Link to Google Doc Version of Memo PDF Version: A Voice on Education Transformation.pdf
In December, Governor Scott and the VT Agency of Education unveiled a plan to transform VT Education. At a high level, this plan includes 3 buckets: a change to how VT education is funded, governed, and held accountable for performance. Recently, the plan was reduced to a 190 page Bill that is now in front of the VT Legislature. Along with the VT Superintendent Association, I will be actively engaged in the process throughout the Spring.
Important - Input Opportunity
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It is likely that a great deal of amending will occur between now and when any legislation passes. In the meantime, The Speaker of the House has released a Your Voice on Vermont’s Public Education Future Survey. This is an opportunity for you to directly share your perspective with the legislature. |
Although the components of the Bill are complicated, I have attempted to provide you with a simple, high level summary - see below. Additionally, as the Bill gets refined, I will engage both the MTSD Board of Trustees and the community with opportunities to become informed and discuss the possible implications.
Please note - the information below is a summary of the Bill as of March 5 and subject to change.
Rationale and Goals of Changes
The VT Agency of Education believes this Education Transformation Plan will:
- Lead to greater efficiency and thus Statewide education cost savings:
- Streamline operations and reduce administrative overhead.
- Provide State oversight for education systems reducing the duplication of individual district development of systems related to finances, curriculum, assessment and support services.
- Allow for the sharing of staff and resources across vicinity schools.
- Allow for more support and accountability of schools in meeting State performance standards.
- Ensure that a research-based structure for operating schools is consistent across the State.
- Reduce funding disparity and ensure equitable access to educational programming and services across the State.
- Simplify school funding making it more transparent and predictable to all constituents.
Key Governance Changes
- Five school districts each with its own central office and school board.
- Locally, the ‘district’ here would include Franklin, Grand Isle, Chittenden, and Addison Counties.
- The ‘District’ Board would maintain the same types of responsibilities - preparing a budget, policy development, and hiring and evaluating a superintendent.
- Board members would be elected and serve 4 years. It would be a 5 person board.
- Maintenance of town schools (Prek-8) would continue.
- A designation of ‘District’ high schools based on population, geography and the needs of students.
- Each school in the district would have an ‘advisory council’.
- Advisory councils would be facilitated by the principal,
- Membership would include staff, students, parents and community members, and
- They would give input to the ‘District’ board regarding the needs of the school.
Financial Reform
- Funding would be through a foundation formula, setting a base funding of $13,200 per student (FY2025) with cost of living type increase year over year.
- Additional weighted financial adjustments would be allotted based on:
- Student Need (poverty and multi-language learners)
- District Sparsity (rural considerations)
- Categorical Aid - Covered by the State Funds and Grants
- Special Education
- Transportation
- Career and Technical Education
- Based on the above factors, the State would issue each ‘District’ an operating budget amount (voters would no longer approve school budgets).
- ‘District’ boards in collaboration with the superintendent would prepare the budget and determine the use of funds across all existing schools.
School & District Quality Standards, Changes for Independent Schools & Bill Proposed Timeline - please note, due to size limitations with automated email, these sections are only available in the linked Google doc, or attached PDF.