Williston Observer

Feb. 2, 2012

WILLISTON SCHOOL BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES FY13 BUDGET

It didn’t take long for the Williston School Board to decide that the proposed school budget for fiscal year 2013 was a keeper.

In a public meeting on Jan. 26 that lasted approximately 30 minutes, the Board unanimously approved the $16,621,868 budget, which is $318,361 more and 1.95 percent higher than the current budget.

The proposed budget translates to a 2.67-percent rise in property taxes and an increase of $24 (per $100,000 of assessed value) over last year.

The Board agreed to nearly $400,000 in cuts to the proposed budget on Jan. 5, including the reduction of one classroom teacher at a savings of $76,951. Williston District Principal Walter Nardelli said the cut would be made between the fifth- and eighth-grade levels.

“(The teacher reduction) will make the class size slightly larger but it’s something we feel like we have to do at this time in order to provide quality services,” Nardelli said.

The public will have a few more opportunities to weigh in on the budget. The Board’s next meeting is Feb. 8 at Champlain Valley Union High School beginning at 7 p.m. At that time, the Board is expected to set a date and time for a public hearing. Residents will vote on the budget on Town Meeting Day (March 5).

COOKING WITH CHEF JOZEF OF CHEF’S CORNER CAFE

Chef Jozef Harrewyn from The Chef’s Corner Café will be doing a demonstration at Healthy Living Market and Café in South Burlington on Friday between 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Harrewyn, who will be preparing some of his favorite dishes, will show attendees how to prepare the dishes in their kitchens.  The demo costs $20, with all proceeds donated to the Williston Community Food Shelf. To register, call Healthy Living at 863.2569, x1.

VERMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE APPOINTS DEAN OF ADMINISTRATION

Vermont Technical College President Philip A. Conroy announced the appointment of Geoffrey Lindemer as the new dean of administration on Jan. 27.

In this role, Lindemer, who is a CPA, will be responsible for planning, implementing, and supervising Vermont Tech’s fiscal and business affairs as well as the college’s physical plant, according to a release from the school.

Lindemer joins Vermont Tech from L2 Training and Consulting, where he provided contract chief financial officer and chief operating officer services for public and private organizations.

Vermont Tech has campuses in Williston and Randolph.