By Gail Callahan

School directors discussed a number of options to fix the water-soaked athletic fields at the Champlain Valley High School (CVU) Board’s meeting on Dec. 15, but the fate of CVU’s athletic fields is still up in the air. In November 2013, voters in the towns that send students to CVU narrowly rejected an upgrade to the sports fields by a vote of 1,969-1,856. While drainage problems with the fields remain, board members appear to be wary about asking voters to approve a bond for the work, and will take up the matter again during the Jan. 12 meeting. During the discussion, board members couldn’t come to a consensus on a bond vote because some school commissioners felt that fixing the athletic fields must be undertaken, while others noted that construction to fix vital parts of a school building, such as a roof or upgrade to an elevator, should take priority.

Currently, two communities in Chittenden South Supervisory Union (CSSU), Shelburne and Charlotte, are either considering or moving forward with bonds that address construction issues at their individual schools.

Recognition of Kevin Riell

Board, administration, and the public observed a moment of silence for longtime CVU Athletic Director Kevin Riell, who died suddenly last month while attending an out-of-state conference. Riell, a Shelburne resident, was married and had a family. His memorial service was held Saturday on the Hinesburg campus.

Proposed 2015-16 School Budget

Board members examined several decision packets. Like other schools in CSSU, CVU is seeking to provide all future freshmen with Chromebooks. Estimates for supplying over 300 devices for all incoming first-year students run up to $107,250, but CVU would likely save money by not replacing its current inventory of laptops. Factoring in that figure, the school would spend $42,500 for the devices.

Another decision packet outlined a substitute teacher budget in line with what CVU pays. That number runs around $20,000 above what is set aside every year.

CVU Principal Jeff Evans is also seeking to add $5,500 for a coach for girls’ volleyball, along with associated costs. Evans is also seeking $3,500 for an assistant girls’ lacrosse coach. Because of the frequent turnover of the program’s head coach and the presence of a boys’ assistant lacrosse coach, an assistant girls’ coach for the sport would also fulfill a federal education mandate that prohibits sexual discrimination. Evans also is asking the board to add $3,500 for an assistant football coach and also wants school directors to put $30,000 into the operations’ and maintenance spending plan.

The board also learned that a projected 10 percent increase in health-care costs dipped to 4.5 percent, while rates for dental, budgeted to rise 5 percent, are now thought to not jump at all. That portion reflects a $95,534 reduction in health-care costs, along with staff and teacher retirements, lowering the baseline budget to around $175,500.

Evans asked the board about levels of budget percentage increase it wants to see. Factoring in decision packets, discussions for a proposed spending plan that jumps two percent and another that reflects a three percent hike will be drawn up and considered.

Voters go to the polls to vote on municipal and school budgets as well as town and school board candidates March 3.