Addison Independent

I’m writing as a retired educator who remains concerned about the future of preK-12 education in Vermont. Our governor made a commitment to lower education costs, determined not to kick the can down the road any further. However, the can he’s neglected to stop kicking is the cost of health care, which is the driving force behind our steadily rising education costs.

Act 73 calls for dramatic restructuring of our schools with no guarantee of lower taxes.

It will require busing students longer distances and renovating or repurposing many of our schools. As pointed out by a team of experts assigned to help implement Act 73, this initiative is not based on data-driven research.

On the other hand, the foundation formula defined by Act 73 makes sense. Provide a consistent number of dollars per student to every school, with the amount adjusted for special needs students and economically needy families. Allow communities to adjust that amount to a limited extent to maintain statewide equity.

Why not stop there and closely follow results? School consolidation in 2015 did
not result in savings or lower property taxes. Why travel further down that controversial road with no evidence that it will bear fruit?

And while that’s unfolding, let’s address the cost of healthcare.

Alice Leeds