CVU Budget Involves Cuts in Personnel, Programs and Sports
by Nancy Wood,
January 13, 2011, page 5.....

The Champlain Valley Union High School Board is holding a special meeting and budget hearing at 6 p.m. on January 17 at CVU in Hinesburg. This is the last chance for public comment before the board finalizes the budget that will be warned and brought to the voters at Town Meeting on March 1.
According to Lorna Jimerson, who, with Marilyn Richardson, represents Charlotte on the CVU Board, “Our goal is to maintain a flat per pupil cost, compared to last year. This requires a reduction of about $350,000 from our original ‘baseline’ budget.” Cuts will involve personnel, academic programs, music and sports. Jimerson said, “Most probably the alpine skiing team will be eliminated.”
Reductions will include RIFs (reductions in force), which involve some teachers, administrators and paraeducators. Jimerson said on Saturday that, at this point, the board anticipates the following reductions in certified teaching staff, with a note that this may change due to seniority, endorsements and student needs:
• Reduce Driver’s Ed by .5 FTE
• Reduce English by .16 FTE (one section)
• Reduce Music (.16 FTE)
• Reduce Wellness (.16 FTE)
• Reduce French and Latin. The number of Spanish sections will increase, so no net change in FTEs (full-time equivalents), but possibly a change in personnel.
Jimerson added that there are many other areas in which reductions may be made, such as library aides, special education paraprofessionals, administration days, equipment, supplies, travel, professional development and athletics.