It has been a century since Vermont redistricted schools into our present configuration. In fact, the state used to have more than 2,700 school districts prior to reorganizing into a structure very similar to what we currently have.
I am not familiar with all of the history surrounding this long-distant reorganization. It was likely very contentious; change is always hard.
Act 46 attempts to reorganize Vermont's existing 267 districts into something more efficient and better suited to produce better results at a price taxpayers can afford in the 21st century.
But what that “something” is is anyone's guess due to the local decision-making process underway throughout Vermont.
While Act 46 mandates change, it does not dictate exactly what that change must look like. The House Committee on Education, where the bill was constructed, realized that 11 legislators could not possibly come up with a one-size-fits-all solution given Vermont's complicated education landscape, not to mention its geography.
I have been an educator for 20 years and what I see going on in supervisory districts and unions reminds me of a school lunchroom: the circle of conversation is limited to one table, and the conversation and people at the next table might as well be in a different hemisphere.
Much of this effect, I believe, is the result of Act 46. The incentives offered if a decision is made before June 30 has forced the conversation inward, because many have felt there wasn't any time to explore other perspectives, ideas, and opportunities.
In March, Rep. Mike Hebert of Vernon invited me down to discuss Act 46 with the residents of Vernon. Residents of other towns from the area attended, too.
My sense is that the people of Vernon and others are uncomfortable with the pace of conversations about consolidation and want the time to explore all possibilities and opportunities.
I believe Vernon residents are right to do so. While the accelerated incentives will give homestead taxpayers about an extra dime of tax relief for one year, the ultimate structure will remain with the town's children, educators, and taxpayers for probably another century.
Dimes are shiny, but what is really important is the creation of an education system that will serve everyone. The conversations necessary to achieve this higher goal might take longer than the accelerated route allows for.