South Burlington School District

Thank you to everyone who participated. Voting is one of the most meaningful ways our community shapes its public schools, and I am grateful to all who took the time to learn about the questions and make their voices heard.

Because the budget vote was close, I also want to say this plainly: I understand that not everyone is feeling celebratory today. Some residents supported the budget and some did not. Even among those who voted yes, many have real concerns about affordability and the long-term trajectory of education taxes. Those concerns are legitimate, and they deserve continued attention and respect.

As superintendent, my commitment is straightforward. You should expect the district to be wise and disciplined with your tax dollars, fully transparent about how funds are used, and focused on the work that matters most for students.

Here is what that means going forward:

• We will continue to scrutinize spending, prioritize essentials, and look for efficiencies without compromising student safety or core learning needs.

• We will communicate regularly about the budget through clear, plain language updates, including where we are year to date and what we are doing to stay on track.

• We will steward the facilities reserve carefully and publicly, using it to plan responsibly for building and capital needs, reduce costly surprises, and make better long range decisions.

• We will keep listening. Whether you voted yes or no, you can expect ongoing opportunities to ask questions, share concerns, and help us improve.

I also want to thank our School Board members for their work and the thoughtful debate they brought to a difficult set of decisions. I appreciate the professionalism of our election officials and the many district staff who supported the process.

We are one community, and we share the same goal: strong schools that serve students well and respect the taxpayers who fund them. Thank you again for engaging in this important work with us.

Go Wolves!