It’s true that it took generations to get the Vermont Public School system to the high level of achievement that the data and test scores demonstrate. And starting around 2016 or so, the state started their sneaky little project to start tearing down the school system. It was called Act 46. There was a lot of resistance from people who were paying attention and understood what was about to happen.

Unfortunately, not enough people realized in time what was happening. And so, some schools were merged into bigger schools. Some schools closed. Of course, lots of promises were made that were really a lot of hot air.

And numerous reports that were supposed to be conducted to show how “good for the state” Act46 was NEVER HAPPENED. Are you surprised?

Yes, there was Covid 19 that came along and interrupted things. But that was several years ago. Still no reports.

So this action to take your power of local school control away from you and put it in the hands of the state. That’s really just the sequel to Act46.

But now, it’s Bigger & Badder. Time to smell what’s in the air. And that’s not from cows...

Don’t let the good work that previous generations created for us go down the tubes.

Think about your local school system, your supervisory union right now. How many students in the system? Perhaps hundreds of kid?

Have you or a neighbor asked for something from the school system. You wanted to talk with someone in-charge? You needed something or your child needed something from the school system.

Okay, how easy or difficult was that? You remembering now?

Well how difficult do you think it would be if the school system had over 4000 students (yes, that’s FOUR THOUSAND STUDENTS) to deal with.

Do you expect they’ll pay much attention to you? Uh-huh, that’s right.

And where are those schools going to be? And that’s how far from where you live?
Your local school is close, right? After they finish shutting down the schools it’ll probably be a lot further away.

So  then, what happens to the little kids, the elementary students? Bouncing around on a bus for a couple of hours each day? Some people might consider that a form of torture.

There are more effects of having a Big City school system in Vermont. Give it some thought, you’ll see the other “not so good” things that would happen.

Oh, and what about the money savings? Look at the next card...

Taxes too high? Yep, but why? They say it’s education but when looking at the Big Picture that does not seem to make sense. Let’s look.

This information was compiled by researchers and came from multiple cross-checked sources and the education numbers were from the National Association of State Budget Officers. https://www.nasbo.org/mainsite/resources/proposed-enacted-budgets/vermont-budget

Let’s look back at the numbers for 1995 (30 years ago) and 2025.

The total 1995 Vermont budget was $2.1 billion.
This year in 2025 it’s $8.6 billion. A 310% increase.

What about your home value?
The average 1995 home value was $95,600.
This year in 2025 the average home value is $414,000. A 370% increase.

How about statewide healthcare costs?
The 1995 healthcare costs was $1.2 billion.
This year in 2025 the healthcare costs are $6.6 billion. A 450% increase. 

What about the education costs we hear so much about? What are the numbers?
The 1995 K-12 Education spending was $1.3 billion.
This year in 2025 the Education spending was $2.4 billion. A 90% increase.

That means while all those other things had 300% and 400% increases the education cost increase was LESS THAN 100%. Sounds like the schools have been running a pretty tight ship.

Maybe the witch-hunt needs to move elsewhere and let the teachers teach our kids.

On May 10th at a community forum in Addison county a senior senator was heard saying, “…the need to consolidate and remove superintendencies which will "hopefully save money".  

To you, does that sound like significant savings are on the way?  Of course that statement is out of context. But to those who heard it. There was a real message of uncertainty.

And so this uncertainty of saving money would come at a price of what? Destroying Vermont’s education system that your families and friends and neighbors families depend on?
 
Another gem from this senior senator was, “(the new plan) is a lot like Act 46 but with more state involvement”.

That's good to know. The state created Act 46 and that was bad enough. It seems they’re saying; Look out Vermont, we’ll give you the heavy duty version now.  

There’s a reason that lawmaking is referred to as a sausage factory. It’s a messy affair at the best of times. But it can be made worse.
 
The problem is that it comes at your expense. Deal making, favors owed, favors asked, the “back room”. You’ve heard it all before.

Those who are long time legislature watchers have remarked on the particular ugliness in dealing with this so called, education reform.

And maybe that’s all a good thing. The bill (H454) is not just sliding through at midnight.
But there are quite a few new faces in Montpelier. After the last election cycle, there were quite a few new lawmakers who are “new to scene” and may not have the background on the issues to make proper assessments of what’s going on.
 
They’ll learn. Hopefully sooner than later.

And maybe you can help them learn by voicing your opinion on this matter. Click to find the email address of your senator and representative.

Do politicians wonder how they get such a bad or distrustful reputation? Maybe it’s when they tear down a good thing while telling everyone it’s bad thing and it had to go.

You know what? The ever-trusting public buys into that a lot of the time. Isn’t it amazing that anything works?

But there are somethings that are just sooo bad. And this is one of them.

Your politicians are standing by, ready to hear from you.

Dear legislator. Take yourself to school. Get valid, unbiased information on this important matter from a source that does NOT have a dog in the fight. Not the superintendents organization or teachers groups, etc.

I think you’ll have good luck as some of your colleagues already have at the Rural Schools Community Alliance. The only dog they have are the citizens of Vermont. And we are NOT dogs!

Some jokes don’t even need a punchline. This says it all, doesn’t it?

We all know about the very common Democrat and Republican split. Although, in state politics there can be less of a split than national politics. But here’s something you don’t often see in Vermont.

Now there’s a city vs. rural split. The city in question usually means Burlington and the neighboring towns.

Here’s a way to look at a split or division between 2 or more groups. Don’t do it. Don’t fall for that old trick. It’s the favorite tactic of those who want to exploit the 2 groups. So don’t fall for it.
Instead, come up with solutions that satisfy both groups. Caution: it may require a little extra thinking.