State legislators, educators, and community members came together for a panel event in the Upper Valley to discuss education reform. State officials joined Windsor County educators at Hartford High School Monday evening. Together, they led a public forum, giving parents and community members an opportunity to ask questions about proposed education legislation. “I came here today because I care about education in my community. As a police officer, I see what happens when students aren’t getting the resources that they need and I want them to be successful,” said Chester resident Joshua Lake.Many community concerns had to do with Act 73 and consolidating school districts. Some attendees said they understand the need. “We’re going to make sure that students who are in six student classrooms and buildings that are only housing 20 students are in real regional high schools, where they’re able to use ample resources,” said Lake. Others remain strongly opposed to the idea. “Some of my concerns include loss of local control. I want to protect small schools,” said Elizabeth Burrows, a Mount Ascutney school board member and parent. Hartford School District Superintendent Caty Sutton is open to the idea of consolidation in state education but wants more information.”I think that there is a lot that remains to be seen and answered for us to feel like we do know that the decisions that are being made and the, the thoughts that are being contemplated around Act 73 truly are going to benefit our students,” she said. The argument was also made that consolidating pits communities against each other. Ultimately, reactions to the discussion were mixed. While not everyone agrees on the path forward, those that showed up at this event did agree action is needed to make education more equitable for every Vermont student.
State legislators, educators, and community members came together for a panel event in the Upper Valley to discuss education reform.
State officials joined Windsor County educators at Hartford High School Monday evening. Together, they led a public forum, giving parents and community members an opportunity to ask questions about proposed education legislation.
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“I came here today because I care about education in my community. As a police officer, I see what happens when students aren’t getting the resources that they need and I want them to be successful,” said Chester resident Joshua Lake.
Many community concerns had to do with Act 73 and consolidating school districts. Some attendees said they understand the need.
“We’re going to make sure that students who are in six student classrooms and buildings that are only housing 20 students are in real regional high schools, where they’re able to use ample resources,” said Lake.
Others remain strongly opposed to the idea.
“Some of my concerns include loss of local control. I want to protect small schools,” said Elizabeth Burrows, a Mount Ascutney school board member and parent.
Hartford School District Superintendent Caty Sutton is open to the idea of consolidation in state education but wants more information.
“I think that there is a lot that remains to be seen and answered for us to feel like we do know that the decisions that are being made and the, the thoughts that are being contemplated around Act 73 truly are going to benefit our students,” she said.
The argument was also made that consolidating pits communities against each other. Ultimately, reactions to the discussion were mixed.
While not everyone agrees on the path forward, those that showed up at this event did agree action is needed to make education more equitable for every Vermont student.
