Vermont School Reform
Informational Letter (5/9/25) to South Hero
From Rich Monterosso, Board Chair
The Vermont Legislature is working under great pressure to do “something” to reform the statewide educational funding system before the end of this current session, perhaps within the next month.
I am writing to raise the red warning flag that the future of Folsom School and the high school opportunities available to our students are now at serious risk due to the current version of the H454 bill in the Senate Finance Committee.
As your elected school board chair, it is my duty to warn you that the State Senate Committee on Finance is moving forward with new foundation model funding proposals that would effectively close Folsom School by reducing our overall school district funding for PreK through 12 students by $1,092,981 (or -21.9%) from our current budget of $4,980,496.
The non-partisan Legislative Joint Fiscal Office (JFO) provided this data in their 5/2/25 Scenario C table analyzing the estimated impact of the current Senate Finance Committee version of H454 on each school district in the state
The Joint Fiscal Office (JFO) analysis of the estimated impact of the current H454 bill on each of the three Grand Isle County school districts is shown above. Note that this educational funding reform plan would result in South Hero losing over $1 million and our neighbors in CIUUSD losing over $1.7 million from the state in the current funding reform plan in the Senate Finance Committee.
This million dollar, 22% reduction, in state funding for South Hero would be applied BEFORE factoring in any new costs due to increased high school tuition payments, escalating health care premiums, contractual raises for our dedicated teachers and staff, and inflationary increases in the cost of necessary goods and services.
If we accept the currently proposed 21.9% cut - over $1 million - as a starting point before any expected budget increases, the future of Folsom School and the South Hero School District may be financially unsustainable. If that happens, other government entities will be making all decisions about South Hero students. Remember that due to current financial pressures we are already losing valued members of the Folsom staff in June due to a reduction in force.
As South Hero School Board Chair, I am writing to inform all members of the Folsom School Community that NOW (before Mothers’ Day) is the time to contact your elected state officials, to share your thoughts about the Senate Finance Committee version of H454 “funding reform” cuts to South Hero’s school funding by 21.9% - over $1 million - according to the Joint Fiscal Office impartial analysis table dated 5/2/25. 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)
Please also share your thoughts directly with the leadership of the Senate Committee on Finance, which is currently shaping this H454 bill which now includes the cuts to South Hero:
Senator Ann Cummings, Chair, Senate Committee on Finance (acummings@leg.state.vt.us)
Senator Mark A. MacDonald, Vice-Chair, Clerk, Senate Committee on Finance (mmacdonald@leg.state.vt.us)
Respectfully submitted,
Rich Monterosso, Chair
South Hero School Board
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