Dear Slate Valley Community,
Thank you for your continued engagement and thoughtful participation throughout this year’s budget process. In response to the initial budget vote on Town Meeting Day, the School Board carefully reviewed the proposal and made targeted adjustments to reduce overall spending while continuing to support our students and staff.
The revised FY27 budget reflects a reduction of approximately $202,500 from the original proposal. These changes include:
Reducing one additional elementary teaching position in Orwell due to a smaller-than-anticipated kindergarten class size ($72,500)
Reducing tuition funds that had been allocated to support a Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program ($30,000)
Scaling back planned spending on buildings and grounds ($100,000)
With these adjustments, the revised budget is now $32.3 million, which is down from the original proposal. This brings the year-over-year increase to 2.16%, which is below the current inflation rate of 2.4% and the 2026 Cost of Living adjustment of 2.8%.
As Vermont continues to work to manage rising education costs, Slate Valley, one of 19 districts out of 114 whose budgets did not pass on Town Meeting Day, remains under significant fiscal pressure. These include rising healthcare and insurance costs, inflation, evolving student needs, and a growing number of unfunded state and federal mandates. Together, these factors make it increasingly challenging to balance educational priorities with affordability for taxpayers within the current state education funding formula.
As a district within Vermont's statewide education funding system, we operate within these broader fiscal realities. While neighboring districts may spend more per pupil, the system's structure means we collectively support all students across the state, not just those in our own communities.
At the same time, we want to recognize that last year, all Slate Valley communities experienced decreases in tax rates, and current estimates suggest that tax rates may decrease again this year in our largest town, Castleton.
Throughout this process, our focus has remained steady: supporting student learning, maintaining essential services, and aligning with the district’s long-term goals, while being mindful of our responsibility to taxpayers.
We invite you to join us for an informational meeting on Monday, March 30, at 6:30 PM in the band room at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School to learn more about the revised budget. Your voice and participation are important as we prepare for the revote on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
For more detailed information, please visit the FY27 Budget page on our website at www.slatevalleyunified.org.
Thank you for your continued support of our schools and our students.
Sincerely,
Slate Valley Unified Union School District
Thank you for your continued engagement and thoughtful participation throughout this year’s budget process. In response to the initial budget vote on Town Meeting Day, the School Board carefully reviewed the proposal and made targeted adjustments to reduce overall spending while continuing to support our students and staff.
The revised FY27 budget reflects a reduction of approximately $202,500 from the original proposal. These changes include:
Reducing one additional elementary teaching position in Orwell due to a smaller-than-anticipated kindergarten class size ($72,500)
Reducing tuition funds that had been allocated to support a Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program ($30,000)
Scaling back planned spending on buildings and grounds ($100,000)
With these adjustments, the revised budget is now $32.3 million, which is down from the original proposal. This brings the year-over-year increase to 2.16%, which is below the current inflation rate of 2.4% and the 2026 Cost of Living adjustment of 2.8%.
As Vermont continues to work to manage rising education costs, Slate Valley, one of 19 districts out of 114 whose budgets did not pass on Town Meeting Day, remains under significant fiscal pressure. These include rising healthcare and insurance costs, inflation, evolving student needs, and a growing number of unfunded state and federal mandates. Together, these factors make it increasingly challenging to balance educational priorities with affordability for taxpayers within the current state education funding formula.
As a district within Vermont's statewide education funding system, we operate within these broader fiscal realities. While neighboring districts may spend more per pupil, the system's structure means we collectively support all students across the state, not just those in our own communities.
At the same time, we want to recognize that last year, all Slate Valley communities experienced decreases in tax rates, and current estimates suggest that tax rates may decrease again this year in our largest town, Castleton.
Throughout this process, our focus has remained steady: supporting student learning, maintaining essential services, and aligning with the district’s long-term goals, while being mindful of our responsibility to taxpayers.
We invite you to join us for an informational meeting on Monday, March 30, at 6:30 PM in the band room at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School to learn more about the revised budget. Your voice and participation are important as we prepare for the revote on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
For more detailed information, please visit the FY27 Budget page on our website at www.slatevalleyunified.org.
Thank you for your continued support of our schools and our students.
Sincerely,
Slate Valley Unified Union School District
🎨🎶🥞 Join us for BEAT – Breakfast, Entertainment, Art & Tunes! 🥞🎶🎨
Mark your calendars for Friday, April 3rd from 6:30–8:30 PM for a fun-filled evening event—yes, it’s Breakfast for Dinner! 🌙🍳
Enjoy a night of:
🎶 Live Music
🥞 Pancake Breakfast
🎨 Art & Craft Sale
🎯 Mini Games & Prizes
🍰 Desserts
💲 Entry is FREE
🥞 Pancake Breakfast: $10
🎨 Games, art, and extra desserts: Prices vary
Bring your friends and family for a great night of food, fun, and creativity!
📩 To reserve seats for the pancake breakfast, contact:
Samantha Adams – sadams@svuvt.org
Mark your calendars for Friday, April 3rd from 6:30–8:30 PM for a fun-filled evening event—yes, it’s Breakfast for Dinner! 🌙🍳
Enjoy a night of:
🎶 Live Music
🥞 Pancake Breakfast
🎨 Art & Craft Sale
🎯 Mini Games & Prizes
🍰 Desserts
💲 Entry is FREE
🥞 Pancake Breakfast: $10
🎨 Games, art, and extra desserts: Prices vary
Bring your friends and family for a great night of food, fun, and creativity!
📩 To reserve seats for the pancake breakfast, contact:
Samantha Adams – sadams@svuvt.org
Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s Executive Board Meeting to discuss the revised FY27 Proposed Budget. We appreciate the time, thoughtful questions, and community engagement as we continue this important process together.
📅 Next Steps:
Information Meeting: March 30
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room
🗳️ Budget Revote: March 31
Your voice and participation matter—thank you for being part of the conversation and staying informed.
📅 Next Steps:
Information Meeting: March 30
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room
🗳️ Budget Revote: March 31
Your voice and participation matter—thank you for being part of the conversation and staying informed.
🎉 Reminder 🎉
Don’t miss your chance to support our middle school yearbook—and win some amazing local prizes!
🎟️ “Made in Vermont” Raffle Tickets are still available!
Middle school students will be selling tickets through March 27, when winners will be drawn at our Pampered Chef BINGO Night.
🗓️ Friday, March 27
🚪 Doors open at 5:30 PM (come early to grab a great seat!)
🎲 Bingo starts at 6:00 PM
📍 FHUMHS Cafeteria
Enjoy a fun evening with friends and family while supporting our students—plus chances to win incredible Vermont-made items!
We hope to see you there!
Don’t miss your chance to support our middle school yearbook—and win some amazing local prizes!
🎟️ “Made in Vermont” Raffle Tickets are still available!
Middle school students will be selling tickets through March 27, when winners will be drawn at our Pampered Chef BINGO Night.
🗓️ Friday, March 27
🚪 Doors open at 5:30 PM (come early to grab a great seat!)
🎲 Bingo starts at 6:00 PM
📍 FHUMHS Cafeteria
Enjoy a fun evening with friends and family while supporting our students—plus chances to win incredible Vermont-made items!
We hope to see you there!
Last Thursday afternoon marked the conclusion of Parent-Teacher Conferences, and on Friday teachers across the district spent the day collaborating and learning during Professional Development.
Staff participated in collaborative sessions led by colleagues and district coaches, exploring topics such as OpenSciEd science instruction, Artificial Intelligence in education, teaching neurodivergent learners, vocabulary development, and school safety practices. Teachers rotated through short sessions, shared strategies, and engaged in professional learning rounds designed to strengthen instruction and support students.
Professional learning is an important part of keeping our classrooms innovative, supportive, and responsive to student needs. Thank you to all of our educators who continue to grow, collaborate, and bring new ideas back to their classrooms every day.
Staff participated in collaborative sessions led by colleagues and district coaches, exploring topics such as OpenSciEd science instruction, Artificial Intelligence in education, teaching neurodivergent learners, vocabulary development, and school safety practices. Teachers rotated through short sessions, shared strategies, and engaged in professional learning rounds designed to strengthen instruction and support students.
Professional learning is an important part of keeping our classrooms innovative, supportive, and responsive to student needs. Thank you to all of our educators who continue to grow, collaborate, and bring new ideas back to their classrooms every day.
⚾🥎👟 Spring Sports Are Approaching in Slater Nation!
Spring athletics are getting ready to begin at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School, and we’re excited to see our student-athletes back in action!
High School (Grades 9–12)
Baseball & Softball: Pitchers and Catchers report March 23
Regular season begins March 30
Track & Field: First practice March 30 at 3:30 PM
Middle School (Grades 7–8)
Track & Field, Baseball, and Softball will begin the week of March 30. Practice times and locations will be shared soon.
Track & Field Opportunity: Students in grades 5–8 are welcome to participate.
📄 Important Reminder: A current athletic physical must be on file with the school before participating.
For questions, families can contact:
Baseball: agreenlese@svuvt.org
Softball: jhayes@svuvt.org
Track & Field: jon.oakman@svuvt.org
MS Track & Field: sarah.robles@svuvt.org
Spring athletics are getting ready to begin at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School, and we’re excited to see our student-athletes back in action!
High School (Grades 9–12)
Baseball & Softball: Pitchers and Catchers report March 23
Regular season begins March 30
Track & Field: First practice March 30 at 3:30 PM
Middle School (Grades 7–8)
Track & Field, Baseball, and Softball will begin the week of March 30. Practice times and locations will be shared soon.
Track & Field Opportunity: Students in grades 5–8 are welcome to participate.
📄 Important Reminder: A current athletic physical must be on file with the school before participating.
For questions, families can contact:
Baseball: agreenlese@svuvt.org
Softball: jhayes@svuvt.org
Track & Field: jon.oakman@svuvt.org
MS Track & Field: sarah.robles@svuvt.org
FHUHS Newsletter: March 13, 2026 https://app.smore.com/n/wtvgq
REMINDER: Tonight - 6:00 PM - Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Library
Please join the conversation!
Please join the conversation!
Attention Middle School Families: Please read this letter from Principal J. Paquette. To see the PDF version, go to: https://aptg.co/LQ7_Gl
Slate Valley District Newsletter: March 13, 2026 https://mailchi.mp/d3800efaec74/slate-valley-district-news-march-13-update
⭐ A Proud Moment for Our Slater Students ⭐
Recently, Slate Valley students in grade 8 participated in NAEP testing, and we received a message afterward that was too special not to share.
Jennifer Gellar, the lead NAEP tester, who spent 25 years as a high school teacher and administrator in Rhode Island, reached out after her visit to share how impressed she was with our students.
In her message to principal Paquette she wrote:
“I was sorry to have missed you because I wanted to say in person how much I loved your students. When I left, I actually stood in the parking lot for a couple of minutes because I was kind of sad to go. If they tell you I said they are my favorite school, it is true!”
Jennifer travels throughout New England visiting schools of all sizes—urban and rural— and her kind words were a powerful reminder of something we already know:
Our students are truly remarkable.
👏 Great job, Slaters!
Recently, Slate Valley students in grade 8 participated in NAEP testing, and we received a message afterward that was too special not to share.
Jennifer Gellar, the lead NAEP tester, who spent 25 years as a high school teacher and administrator in Rhode Island, reached out after her visit to share how impressed she was with our students.
In her message to principal Paquette she wrote:
“I was sorry to have missed you because I wanted to say in person how much I loved your students. When I left, I actually stood in the parking lot for a couple of minutes because I was kind of sad to go. If they tell you I said they are my favorite school, it is true!”
Jennifer travels throughout New England visiting schools of all sizes—urban and rural— and her kind words were a powerful reminder of something we already know:
Our students are truly remarkable.
👏 Great job, Slaters!
📢 Reminder for Slate Valley Families
All Slate Valley schools will have an early release tomorrow, Thursday, March 12, followed by No School on Friday, March 13.
📅 Thursday, March 12 – Early Release Day
📅 Friday, March 13 – No School
All Slate Valley schools will have an early release tomorrow, Thursday, March 12, followed by No School on Friday, March 13.
📅 Thursday, March 12 – Early Release Day
📅 Friday, March 13 – No School
🎨 Celebrating Youth Art Month in Fair Haven!
Throughout the month of March, student artwork from Slate Valley schools is on display at the Fair Haven Welcome Center as part of a regional Youth Art Month exhibition featuring talented artists from several surrounding districts.
Visitors are invited to explore the building and discover student artwork displayed throughout the space. The pieces are thoughtfully placed among the center’s maps, books, and displays—almost like a safari for art, where each turn reveals another creative work from a talented young artist.
👏 Congratulations to our Slater student artists and to all the area students whose work was selected for display. And a special thank you to the dedicated art teachers across our region who inspire creativity and help nurture these incredible talents every day.
If you’re in the area, stop by the Fair Haven Welcome Center and take the journey to find these amazing works of art! 🎨
Throughout the month of March, student artwork from Slate Valley schools is on display at the Fair Haven Welcome Center as part of a regional Youth Art Month exhibition featuring talented artists from several surrounding districts.
Visitors are invited to explore the building and discover student artwork displayed throughout the space. The pieces are thoughtfully placed among the center’s maps, books, and displays—almost like a safari for art, where each turn reveals another creative work from a talented young artist.
👏 Congratulations to our Slater student artists and to all the area students whose work was selected for display. And a special thank you to the dedicated art teachers across our region who inspire creativity and help nurture these incredible talents every day.
If you’re in the area, stop by the Fair Haven Welcome Center and take the journey to find these amazing works of art! 🎨
⚾🥎Spring Sports Registration is Now Open!🏃♂️🎾
Student-athletes interested in participating in spring sports should register as soon as possible.
🖥 Register online:
Visit formreleaf.com or click the “Registration” link on the athletics page of your school’s website and select your sport.
📋 Important Reminder:
All athletes must have an updated sports physical on file at school in order to participate.
Spring sports are just around the corner—don’t miss your chance to get involved and represent the Slaters this season!
Student-athletes interested in participating in spring sports should register as soon as possible.
🖥 Register online:
Visit formreleaf.com or click the “Registration” link on the athletics page of your school’s website and select your sport.
📋 Important Reminder:
All athletes must have an updated sports physical on file at school in order to participate.
Spring sports are just around the corner—don’t miss your chance to get involved and represent the Slaters this season!
📣 REMINDER: Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences are this week!
🗓️ Conferences will be held:
• Evening of March 11, 2026
• Afternoon of March 12, 2026
📧 Teacher invitations were emailed last week.
We look forward to connecting with you to support student success!
🗓️ Conferences will be held:
• Evening of March 11, 2026
• Afternoon of March 12, 2026
📧 Teacher invitations were emailed last week.
We look forward to connecting with you to support student success!
Class of 2026 Project Graduation Fundraiser
🎭 Drama Rehearsals Underway!
Our student performers have been hard at work rehearsing as they prepare for their upcoming performances. These behind-the-scenes photos capture moments from recent practice as the cast continues to bring their characters and scenes to life.
Students will perform for the school on March 20, followed by their competitive performance on March 21. We’re proud of the time, creativity, and teamwork our students are putting into this production and look forward to seeing it all come together on stage.
Break a leg to the cast and crew! 👏🎭
Our student performers have been hard at work rehearsing as they prepare for their upcoming performances. These behind-the-scenes photos capture moments from recent practice as the cast continues to bring their characters and scenes to life.
Students will perform for the school on March 20, followed by their competitive performance on March 21. We’re proud of the time, creativity, and teamwork our students are putting into this production and look forward to seeing it all come together on stage.
Break a leg to the cast and crew! 👏🎭
📣 Slate Valley Budget Challenge: What Changed & What’s Next?
Community members are invited to join us for an open conversation about the revised FY27 school budget.
📅 Monday, March 16
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Library
🗣️This meeting will be held in person only, with no virtual option available.
This Executive Committee meeting will include an open forum with community members to discuss revisions to the FY27 budget and answer questions ahead of the upcoming revote.
Upcoming Meetings
• March 23 – School Board Meeting – 6:30 PM
• March 30 – Budget Revote Information Meeting – 6:30 PM
🗳 Budget Revote: Tuesday, March 31
Your voice matters. Join the conversation.
🏀🔥 Slaters are Returning to the Aud 🔥🏀
The Fair Haven Slaters Boys Basketball Team is headed to the Division II Semifinals!
📍 Barre Auditorium
📅 March 11, 2026
⏰ 7:30 PM
#3 Fair Haven will face #2 Lamoille in an exciting semifinal matchup. Let’s pack the stands and support the Slaters!
🎟 Tickets:
Adults $10 | Seniors $5 | Students $5
Purchase online at https://gofan.co
or buy tickets at the door on game day.
📺 Streaming:
Watch live at www.nfhsnetwork.com
Student fans should sit in the second bleacher section and up, and remember—no artificial noise makers.
Let’s show our Slater pride!
Be Loud! Be Proud! Be Respectful!
The Fair Haven Slaters Boys Basketball Team is headed to the Division II Semifinals!
📍 Barre Auditorium
📅 March 11, 2026
⏰ 7:30 PM
#3 Fair Haven will face #2 Lamoille in an exciting semifinal matchup. Let’s pack the stands and support the Slaters!
🎟 Tickets:
Adults $10 | Seniors $5 | Students $5
Purchase online at https://gofan.co
or buy tickets at the door on game day.
📺 Streaming:
Watch live at www.nfhsnetwork.com
Student fans should sit in the second bleacher section and up, and remember—no artificial noise makers.
Let’s show our Slater pride!
Be Loud! Be Proud! Be Respectful!
Explore Your Passion This Summer with the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont!
Vermont students entering 9th, 10th, and 11th grade have an incredible opportunity to spend part of their summer on a college campus, diving deep into subjects they care about while learning alongside curious and motivated peers from across the state.
Each Governor’s Institute of Vermont (GIV) offers hands-on, experiential learning led by industry professionals, along with the chance to experience campus life and build lasting connections.
This year’s Institutes include:
• Arts
• Engineering
• Entrepreneurship*
• Global Issues & Youth Action
• Health & Medicine
• Mathematical Sciences*
• Technology & Design*
• Weather & Climate Science*
📅 Applications are open now through March 31, 2026.
Learn more and apply: https://giv.org
Vermont students entering 9th, 10th, and 11th grade have an incredible opportunity to spend part of their summer on a college campus, diving deep into subjects they care about while learning alongside curious and motivated peers from across the state.
Each Governor’s Institute of Vermont (GIV) offers hands-on, experiential learning led by industry professionals, along with the chance to experience campus life and build lasting connections.
This year’s Institutes include:
• Arts
• Engineering
• Entrepreneurship*
• Global Issues & Youth Action
• Health & Medicine
• Mathematical Sciences*
• Technology & Design*
• Weather & Climate Science*
📅 Applications are open now through March 31, 2026.
Learn more and apply: https://giv.org
