A
Agenda
The list of items the board will address during a meeting.
Audit
An independent review of the district’s financial practices and compliance.
B
Bond
A method of borrowing money for major capital projects. Requires voter approval and is repaid over time through property taxes.
Board Chair / Chairperson
The board’s leader who runs meetings, sets agendas with the superintendent, and represents the board publicly.
C
Capital Improvements
Large building or infrastructure projects such as renovations and safety upgrades.
Central Office
The school district’s administrative department that support schools, such as curriculum, HR, business/finance, special education, and operations.
CLA (Common Level of Appraisal)
A percentage comparing local property assessments to market values; used to adjust tax rates so towns contribute fairly to the state education fund.
Collective Bargaining / Negotiations
The process of negotiating contracts between the district and employee unions.
Constituents
Community members represented by the school board.
Consent Agenda
A group of routine items approved together with one vote (e.g., minutes, standard contracts).
Contract / Bargaining Agreement
A formal agreement outlining work conditions, pay, benefits, and responsibilities between the district and employee unions.
Cost Per Pupil (Education Spending Per Equalized Pupil)
The amount spent for each weighted student; this number drives the district’s tax rate.
Curriculum
What students are expected to learn, including standards, materials, and instructional content.
E
Education Spending (Ed Spending)
Total planned spending on student education after subtracting grants and other revenues; used to calculate spending per equalized pupil.
Enrollment
Total number of students in a school or district.
Executive Session
A legally allowed, private portion of a meeting for limited topics such as personnel, negotiations, or legal matters.
H
Homestead Tax Rate
The education property tax rate Vermont residents pay on their primary home and two acres; determined by per-pupil spending, adjusted by the CLA and yield.
I
IEP (Individualized Education Program)
A legally required plan for students receiving special education services.
Intervention
Targeted academic or behavioral support for students who need additional help.
L
Long-Term Weighted Student Average (LTWSA)
A multi-year average of weighted (not raw) students used for tax-rate and budget calculations; stabilizes funding when enrollment shifts.
M
Minutes
The official record of what occurred during a board meeting.
MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports)
A framework providing layers of academic and behavioral interventions based on student needs.
O
One-Time Funds
Nonrecurring money available for a single year only; not recommended for ongoing expenses.
Operating Funds (Operating Budget)
Covers daily school operations such as salaries, benefits, utilities, transportation, and instruction.
P
Paraeducator / Paraprofessional
Staff supporting classroom instruction or assisting students, often in special education.
Policies
Formal rules adopted by the board that set direction, define responsibilities, and outline district expectations.
Policy Governance (Carver Model)
A governance structure where the board focuses on big-picture outcomes (“Ends”) and the superintendent manages day-to-day operations (“Means”). The board supervises only the superintendent.
Procedures
Details created by administration for how policies are implemented.
Proficiency-Based Learning / Competency-Based Learning
A system where students advance by demonstrating mastery rather than by seat time.
Public Comment
A set time for community members to speak to the board. The board generally does not engage in back-and-forth discussion during public comments due to open meeting laws and fairness considerations.
R
RIF (Reduction in Force)
Elimination of positions due to budget cuts, enrollment changes, or restructuring—not performance.
S
School Board (Board of Education)
An elected group of trustees responsible for setting policies, approving budgets, representing the community, and overseeing the superintendent.
School Board Meeting
An officially warned public meeting where the board discusses district business and takes action.
Stakeholders
Anyone affected by district decisions—students, families, staff, and community members.
Superintendent
The district’s chief executive responsible for operations, academics, personnel, finances, and implementing board policies. The superintendent reports to the school board.
Support Staff
Positions not requiring certification, including paraprofessionals, custodians, and office staff.
T
Tax Terms
See CLA, Yield, and Homestead Tax Rate.
Trustee
An elected or appointed member of the school board responsible for district oversight and policy leadership. Trustees act collectively and do not manage day-to-day operations.
W
Working Capital
Cash available to cover short-term expenses, providing a financial buffer.
Y
Yield
A statewide number that determines how much a district can spend per equalized pupil at a base tax rate. Spending above the yield raises the homestead tax rate.