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Committee's vision shakes up West River Education District campuses

Hire proposed to help sustain Journey East

Don t miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.   TOWNSHEND — With money running out for the Sino-American cultural arts exchange program known as Journey East, Leland & Gray Middle and High School Principal Bob Thibault presented two options: the West River Education District could bring someone on for a short-term basis to explore sustainability, or cut the program. “We are estimating that in order to move forward that we’re really looking at a two-year commitment from the board and that would be for school years 2023 and 2024,” he said at the WRED board meeting held remotely on June 7. “The trip is happening next year. There’s money for that, and then the following year we would have funds to do the hosting component as well.”

West River board appoints Hazelton, starts long-term planning

Don t miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.   TOWNSHEND — A former West River Education District Board member who was appointed to take over for one year of a three-year term not filled during an election in March looks forward to a long-term planning process just getting underway. Drew Hazelton, of Jamaica, said he thinks the West River Valley’s educational system is at a point where important decisions are going to affect future students and citizens. “Coming out of the end of this pandemic, I think there’s many lessons that have been learned with some opportunities to grow and to create an educational environment for our kids that will really craft what our communities look like over the next generation,” said at the board meeting held remotely April 12. “I think I can offer some input into those discussions and I’d be glad to be back as part of the group making those decisions.”

West River budget approved with administrative cuts

Don t miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.   TOWNSHEND — Minimizing the impact on tax bills by cutting back on administrative costs and applying reserve funds, the West River Education District unanimously approved a $12,115,000 budget for fiscal year 2022. The budget, which will be decided by voters via ballot March 24, represents a 0.66 percent or $80,000 increase over the prior fiscal year. At a school board meeting held remotely Tuesday, Board Vice Chairman Joe Winrich said the budget committee discussed how to cut $500,000 from the budget to avoid tax rate increases, but felt uncomfortable proposing a reduction of workforce without discussing it with the board. The committee recommended using $300,000 from fund balance or reserves and committed to discussing how schools might be restructured to make them more affordable.

West River board mulls funding building needs

Don t miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.   TOWNSHEND — Looking to get a handle on deferred maintenance and needs at school buildings, the West River Education District board will be weighing options including borrowing. Laurie Garland, chief financial officer at Windham Central Supervisory Union, said the district could seek a 10-year bond at a time when lending rates are currently favorable. “To dig into this,” she said at the board meeting held remotely Dec. 21, “we would need more information from the engineers and the bond bank.” As much as $2 million is estimated to address building needs and deferred maintenance in the next few years for schools in Jamaica, Newfane and Townshend.