Superintendent Updates

 

Dear ANWSD Community,

As we move into the final two weeks of the school year, our attention is rightly on students: concerts, field trips, transition activities, celebrations, and graduation. These are important moments for our schools and families, and I do not want statewide policy conversations to overshadow them. At the same time, several pieces of legislation have moved toward final action in Montpelier that will shape the future of public education in Vermont. While many details still need to be clarified, I want to share what we understand at this point and what it may mean for ANWSD.

One important takeaway is that the State is not moving forward with forced school district mergers. Instead, H.955 creates a regional study process. Districts will participate in facilitated conversations about whether changes to governance could strengthen educational opportunities, improve sustainability, and better support students over time. Any proposed merger would still ultimately come back to local voters.

For ANWSD, the merger study region includes Mount Abraham Unified School District, Lincoln, Addison Central School District, and includes consultation with the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center. Being included in a study region does not mean a merger has been predetermined. It means we will be part of a formal process to examine options, understand the benefits and challenges, and determine whether any proposal makes sense for our students and communities.

The legislation also establishes Cooperative Educational Service Areas, or CESAs. This is separate from the merger study process. The purpose of a CESA is to create regional structures for shared services and support in areas such as special education, transportation, information technology, professional learning, and other operational or administrative functions. ANWSD’s proposed CESA region is as outlined in the legislation, and we will need to better understand how it intersects with our existing partnerships, including our work with neighboring districts and the Career Center.

Another significant part of H.955 is the eventual move toward a foundation formula for school funding, expected to take effect in FY30, subject to certain conditions. In basic terms, a foundation formula sets a base amount of funding per student and then adjusts for certain student and community needs. For ANWSD, this is an area we will need to watch closely. As a small district, it may become more difficult to maintain our current range of academic programs, Career and Technical Education access, athletics, co-curricular opportunities, student supports, and advanced coursework without reaching a more sustainable scale. The regional study process may give us a chance to consider those questions before the new formula goes into effect.

There are also important budget implications connected to H.949, commonly referred to as the Yield Bill. This bill provides short-term property tax relief by using more than $100 million in one-time funds to reduce tax impacts. It also phases in new excess spending thresholds over the next several years. These thresholds determine when a district’s spending growth triggers additional tax consequences and will likely affect future budget development.

The use of one-time funds also creates a challenge. While the additional money may help reduce tax impacts in the near term, it also creates a cliff. When those funds are no longer available, school districts will still need to cover ongoing costs such as salaries, benefits, transportation, special education, and student programming. In other words, the relief may be real for taxpayers this year, but it may also make the next budget cycle more difficult. 

We will continue to monitor these bills as they move toward final action and as implementation guidance becomes available. There is still much we do not know. What we do know is that Vermont is entering a period of significant change in public education. ANWSD will continue to approach this work thoughtfully, with a focus on students, transparency, and a commitment to preserving strong educational opportunities in a way that is financially sustainable.

And finally, on a much lighter note, I hope you will consider stopping by the Taste of Summer event on Sunday, June 7th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Union Meeting Hall in Ferrisburgh. There will be food, music, family activities, vendors, and a dunk tank supporting the Champlain Valley Stars Cheerleading financial assistance program. I will be taking my turn in the dunk tank at 11:25 a.m., so if you have ever wanted a chance to dunk the superintendent, now is your chance! All in good fun, and for a great cause. 

Thank you for your continued engagement and support as we finish the school year and prepare for the work ahead.

Sincerely,

Sheila Soule
Superintendent
Addison Northwest School District

 

Dear ANWSD Families,

I hope this email finds you well as we enter the official home stretch of the school year. There are so many end of year events happening- concerts, field trips, transition opportunities, and of course graduation! You can find all the relevant information in the weekly newsletter and on the website calendars. 

As we move through these final weeks, I also want to take a moment to share a brief update on H.955, the education reform bill currently under consideration in Montpelier. The proposal is still moving through the legislative process, but recent changes suggest that the bill is moving away from forced school district mergers and toward a structured regional planning process.

Under the current proposal, all school districts would be required to participate in a regional merger committee. For ANWSD, the proposed grouping includes Addison Central, Addison Northwest, Lincoln, and Mount Abraham. This does not mean those districts would automatically merge. Rather, the districts would be required to study whether forming a new unified union school district would be advisable, and any recommended merger would still go to voters. 

The proposal also creates regional Cooperative Educational Service Areas (CESAs) that are intended to support shared services such as special education, business and administrative services, information technology, transportation, curriculum coordination, professional development, and facilities planning. ANWSD would be part of the Champlain Valley South CESA.

The bill delays implementation of the new education funding formula until 2030, provided certain conditions are met. In basic terms, this future formula would change how schools are funded by giving districts a state-calculated amount based on student needs and other factors, rather than relying as heavily on the current local budget model. The details are not final, and the Legislature still needs to address major questions such as special education, transportation, career and technical education, small and rural schools, and school construction. 

In short, H.955 does not appear to require ANWSD to merge immediately. It will require us to participate in a formal regional process to look at possible governance changes with neighboring districts. It also makes clear that Vermont is moving toward a different way of funding schools in the coming years. It is important to note that, given our current scale, it may become more difficult to maintain the same level of program opportunities once this funding model goes into effect. As written, the bill gives districts like ours time to explore whether a more sustainable regional structure is possible before the new funding formula is implemented. We will continue to follow the bill closely and share updates with families as we know more.

I hope that you have a safe and enjoyable long weekend. I am grateful for the opportunity to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. 

Sincerely,

Sheila Soule, Superintendent

Addison Northwest School District

Annual Meeting & FY27 Budget Informational Meeting

Dear ANWSD Community, 

We warmly invite you to join us for our Annual and Budget Informational Meetings on Monday, March 2nd, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the VUMHS Library. This is an important opportunity to learn about district finances, hear updates from school principals, and participate in key votes ahead of Town Meeting Day on March 3rd.

What to Expect at the Meeting

• Floor Voting on Articles 1–6: Community members will have the opportunity to vote from the floor on Articles 1 through 6. You can review the full Annual Report — including all articles — in advance at: https://issuu.com/anwsd/docs/fy27_anwsd_annual_report
   
• FY27 Budget Presentation: The School Board and District leadership will present the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget, providing a clear picture of how resources are planned to support our students and schools.
   
• School Principal Highlights: Each school principal will share highlights and updates from their building, giving you a firsthand look at the great work happening across our district.

Why Your Attendance Matters

This meeting is your chance to be an active voice in our school community. Decisions made here directly impact our students, staff, and schools. We encourage all parents, guardians, and community members to attend, ask questions, and cast their votes.

Meeting Details

Date: Monday, March 2, 2026

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Location: VUMHS Library

We look forward to seeing you on March 2nd! Together, we can ensure our schools continue to thrive. If you have any questions in advance of the meeting, please don't hesitate to reach out to the district office.

Warm regards,

Sheila Soule, Superintendent 

 

A quick reminder and clarification that Josh Brooks’ 5th grade students will be on hand tomorrow between 5:30-6:00 (before the board meeting) outside the VUMHS  Library to showcase their recent projects on power and leadership. Some of our local legislators will also be on hand to hear our students’ perspectives and recommendations. We hope to see you there.

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Our administrative team is currently reading 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People by David Yeager, a groundbreaking book that explores how we can best support and motivate young people during a critical developmental window. Yeager is a leading developmental psychologist who challenges traditional assumptions about adolescence by presenting a “mentor mindset”, which can be characterized as pairing high expectations with high support to unlock young people’s potential. This approach aligns with our district’s focus on fostering student-agency- emphasizing autonomy, problem-solving, and flexible pathways to learning. 

One of the book’s core insights is that young people aged 10 to 25 are not simply "unknowing" or "immature", but rather, are highly sensitive particularly to signals of social respect and status. As we know, all children are capable of remarkable growth, especially when given the right support. Yeager’s research shows that adopting a mentor mindset by validating young people’s perspectives, asking questions instead of dictating, and being transparent about goals can help young people feel respected and capable. This fosters their intrinsic motivation and resilience which are key components of agency.

For parents and educators in our community, 10 to 25 provides a roadmap for fostering agency in children by balancing high standards with supportive relationships. It encourages us to ask rather than tell, to listen actively, and to provide feedback that builds confidence and competence. These practices align seamlessly with our district’s values and can inspire all of us to create environments where young people feel empowered to take initiative, solve problems, and grow into capable, motivated individuals.

We are looking forward to Yeager’s visit to Vermont later this Spring. 

Suggested Links for Further Exploration:

• David Yeager’s book 10 to 25
• FutureEd Q&A with David Yeager

 

Dear ANWSD Families,

I wanted to share a few quick updates on this chilly Sunday morning. First, a reminder that these temperatures are genuinely dangerous. While we try not to delay or cancel school solely due to cold, the reality is that buses do not always operate consistently in conditions like these. That can result in delays where students are left waiting outside longer than usual, increasing the risk of frostbite.

We are often not aware of these issues until routes are underway, sometimes leaving students waiting unexpectedly. For these reasons, please do not have children waiting at the bus stop alone. Make sure they have access to a warm car or a nearby house to retreat to if a bus is delayed. Frostbite can occur in as little as 10 minutes in these temperatures. We will ensure that students are able to come directly into the building upon arrival. However, please do not drop students off earlier than usual, as staff may not be available to let them inside. Thank you for your understanding and support. If we do need to delay in the morning we will try to get word out as soon as possible. 

BUDGET UPDATE

The FY27 School Budget was approved by the board at their January 21 meeting. Our budget maintains student programming at current levels, allowing us to provide high-quality educational programs, academic and social/emotional supports, and enriching co-curricular, athletics, access to Career and Technical education, and advanced course offerings at the High School level. The expenditure budget increased by only 2.39% for a total of $28,314,179. Due to an unanticipated budget surplus in FY25, we were able to apply $1M to the bottom line resulting in per student spending at $15,647;  a 3.14% increase from last year. You can see the final budget presentation linked here and come to our Annual Meeting and Budget Presentation on March 2 at 5:00 in the VUMHS Library. 

The most challenging part of our budget is yet to come- that is making sure voters turn out on Town Meeting day, March 3, 2026! Our voter turn out is typically quite low. I would love for that to be different this year. Please take advantage of early voting to avoid missing the chance for your voice to be heard. 

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

I hope that you are able to read the Principal’s weekly updates showing all the amazing things going on in our schools. Just this week a parent shared appreciation for the elementary PE Winter Olympics, noting the excitement and positive energy they’ve brought to the school. The experience has gone beyond physical education to include learning about world cultures, teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy competition. Bringing a global event into a small-school setting has created a memorable, joyful experience for students and a strong sense of connection and community. 

Coming up at our February 16 board meeting, Josh Brooks’ fifth-grade students will be sharing their learning about how governance and responsibility operate within social systems, using their own educational experiences as a lens. As part of this work, students created visual presentations showing how decision-making flows from the state level to schools and students. Families are invited to stop by the hallway outside the VUHS library before the 6 p.m. meeting, and then listen in as students present their own ideas for improving education in Vermont.

SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH

Lastly, February is School Board appreciation month. Serving on a school board is a significant act of public service—one that requires navigating complex issues, engaging deeply with policy, budgets, and governance, and making decisions that have lasting impact. Our board members volunteer countless hours to understand the work, ask hard questions, and thoughtfully represent the needs of our students, staff, and broader community. We are deeply grateful for their commitment and care.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. We are always happy to connect and support your family. Thank you for your ongoing engagement and partnership.

GO PATS!