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If you're new to this important education matter, you're too darn late. But, you can still check out the previous articles. 

The Senate voted yesterday 17 to 12 to accept a somewhat adjusted version of Gov. Phil Scott's public education power grab. [1] Or would it better be called a dumbing down of Vermonters? And how about the House vote?

The House of Representatives went along too, 96 to 45. [1]

One thing for certain is the politicians sure took advantage of Vermonters’ complaints about high property taxes. They falsely accused schools as being at the root of the taxation problem. [2] And look at what happened...

Vermonters or at least most of their elected officials went along with the program.

Was their opposition? Yes, there was. But the vote tells the story, doesn’t it. So, what happens now. Well _ _ it’s going to start hitting the fan. There’s a little delay built-in to give you time to forget about all of this. To get you preoccupied with something else.

But soon enough, schools will close. Bus rides will get longer for students. Numerous other things you won’t like – will happen. But whatever your complaints; don’t expect anything to be done about them. Because you won’t have any control or authority. Not really. Why? Because you just gave it away!

Maybe there will be some token something-or-other – to make you feel good about yourself for 5 minutes. Oh, and what about this...

If you consider Act 46 (from about 2016- ’18) as “Phase 1” of their plan. And the past 6 months as Phase 2, then when would you expect the (final?) Phase 3 to start? That’ll be the cherry on top won’t it?

Moving on to the next part...

An old bit of wisdom says, “You are the company you keep”. In a place that allows its future to be crushed as happened several years ago (Act 46) and again Monday – is that the company you want to keep?

And now we get to the reason for the headline.

Has the thought crossed your mind yet that Vermont may not be the place for you? And your kids? And family? And where you want to grow old? And where you want to run or start your business?

Has that crossed your mind? Maybe it will. So know this...

Following the national election last year, there was a big surge in people learning about the ins and outs of moving to other countries [3]. So it’s not much of a stretch to guess that you and others might be thinking about a move to another state (or country).

As you’re dozing off tonight; if the thought of moving does invade your mind, consider this. Think about it carefully. Study the angles and do some research. But here are a couple of high-level ideas to get you started.

• “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” This little nugget of wisdom suggests you first determine if the place you want to go is better or worse (in ways that matter to you) than where you are now.
• If the new place “looks good on paper”, subscribe to a couple of their online newspapers. And going for a 1 or 2 week visit is a must if you’re getting serious.

There are numerous other things to put on a checklist. I won’t go through that here. But make sure you do. Find any “show stoppers” before you move – not after!

And if you’ve gotten to this point, you might be thinking about a move. If you are a homeowner, then you’ll need to sell your castle before hitting the road to greener pastures; right? That’s where the realtors come in. Buying and selling homes. That’s their thing. So realtors may be getting lots of calls. So, all you need now is this.

A buyer! Someone that is more or less like you. But someone who may not know the kind of environment they’re walking into. Ah, that’s not your problem is it? But in your new place; will you be a buyer there? So, be sure to know the environment YOU are walking into. Maybe being a renter is a better choice. At least for a while.

As mentioned previously, lots of things to consider. In the meantime, rest assured; they’re working on Phase 3.

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If you're new to this important education matter, get caught up here before reading this article. 

There have been a number of “turning points” throughout history. Some are political (the focus here) and some are not. And a turning point is simply a point in time when some significant change or event happens.

Today’s turning point is about a massively hideous public education bill (H454). You will see references below from numerous independent organizations that have reviewed this bill and have published their findings. The odds are good that you’ll come to a similar opinion.

The proposed bill (H454) came about in January of this year from the republican governor of Vermont, Phil Scott.

Now, back to the turning point idea...

Some turning points occur on a national or international scale. Some occur on a local or state scale.

The general population sometimes views the turning point as good and sometimes as bad.

Regardless of the scale of the turning point, oftentimes there are common characteristics which we can observe and learn from.

There is a “mouthpiece”. Someone that makes statements to the public. Often, the mouthpiece has minor or possibly major influence with some portion of the public.

If the public buys into what the mouthpiece says, the popularity of the mouthpiece grows. If there are opposing views (multiple mouthpieces), then there’s a lot of talking and the public may get confused or lose interest.

If there is a vote involved in the matter (public vote or a legislative vote) it’s up to the public to withstand the boredom and confusion so they can understand what’s really at stake.

Let’s simplify the process and get to the examples.

• STEP 1. The mouthpiece talks to the public.
• STEP 2. The public buys into the talk OR NOT.
• STEP 3. Some outcome happens (good or bad).

Let’s take 3 examples. Two are well known from past and present times. The most notorious is the Nazi era created by Adolph Hitler. The 3 steps mentioned above definitely happened and the outcome was World War II. From the current time we have the Donald Trump era. It's rather self evident that the 3 steps happened in that case. The third example is from current times here in Vermont - Governor Phil Scott.

If you noticed the timers above, they are to show you that there are only a few hours left before the legislature votes. The time to let your politician know where you stand is right now. After lunch or even after breakfast may be too late. 

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This letter is addressed individually and collectively to the members of the H454 conference committee.

Seth Bongartz, Democrat, Bennington, Sbongartz@leg.state.vt.us
Emilie Kornheiser, Democrat, Windham-7, EKornheiser@leg.state.vt.us
Peter Conlon, Democrat, Addison-2, PConlon@leg.state.vt.us
Curt Taylor, Democrat, Chittenden-20, Ctaylor@leg.state.vt.us
Scott Beck, Republican, Caledonia-Essex, SBeck@leg.state.vt.us
Ann Cummings, Democrat, Washington, acummings@leg.state.vt.us

We’ve been watching you and your compatriots and education matters for some years.

You and others have created a bill (H454) that effectively is a state power grab. The taking of education control from all the communities around the state. All of those communities are full of Vermonters.

That term, “power grab”. It’s so 1960’s. Let’s just say you’re seizing control from the public. That’s the same public – the citizens of Vermont - who have done a tremendous job at education cost control over the decades. The data shows that. It’s quite clear. [1]

If it matters to you, your reputation could well be in tatters. Vermonters – all of them, will know what you’ve done – for good or bad. It’s hard to hide closed schools.

And the little “make believe” stories you tell the public. Like the one saying, “you’ll save money”. The research doesn’t agree. [2] [3]

If anything, it’ll cost more. We ALL know that.

And the people who really know. Who know all the details. Groups like the Rural School Community Alliance, Public Assets Institute, and others.

Talk to them. That is, if you really want the truth instead of “spin” from the numerous vested interest groups.

Listen, you have an opportunity here. Dump the bill. Cite irreconcilable differences or some such thing. Then come back next year with something better. And for you, personally... You’ll look stronger in the process. You’re choice.

Now, there is one other point of view. You could try to fix this bad bill. There are some important suggestions about that below. And by now, you have received quite a few emails with similar recommendations.

Here’s an interesting note...

The state is trying to encourage people to move to Vermont. And at the same time, it’s trying to crush the school system that many of those possible new residents care about.

A special note, to the political contingent from Chittenden county. You may not realize this; a great proportion of those thinking about coming to Vermont come here for the rural countryside and the small schools. And you want to crush all that? That makes no sense. Unless of course, you’re trying to raid the newcomers from the rural areas and drive them into Burlington. But that would mean doing that on the backs (and wallets) of the Vermonters in the rural areas. You’re not trying to do that. Right?

Whatever a person does to earn their way through life will always be done better with a better education. Trades people, healthcare workers, foresters and loggers, engineers, restaurant owners, even politicians. WE are all better with better education.

Now, back to the idea of new people moving into Vermont. I have 1st hand evidence of people who are doing the opposite. They are moving out of Vermont due in large part to your actions in education over the past several years.

These are smart people, experienced, high income earners, and business owners. They have friends. The friends come to visit. This sounds like a positive thing. These outcomes and actions are the same thing the state says it’s trying to do. Do you really want to push them out?

Let’s think. Who would want to do that? Some sadistic person(s) trying to make a society of “compliant dumbed-down people”? Would you hope for a future of Vermont citizens who willingly accept whatever is told to them without critical thinking? You’re not trying to do that. Right?

I only ask the question because the plans in various versions of the H454 bill discussed over the past couple of weeks could well lead to exactly that sort of outcome.

The aforementioned is for your consideration. Be sure to give it a good think. We will stay focused.

Today, Friday May 23rd. It’s been several weeks since the last update. Since then much has happened about the future of Vermont’s public education system that you, your family, and neighbors have depended on for generations.

You may have seen articles in other media or notifications from your local school administrators. Let’s just say this....

The action in the political “sausage factory” that we know as Montpelier has been nothing short of a "leaf in a windstorm".

• At the end of this update, you will be asked to take action.
• At the end of this update, you will understand why.
• At the end of this update, you will… (only you can fill in this blank).
  

If you’re new to this issue and you don’t know what’s going on. Here’s is a link to a previous article(s) that will quickly get you up to speed. Yep, it’s important. You’ll see why.

Midday today, Thursday April 3rd. Testimony was given to the House Ways & Means Committee (they deal with all types of financial matters for the state) by 2 “on the ground” experienced leaders in public education.

Tons of attention has been drawn to education matters due to the proposal from Governor Scott and his controversial Secretary of Education, Zoie Saunders. For more on Saunders and this matter.

There were a number of people offering testimony today. Among them were Jeanne Albert and Ryan Heraty.

Jeanne Albert is the Chair of the Lincoln School District Board and a retired Professor of Mathematics from Middlebury College. Lincoln is located about 15 miles from Middlebury, VT. Click here to jump directly to her testimony.

Testifying next was Ryan Heraty who is the Superintendent of Lamoille South Supervisory Union (located about 10 miles north of Stowe, VT). Click here to jump directly to his testimony.

As of noon today, Thursday March 27th. The house education committee set the date when the state of Vermont will break their agreement made with towns around the state. The agreement is known as the Articles of Agreement. At the risk of over-simplifying; it has to do with your local schools and keeping them open or closing them. That's obviously a very big deal to most towns and villages within Vermont. 

The video of today's action in Montpelier is below, but keep reading a bit more...

Today's action follows from yesterday's surprise news of a new section added to draft bill H.454 (designed to severely overhaul Vermont's education system) authorizing the state to cancel their previous agreement with towns.

As it's currently understood, the new language would void the current "articles of agreement". Those agreements were developed a few years ago under the state's Act 46 school consolidation effort. 

The new language would give authority to school boards to close schools at their sole discretion. In practical terms that means: (a) No public input; (b) No voting. To be clear: that means the agreements reached a few years ago (around 2018 or so) would be thrown out!

To give you a little bit of context, the proposed school system restructuring plan wants to have ONLY 5 school districts. There's a little debate on the exact number but it's far FEWER than we currently have. To put a fine point on it...

Your voice, your influence in the schools under this proposed new system would have FAR LESS IMPACT than you have right now. Your voice has already been watered-down due to the state's Act 46 consolidation of a few years ago. So this new plan would reduce your thoughts and input about the schools to...   what; essentially ZERO?

And with the new language put into the draft bill this morning (if it's eventually passed), you will have about 1 1/2 years before the state can essentially close down your school if they want to. And what will you be able to do about it, if you don't like that? NOTHIN'. Absolutely nothing!