By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Springfield School Board Chair Troy Palmer recently updated work that has been done stemming from community input that led up to the approval of the district’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget last spring.
The Springfield School District’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget was approved on May 21, and through a letter to the public, Palmer gave a rundown of the work that has been done based on the meetings leading up to the vote.
There were six meetings between the board, administration and the community, where concerns and ideas were shared before the budget’s approval. He said this resulted in “positive energy” and “valid questions” that led to approaches in developing the budget that was ultimately voted on.
Common themes that came from the budget meetings included consolidating buildings, reducing administrative overhead, improving student success, and better understanding the district’s capital plan.
Administrative offices moved from Park Street to Springfield High School last spring, and two pre-K classrooms in the third floor of the River Valley Technical Center will be utilized. Previously, the RVTC wasn’t designed for students of that age. Now the board will start up discussions with the administration in how to consolidate facilities to four buildings including Elm Hill, Union Street, Riverside Middle School and Springfield High School.
The district administration is temporarily housed at Springfield High School through June 30, 2025, and pre-K is at RVTC on a year-to-year basis.
Palmer stated in the report that while the board has taken actions in the past to reduce administration, the board evaluated the district and its staffing in an effort to run things more efficiently. The district decided to combine the pre-K director position and the Elm Hill School principal position into one primary position. He said this came after “much evaluation, consideration and planning,” and the move was in the best interest of the educational and budgetary standpoints.
“The consolidation in leadership will provide an opportunity for our youngest students to experience a more consistent approach to their education,” Palmer stated. “There will be a focus placed on play-based instruction, developmentally appropriate practices and helping our primary age students develop the necessary social skills they need to be successful both inside and outside the classroom.”
He added that there will be an emphasis on literacy, math, physical activity, recess and outdoor learning.
“We are committed to strengthening our ties with our families and community,” Palmer said.
Palmer said the conversations that were had during the budget meetings helped with the district reassigning staff in a variety of ways that met their skills and expertise.
Palmer announced that the board is planning to select members of the community to help in developing the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The main focus is for input into the capital plan that the board adopts each year.
“We look forward to engaging with families and community as we perform this very valuable work at future board meetings,” Palmer stated.
