READING
Town Meeting Sat., Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m. (Floor Vote) Reading Elementary School
The Agency of Education earlier this year made a calculation error that would have cost Reading Elementary School an extra $809 per pupil. Then lawmakers changed pieces of the law and allowed districts to spend 0.9 percent more per pupil — saving Reading taxpayers.
“We are in compliance per the first set of numbers, incurring no tax penalties,” Reading Principal Zooey Zullo said in a school newsletter.
The school budget avoids tax penalties by $3 after lawmakers made an amendment to the muchdebated Act 46.
At Reading Town Meeting, Saturday, Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m. at Reading Elementary School, the board is asking for $1,059,500, about the same from the previous year.
The estimated tax of $1.72 is down from $1.78 the previous year. A homeowner with $200,000 worth or property will pay $3,560 — $120 less than last year.
The amendment to the Act 46 law directed the Agency of Education to use the threshold calculation that is most advantageous to the school district.
“The direction provided by the legislature was wise and it worked for all of our districts,” said Windsor Central Supervisory Union Finance Director Richard Seaman.
The usually contentious school budget passed in a paper ballot vote, 50-41, last year.
The principal is confident in this year’s budget proposal.
“I believe the budget is a no-frills budget that meets the needs of our students, building and community for the year 2016-2017,” Zullo said.
The proposed $607,000 town budget is down about 1.5 percent from what voters approved at last year’s Town Meeting.
The tax rate, 45 cents, has decreased about a penny from the previous year.
An owner with $200,000 worth of property would pay $900 in taxes — $20 less than last year.
The requested money will help repair two bridges in South Reading. The town received a $350,000 matching grant for the work that leaves voters picking up $200,000 to be raised by taxes.
Reading select board chair Robert Allen, who has been with the board for 44 years, is running for his seat again.
— Katy Savage
This article first appeared in the February 25, 2016 edition of the Vermont Standard.