DUMMERSTON — Even though its representatives are not saying so, everything the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union and the Act 46 Committee are doing suggests that they want you to vote to let Vernon out of the high school union. Why?
Because Vernon is against the merger proposal being put forth by the Act 46 Study Committee, and if Vernon is out of the picture, then chances for a successful merger increases.
A Withdrawal Agreement that has been signed by Vernon and the Brattleboro Union High School District states:
“As among Vernon, the Brattleboro Union and the constituent members of Brattleboro Union on and after July 1, 2017, Vernon shall be exonerated, released and discharged from any liability for debt service payments on all Brattleboro Union Joint and several general obligations outstanding as of July 1, 2017, the same having been assumed by WSESD.”
Voters in the region need to be aware that the high school debt of over $14 million is now the shared responsibility of all five towns in the BUHS District. If Vernon is allowed to exit the BUHS District, that debt will now be the responsibility of the remaining towns (Brattleboro, Guilford, Dummerston, and Putney).
That means an increase of the debt that each of the remaining towns will be responsible for is over $700,000.
I totally understand Vernon's desire to leave the district so that it can retain choice, but I am not willing for my town to assume the additional liability of over $700,000. I also do not wish our regional union to be disbanded, as it has been a very successful and collaborative alliance.
I will therefore be voting no on Tuesday, Dec. 13, and I encourage other citizens to do the same.