Will School Deficit Affect St. J Residents?

Voters in St. Johnsbury yesterday were up in arms about the $1.5 million deficit in the school budget, and they were determined to get answers as to how it happened.Karen Willey, a St. Johnsbury resident, said "I just want to understand why the tax payers are on the book for one and a half million dollars that we did nothing to make happen". She also went onto say that the school board still has yet to explain in detail how this deficit came about.

Lisa Rivers, a chairperson for the school board, responded by saying "We do have reports, we have three different reports and anyone is welcome; we've had them publicized at out board meetings, they're available for anyone to review. This came after a forensic investigator was hired to look into accusations of fraud. Thomas Zabek, the St. Johnsbury school board clerk, says that the investigation concluded that there was no fraud within the $1.5 million dollar deficit.

Town Manager Mike Welch went onto say that despite the heated debate; it was a good discussion of the issues with a lot of good information exchanged.