The FY27 Budget | Thank you Lonnie! | Music Music Music | and more...

The Milton Town School District (MTSD) has proposed a $40,895,465 budget for Fiscal Year 2027. This proposal seeks to balance the educational needs of our 1,480 students with the financial realities facing local taxpayers.

To mitigate the tax impact, the Board is leveraging $730,000 in reserve funds—specifically $300,000 from the FY24 Fund Balance and $430,000 from the Education Reserve Fund—to cover one-time purchases and lower the tax rate. Key budget highlights include:

  • Operating Budget: is a 4.08% increase overall

  • Per-Pupil Spending: is a 2.73% increase. Our $14,137.22.per pupil spending is well below the State average. 

  • Tax Rate: the projected Homestead Tax Rate is 1.368. This shift is largely driven by  an 8% drop in Milton’s Common Level of Appraisal (CLA) rather than local spending increases alone. The Governor has messaged using $75 million dollars in reserves to lower the tax rate for all VT residents. Unfortunately, we do not know the impact of this yet. 

The district is navigating significant financial headwinds, including a $163,724 reduction in the Special Education block grant, the loss of Title II and IV federal funds, and an 8.27% spike in healthcare premiums. 

To maintain fiscal stability, the district has made difficult compromises:

  • Staffing: The elimination of 8 full-time staff positions.

  • Transportation: The removal of one home-to-school bus route.

  • Line Item Reductions: Reductions operational supplies, educational materials and under utilized on-line                    programming 

Despite these cuts, MTSD remains committed to its "non-negotiables," preserving comprehensive programming such as AP classes, world languages, and essential math and literacy interventions.

Community input is vital to this process. Residents are encouraged to attend upcoming informational sessions and cast their ballots:

   1. Town Meeting: Monday, March 2nd, at 6pm at the MHS Library.

   2. Budget Vote: Tuesday, March 3rd. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the                                                     Milton Town Municipal Complex.

More information is available on the Milton Town School District website.

Respectfully Submitted by: Melinda Young, MTSD Board Trustee

We encourage community members to bookmark the district’s budget webpage and check back regularly. Information will be updated as it becomes available and as the FY27 budget moves closer to its final draft.

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Milton Town Offices

Voter Registration

Milton High School and Milton Middle School students had an incredible experience at the Northwest District 1 High School Music Festival, hosted by MMU on January 29-30!

A special congratulations to Morgan Erdelyi on her acceptance to the New England Band! We wish her the very best as she represents Milton at the festival this March.

Congratulations as well to Elliot Wheeler and Morgan Erdelyi for earning spots in the Vermont All-State Band. We can’t wait to hear them represent Milton at MVU this May!

So proud of our talented musicians! 💛💙🎵

On January 16, our kindergarten through second-grade students enjoyed a special visit from TIGER (Theatre Integrating Guidance, Education, and Responsibility) at Plymouth State University. The group performed True Blue You, a musical production focused on the importance of being true to yourself and standing up for what you know is right.

Through theatre, music, and dance, the performance explored what it means to be both an upstander and a bystander, helping students better understand how their choices can impact others. The show encouraged children to care for themselves while also supporting their classmates and community.

The TIGER message is easy to remember:

T – Trust yourself

I – Include others

G – Give to others

E – Empower yourself and others

R – Respect yourself and others

Students were engaged from start to finish, and the lessons shared during the assembly align closely with the values we promote in our schools every day. Experiences like this help reinforce kindness, confidence, and responsibility, skills that support both learning and positive relationships.

We thank Plymouth State University’s TIGER program for bringing this meaningful performance to our young learners.

At the end of January, we said goodbye to a familiar and friendly face in our schools. After more than 20 years of dedicated service, Lonnie retired from the Milton Town School District.

Since joining the district in 2004, Lonnie has been a steady and dependable presence, helping keep our buildings safe, clean, and welcoming for students, staff, and families. Custodians often work behind the scenes, but their impact is felt every single day, and Lonnie’s commitment to our schools has not gone unnoticed.

Known for his amazing work and warm personality, Lonnie built lasting relationships across the district and took great pride in supporting our school community. His contributions have helped create positive learning environments for generations of Milton students.

Please join us in thanking Lonnie for his many years of service and wishing him a happy, well-deserved retirement.

For February, staff were invited to nominate a Teacher Employee of the Month. The following individuals were selected in recognition of their commitment to students, instructional excellence, and positive impact on their school communities.

Soomie Carpenter — Milton High School
English Teacher

Soomie Carpenter is a passionate educator who inspires students to engage with reading and writing while fostering a love of learning. Known for her caring heart and dedication to her craft, she challenges students to reach their full potential and supports them every step of the way.

Soomie has earned the respect of her students through her ability to balance strong classroom management with meaningful personal connections. Students frequently share that their time in her classroom is both beneficial and enjoyable, reflecting the welcoming and academically focused environment she creates.

Her commitment to student success, combined with her enthusiasm for English, makes her an invaluable member of the Milton High School community.

Hannah Larose — Milton Middle School
Science Teacher

Hannah Larose sets high expectations while building strong, supportive relationships with her students. Her classroom is an engaging space where students remain actively involved in their learning, and when challenges arise, she skillfully and calmly guides them back on task.

Larose thoughtfully designs instruction to meet diverse learning needs, supports multilingual learners, and brings creativity into her teaching, sometimes even inspiring students to rap about science concepts in the hallways. In team settings, she is a positive and insightful contributor whose professionalism stands out.

Though in just her second year, Hannah demonstrates the skills and presence of a seasoned educator. Her ability to make science exciting and accessible has a lasting impact on her students and the broader school community.

Jenn Cummings — Milton Elementary School
Classroom Teacher

Jenn Cummings is a dedicated educator who consistently goes above and beyond to support her students. She is committed to continuous growth, regularly refining her practice to ensure she delivers the highest quality instruction.

Thorough and intentional in her planning, Jenn implements best practices across all areas of instruction while remaining flexible to meet the needs of students and colleagues alike. She brings kindness, patience, joy, and professionalism to her work each day, creating a classroom environment where students feel supported and valued.

Often arriving early and staying late to prepare, Jenn exemplifies dedication to her profession. Her warmth, positivity, and genuine care for others make her a treasured member of the Milton Elementary School community.

You may have noticed some exciting changes this spring—Milton Town School District has a brand-new website! Along with it, we’re introducing a mobile app designed to make it easier than ever to stay connected. From following sports and school events to receiving important announcements, everything you need is right at your fingertips.

The app also includes translation features, so you can view updates in the language of your choice. Downloading is simple—just use the links below to get started and stay connected with MTSD wherever you are.

Milton Town School District
12 Bradley Street
Milton VT 05468