TA News

Campus was bustling with activity on Saturday, Feb. 28 as Thetford’s 2026 Town Meeting took place in the Vaughan Alumni Gymnasium. The gym was packed with residents for the town business portion in the morning and a smaller crowd lingered for the annual school meeting in the afternoon. Two dozen town committees and nonprofit organizations were also tabling throughout the day, engaging community members with information and opportunities for involvement. 

While the school meeting is presided over by the Thetford Town School District Board, the presentation and Q&A with the community reflect a collaborative effort involving Thetford Elementary School, Thetford Academy, and TTSD board members. Principal Caitlin Toleno and Head of School Carrie Brennan each shared an annual ‘state of the school’ report, focusing on program highlights, students and teachers, school developments, and strategic plans. Jeff Jamele, who jointly serves on the TA Board of Trustees and TTSD, provided a budget overview for the 2026-27 school year, including an explanation of Vermont school funding mechanisms and rationale for TA’s tuition setting process and rate. Representatives Rebecca Holcombe and Jim Masland were also present and joined the panel in fielding questions about Act 73 and school funding issues.

• Thetford Town School District – presentation slides
• TA Board of Trustees – presentation slides
• TA Head of School Carrie Brennan – presentation slides

We had many volunteers help with hosting Town Meeting this year. A special shoutout to Julia Bonnett ‘27, who sang the National Anthem, and Noah Brown ‘31, who led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, for their high profile roles in the formal opening of the day’s proceedings. The sophomore class provided lunch, with many parent volunteers contributing food and a crew of students serving. Thanks also to the trustees and former trustees who staffed the TA table – and to John Brown and the buildings and grounds team who did lots of work behind the scenes. It was an awesome team effort!

Read an overview of Thetford Town Meeting results in the Valley News. The town budget did pass! School budget voting takes place by Australian ballot on Tuesday, March 3, and we are awaiting those results.