MVSD Board Votes Unanimously to Move Forward With Bond Vote for More Affordable Rebuild of Woodstock Union High School & Middle School

The Mountain Views School District (MVSD) Board voted unanimously on Thursday, January 8, to move forward with a March 2026 bond vote for a more affordable rebuild of Woodstock Union High School and Middle School (WUHSMS).

The proposal advanced by the Board incorporates extensive community feedback. Compared to the plan considered by voters in 2024, the revised proposal lowers the local cost by over $15 million, reflecting deliberate design reductions, careful phasing, and a funding strategy focused on minimizing the burden on local taxpayers. These savings were achieved even as overall construction costs have increased by roughly 13% since the last vote.

“Our current building no longer supports the way students learn or the programs we are required to deliver today,” said Sherry Sousa, Superintendent of MVSD. “This proposal focuses on creating safe, functional learning spaces that meet state educational standards and allow us to deliver strong academic, arts, and athletic programs. At the same time, it reflects a clear commitment to affordability and responsible use of public resources.”

The current WUHSMS facility is more than 70 years old, is now estimated to be more than 96% depreciated, and has been identified as one of the worst physical school buildings in the state. District leaders note that continued reliance on short-term repairs would incur significant costs and continue to be disruptive to students, faculty, and staff.

The updated plan incorporates targeted reductions and refinements made since 2024. These include simplified rooflines and building forms, and more efficient use of space. Community input directly informed these decisions, helping ensure the proposal meets educational needs while exercising fiscal discipline. At the same time, the plan maintains core academic programming, arts, athletics, and student support services. The plan supports MVSD’s current needs, aligns with state education reform, and provides easy expansion options for the future if state redistricting increases the number of students we need to serve.

“This proposal reflects months of careful analysis, community engagement, and difficult decisions,” said Seth Webb, MVSD Board Member and Chair of the Rebuild Working Group. “There is no low-cost way to rebuild a facility in this condition, but this plan represents the most cost-effective and fiscally responsible path available to our district.”

The total construction cost is estimated at $111.95 million, with a per-square-foot cost that is lower than many recently built or proposed school projects in Vermont and across New England. The Board voted to advance a bond vote structured so that it is contingent on the district securing at least 25% of the project costs in federal or State grants, gifts, revenues or other sources of funding to reduce the local share. MVSD holds a Vermont Department of Education pre-approval for the project, a key criterion for eligibility for state school construction aid and the new program is scheduled to launch in July 2026. Under Act 73, the State Aid for School Construction Program is designed to cover up to 40% of eligible debt service costs, with a base award of 20% and additional incentives determined through forthcoming rulemaking. The bond language includes a legal safeguard that prohibits the district from beginning construction until the state funding award is formally confirmed, ensuring the district is protected from premature financial commitments.

To further protect taxpayers, the bond vote will also be contingent on passage of state legislation to decouple school construction debt from per-pupil education spending calculations, eliminating the current “double penalty” districts face when financing capital projects. MVSD is actively working with local legislators during the 2026 session to advance this reform, and the Board has made clear that construction would not proceed without these protections in place.

The building will be constructed adjacent to the existing school, allowing students to remain in the current facility throughout construction. If approved by voters in March, construction would begin in 2027, with students entering the new school in September 2029.

“This decision reflects the seriousness with which the Board is approaching both the educational needs of our students and the financial realities facing our communities,” said Keri Bristow, Chair of the MVSD Board. “Advancing this vote gives residents the opportunity to consider a proposal that has been substantially improved since 2024 and that seeks to balance urgency, affordability, and long-term responsibility.”

Board members emphasized that proceeding with the bond vote, even amid uncertainty around the state funding timeline, reflects an “eyes wide open” approach. While the State has not yet identified long-term revenue sources for the construction aid program, the district’s approved project status positions MVSD favorably and provides leverage in ongoing discussions at the State House. Passage of the bond would signal strong voter support, reinforcing the case for legislative action and state investment.

In the coming weeks, the Rebuild Working Group and district leadership will host informational meetings in each of the seven member towns to further educate voters on the details on the proposal, funding assumptions, and potential tax impacts. At the Thursday Special Meeting, the Board also warned MVSD’s Public Informational Hearing and the Annual District Meeting which will take place on Thursday February 26, 2026 at 6:30PM.

About Mountain Views School District (MVSD):
Located in Central Vermont’s Green Mountains, Mountain Views School District serves students from Barnard, Bridgewater, Killington, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, Woodstock, and other neighboring school-choice communities.

Contact:
Sam Stockwell
Member, MVSD Rebuild Group
email.rebuildteam@mtnviews.org