The task force charged with redesigning Vermont’s education system voted Monday to move forward with a strategy to prioritize voluntary school district mergers.The nearly seven-hour-long discussion centered on two different mapping strategies, which would first need to be accepted by the task force, then presented to the legislature. Lawmakers would then be able to adopt, reject or alter their recommendations. The process is part of a mandate included in last year’s sweeping education reform bill, Act 73.The first pitch, presented by Sen. Scott Beck (R-Caledonia) and former superintendent Dave Wolk, divided district boundaries based on the presence of career and technical education centers. It consolidated Vermont’s existing 119 school districts down to 21 and ensured access to tech-ed in each district. “The map could be a catalyst for discussions about renovations to existing CTE centers, additions, where the need does not match the capacity,” Wolk said.The model preserves school choice where it presently exists. “We are sitting here, making decisions that are somewhat arbitrary,” Rep. Rebecca Holcombe said. “It is ignorant, or at least blind, to how people perceive their existing relationships.” Apprehension about a top-down approach was a consistent counterpoint throughout Monday’s meeting. Despite hours of discussion, public comment, and data accumulation, some members of the task force, alongside some members of the public, called the plans underbaked.Instead, the task force voted to move forward with an alternative model, which provides significantly more space for public feedback. That proposal, dubbed Regional Cooperation Education Service Areas (CESAs), was presented by former superintendents Dr. Jennifer Botzojorns and Dr. Jay Badams and Rep. Rebecca Holcombe (D-Windsor-Orange-2).Their proposal will allow districts and supervisory unions to form their own regional collaborations. It proposes regional frameworks and incentives to help school districts put plans together to pool their resources and get more students under one roof. The bottom-up approach also received some pushback, where critics questioned whether the plan is in step with the mandate from the legislature. “It’s been presented as some kind of voluntary collaboration, which I’m sure could happen, but is it a map as directed to us by the legislature?” Wolk asked. The Vermont Agency of Education expressed skepticism. Education Secretary Zoie Saunders presented feedback to the task force Monday following its group discussions. She said the CESA’s proposal does not align with the intent of Act 73.”The challenge is that it proposes an additional layer of governance, which creates an additional layer of bureaucracy, and also cost,” Saunders said. “I would suggest the solution is not to create more complexity, but to streamline the governance system through larger and fewer districts.” The task force is set to meet on Nov. 20, just over a week before their maps are due.
The task force charged with redesigning Vermont’s education system voted Monday to move forward with a strategy to prioritize voluntary school district mergers.
The nearly seven-hour-long discussion centered on two different mapping strategies, which would first need to be accepted by the task force, then presented to the legislature. Lawmakers would then be able to adopt, reject or alter their recommendations.
Advertisement
The process is part of a mandate included in last year’s sweeping education reform bill, Act 73.
The first pitch, presented by Sen. Scott Beck (R-Caledonia) and former superintendent Dave Wolk, divided district boundaries based on the presence of career and technical education centers. It consolidated Vermont’s existing 119 school districts down to 21 and ensured access to tech-ed in each district.
“The map could be a catalyst for discussions about renovations to existing CTE centers, additions, where the need does not match the capacity,” Wolk said.
The model preserves school choice where it presently exists.
“We are sitting here, making decisions that are somewhat arbitrary,” Rep. Rebecca Holcombe said. “It is ignorant, or at least blind, to how people perceive their existing relationships.”
Apprehension about a top-down approach was a consistent counterpoint throughout Monday’s meeting.
Despite hours of discussion, public comment, and data accumulation, some members of the task force, alongside some members of the public, called the plans underbaked.
Instead, the task force voted to move forward with an alternative model, which provides significantly more space for public feedback.
That proposal, dubbed Regional Cooperation Education Service Areas (CESAs), was presented by former superintendents Dr. Jennifer Botzojorns and Dr. Jay Badams and Rep. Rebecca Holcombe (D-Windsor-Orange-2).
Their proposal will allow districts and supervisory unions to form their own regional collaborations. It proposes regional frameworks and incentives to help school districts put plans together to pool their resources and get more students under one roof.
The bottom-up approach also received some pushback, where critics questioned whether the plan is in step with the mandate from the legislature.
“It’s been presented as some kind of voluntary collaboration, which I’m sure could happen, but is it a map as directed to us by the legislature?” Wolk asked.
The Vermont Agency of Education expressed skepticism.
Education Secretary Zoie Saunders presented feedback to the task force Monday following its group discussions. She said the CESA’s proposal does not align with the intent of Act 73.
“The challenge is that it proposes an additional layer of governance, which creates an additional layer of bureaucracy, and also cost,” Saunders said. “I would suggest the solution is not to create more complexity, but to streamline the governance system through larger and fewer districts.”
The task force is set to meet on Nov. 20, just over a week before their maps are due.
