Rural Matters

The Vermont Department of Education recently released results of a public opinion survey testing the popularity of Commissioner Richard Cate’s proposal to consolidate school districts.

The survey methodology met the primary test for a political opinion poll – it produced results favorable to the position of those who commissioned it.

The results were enthusiastically announced by the Department because they were decidedly different from the results of 30 public meetings around the state, also sponsored by the Department. People at these meetings, the department admits, favor keeping the current system over the Commissioners proposal to centralize.

Continue reading "Vermont Education Commissioner Pushes Consolidation " »

Posted by Marty Strange at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Green Mountain state legislators’ proposals reflect the ongoing pressure in the state to cut education spending and reduce property taxes. Vermont lawmakers are aiming to stop school districts from spending over the statewide average and have also pushed district consolidation as a cost-saving measure, though they have not spelled out how those savings would occur. Supporters of schools’ current governance structure point to the fact that local school budgets were overwhelmingly approved by voters during the state’s local town meeting process as evidence that the current structure works well and enjoys the support of local school constituents.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 01:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Vermont's Commissioner of Education, Richard Cate, is spearheading a statewide "conversation" about his proposal to consolidate districts, reducing the number of school districts from the current 284 to 63. Though he insists this will not involve school closings, opponents of his proposal aren't convinced. To advance this proposal, the Department of Education is sponsoring 30 focus forums throughout the state to ascertain community sentiments about this concept.

Meanwhile, in the statehouse, Governor, Jim Douglas (R) was re-elected in November with campaign promises to curb education spending by instituting a budget increase cap. With a solid Democrat majority in both legislative houses, it seems unlikely that he'll be able to get this legislation passed.

The Legislature, has, however, committed itself to re-examining the funding/taxing system for public education. Many citizens are complaining that continual increases in education costs have made the tax burden (primarily property taxes) unsustainable. Leaders in both houses have indicated that any and all proposals to decrease tax burdens and/or limit cost increases will be examined.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)