| School Budget Revote Tuesday April 23 Vote on Tuesday from 10 AM to 7 PM at the Mount Holly Town Office or the Ludlow Town Hall. Here are some FAQ's and answers. If the budget is approved, how much will my taxes go up? After reductions approved by the school committee and a bill approved by the State Assembly and awaiting action in the Senate, our best estimate is that if the budget is approved, property taxes in Mount Holly will increase by 5.59% and in Ludlow by 2.92%, Why are the rates different in Ludlow and Mount Holly? The State has a complex method for setting property tax rates including their estimate of the change in property values. The State believes that Mount Holly property gained 13% this year while Ludlow property gained 11%. So even though the base tax rate decreased by more than 8%, tax rates in Mount Holly will increase by about 5.5% while in Ludlow by 3%. What capital upgrades are included in the proposed budget? The only capital project included in the proposed budget is the replacement of the boiler in the Mount Holly School. All other work that would have been covered by the bond is being deferred. If we do not replace the Mount Holly boiler this summer there is a significant risk that it could fail next winter, forcing the school to close until a replacement could be installed. Although other work including repairing the roof in Ludlow and replacing the Ludlow boiler will have to be done soon, we believe it can be deferred at least one year. We will develop a plan for dealing with the most critical work. What will happen if this reduced budget is rejected? The major items in the budget are not within our control. Because our middle school and high school students attend schools of their choice, we must pay the tuition rates approved by the State. Federal and State regulations establish eligibility for special education and we must provide the services needed by each student. Health benefits are determined by the State. Salary scales were negotiated a couple years ago and cannot be changed. The only way to further reduce spending would be to eliminate positions by having larger classes and fewer services for our children. I have other questions. How can I get answers? Much information is available on the website https://www.trsu.org/ School administrators are happy to answer your questions. Call 802-875-3365. Or email me at the address below and I will do my best to answer. David Martin
Ludlow Mount Holly Unified Union School Committee
david.martin@trsu.org | 
