Shout Outs:
As we move into compliance and improving student breakfast/lunch experience there have been so many changes with the food service department. I want to thank all of our food service staff for their willingness to adapt and make the necessary changes. Here is an example of a meal that includes a homemade Gobble Sandwich with roasted turkey, stuffing, etc…
In the midst of preparing the multiple budgets for FY2026, I paused and joyfully helped judge the Penn Brook Spelling Bee on Tuesday of this week. I had the (dreadful) job of ringing the bell when students misspelled their word. Besides being the bearer of bad news, I so loved our student’s exuberance, ability to persevere through nerves and worry and to shine on stage. I am in awe of the confidence it takes for students to participate. I loved seeing many members of the teaching staff present, cheering their students on and giving a hug if they were eliminated. The Spelling Bee is sponsored, organized and run by the PTA. It is a reminder of the amazing outcomes for students when we work together with our community partners! Thank you PTA!
Winners: 3rd Grade – Cole Gardner (1st), Tristan Semedei (2nd), Lucas McNichol (3rd)
4th Grade – Elina Casella (1st), Zoe Schubert (2nd), RJ Friberg (3rd)
5th/6th Grade – Mackenzie Tortorise (1st), Mathew Martinez (2nd), Victoria Semedei (3rd)
Updates:
We work closely with the town governance and department heads to problem solve around funding the town for FY2026. There are some updates to report. During the Monday, January 27, 2025 Select Board Meeting a vote was taken and passed for there to be a proposition 2 ½ override as a warrant article on the May 5, 2025 town meeting. The next step is for the Finance Committee to assess and propose what number should the override be. There are many numbers being discussed including one that will help close the deficit gap for one year, another that could close the gap for 2 years, and a third that is the largest proposed number and could stabilize the town’s budget for a minimum of five years. The hope is that the Finance Committee will wrestle with this at tonight’s meeting and make a recommendation to the Select Board immediately following their vote.
At this week’s Select Board meeting the members also agreed to have a special meeting on Monday, February 3, 2025 to review the Finance Committee’s recommendation and hopefully vote on the Proposition 2 ½ amount and the language of the ballot question.
All these meetings are open to the public and the more citizens who go and share their voice, the better informed the committees are to make decisions that represent the Georgetown community as a whole.