Missisquoi Valley School District plans April revote after budget defeat; board sets outreach timeline

The Missisquoi Valley School District board on a regular meeting discussed steps to resubmit a revised budget after voters defeated the plan at Town Meeting Day. Administrators proposed adopting a revised budget at the board
meeting on March 26 and ordering ballots the next day, with absentee ballots mailed April 8, an informational meeting slated for April 29 and the revote scheduled for April 30.

The timeline matters because ballot printing and the absentee schedule take time, Laura (district administration) said, noting printing takes about 10 days and absentee mailbacks about three weeks. Board members raised concerns that a back-to-back informational meeting and vote could limit public attendance and urged additional outreach such as a second information session, mailers, short videos and surveys.

Board member Don said local outreach and partnering with town select boards could help increase turnout and address persistent concerns many voters expressed that the budget was "too expensive." John urged repeated emphasis on how the common level of appraisal (CLA) drives tax impacts and recommended clear, concise talking points so voters can understand why the district borrows and how small budget changes affect taxes.

Administrators agreed to prepare a survey and to organize additional short-format outreach. The finance committee will meet to develop prioritized proposals for adjustments ahead of the March 26 deadline; the board intends to keep the revote on April 30 if possible but will add at least one additional informational opportunity prior to the vote.

Next steps: the board aims to adopt a revised budget on March 26, circulate public-facing materials explaining CLA and borrowing, run targeted outreach in Highgate, Franklin and Swanton, and hold the informational meeting April 29 with absentee ballots already in towns by April 8.