In order for The Mountain School at Winhall (MSW) to succeed, the citizens and town leaders of Winhall collaborated with the newly formed school to create a three vital components to the school's viability: a lease/sublease between the Winhall School District, the Town of Winhall, and The Mountain School; an agreement with the Windham Central Supervisory Union for Special Education services; and a tuition agreement between the school district and the school.

The school building is still owned by the Winhall School District. The Town of Winhall leases the building from the district to be used as a Community Center. The Center is used for town events, and can be rented for use by residents and local organizations during non-school hours and days. The Mountain School at Winhall subleases the building from the town during the school year and school hours.

To allow MSW to achieve its mission of accepting all students in the town, the Winhall School District created an agreement with WCSU to provide SPED services for students in the school. This way residents wanting to attend The Mountain School can still receive services.

The tuition agreement enabled MSW to receive operating funds (a deposit per student) at the outset of the year, as well as relieve the burden of a deposit from families, many of whom could not afford to pay one. The agreement also protected both the school and the school board from unbudgeted expenses--payment to the school is based on attendance on the first Monday in October. Students moving into Winhall and attending MSW after this date are accepted and educated on The Mountain School's expense, with no additional funds coming from the town. Students moving out of town after date are still paid for in full, relieving MSW from returning budgeted funds.

Copies of these agreements are available by contacting:

Daren Houck
Headmaster
The Mountain School at Winhall
(802) 297-2662 ext. 202
www.themountainschool.org