FY11 Budget: This article is being written before the results of the August 24^th vote on a revised school budget are known.  Thank you in advance to all those who took time to participate in the process of creating this revised budget and to everyone who took time to vote.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: The school board will be hosting two Public Forums in the coming months.  We look forward to hearing from citizens of Westford on three very important topics facing our school district.

The topics are:

• How will the Westford School District respond to the state’s request for nearly $60,000 in reduced education spending in the 2011-2012 school year while maintaining a quality educational program?  (This is about the state’s “Challenges for Change”/Act 146.)
• What suggestions do citizens have as the board prepares to start negotiations for the next round of collective bargaining with the teachers’ association?
• What should be considerations for the Westford School District in deciding whether or not to engage in a voluntary school district (governance) consolidation study?

Both forums will take place at the Westford Elementary School and are scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. At the first forum we will ask for input from the community on these important topics.  At the second forum the board will share its reflections on the input received at the first forum and will continue the discussion with the community.  The schedule for the forums is:

• Thursday, September 23^rd
• Monday, November 1^st

Please mark your calendar now and plan to attend.  We need to hear your perspectives. In preparation for the forums we urge you to learn more about School Governance Consolidation/Act153 and Challenges for Change/Act 146 by visiting the Vermont School Boards Association website at:

www.vtvsba.org

Athletics Study Committee: In response to suggestions made during our FY11 budget discussions, the board is creating an athletics study committee.  The board has authorized a study committee comprised of the following membership:

• Principal (chair)
• Athletic Director
• School Board Member
• Select Board Member
• Recreation Advisory Committee Member
• Two parents, one of whom is also a member of PTO (parent teacher organization)
• One at-large member

The charge to the committee is as follows: to study and recommend the future of athletic offerings for Westford students, effective with the 2011-2012 school year.  The recommendation shall be in writing and shall include the following variables:

• VPA (Vermont Principals’ Association) implications
• Budget implications to include staff, equipment, officials, transportation, and other related costs

The committee’s recommendation shall be issued to the school board not later than November 1, 2010.

If you are interested in being considered for service on this committee, please contact the school principal, David Wells, at 878-5932.

We look forward to engaging the community in some very important topics that will affect the future of our school district.  We hope you will plan to participate.

Martha Heath      Andre Roy         Marilyn McConnell       Jennifer Townsend        Allison Weinhagen