Gov. Shumlin Praises New Unified School District

Press Release
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin held a press conference at Essex High School on November 10 to recognize Chittenden Central Supervisory Union (CCSU) and the Essex Town School District (ETSD) for joining to become the first unified union school district under Act 46 in the state of Vermont.

Just one week prior, Essex Junction, Essex Town and Westford residents voted to form one unified district, which will be known as the Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union School District starting on July 1, 2017.

Governor Shumlin was joined by Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe, House Speaker Shap Smith, Chairman of the House of Education Committee Dave Sharpe, Essex Rep. Tim Jerman, CCSU Superintendent Judith DeNova, ETSD Superintendent Mark Andrews, Essex Town School Board and new unified union board member Kim Gleason, and EHS senior Emily Goodrich.

Media Coverage
WCAX
WPTZ
Burlington Free Press
VT Digger
VPR
Times Argus
CCTV (Video)

School Unification Voting Results

Below are the results from the school unification vote that took place on November 3:

Essex Junction
Yes – 1,000
No – 123

Essex Town
Yes – 1,154
No – 183

Westford
Yes – 422
No – 207

Board members elected
Essex Junction
1-year seat (2): Keeley Schell and one open seat
2-year seat: Diane Clemens
3-year seat: Marla Durham

Essex Town
1-year seat: Brendan Kinney
2-year seat: Liz Subin
3-year seat (2): Kim Gleason and Al Bombardier

Westford
1-year seat: Andre Roy
2-year seat: Martha Heath

Thank you to everyone who came out and voted today. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Media Coverage

• Essex and Westford make history with school district merger vote – Essex Reporter
• Essex Junction, Town of Essex, Westford Vote in Favor of School Merger – WPTZ
• Essex, Westford OK district merger – Burlington Free Press
• School District Consolidation Approved In Chittenden County, Rejected In Lamoille – VPR
• Split vote on unified districts a sign Act 46 is working, Smith says – VT Digger
• How school district merger will work – WCAX
• Essex, Westford OK School Merger; Elmore Says ‘No’ – Seven Days
• Commentary: School boards rise to the occasion – VT Press Bureau
• First School Merger Votes Cast – Valley News

 

One-Click School Unification Voting Information

This is your one-stop-shop for all things related to the proposed school unification vote, which will take place on Tuesday, November 3.

• Click here to read the report of the RED Study Committee
• Click here for frequently asked questions
• Click here to view a short informational video
• Click on the following communities to view the warning
  • Essex Junction
  • Essex Town
  • Westford
• Click on the following communities to view a sample ballot
  • Essex Junction
  • Essex Town
  • Westford
• Click here to meet the candidates running for seats on the potential new school board
• The informational hearings are scheduled for the following
  • Essex Junction and Essex Town: Monday, Nov. 2 starting at 7 p.m. in the EHS Cafeteria | Minutes
  • Westford: Monday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at Westford School
• Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. in the following locations
  • Essex Junction residents: Essex High School
  • Essex Town residents: Essex Middle School
  • Westford residents: Westford School

Meet the Unified School District Board Candidates

Study Committee Report | Informational Video | FAQ
On November 3, voters in Essex Junction, Essex Town and Westford will vote on whether or not to form a unified school district. On that same date, candidates that would serve on a new board, should the proposal be adopted, will need to be elected. 

October Public Forum Presentation

RED Informational Video | Sept. Public Forum Q&A | VT Digger Article
The RED Study Committee hosted three public forums in the month of October to help answer any questions that the three communities might have leading up to the November 3 vote.

Did you miss the three forums this month? You can now view the presentation that was given.

October Public Forum Dates Announced

September Public Forums Q&A 
After months of study, a committee of 20 citizens of Essex Junction, Essex Town and Westford unanimously proposed creating a unified school district among our three communities.

On November 3, voters in those three communities will vote on whether or not to form a unified school district. Please come to a community forum to learn more and discuss this important proposal with your neighbors!

Public Forum Presentation and Q&A Responses

Did you miss the first round of public forums to discuss the potential unified school district? The presentation from the three forums and responses to the questions asked are now available below. Stay tuned, as three more public forums will be announced soon for the month of October.

Act 46: A Step In The Right Direction

On September 22, the Burlington Free Press ran an opinion piece by Art Woolf that asserts that Act 46 “can’t meaningfully reduce property taxes.” In his piece, Woolf was critical of the the unification plan being proposed by the RED Study Committee. In particular, he questioned the actual cost savings that would be realized in a unified school district.

Take Part in Upcoming Community Forums to Discuss Unification

Run for the New School Board | Final Report | FAQ | VT Digger Article
After months of study, a committee of 20 citizens of Essex Junction, Essex Town and Westford have unanimously proposed creating a unified school district among our three communities. A unified school district is a wise choice because it will enable greater educational opportunities for our students at a lower administrative cost, help stabilize property tax rates over time, and preserve our great schools.

Run For a Seat on the Unified Union School District Board

On Nov. 3, voters in Westford, Essex Junction, and Essex Town will vote on whether or not to form a unified school district. At the same time, candidates that would serve on a new board, should the proposal be adopted, need to be elected. If you are interested in running for this new 10-member Unified Union School District Board, here’s what you need to know: