Vermont School Reform
The South Hero School Board has joined the Rural School Community Alliance (RSCA). The RSCA provides information on how school reform legislation will impact schools like Folsom.
If you want to receive RSCA information, here is the link to their website, which has a platform statement and information on how to sign up to receive emailed information:
You may also contact South Hero Board Chair Rich Monterosso (rmonterosso@board.gisu.org)
South Hero's Legislative Representatives
Here is the contact information for our legislators who have been elected to represent our Island communities as part of their larger districts:
Senator Patrick “Pat” Brennan (pbrennan@leg.state.vt.us )
Representative Michael Morgan (mmorgan@leg.state.vt.us)
Representative Leland Morgan (lmorgan@leg.state.vt.us)
More School Reform Information
All School Boards in the Grand Isle Supervisory Union have voted to become members of the Rural School Community Alliance (RSCA). This non-profit grass roots organization was formed earlier this year to advocate for the interests of rural schools and communities by providing data and expert testimony to the legislature for their deliberations on reforming Vermont’s educational system. The link below to their website will provide updates and background information on legislative developments. You can register for free email updates.
VTDIGGER on-line news has made it a priority to cover developments regarding educational reform. Here is the link to signup for free newsletter updates on topics of interest:
https://vtdigger.org/newsletters/
THE COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN VERMONT was established by the state legislature and their website offers links to view current and past meetings in addition to background resources about education in the state. Although the Commission is advisory only and does not make policy or funding decisions, their website is highly informative about governance and funding considerations:
https://education.vermont.gov/state-board-councils/commission-on-the-future-of-public-education
The VT STATE LEGISLATURE’s website offers updated versions of current bills in committees, as well as live and previously recorded House and Senate hearings on education and education financing:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/
Our local THE ISLANDER reporting includes news on developments in school districts within our region. In addition to the printed edition available at local merchants on Thursdays, their website offers on line copies of current and previous editions:
Budget Information
The School Board will be holding meetings in January to work on the FY26 Budget. All community members are encouraged to attend in person or virtually. The meetings are held in the Folsom library at 6 p.m.
South Hero School Directors Report (Revised based on AOE revised LTWADM published after print deadlines)
Folsom Winter 2025 Academic Data
For more information about the 2025-2026 budget, please join the informational meeting on March 1, 2025 at 9am at the Folsom Community and Education Center or virtually at the following link: meet.google.com/ndc-fyoj-hhd
Thursday January 16th, 2025: Special Board Meeting - Presentation - Agenda - Recording
Thursday, January 9, 2025 Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/roy-xoxp-dsf
Thursday, January 16, 2025 Special Budget Meeting
South Hero Town School District Official Warning Annual Meeting
You can learn more about Vermont's education funding system here:
Vermont's Education Funding System Explained: This slide presentation is very useful for residents who want to better understand how our local school budget is part the complex educational funding and tax process in Vermont and to compare it to systems in other states:
Vermont Public Video on Ed Funding: Have you ever wondered how Vermont funds its schools? Vermont Public's Lola Duffort produced an excellent explainer. How Does Vermont Fund Its Schools
The Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont: The Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont was formed by the Legislature to study and make recommendations for the vision, structure and funding of education in Vermont with input from the public and other stakeholders.
Preliminary Report (December 2024)
South Hero School Board
SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS TAKE PLACE AT 6 P.M. ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH.
Current Members
Richard Monterosso, Chair - rmonterosso@board.gisu.org
Bob Chutter, Vice Chair - bchutter@board.gisu.org
Kaight Althoff, Clerk - kalthoff@board.gisu.org
Tim Maxham (no email)
Whitney Doremus - wdoremus@board.gisu.org
Procedures for submitting a notice of an open meeting law violation