Dear CIUUSD Community,
We are in unsettled, and uncertain times. Together with our leadership team and the Board of Education, our efforts are to design the best possible learning experiences for our kiddos that our community can financially support. We are in challenging financial times with CIUUSD facing deficits, and grant funding disappearing. In efforts to preserve as many resources as possible in service to our kiddos who are our future, we have to change our operations. We will never change the care and dedication to all of our communities.
Our CIUUSD Board represents membership from Isle La Motte, North Hero and Grand Isle. They are tasked with oversight of finances and policy. I am tasked with the oversight of operations and academics at all schools across the Grand Isle Supervisory Union. While each Board Member represents voices from their town, we all come together in service to the community as a whole. The decisions we are making are not easy, and not perfect.
At a special Board meeting on Monday April 14th the CIUUSD Board took action to consolidate the CIUUSD student population to deliver a more robust educational experience to all students and do so in a more financially responsible manner. We intend to house students in grade Pre-K through grade six in the Grand Isle School building. The North Hero building shall continue to function as a focal point of administrative and student services functions for the District. The District will continue to explore other uses for the building including the possibility of returning students in one configuration or another.
Over the next couple of months, our Principal Dr. Ashley Hanlon and I will work with the GISU leadership team, Board of Education, faculty and most importantly - you - our community to articulate plans and answer questions.
I serve with gratitude as I am fortunate to work with the children, families and community of CIUUSD. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts or concerns at lruud@gisu.org. If you would like to schedule an appointment with me, you are welcome to contact my Executive Assistant Haley Miller at hmiller@gisu.org or (802) 372 - 6921.
Sincerely,
Lisa Cala Ruud, Ph.D.
Grand Isle Supervisory Union
Superintendent