Below are the suggestions and questions submitted by our serving community. These submissions were collected through local drop boxes or via the electronic form available at https://bit.ly/FY26Suggestions. Please check back regularly for updates as additional submissions and responses are added.

1) Submitted by a Fair Haven Resident: The constant revotes until you got the answer you wanted is not democracy. Using scare tactics and cutting necessary services to prove a point is terrible. Also, proficiency based learning is teaching our kids to do just enough to pass. There is no striving for better with this type of grading. It is setting our children up for failure in college and beyond. Last thing… move the bowling trophy to the front.

Response by Slate Valley's Communications Coordinator: Thank you for sharing your concerns. It’s clear that district school budget voting is a deeply personal topic that impacts whole communities. On the issue of revotes, it’s understandable why people might see repeated voting as an erosion of the democratic process. While proponents may argue that revotes ensure all voices are heard, too many of them can feel like an attempt to force through a particular outcome. But in reality, your school board is simply following Vermont Statute which reads: 

“Budget adoption process: The budget proposal shall be submitted to the electorate at the annual election. If this proposal fails, the School Board shall warn another election at which a revised budget shall be submitted to the voters and decided by Australian ballot. If the School Board’s second or subsequent budget proposals fail, the Board shall continue to warn special elections and submit revised budget proposals to the voters until a budget is adopted by the voters by Australian ballot.”

As for the use of “scare tactics” or the threat of cutting essential services, this would indeed be a troubling approach if truly done. The Slate Valley Unified Union School Board, works closely with the district’s administration, to carefully present a fiscally responsible budget to its community. When the board goes back to revise the budget because of a revote, they need to look for potential deeper cuts and savings. Communicating to the public what the deeper cuts may be is never intended as “scare tactics”, but as a measure of transparency. The board’s focus is keeping core services intact and finding creative solutions to preserve what matters most to students and families. The initial budget is presented with the high hopes that no deeper cuts will have to occur.

Regarding proficiency-based learning (PBL), its intent is to help students master essential skills at their own pace. However, your concerns are valid: PBL can sometimes unintentionally emphasize meeting the standard rather than exceeding the standard and achieving academic excellence. For PBL, and proficiency-based grading to succeed, it needs strong support and clear expectations to ensure it challenges students to achieve their best, rather than simply meeting the baseline.

In response to these concerns, the school board formed an ad-hoc grading committee this fall to discuss PBL and proficiency-based grading. This committee regularly reports to the board, and their agendas and minutes are available on our website for public review. Engaging in this process allows community members to stay informed and contribute to shaping an educational approach that benefits all students.

Lastly, we couldn’t be prouder of the two state champion bowling trophies displayed in our case—and we’re hopeful to add a third this year!

2) Submitted by Fair Haven Resident: Put a FREEZE on the administration salary! Pay the workers what they deserve instead of padding Brooke’s pockets.

3) Submitted by Fair Haven Resident: Too top heavy! The district needs to impress on state that this is a house of cards - Kids are paying a price for the Administration’s fat.

4) Submitted by Fair Haven Resident: You are too admin. Heavy! Cut there, not programs for students.

5) Submitted by Hubbardton Resident: Value added, the administration costs are TOO HIGH for the lack of academic results. Teach math and finance, these are life skills!

Response by a SVUUSD Board Member: As I look back on my childhood in Castleton and the caring and kind community I was a part of, thirty years later, I can see the changes in education as my children attended school in the same community. It was frustrating to see the changes and not understand why education has changed in some ways and stayed the same in others. As our student population has declined, the mandates from the state and federal governments have grown. This has put a lot more responsibility on all of our employees. This being said, one of the items we look at every year in the finance committee is the distribution of work at the administration level, and we compare ourselves to the surrounding districts. This comparison is linked here. The result of this comparison is that we are not overstaffed. We have the lowest number of central office administrators and the second to lowest support staff. Put that all together, and we have one of the highest central office staff-to-student ratios in the region. The same is true for salaries. All of our central office staff are in the lower half of the surrounding salaries except our Special Services position, which is partially grant-funded and is the most experienced in the state. We are also the only district that combines facilities and technology into one position. As a whole, we are staffed appropriately for the workload expected and the impact on our budget.

Here is the hard part. How do you retain quality personnel when there is a nationwide shortage of education professionals? As school board members, we ask ourselves this important question every budget year as we aim to provide the best education possible at the most efficient cost. If we cannot find employees to fill positions at all levels, how can we accomplish this goal? How do we attract talented young teaching professionals? How do we ensure we are following the law and working appropriately with the union to negotiate fair salaries within the parameters of our budget? These are just a few of the many questions that school boards are thinking about when they are working with and hiring employees, as well as developing the annual budget. This directly translates into competitive salaries as it is not prudent to have to rehire staff yearly. As you can see if you click the link above, our conservative district has worked hard to retain qualified employees at reasonable salaries. If you look at the starting salary for our teachers, $48,170.00, you can also see that we are fair yet competitive. If you would like to see our pay schedule for either professional or staff salaries, please reach out to the central office.

As a district, we share our thoughts with the state regularly. Our superintendent is one of the more senior superintendents in the state, so her opinion is valued at the state level. That being said, the message that we sent to our state government during this election cycle seems to have been heard. I am hopeful that a positive change in our education funding system is on the way. As the conversation at the state level begins, consolidation is at the top of the list. A recent report linked here shares an analysis of what Vermont could do better to provide quality education for a reasonable price. Until the state makes some changes, we need to continue to work the best we can with our current framework. Lastly, we have seen some fantastic academic growth in our students in the past years. Please see next reply.

6) Submitted by Fair Haven Resident: Would like to see how having such a high budget has shown improvement in test scores, kids being ready for college or life. Kids don’t even get the right grades and are around causing problems for kids that need a certain GPA for college. Money needs to be shown what exactly it is being used for to benefit kids and teachers/staff to be a high ranking school. No need to have admin costs so high that they do not benefit the students or teachers. Changes need to be made, no need for a high budget when it does not benefit the kids and teachers.

Response by Slate Valley's Director of Curriculum: During Principal Ben Worthing’s graduation 2024 graduation speech, he thanked families and friends of the 70 graduates from Fair Haven Union High School for supporting 21 seniors who participated in internships, job shadows, and work-based learning (work experience to earn high school credit) preparing them for the workplace after graduation. The 14 graduates who earned membership into the National Honor Society and 25 students who pursued college-level coursework, among other extra-curricular achievements (state championships, state music awards, and local theatre productions.)

Principal Worthing also highlighted the success of Stafford Technical Center students graduating from Fair Haven Union High School. He recognized three students who were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society, and specifically recognized graduate Mackenzie Clark with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. These accomplishments recognized by Mr. Worthing represent a school district’s preparation of students for life after high school. 

Across Grades 3-6 Slate Valley students increased their performance on the state assessment from 2023 to 2024 by an average of 6.44 points in Reading, Math, and Science. In grades 3 through 5 Slate Valley achieved or exceeded the state average in Reading, Math, and Science.

These academic achievements are a result of the following spending Slate Valley Budget FY24 Budget Presentation

7) Submitted by Castleton Resident: Do Slate Valley Schools give homework?

Response by Slate Valley's Director of Curriculum: Yes, students are assigned homework. We do not have a policy against homework. Decisions about homework are left to individual teachers. The following is listed in the Slate Valley Family Student Handbook:
Homework is an integral part of student learning and is an extension of the work that takes place during the school day. When learning takes place in school, concepts are introduced and opportunities for guided practice are given. As students construct their own knowledge they will be able to reinforce this through the independent practice that homework provides. Thus, homework can enhance and extend learning as well as provide additional practice.

Appropriate to the developmental age of students, teachers may provide independent practice assignments or ask students to complete unfinished class work at home. Additionally, students may be assigned long-range projects for the purpose of developing study and research skills. The time required for students to complete homework assignments will vary depending upon the assignment, the age and the ability of the student.

Parents are encouraged to monitor homework as a means of becoming familiar with what is learned in school.

Many districts, including Slate Valley, follow the guideline of 10 minutes per grade level; the guidelines can be accessed in the SVUUSD 2024-25 Family and Student Handbook found on our website. Slate Valley educators survey students on how much time is needed nightly to complete assignments compared to the guideline number in order to monitor the impact of the guidelines. 

The purpose of homework in Slate Valley is to: 

• Provide students with an opportunity to practice and consolidate what they've learned in class, helping them to better understand and retain the material.

• Encourage students to develop effective study habits, such as time management, organization, and independent learning.

• Build the foundation necessary for more complex concepts and skills students may encounter in higher grades.

• Provide a window into a student's learning process for parents.

• To assess students' understanding of the material and identify areas where they may need additional support.

The effectiveness of homework can vary depending on factors such as the quality of the assignments, the amount of time allocated for out of school learning, and a student's individual needs. We encourage those supporting students with homework to communicate success and challenges of extending learning beyond the school day to their student’s teacher.

8) Submitted by a Castleton Resident: Bring 7/8 football back to the school district instead of through vipers. Utilize all school gyms, currently Benson and Orwell aren't being utilized for winter sports. Create a combined slate valley rec center instead of pouring money into castleton rec with limited availability of use of gym so entire district will benefit.

Response by the Superintendent and Slate Valley's Athletic Director: On November 18, 2024, the Athletic Director and Superintendent of Slate Valley UUSD presented a proposal to the finance committee to integrate grades 7 and 8 football into the district. However, the committee chose not to act on the proposal for the upcoming year, citing concerns about adding costs to the budget while cuts are being made in other areas. This proposal may be reconsidered in future years.

At the time of the merger, it was decided that gym spaces at FHUMHS, FHGS, and CES would be used for district teams in grades 5–12. Utilizing the Benson gym for practices could be a possibility in the future, but logistics for transportation and building access would need to be resolved. Currently, the Benson gym is contracted with the Boys & Girls Club until 6:30 p.m. on school days. Additionally, the Orwell gym has only two baskets and is too small to accommodate large practice groups effectively.

The district does not have authority over Castleton or Fair Haven recreation programs, nor does it own the Castleton Village School. The former school building is owned by the town of Castleton, and any discussions regarding its use would need to involve the town. Similarly, recreational programs are managed by individual towns, so they would need to lead those conversations.

9) Submitted by a West Haven Resident: Please stop renting the tent for graduation!

Response by FHUHS Principal: Thank you for your feedback! Renting the tent for graduation has both benefits and costs. The tent ensures that weather won’t disrupt the event, and many parents have shared how much they appreciate the beautiful setup. It also allows us to seat over 700 people comfortably, with clear audio for everyone (including excellent acoustics for our band and choral performances). Plus, we use the tent for other important events like Scholarship & Awards Night and the Yearbook Dedication Assembly, making the most of the rental. That said, we understand that the cost is a concern, and we continually review expenses to make sure we’re using funds wisely. We appreciate your input and will keep it in mind as we plan future graduations!

10) Submitted by an Orwell Resident: I am wondering why we have a double bus run in the afternoon ? I know dismissal times are different but to save fuel and wear and tear on buses which carry a few students and I mean a few shouldn't we look into a better way to handle this ?I know years ago we waited for the Fair Haven bus to come from the high school and then they plus elementary were delivered home.In these hard times every penny counts.

Response by Orwell Principal: Thank you for your inquiry about bussing. We understand the need to be fiscally responsible and curtail costs where possible, and I want to explain the current situation. Our transportation system has significantly changed over time due to major changes to our district schools' defined school day. Unfortunately, using the high school bus to transport all students home would result in a wait time of over an hour for many of our elementary children after school. We are actively addressing these transportation challenges and are always exploring alternative solutions.

11) Submitted by a Fair Haven Resident: I'm wondering as to Brooke's raise. I feel she is making enough for her job. I agree with teachers raises as they do spend their own money to enrich their classrooms and lessons.

Response by SVUUSD Board Chair: During the Slate Valley Unified Union School District (SVUUSD) Finance Committee meeting on October 7, 2024, the committee reviewed FY26 salaries for all district and building administrators, as well as non-union staff. After considering various factors, the committee decided to present contracts to the full board on February 10, 2025, with a proposed 4% salary increase. Additionally, the committee discussed cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), noting increases of 3.2% for 2024 and 2.5% for 2025. This discussion occurred in an executive session.

When evaluating salary increases, multiple factors are taken into account. A key consideration is a comparison of superintendent salaries both regionally and statewide. As of February 2, 2025, the average superintendent salary in Vermont is $178,182 (Salary.com). The latest regional superintendent salary data is as follows:

In 2024-25, Ms. Olsen-Farrell’s salary was $19,336 below the highest-paid superintendent in the region, making her the third lowest-paid, despite having the most years of experience at 8 years.

Additional factors included Ms. Olsen-Farrell’s qualifications, experience and performance evaluations. Based on this comprehensive review, the board determined that a 4% salary increase was appropriate. On Monday, February 10, 2025, the School Board approved this recommendation.

The district, as you, values and appreciates the dedication of its teachers, who invest their time and energy to create engaging, enriching classrooms that inspire students. Their contributions remain a cornerstone of our community’s success.

12) Submitted by a Castleton Resident: There is a Function in the budget called 2190 OTHR SUPPORT SERV-STU.  It's a large line item that’s increased significantly over the past few years. Can you provide detail as to what this item covers?

Response by SVUUSD Director of Special Services and Director of Curriculum: The budget item 2190 OTHR SUPPORT SERV-STU covers behavior, mental health interventions and support for students.

Slate Valley has seen a growing need for these services due to increasing behavioral challenges and mental health concerns among students. Teachers collaborate with interventionists and counselors to create and monitor student support plans. The pandemic has worsened mental health issues, with Vermont data showing a rise in anxiety, depression, and self-harm among youth. Limited access to external mental health services has made schools the primary source of support.

To meet federal requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Slate Valley uses Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and the School-Wide Information System (SWIS) to track student behavior and implement evidence-based interventions. Since 2019, recorded behavioral incidents in Slate Valley schools have increased, especially at the elementary level.

This table shows the increase of Major and Minors since 2019 in the Slate Valley Unified Union School District

13) Submitted by a Castleton Resident: Does this year's budget include administration raises? If so can we see the pay increases by administrator?

Response by Superintendent: All existing administrators received a 4% salary increase.  These are the 25-26 salaries.

14) Submitted by a Castleton Resident: In Rutland county roughly 13% of people are living in poverty. On the budget presentation it says that 56% of our students are living in poverty. How can this discrepancy be possible? Statewide 9% of Vermonters live in poverty so it seems that the 56% is the number that may be incorrect.

Response by Director of Finance and Data Coordinator: Qualifying for free and reduced lunch (FRL) and being in poverty are not the same, though they’re often used interchangeably in education. FRL is a common way to measure a school's poverty level, but eligibility can extend to households earning up to 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL). This means a student may qualify for FRL without being officially classified as living in poverty.