BARTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A school budget mishap in the Northeast Kingdom could leave taxpayers to foot an unexpected bill. WCAX has obtained emails between the Orleans Central Supervisory Union Superintendent and members of the school board that the school budget is a million dollars more than the amount approved by voters.
The emails show Superintendent Penny Chamberlin added the additional million dollars to the fiscal year ‘24 budget to meet added payroll expenses after the district agreed to a new teachers’ contract last May. However, the funds were tacked on without voter approval.
Documents show the superintendent apologized to the board stating that she reported herself to a state investigator and the districts legal office. She even offered to tender her resignation.
The school board is now working on a plan to make up the million-dollar gap. According to minutes from their last meeting, they are figuring out how to explain to the voters what happened and say the mistake could lead to higher taxes in fiscal year 2026.
We don’t know what, if any, repercussions the superintendent will face. Chamberlin declined to comment and her lawyer and school board members did not respond to calls for comment.