Slate Valley Estimated Tax Rates Remain Stable - Decreases Expected in Largest Towns

As we approach the FY27 budget revote on March 31, 2026, here are a few key highlights:

• Education spending (budget less local revenue) increase: just 0.86%
• Per-pupil increase (2.7%) is due to declining enrollment—not new spending
• No estimated tax rate increases at or above 7%
• Estimated decreases in our largest towns:
  Castleton: –3.44% | Fair Haven: –0.56%

By the numbers:
• $32M budget supports all five schools
• Among the lowest per-pupil spending in Vermont
• Estimated equalized tax rate: $1.2955 (down 5¢ from last year)

What this means:
• 62% of taxpayers pay based on income sensitivity—many may pay less than property-based estimates
• Local tax trends continue to differ from statewide headlines

📍 Informational Meeting: March 30 | 6:30 PM | FHUMHS Band Room
🗳 Budget Revote: March 31, 2026

For even more detailed information, visit www.slatevalleyunified.org
about 16 hours ago, Slate Valley
Graphic titled “Slate Valley Estimated Tax Rates Remain Stable” outlining FY27 budget highlights, including March 31 revote, minimal spending increase (0.86%), no tax rate increases above 7%, estimated decreases in Castleton and Fair Haven, a $32M budget, and an estimated tax rate of $1.2955 (down 5¢), with info meeting details and website link.
Join us for the Orwell Village School Spring Concert! 🌸🎶
Come celebrate our students’ hard work and enjoy an evening of music on Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30 PM in the gym.

Music brings us together—hope to see you there!
2 days ago, Slate Valley
Flyer for Orwell Village School Spring Concert with a floral border, announcing the event on Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30 PM in the gym, with the message “Music Brings Us Together.”
Board Meeting - Tonight - March 23, 2026
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room.
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/iqn-ovgq-etb
Or dial: (US) +1 304-935-5224 PIN: 665 218 411#

Please note: To participate in conversation virtually and/or ask a question virtually, please use the “raise hand” icon in Google Meet. Typing responses or questions in chat is not an option.
2 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic inviting the public to a Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting on March 23, 2026 at 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room. Agenda includes consent agenda, MTSS presentation and discussion, Stafford report, letter to governor discussion, contracts, and committee reports including building and grounds, policy, and executive.
Reminder: The Slate Valley Unified USD budget re-vote is coming up on March 31.

A second proposed budget information meeting will be held on Monday, March 30 at 6:30 PM in the FHUMHS Band Room—an opportunity to learn more about the updates and ask questions.

Be sure to review the changes, check your polling location, and make your voice heard. Every vote matters!

Find more information at: https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/fy27-budget
5 days ago, Slate Valley
Flyer for Slate Valley Unified USD budget re-vote on March 31, with bold text “Please Vote.” Includes details for a second proposed budget information meeting on March 30, 2026 at 6:30 PM in the FHUMHS band room. Lists polling places and hours for Benson, Castleton, Fair Haven, Hubbardton, Orwell, and West Haven. A section titled “What Changed?” explains a $202,500 reduction from the original budget, including staffing and spending adjustments. A QR code directs viewers to more information on the district website.
District Newsletter: March 20, 2026
https://mailchi.mp/fcbd84a59439/spring-into-action-slate-valley-district-news
5 days ago, Slate Valley
Digital newsletter header for Slate Valley Unified USD dated March 20, 2026, featuring a colorful illustration of Earth split between day and night with the sun, clouds, and moon, and banners reading “Hello Spring.”
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
8 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic promoting the “Revised FY27 Proposed Budget” for Slate Valley Unified Union School District, featuring a QR code to access more information, the website slatevalleyunified.org, and school logos along the side.
From the Star Lab to the Classroom! 🚀✨

Yesterday, our 2nd graders were inspired by the amazing Star Lab visit from the Montshire Museum of Science. Today? They became the engineers!

Using their knowledge of constellations and the night sky, our young astronomers designed and built their very own "Star Labs." Seeing their curiosity light up (literally!) as they shared their creations was the highlight of our week.

Shout out to our OVS Booster club for making this experience happen!!
8 days ago, Slate Valley
Student and teacher in green attire smile while holding a constellation-themed art project in a classroom.
Student in a red sweatshirt draws on black paper with colorful markers at a classroom desk.
Student leans over a desk, carefully drawing a constellation design on black paper.
Student works on a constellation drawing at a desk while a teacher sits nearby.
Student wearing green beads smiles at a desk while working on a constellation art project.
Student sits at a desk displaying a completed constellation drawing on black paper.
Student wearing glasses and a hockey jersey draws a constellation design at a desk.
Student with braided hair draws on black paper using a bright marker at a classroom desk.
Three staff members smile while holding up constellation-themed student artwork in a classroom.
Tuesday feels at OVS! ✨📖

We’re too busy exploring, creating, and growing at OVS. Our classrooms are buzzing, the sun is shining, and the learning is unstoppable.

Shoutout to our amazing teachers for making every lesson an experience! 🌟 Who else is having a great start to the week?
8 days ago, Slate Valley
Teacher leads a small group lesson while students sit on the floor and raise hands in a classroom.
Teacher stands at the front of a classroom with hand raised as students sit at desks and participate.
Staff member sits beside a student on a couch, taking notes while the student reads a book.
Teacher works with a small group of students seated around a table in a classroom.
Students sit at lab tables using laptops and working independently in a classroom.
Students sit at desks working quietly on assignments in a classroom.
Staff member and student smile together in an office space.
Teacher leads a class as students sit around tables writing on whiteboards.
Young students sit at tables writing and drawing while a teacher stands at the front.
Students and teacher engage in a hands-on classroom activity, creating projects at their desks.
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.
8 days ago, Slate Valley
Community members sit around tables in a school library during a meeting, listening and participating in a discussion.
Two adults sit at a table during a meeting, with one person speaking and gesturing while holding a document.
Group of community members seated in a library, listening attentively during a discussion at a school meeting.

🔭 Exploring the Stars Today at OVS! 🪐✨

Today, our students traded the classroom for the cosmos. The Montshire Museum of Science visited us with their mobile planetarium, the Star Lab, to provide an immersive lesson on our solar system.

From identifying the North Star to understanding the scale of our neighboring planets, it was a day of curiosity and big questions. We love seeing our students' eyes light up with the wonders of the universe!

A special thank you to the OVS Booster club for making this amazing visit happen.

9 days ago, Slate Valley
Group of elementary students stand in a gym with a science educator in front of a large inflatable planetarium dome, holding black boards showing constellation patterns.
Dark image of a projected night sky showing stars and constellation shapes during a planetarium presentation.
Students gather around a science educator in a gym as he points to the large inflatable planetarium dome used for a space and astronomy lesson.
Students sit in a circle on the gym floor around a large orange model of the sun while a science educator leads a discussion during a space science activity.
Students seated on the gym floor examine black boards displaying constellation patterns made with connected star points.
Science educator sits with students in a circle around a large orange sun model, discussing constellations and space concepts.
Large inflatable planetarium dome set up in a school gym beside a Montshire Museum of Science banner reading “What Will You Discover?”**
WE HIT THE MARK! 🎯

Trimester 2 was a huge success for our PBIS program. Because our students filled up those Golden Wildcat Cards, we spent our half-day rotating through crafts, bingo, and parachute games in the gym!

Seeing the smiles (and the parachute teamwork!) was the perfect way to end the trimester. Huge thanks to our staff for organizing and our students for being amazing.
9 days ago, Slate Valley
Wall display shaped like a thermometer tracking school goals by trimester, showing totals for first trimester (12/6), second trimester (3/6), and third trimester (6/6) with small wildcat stickers filling sections.
Students gathered around a classroom table working on a bingo-style activity, using markers to mark squares while collaborating and talking with classmates.
Students sit in a circle on a gym floor around a large colorful parachute while a teacher gives instructions during a group activity.
Students in a gym class lift and move a large rainbow parachute together while colorful balls bounce across the surface.
Colorful tissue paper flowers and a handmade paper butterfly displayed on a wooden floor, likely part of a student art or craft activity.
Three students sit inside a raised rainbow parachute in a gym, smiling while the fabric forms a colorful canopy around them.
A group of students sit together under a rainbow parachute canopy in a gym, smiling and laughing during a cooperative class activity.
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.
9 days ago, Slate Valley
An educator sits across from a parent in a classroom, smiling and talking during a conference with a laptop open on the table.
A teacher presents information on a laptop to two colleagues seated at a table during a small-group professional development discussion.
A group of educators sit together at a table reviewing materials and discussing instructional resources during a collaborative professional learning session in a school library.
A group of educators sit together at a table reviewing materials and discussing instructional resources during a collaborative professional learning session in a school library.
Instructional assistants sit in a circle of chairs in a gymnasium participating in a safety training discussion during professional development.
An instructor stands at the front of a classroom presenting a slide titled “Overstimulation – Tips” while educators listen and take notes during a professional development session.
A small group of teachers sit around a table discussing classroom strategies while a presentation about guiding student AI usage appears on a screen behind them.
Educators sit at tables in a school gymnasium listening to a presentation during a large-group professional development meeting.
A group of elementary teachers sit around a table with laptops, collaborating and discussing instructional planning during a professional learning session.
A teacher stands at the front of a classroom pointing to a projected slide while educators seated at tables listen and participate in a professional development workshop.
⚾🥎👟 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
9 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic titled “Slater Nation Spring Sports” with Slate Valley logo announcing FHUMHS spring sports start dates. High school baseball and softball pitchers and catchers report March 23 with season starting March 30; track and field begins March 30 at 3:30 PM. Middle school baseball, softball, and track start the week of March 30. Reminder that athletic physicals must be on file.
REMINDER: Tonight - 6:00 PM - Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Library
Please join the conversation!
9 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic flyer titled “FY27 Budget Challenge: What Changed… & What is Next?” promoting a community conversation on the revised FY27 budget. Meeting is March 16, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the FHUMHS Library. Additional meetings: March 23 School Board Meeting and March 30 Budget Revote Information Meeting, both at 6:30 PM in the FHUMHS Band Room. Budget revote is Tuesday, March 31. Encourages community members to stay informed, ask questions, and be part of the conversation.
Slate Valley District Newsletter: March 13, 2026 https://mailchi.mp/d3800efaec74/slate-valley-district-news-march-13-update
12 days ago, Slate Valley
Banner graphic for the Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter dated March 13, 2026, featuring the headline “Professional Development” above an illustration of four educators collaborating around a table with lightbulb icons symbolizing ideas and learning.
1st Grade Making Waves!
We are making a huge splash in 1st grade this week! To wrap up our unit on the continents and oceans, our classroom turned into a laboratory for some serious wave-making. We watched the water turn a deep, chilly blue as we added ice and food coloring, learning that the darker the water gets, the colder it feels. The students absolutely loved creating their own "ocean in a jar" with oil and water to watch a tiny orca ride the waves! We even practiced being the wind by blowing through straws to see how ripples form across the open water. It was such a "fin-tastic" day of hands-on learning!
13 days ago, Slate Valley
A girl watches as three boys blow bubbles with straws into a bin of blue water on a classroom table.
Four children stand behind a table with cups of colored water during a classroom science activity.
Three boys blow bubbles into a tub of blue water with straws on a classroom table.
Two girls look up at an adult while one holds a jar of blue liquid on a colorful classroom rug.
A woman sits on a chair showing a small item with blue liquid to three boys sitting on a classroom rug.
Two children blow through straws into a container of blue water on a table in a sunlit classroom.
What happens when a global AI visionary meets the OVS Newspaper Club? Brilliant questions and big ideas!

We were honored to host Kay Firth-Butterfield this week. Our young reporters didn't hold back, asking about the impact of AI on society and how to write about tech responsibly. It’s not every day you get to pick the brain of a leading expert and author!

Keep an eye out for our upcoming issue—it’s going to be a must-read.
13 days ago, Slate Valley
A candid photograph taken inside a well-stocked school library. In the middle ground, an adult woman with reddish-brown hair, wearing a beige jacket and pink top, is seated at a large, rounded wooden table with four young girls. She appears to be speaking or interacting with them. The girls are engaged in writing or drawing on papers in front of them. One girl in the center wears a distinctive bright blue and teal hooded jacket, and another on the right wears a navy sweatshirt. They are seated on mint-green plastic chairs. The background is dominated by tall wooden bookshelves packed tightly with books. On the back wall, there is an American flag, a wall clock, a bulletin board with posters, and a doorway leading into another room. In the foreground, another unoccupied wooden table and several other green and white chairs are visible. The lighting is warm from overhead fluorescent lights.
📢 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
14 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic announcing an early release for Slate Valley schools on Thursday, March 12 and no school on Friday, March 13. The image shows cartoon children jumping and celebrating, with bold text reading “Early Release Thursday, March 12” and “No School Friday, March 13,” along with the Slate Valley Vermont logo.
🎨 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! 🎨
15 days ago, Slate Valley
The entrance of the 'FAIR HAVEN' welcome center, built with light-colored wood siding and grey slate-stone, featuring a large gabled entryway and a green state seal sign on a sunny day.
A monochrome blue acrylic painting depicting a solitary woman in a flowing dress within a wintery, bare-tree forest and several deer, with a label for 'Shira Hertzberg' below.
Two distinct student sculptures: a symmetrical blue and green origami radial design by Lexi Tursi, and a brown paper pop art piece with the text "BFDI" by Colton King.
A framed student artwork of a fish labeled 'Kess Hunter' hangs above a colorful, hand-beaded purse with the text "ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE" on a wooden display.
Two student art projects: a pink and white dragon egg on cotton with flowers by Jiy Rogers, and a blue and black dragon egg with green paint and LED lights by Waylon Hutchins.
Two student paper collage artworks: one depicts a mountain landscape with trees by Niyah Brown, and the other is a multi-layered, abstract vertical composition by Oak Jutz.
Two student art pieces: a mixed-media portrait of a woman with a butterfly tattoo on a polka-dot background by Nicole Hathaway, and a blue clay vessel featuring a detailed orange octopus by Olivia Hutchins.
Two student paintings, one featuring a skeleton animal figure by Brynn Otto and Irie Swinington, and the other a field of red tulips under a blue sky by Maya Volpe.
Two framed student drawings of fish displayed on a wooden shelf; the top artwork shows a Rock Bass and the bottom a Silverhorse Fish.
Two framed student drawings of fish on a wooden shelf; the top is a stylized Darter Fish and the bottom is a textured Cutlip Minnow.
⚾🥎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!
15 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic with the headline “Time to Register for Spring Sports!” directing students to register at formreleaf.com or through the registration link on the athletics webpage and choose their sport. The graphic also reminds athletes that an updated sports physical must be on file at the school. Blue arrows and bold text highlight the registration information.