the member districts. (See Article 13.)
Q: Will the WRED
have a new or different annual meeting date?
A: The unified district board can set meeting dates as it desires. Decisions by the voters of the entire unified district are needed to change the voting process (to or from Australian ballot) to something different than specified in the articles.
A: The unified district board can set meeting dates as it desires. Decisions by the voters of the entire unified district are needed to change the voting process (to or from Australian ballot) to something different than specified in the articles.
