Cavendish Update 12/3/10 CTES/News/Events

This issue of the Cavendish Update is made possible by Patty Derr.

The 12/3/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. CTES Teachers Agree to Level Funding for 2011-2012/Shumlin Offers Schools and Extension on Budget Cuts
2. Cavendish Baptist Matching Gift Challenge Update
3. Cavendish Related News
4. Vermont Women Veterans Search for Women’s History Month
5. Cavendish Events 12/3-12/10

1. CTES Teachers Agree to Level Funding for 2011-2012/Shumlin Offers Schools and Extension on Budget Cuts
At Tuesday evening’s school board meeting, Nov. 30, it was announced that teachers have reached an agreement with their union to accept level funding for the 2011-2012 school year. As part of this agreement, no teacher position can be cut for this time period. This concession on the part of the teachers makes the CTES budget very close to achieving the 2% required by the Vermont Challenge for Change.

On Wednesday, December 1, the incoming governor, Peter Shumlin, was given choices about next year’s property tax rates. By law, the tax commissioner is required to recommend tax rates by Dec. 1, although it is the Legislature and governor who actually set the rates in legislation next year.

If school districts reach all the recommended budget targets they were given as a result of legislation passed this year, the state could decrease the tax rate by nine-tenths of a cent from 86 cents per $100 of assessed value for homeowners to 85.1 cents, and from $1.35 to $1.341 for businesses and second homes, acting Tax Commissioner Ellen Tofferi said in a letter to Gov.-elect Peter Shumlin and House Speaker Shap Smith.

Then she quickly acknowledged uncertainty that schools would meet those targets. If that's the case, Tofferi said, the tax rates should be frozen at their current levels.

Shumlin backs her second choice. Shumlin, who takes office in January, sent a letter Wednesday to school board members across the state, telling them, "It seems prudent to work on the expectation of maintaining the current tax rates for 2012."

Shumlin also told the school board members that he doesn't expect them to cut the $23.2 million demanded of them in legislation this year, given the infusion of $19 million in federal stimulus money targeted for schools.

"It may take a little longer to make the kinds of changes necessary to achieve the savings targets," Shumlin's letter says.
He told the school leaders he supports using the $19 million in money to give them more time to find eventual savings and avoid deep cuts this year. Outgoing Gov. Jim Douglas had opposed using the federal money for ongoing expenses.
Shumlin spokeswoman Alex MacLean said the governor-elect still expects schools to find savings.

"We're essentially saying you have two years to reach $23.2 million in structural changes," she said. Burlington Free Press

2. Cavendish Baptist Matching Gift Challenge Update
For the last several weeks, the Cavendish Baptist Church has been receiving donations to complete the addition to their building. The completed structure will include an elevator, handicap accessible restroom, a spacious entry, a children's nursery and a pastor's office. An anonymous donor has generously committed to match all donations up to $10,000 until the end of December. Thus far, the church has received $6374 leaving $3626 to collect before the end of the year.

Besides serving its members and friends, the church has a heart for the entire community. The elevator would make the church much more usable for community groups like the Homeworkers and Bone Builders who have met in the basement. It will also provide more space for Vacation Bible School activities that many children in the community have enjoyed. Your tax-deductible donation would make a big difference right now.

Donations can be placed in the offering at 10:00 on Sunday mornings or mailed to PO Box 425, Cavendish, VT 05142. Please write “Elevator” on your check or envelope.

3. Cavendish Related News
• SEVCA and WCFR have started the 4th annual “Share the Warmth” Campaign to raise funds to assist households in Windsor and Windham Counties that are in need of emergency fuel deliveries.

• Vermont has the second highest rate of high school graduates in the country. According to America’s Promise Alliance, a non-profit group founded by former secretary of state Colin Powell, 89% of Vermont teens graduated from high school in 2008. Second only to Wisconsin, the rate is up 7% since 2002. WCAX.com

4. Vermont Women Veterans Search for Women’s History Month
The Vermont Historical Society is teaming up with the Vermont Commission on Women and local Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) units to record stories of Vermont women who have served in the military. If you are or if you know a woman who has spent any time in the military, we want to know!

Women who have served are veterans, and we want to capture as much information about our female veterans as possible. The Vermont Women's History Project is where the biographical data will be stored. We are interested in collecting oral histories as well. Our women should be honored as veterans for the important work they've done and continue to do! We want to know who you are! For more information, please contact Tess Taylor at tess.taylor@state.vt.us or by phone (802) 479-8505.

5. Cavendish Events 12/3-12/10
December 4 (Saturday): Proctorsville Fire Department Christmas Trees and Wreaths sale, 9-4 pm. Trees start at $30 and wreaths are $15.
• Craft a Gift at Six Loose Ladies. Cost per project is $5 if you bring your own supplies or free if you purchase your supplies at the shop. From 10-2, crafts will include knitted washcloths mitlets and mini Christmas stockings. From 2-6 crafts will include crocheted washcloths; crocheted doily coasters; felted flower pins or magnets; knitted felted pincushions; mitlets; mini Christmas stockings. FMI: 226-7373 or favtinfo@tds.net
• 20% off green, red and white yarn at Six Loose Ladies in Proctorsville. Do you have a craft project that is stalled? Do you need some help finishing a project? Bring it in to the shop today and we will help you get it finished. FMI: 226-7373 or favtinfo@tds.net
• The Fletcher Library in Ludlow will be hosting a book discussion of Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer. Movie to follow. Discussion starts at 7 pm, movie at 8 pm.

December 5 (Sunday): Proctorsville Fire Department Christmas Trees and Wreaths sale, 9-4 pm. Trees start at $30 and wreaths are $15.

December 7 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802)228-5236, or Dot Ramsdell at (802)226-7870
• GMUHS Budget Committee Meeting, 6 pm in the conference room

December 8 (Wednesday): $5 a bag sale at Black River Good Neighbors in Ludlow
• Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting at the Fullerton Inn in Chester. Tentative guest speaker is Governor-Elect Peter Shumlin and Deputy Commissioner Steve Cook from the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. Hors d’oeuvres will be served with cash bar from 5:30-6 pm. Meeting will be at 6 pm. Dinner is available for purchase after the meeting. To RSVP or for more information: Mgraf@yourplaceinvermont.com or 228-5830

December 9 (Thursday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802)228-5236, or Dot Ramsdell at (802)226-7870
• Sit & Knit" at the Six Loose Ladies yarn shop, Pollard Building, Proctorsville Green, 2:00 -9:00 PM. Open to knitters, spinners, crocheters, hookers. Free. FMI: 226-7373

December 10 (Friday): 12th Annual Holiday Silent Auction ends at the Fletcher Library in Ludlow 5-7 pm. Open House FMI: 228-8921