MEETING NOTICE
Slate Valley Unified Union School District
Special Finance Committee Meeting
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
FHUMHS – 5:00 p.m.
PARTICIPATION WILL BE IN PERSON or
VIRTUALLY CONNECT BY GOING TO
Video call link:https://meet.google.com/fmr-vrpv-qix
Or dial: (US) +1 484-909-0301 PIN: 252 244 280#
Message from Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell:
Dear Slate Valley,
We hope you're doing well. We wanted to give you an update on the school budget revote, unfortunately, it didn't pass. The vote count was 544 in favor and 947 against. We understand this news may be disappointing for some, as it is for us, considering there are factors beyond our control.
Our main focus remains on providing the best education for our students while being financially responsible. We're actively seeking alternative solutions following this second budget failure. The third budget vote is likely to happen in May.
We encourage open dialogue and welcome any suggestions or concerns you may have. We'll soon hold meetings to discuss the failure, gather feedback, and explore options moving forward. Your participation and engagement are vital during this process.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we're eager to work together to tackle this challenge.
Sincerely,
Brooke Olsen-Farrell, Superintendent
Please VOTE Today!
REMINDER: TONIGHT, APRIL 10, 2024
SVUUSD Revised Budget Revote Information Meeting
6:30 PM - Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room
Attendance can be in-person or virtual
VIRTUALLY CONNECT BY GOING TO:
Video call link:https://meet.google.com/isa-bvcy-yzv
Or dial: (US) +1 252-662-0070 PIN: 776 860 500#
TOMORROW, APRIL 11, 2024: REVISED FY25 BUDGET REVOTE
It was too nice to stay inside, so Ms. Valley brought her class out for a fun phonics activity. Students sorted words that all have the long "e" sound but with different spellings. It was a super creative way to get some fresh air while practicing their phonics!
Please Vote - Thursday, April 11th - On the Ballot: REVISED PROPOSED FY25 BUDGET
Please attend the Information Meeting - Wednesday, April 10th, 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room
Attendance can be in-person or virtual.
VIRTUALLY CONNECT BY GOING TO
Video call link:https://meet.google.com/isa-bvcy-yzv
April 11 Polling locations and times are:
Town of Benson 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Benson Community Hall
Town of Castleton 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Castleton Fire Station
Town of Fair Haven 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM American Legion Post 49
Town of Hubbardton 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Hubbardton Town Hall
Town of Orwell 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Orwell Town Clerk’s Office
Town of West Haven 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM West Haven Town Hall
Reminder: Virtual Online Parent Information Event - "After High School Opportunities for Students with Disabilities" is this Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 5:30 PM.
Join by going to: https://meet.google.com/yrx-emty-vwc?authuser=0
Please Vote - Thursday, April 11th - On the Ballot: REVISED PROPOSED FY25 BUDGET
Please attend the Information Meeting - Wednesday, April 10th, 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room
Attendance can be in-person or virtual.
VIRTUALLY CONNECT BY GOING TO
Video call link:https://meet.google.com/isa-bvcy-yzv
April 11 Polling locations and times are:
Town of Benson 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Benson Community Hall
Town of Castleton 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Castleton Fire Station
Town of Fair Haven 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM American Legion Post 49
Town of Hubbardton 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Hubbardton Town Hall
Town of Orwell 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Orwell Town Clerk’s Office
Town of West Haven 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM West Haven Town Hall
Reminder: Monday, April 8, 2024 is an EARLY RELEASE for all Slate Valley schools!
Slate Valley Unified USD Feature in Wednesday's Rutland Herald
Slate Valley Unified USD Feature in Wednesday's Rutland Herald
Today, Thursday, April 4th, all Slate Valley Schools will be closed due to the weather.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 9, 2024 and join us for another Parent Information Event called: After High School Opportunities for Students with Disabilities
This event is Virtual Online Only, Join by going to:
https://meet.google.com/yrx-emty-vwc?authuser=0
Good Afternoon,
While conditions are improving at Fair Union Middle/High School they have not improved to the level they need to resume occupancy of the building. As a result FHUMHS will be closed through Friday, April 5th. Please be assured we are working as quickly and carefully to address the situation at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School (FHUMHS). We are working closely with experts in the field and state officials. Safety is our number one priority.
Remote days are not an option; those went away after the pandemic. Additionally, we still do not have access to the building to get student or staff materials. A lot of the legal flexibility to educate students went away after the pandemic. 51% of our students must physically be in the school building per the law for it to count as a school day. For those who are interested the legal citation is: 16 V.S.A. 1071(a)(1) “For purposes of this section, a majority of students enrolled in a school must be recorded on the school roll as in attendance on any day counted as a student attendance day.” That requirement has not been expanded to include all-school attendance through remote means.
I am requesting a waiver for the missed days from the Agency of Education. The state requires students in attendance for 175 days. With the cancellation of school this week it brings our total to 174 student days.
We are optimistic that the situation will continue to improve over the next couple of days. If the situation persists into next week we will reassess our plan which would likely add days to the end of the school year. Again, I will keep you updated as I have more information. Thank you for your patience, understanding and flexibility in this matter.
As with the previous days, the Stafford Bus will run as scheduled.
Sincerely,
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
Happy Instructional Assistant's Day! Today, and everyday, the Slate Valley community is grateful for your contributions to our district! The connections you create while helping our students learn is invalualbe. Your patience promotes progress, you enable confidence and coordinate the chaos around our students to facilitate success. You are most definitely our behind the scene superheros! Thank you!
NOTICE:
Good Morning,
I know this is a difficult situation for all involved. Please be assured we are working as quickly and carefully to address the situation at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School (FHUMHS). School at FHUMHS will be closed again on Wednesday, April 3rd. Right now it is day to day as we need to ensure air quality has returned to the appropriate level throughout the building. Safety is our number one priority.
Remote days are not an option; those went away after the pandemic. Additionally, we still do not have access to the building to get student or staff materials. A lot of the legal flexibility that was available to schools during COVID no longer exists.
I am requesting a waiver for the missed days from the Agency of Education. The state requires students in attendance for 175 days. In Slate Valley, we have students in attendance for 180 days per our policies and contractual agreements. Therefore, we do have some wiggle room if we are granted the waiver.
Again, I will keep you updated as I have more information. Thank you for your patience, understanding and flexibility in this matter.
As with the previous days, the Stafford Bus will run as scheduled.
Sincerely,
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
UPDATE & IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Due to the continued situation at the Fair Haven Union Middle and High School, the building will remain closed for tomorrow, Tuesday, April 2nd. Therefore there will be no school tomorrow for the Middle and High School.
PLEASE NOTE: STAFFORD BUSSES WILL RUN AS SCHEDULED
We have experts on the scene, and will provide updates as we receive them. Again, the building will remain closed to everyone at this time.
ATTENTION: PLEASE READ
Good Morning,
I wanted to update you on the situation at Fair Haven Union Middle/High School that caused the closure of the building today. There was a break in the fuel oil line that supplies fuel to the boilers and upwards of 500 gallons of fuel oil leaked into the utility tunnels under the building and the boiler room. The fuel oil also drained into a sump pump in the boiler room and made its way into the sewer system. We have contracted with a hazardous waste company and reached out to the appropriate state officials. This is an ongoing situation and I will update you as more information is available. The building is closed to all at this time.
Sincerely,
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
Available to every student, every morning!
