Harwood Middle School Update, February 15, 2019

Our Voices Exposed!
HUMS Cares about student choices around health and well being.  HUMS students recently attended an OVX rally in Montpelier to
inform legislators on their stance on tobacco issues.    

Care to know more...
Here is some information regarding flavored tobacco use.
https://www.facebook.com/OVXVermont/  

Dear families of 8th graders, 

The 8th-grade team would like to have a team breakfast on Friday, February 22 to celebrate our school community as well as say goodbye to Melissa Greenwood, Katelyn Bouffard's maternity leave substitute. It would be great if students can bring in some breakfast foods to share. We will provide all the plates, cups, napkins, utensils and drinks. The breakfast will be held in the morning from 7:45-8:15.

Thank you, 

Team 8 

You have likely received a postcard, like the one below, indicating that the HUUSD Annual Board report is available online. That report contains a variety of information, including details on the HUUSD budget that you will be asked to vote on March 5, 2019.   Below are some of the budget details from that report:

Total HUUSD FY20 Proposed Budget	$38,600,862
Total Budget Change	3.8%
Equalized Homestead Property Tax Rate Change	1.7%  ($1.60 to $1.62)
Average Wage Increase included for all staff	3.0%
Gold CDHP Healthcare Premium Increase	11.18%
Overall staffing FTE Change	-0.10 FTE (369.25 to 369.15)

The budget results in an estimated cost per pupil of $17,968, 4.8% over the current year. The budget also includes an increase in operations and maintenance expense.  The board approved a second budget article for a contribution to the Maintenance Reserve Fund of $1,000,000 to fund capital improvement projects totaling $1,116,800 in FY20.  

The bar graph below shows a four-year history of actual tax rates for each town and the estimated rates for 2019.  Note the savings associated with the Act 46 merger incentive. In year three, two towns--Duxbury and Moretown--have lower tax rates than those in 2015, prior to consolidation. Last year four towns had tax rates lower than those in 2015.

The reduced tax rates due to tax incentives received under Act 46 were $0.10 in 2017 and $0.08 in 2018. They will be $0.06 in 2019. The estimated savings for homestead taxpayers on a $250,000 home over the last three years is shown below:

Please remember to vote Tuesday, March 6.

Respectfully, Kaiya

HUUSD BOARD CLERK NEEDED

        The HUUSD Board is seeking a Board Clerk to begin as soon as possible.  This job entails taking minutes at the board meetings which are usually held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Harwood Union High School.  The board does not usually meet in July.  Minutes must be sent to the HUUSD Central Office within five business days of the meeting.  Pay is $100 per meeting. If interested, please contact  Laura Titus at ltitus@huusd.org.

Community Announcements

Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff. As always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities.

Skiing for Scholars Program at Mad River Glen Mad River Glen is launching the skiing for Scholars Program in an effort to enable local students to enjoy the sport of skiing. The program offers free all-mountain skiing from 2-4pm on Fridays, plus extended skiing until 5 pm on the Practice Slope lift.  The program also includes free equipment rentals and free instruction.  This program begins February 15-March 29, 2019.  Preregistration for rentals is required and availability is limited.  Reserve at mikejengo@hotmail.com or call 802-496-3551, ext. 127. Preregistration is also required for free lessons with Ski School instructors, 3:00-4:30pm, email skischool@madriverglen.com or all 802-496-3551 Ext. 125. There is also a free "Fast Start" program, an introduction to racing for the more experienced skiers interested in learning basic ski race techniques and the thrill of running set courses with video analysis.  This group will meet weekly from 3:30-4:30pm.  Pre-registration is required by emailing race@madriverglen.com or call 802-496-3551 Ext. 126.