Essex Westford School District

Systemic Alignment

Facilities & System Supports

Instructional Framework

Mental Health & Behavioral Needs

Budget Challenges

FY26 Budget Scenarios

Taxes/Inflation

Last Year (FY25)

Other

Budget Background

School Budgets in the News

EWSD proposes reconfiguring school buildings during budget talks (Essex Reporter)
Future of Public Education Commission Questions Its Own Future (Seven Days)
Vermont commission on public education shies away from offering cost-saving ideas (VT Digger)
Vermont school districts struggled to pass budgets in 2024. Will 2025 be different? (Essex Reporter)
In eagerly anticipated ‘Dec. 1 letter,’ Vermont’s tax department projects 5.9% property tax increase next year (VT Digger)
Gov. Scott, School Leaders Raise Alarm About Next Budget Season (Seven Days)
As last unapproved budget passes, school officials brace for another year of financial pressure (VT Digger)

Voting Details

April 1, 2025 - Budget Public Information Hearing
April 8, 2025 (7 a.m. - 7 p.m.) - Voting

Questions?

Email Robert Carpenter, EWSD School Board Chair: rcarpenter@board.ewsd.org

EWSD Budget Archives

Essex Westford School District

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Open Board Seats

Systemic Alignment

Facilities & System Supports

Instructional Framework

Mental Health & Behavioral Needs

Budget Challenges

FY26 Budget Scenarios

Taxes/Inflation

Last Year (FY25)

Other

Budget Background

School Budgets in the News

Voting Details

Questions?

Essex Westford School District

02.13.25 Thomas Fleming School - Floor Plan and Classroom Count

02.07.25 Why Summit Street School is Being Recommended to be Repurposed

02.05.25 EWSD Budget Update

02.04.25 FY26 Recommended Budget: A Critical Moment for EWSD

01.30.25: Superintendent's Recommended Budget Priorities & Strategies

01.30.25: The Power of Coaching: Strengthening Instruction to Support All Students

01.29.25: EWSD Budget Update

01.23.25: Community Partnership for Therapy Improves Access While Lowering Costs

01.23.25: Therapeutic program additions result in increased options while also reducing spending

01.23.25: Why PLC and RTI Matter in the Essex Westford School District

01.23.25: Response to Larger Classroom Sizes with Teacher Support and Targeted Student Services

01.22.25: EWSD Budget Update

01.08.25: Letter to the community from the EWSD Board

01.07.25: Rising Health Insurance Costs: Understanding the Impact on EWSD's Budget

01.03.25: Essex Westford School District Enrollment Report: Key Insights for Budget Planning

01.03.25: EWSD Plans for the Future of Its School Buildings

01.02.25: The 2024 Vermont Equalization Study: What It Means for Our Community and Schools

12.15.24: Navigating the FY26 Budget: Priorities, Challenges, and Strategic Decisions

12.01.24: Vermont’s School Funding System Explained: What’s Working and What Could Change

Stay Involved!

Open Board Seats

Systemic Alignment

Why are we moving all our PreK classrooms to one building?

Will there be teacher reductions, and if so, how many positions are being eliminated?

What impact will staffing cuts have on student learning and classroom support?

Are specific subjects or programs (e.g., arts, music, special education) more affected by staffing reductions?

Why is the Superintendent recommending the repurposing of Summit Street School?

Why was Summit chosen instead of Hiawatha for closure?

What are the financial and educational benefits of this consolidation and repurposing change?

What will happen to the Summit Street School building?

Facilities & System Supports

Are you considering closing the Westford School?

Instructional Framework

What changes are you making to Extended School Year (ESY - summer) Special Education programming?

How will class sizes be affected by the budget changes?

Mental Health & Behavioral Needs

What does it mean if a student needs a therapeutic program?

What is the difference between a therapeutic program and therapy?

What therapeutic programs are available in EWSD?

What is the difference between a school-based clinician, a therapist, and a school counselor?

Budget Challenges

What are the primary budget challenges facing the Essex Westford School District (EWSD) for FY26?

Why is school budgeting in Vermont increasingly challenging and unsustainable for taxpayers?

FY26 Budget Scenarios

What were the potential budget scenarios the board considered when giving guidance to the Superintendent?

What does "net level funding" mean in the context of the Essex Westford School District (EWSD) budget?

Why does declining enrollment often require reductions in student-facing personnel first?

Can EWSD just cut everything but teachers to balance the budget?

Why are administrative costs necessary in the school budget?

What happens if a proposed school budget is not approved by voters?

Taxes/Inflation

What is the relationship between the school budget and my property taxes?

What is the impact of inflation on the school budget?

What role do federal grants play in EWSD’s budget?

Last Year (FY25)

What happened with last year's budget?

How did last year's budget reductions affect District Office administrative staff?

Other

What are the benefits of Vermont's Universal School Meals program for students, families, and schools?

How does EWSD ensure compliance with federal laws regarding special education, and how is it funded in Vermont?

Does the District pay the full cost of insurance for employees?

How does deferred maintenance impact student learning environments?

Why does EWSD invest in social-emotional learning (SEL) and mental health services?

Why did the District Office move to Pearl Street?

Do enough students ride the bus to keep offering transportation?

How do professional development funds work?

Budget Background

School Budgets in the News

Voting Details

Questions?