Mixed feelings on education reform bill

“Rushed.” That’s the word several Addison County residents have used to describe the sweeping changes to Vermont’s education system signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott on Tuesday.

Vermont lawmakers last week passed a landmark education reform bill known as H. 454, setting up a process for transforming the state’s education system and prompting the question — what’s next?

The passage of the education bill, H. 454, in the General Assembly, and presumably gaining the governor’s signature into law, marks the start of efforts to transform Vermont’s education system into one that recognizes the incredible demographic changes ov … (read more)

The Vermont Legislature on Monday passed the year’s landmark education reform package, setting in motion years of transformation to the state’s public school and property tax systems.

After a two-week glide-path, Gov. Scott and Democrat and Republican leadership skillfully navigated the big H.454 Education bill home to a successful landing on Monday.

Meaningful work can’t be done overnight, or even in a few days. It takes time and consideration.

Governor Scott opened his fifth gubernatorial term stating from one side of his mouth, “Let’s put our communities (a direct reference to rural towns) above all else and reset the playing field so it’s fair and benefits all of Vermont.”

After a drawn-out day of disagreements and false starts, the Vermont Legislature this past Friday bailed on its plan to wrap up business for the year, failing to come to a deal, at least for now, on this year’s landmark education reform bill.

This year’s landmark education reform bill, H.454, has been passed by the Vermont House and Senate, and this week the two bodies are looking to reconcile difference between the two versions they each OK’d.

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth’s decision Tuesday night to pull the school reform bill, H.454, from a scheduled Wednesday floor vote speaks volumes about a bill that is largely seen as a lose-lose proposition for schools, students and parents, w … (read more)

There’s been plenty of (deserved) attention paid to the education reform proposed this legislative season in our brave, little state. While many are focused on cutting costs, I have heard few asking the right questions or focusing on the right problem.

My head is spinning trying to keep up with all the permutations of Vermont H.454. It’s goal seems clear enough as stated by Governor Scott at the start of his current term. We need to get a grip on our steadily rising property taxes.

I strongly believe that H.454 is being rushed through without enough scrutiny and support, either from the Legislature or from Vermonters.