Orange Southwest Supervisory Union 2011-2012 Budget And Financial Plan
The Orange Southwest Supervisory Union (OSSU) is a small, rural Vermont school system comprised of approximately 1200 students, three elementary schools, one high school, one regional technical school, and two regional alternative programs. During the past decade, all of our schools have experienced declining enrollment and, correspondingly reduced staff to keep expenditures reasonable. In fact, since 2002, the OSSU has realized a 20% reduction in enrollment and decreased its employment by 30%.
Some of the primary accomplishments of the district in recent years include: facilities management and improvements; stabilizing its financial condition and activities; implementing human resource systems; coordinating curriculum vertically and horizontally; collaborating across district schools in the areas of maintenance, finance, food services, and technology; and adopting and implementing Policy Governance.
Overall, the district is in excellent fiscal condition. In the past seven years, the district has generated nearly $5 million in audited surpluses and adopted budgets that are among the lowest in the State of Vermont. The implementation of stringent financial accountability systems, staff training for budgeting and fiscal management, and short and long-term strategic planning has significantly improved the overall financial condition of the district. In 2011/2012, the OSSU will spend less than it did in 2005.
Collectively, the school budgets for the 2011/2012 academic year represent a 0.77 percent decrease from the previous year. In fact, this year’s budget proposals will result in the OSSU spending less money this year than it did five years ago.
To view the entire 2011-2012 budget and financial plan, click here.