The EWSD held five virtual BudgetTalk sessions where Board members and administration had conversations with the public to talk about the proposed budget. If you missed any of those, you can view each of the recordings on the EWSD budget webpage (www.ewsd.org/budget).
We are 1 week out until the highly anticipated EWSD Fine Arts Night! This event is a showcase of all K-12 artists and musicians. For more information, and the evening performance schedule, visit www.ewsd.org/fineartsnight 🎨🖌️🎶🎻🎤♥️🎉👏
One week from today, the polls will be open, and you will be able to vote on the FY26 EWSD budget. Visit www.ewsd.org/budget to learn more about the budgeting process, including the latest updates and answers to many frequently asked questions.
As we get closer to the budget vote, we want to explain some of the language you will see on the ballot to help avoid confusion. The proposed budget keeps school spending at the same level as this year, which was a big challenge. To do this, we had to cut $5.6 million. This means that any changes in property taxes will come from the state’s funding rules and rising home values, not from local school spending decisions. 👇👇
🔔 Reminder there is no school on Monday, March 31. School will resume on Tuesday, April 1.
The 2024-25 EWSD annual report is now available online: https://bit.ly/FY26EWSDannualreport
Hard copies of the annual report will be available at the following locations starting on March 28, 2025: Brownell Library, Essex Free Library, EWSD District Office, City of Essex Junction Municipal Office, Westford Public Library, Essex Town Clerk’s Office, and Westford Town Office.
🎉 This week's employee spotlight is Bridget Bellizia 🎉 "Bridget is a great asset to EES students and staff. She always goes above and beyond to help students and colleagues!".... Is there an EWSD employee you'd like to nominate for the spotlight? Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/Aykx7NNp6bzdLgcB9
The EWSD Board and administration invite you to join them for a virtual conversation as part of the District’s BudgetTalk series (https://bit.ly/EWSDbudgettalkseries) on March 27 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Learn more about the proposed EWSD budget: www.ewsd.org/budget
The Heavenly Food Pantry, located at the First Congregational Church on Main Street in Essex Junction, will be open to families residing in Essex, Essex Junction, and Westford on Thursday, March 27, from 3-6 p.m. Those arriving will be given a number, asked to wait in the
sanctuary for their number to be called, and registered before being directed to the pantry
where a volunteer will greet and escort them around the pantry, allowing them to make food
selections for their household. After food is gathered, it will be weighed (information for
pantry use only) and another volunteer will bring the food to the family’s vehicle. Shopping
carts will be made available for those within walking distance of the pantry.
As usual, there are no income requirements to visit the food pantry and a variety of food is
available to everyone; however, additional food provided by the USDA is available once a
month to eligible households that fall below federally mandated guidelines. People who are not able to attend the pantry may call the Church office at 878-5745 Ext. 4 between 9 a.m. and noon today through Thursday to leave contact information (name, address, number of people in household, phone number) so arrangements for delivery can be made. A follow-up call to complete registration will take place on Thursday morning.
Families can visit the pantry once each calendar month on the 2nd Monday of the month
from 5:30-7:30 p.m. or the 4th Thursday of the month from 3-6 p.m. (except for
November and December when it is the 3rd Thursday). The next food pantry distribution will be on Monday, April 14, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The 2024-25 EWSD annual report is now available online: https://bit.ly/FY26EWSDannualreport
Hard copies of the annual report will be available at the following locations starting on March 28, 2025: Brownell Library, Essex Free Library, EWSD District Office, City of Essex Junction Municipal Office, Westford Public Library, Essex Town Clerk’s Office, and Westford Town Office.
🌿 The EWSD March Family Newsletter is out now 👉 https://secure.smore.com/n/wd0pf
Did you know that the recommended budget maintains the same level of net spending as FY25, a monumental task requiring $5.6 million in reductions? This ensures that property tax impacts will be determined solely by the statewide funding formula and the year-over-year increases in home values, rather than by local spending decisions.
Learn more about the proposed EWSD budget: www.ewsd.org/budget
Today is the first day of spring! 🌞🌿 The vernal equinox is when both hemispheres of the Earth get equal amounts of daylight. 🌷✨ What’s your favorite thing about spring? 🌼
EHS theater is thrilled to invite you to their upcoming comedic play - Clue: On Stage (High School Edition)! 🎭 Performances are Thursday, March 27 through Saturday, March 29 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 2 p.m. in the EHS Auditorium. Tickets are $5 children/students and $8 general admission: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/ehs-theater/EHSClue
The EWSD Board and administration invite you to join them for a virtual conversation as part of the District’s BudgetTalk series (https://bit.ly/EWSDbudgettalkseries) on March 20 and 27 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
If any group would like the EWSD Board to come and present on the budget or if there is an event that you would like Board members to attend, they would be happy to do so. Please reach out to Board Chair Robert Carpenter (rcarpenter@board.ewsd.org). Learn more about the proposed EWSD budget: www.ewsd.org/budget
The #EWSD Board will next meet on Tues., March 18 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the EHS Library. The full meeting will be available to watch on Facebook Live thanks to the Media Factory (https://www.facebook.com/BTVMediaFactory).
Agenda items for the meeting include:
* Approve Land Easement with Champlain Water District
* FY26 Budget Transition Planning
To learn more about the EWSD Board, please visit: http://www.ewsd.org/schoolboard
At its meeting on February 18, the EWSD Board approved a budget that will be put forth for a community vote on Tuesday, April 8. With rising property taxes, ongoing statewide financial challenges, and declining enrollment, the Board asked the administration to maintain the same level of net spending as FY25, but with rising costs, we have had to make some difficult decisions. Learn more about this proposed budget: https://bit.ly/FY26EWSDbudgetPlan
⏰ Daylight Saving Time starts tomorrow; Sunday, March 9! ⏰
Save the date ... EWSD Fine Arts Night will take place on Thursday, April 10! Learn more: https://www.ewsd.org/article/2065441
The EWSD Board approved a budget to bring to the voters at their last meeting on February 18. You can now view the annual meeting warning online: https://5il.co/38n6x
