Some thoughts on Rep. Birong’s proposal on education restructuring:

– Though I support the consolidation of school district administration, I appreciate Birong’s idea of more districts than proposed by Gov. Scott, which placed Addison County schools in a district of 34,000 students, stretching from Swanton to Brandon and including Burlington’s urban area, markedly different from our rural concerns. However, it would have been helpful to me to see a map of Rep. Birong’s proposed districts.

– An average class size, in high school (middle school?) of 25 means less personal attention for each student. In a 90-minute class, meeting every other day, it means only 3 minutes per student to conference on their personal concerns. How can this be better for student learning?

-A minimum of 450 students per elementary school will require the closing of schools in our county. That will require extended time on buses for students. As it is, when my son attended Monkton elementary, from which we live 5 minutes away, he would spend 40 minutes, each way (!) on the bus. Collecting students in Ripton (if it were to close) and bringing them to Middlebury would mean for some an hour (at least) ride, both ways. How can this be better for student learning?

– I also pay property tax and agree it cannot continue to increase at the rate it did last year. So why is no one considering shifting school taxes to a progressive income tax rather than having them remain as a property tax?

Thomas Learmonth

New Haven