SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Faculty, staff, and families donned matching t-shirts in support of the South Burlington School District during uncertain times.
The most recent budget proposal was a $69.5 million spending plan that would have raised property taxes by 14.5%—voters rejected it by 150 votes. It was a scaled-down version of a previous plan that would have increased the rate to 23%. This first budget failed by over 700 votes.
South Burlington Superintendent Violet Nichols gave possible dates for the third vote but mainly wanted to hear from community members. Some advocated for their programs, which could potentially get cut as the district attempts to decrease its budget.
“These two non-traditional student-facing positions have immensely impacted my experience at the high school, and have empowered me to do things that are out of my comfort zone,” said Amanda Gallagher of South Burlington High School.
“I’ve learned, grown, and succeeded because of German,” said Jayden French of South Burlington High School.
“By narrowing possibilities for intercultural communication and exchange, you deepen divisions at a time when we desperately need to bridge them,” said UVM Associate Professor Kat Scollins.
Because the margin of the last vote was so small, some say that instead of making big cuts, the district should try to get more voters on their side. But others felt the community sent a message by voting down the second budget.