Missisquoi Valley board adopts $48.9 million budget, schedules June informational meeting and June 18 vote

The Missisquoi Valley School District board voted to propose a $48,909,437 budget for the coming fiscal year and approved a warning that puts the question to voters by Australian ballot on Tuesday, June 18. The board scheduled an informational meeting — in person at Missisquoi Valley Union High School and via Zoom — for June 10 at 7 p.m.

The finance committee presented a revised package that would reduce the district’s earlier proposal by about $835,000 while adding back targeted amounts for student services and maintenance. A committee presenter summarized the package as “a proposal of $835,000 in reductions” and said the aim was to balance the community’s preference to protect instructional and student‑support programs while lowering tax pressure.

District administration briefed the board on recent state action that affects local revenue calculations. “The yield is currently set at $98.93,” said Julie (district administration), describing a change in the state formula the board used to model tax‑rate outcomes. The committee and staff flagged that the governor had indicated a potential veto and that the number remains subject to change, which could alter the district’s projection.

Board members debated two related points: whether larger, blunt cuts (for example postponing a major facilities project) or more distributed line‑by‑line cuts better reflect public priorities; and how to present net impacts to taxpayers after the common level of appraisal (CLA) adjustments. One member said that comparing draft scenarios by the net tax rate (the figure residents pay after CLA) was the most meaningful measure for voters.

After discussion the board moved and seconded a motion to adopt the proposed $48,909,437 budget for presentation to voters; the motion passed on a roll call showing unanimous approval in the meeting record. The board also read and approved the official warning language for the ballot, including an Article 1 funding authorization and Article 2 permission to borrow in anticipation of taxes.

The board agreed on a concise outreach plan: a short, focused informational session and a flyer emphasizing what was cut and what was restored, with explicit examples (special‑education add‑back, maintenance items and the net tax‑rate change) to improve clarity for voters. Members warned against overloading the public with pie charts and recommended a clear “what changed” summary.

Votes at a glance
• Adopt FY25 budget of $48,909,437 — motion by a board member; second by administration; outcome: approved (board record: 9‑0).
• Approve informational meeting (June 10) and ballot date (June 18) — approved as part of the warning vote.

What happens next
The informational meeting will be held June 10 at 7 p.m. The district will post the Zoom link and the explanatory flyer to the MBSD website and social channels; the budget will appear on the Australian ballot at polling places in Franklin, Highgate and Swanton on June 18.

(At the meeting the board noted the legislative uncertainty that could change yield assumptions; any change to the state yield or other legislative actions could alter projections before the June vote.)