TOWNSHEND — I wrote a letter just before the April 2 special election, when the vote for additional funding was to be “reconsidered” after the first failed vote on the Leland & Gray budget on Feb. 5. I mentioned they would keep reconsidering a vote that didn't go their way until they wear down the opposition.
They finally won on April 29 (393–290). It happened! On the third vote, the Townshend government school system got what they wanted.
This “reconsideration” method of getting what they want is standard operating procedures by the “system.” Would there have been a fourth, fifth, or sixth vote? People would run out of gas for their vehicles going back and forth! Sanity is transitory, and the system is known how to play it and get what they want.
The tax monies that go to the Townshend school system is 80 percent of the tax bill. Yet people sitting in various town offices say, “We are hurting for money and can't do anything.”
Vermont is number four on the list of the top-10 most-taxed states in the country. People who owned their property for generations are being taxed off and have sold their land. The Listers are out to access property outside of fair market value to raise revenue mainly for the school system. My taxes soared 120 percent from the previous year.
At the lister and Board of Civil Authority grievances, many people were downright mad at their tax assessments and the appeal apparatus. People want to keep what they have.
Sounds simple, but welcome to the “new“ (since 1980) Vermont and its conniving school administrators who won't take no for an answer. The rubber band will break - very shortly.
Yet, as per the state standards, Townshend and many (some 200) other school districts have failed the standard testing. There's no accountability.
Now Common Core is in the schools. I defy anyone over the age of 20 to take what is being forced on the kids and see if they can do the math and other such problems. Just do a Google search. I can supply many other examples and information of what I (and the readers) are being forced to pay for.
Some states are eliminating these tests, as they have been exposed. Meanwhile, we have the dumbing down of the kids. I personally know a university professor who states that his institution has to teach basic subjects before the kids can pursue what should be a college education.
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed bill H.R. 10: Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act, which passed on a bipartisan vote of 360–45. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., voted for it; at least he is in favor of charter schools.
Search the information for yourself. There's money available to towns for this. Grab it while you can and relieve the taxpayer.
Charter schools are an alternative to the high-priced government (not friendly) schools, and the towns should have more money to operate, or the property owner will see a decrease in their property-tax bills.
Charter schools outperform government schools and are more kid-responsive. It's proven. There are 2.5 million students (1 in 20) attending 6,400 public charter schools, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
In these schools, there's no government-mandated Common Core, no teachers' unions, no state mandates, no tenure (job protection). Instead, there are better educated kids, reduced costs, greater accountability, and better subjects needed for continued education or livelihood.
Many kids would rather tap into their individual talents and study some skill of their choosing/intuition/exposures and make something of themselves, but not by the Common Core and current method. I've seen where many teachers have disdain for Common Core, have lost control, and have trouble teaching to these standards.
Society needs carpenters, mechanics, plumbers, construction workers, cooks, entrepreneurs. Schools need to offer common-sense education in the basics of life and a return to traditional values - the American way.
A youngster with good human instincts and ability who abides by the Golden Rule would be great in politics, unlike the jerks who have migrated into that controlling world, have become drones, and have sucked the taxpayer teat.
I have addressed only what a kid could do directly out of high school. It would be a waste to go to college, something that should be done only when young people feel ready. I went to college at 27, after a Air Force stint, and got a B.S. in mechanical engineering.
All states need a choice in schooling systems - by the people, for the people, and of the people - with local control and accountability.