While much has changed over the past 40-years, nothing has in terms of the governance of the recreation department. A board of five elected officials (the Prudential Committee) from the Village provides oversight and has facilitated the growth of the recreation department. More than 50% of EJRP programs are hosted in school facilities and 80% of rec users are children. This long standing partnership with the school districtis an anomaly that has yielded positive results for our community. Through public statements, satisfaction surveys, and the annual passing of the recreation budget and capital fund, it is clear that people are more than satisfied with EJRP programs, parks, and staff.
There is no proof, at this time, that a change of governance would provide monetary or programmatic value to Essex Junction citizens. School, Village, and recreation employees have spent time and resources over the past six months investigating the merits of a governance change. No compelling evidence or tatangible benefits for governance change has been presented. The petitioners have not articulated how a governance change would benefit the community. The Village has not explained how they would run the recreation department and is spending $3,000 in order to figure that out.
The bottom line is that we have a wonderful recreation department in Essex Junction. We do not see a benefit to a governance change. As a result of information gathered from the community, the financial facts, and the success of our recreation department over the last forty years, it is clear that EJRP governance by the school district best meets the needs of our community. The Recreation Advisory Council recommends that the current agreement between the Prudential Committee and Board of Trustees be renewed in its same form for a minimum of one year.
EJRP Recreation Advisory Council
Bridget Meyer, Chair
Deb Carlin
Zeb Cordner
Dan Kerin
Wendy Johnson
Nan Payson
Kahlil Zaloom