PUTNEY — The Vermont State Board of Education, taking its lead from the Vermont Department of Education, has made clear its intention to eliminate local school boards and institute a forced merged structure.
Throughout the state, citizens have voted upon this issue in duly conducted elections. In some districts, proposed mergers were supported by the voters.
However, the results of those votes in ours and other districts around the state was a resounding and unequivocal rejection of a merged super-district.
In addition, the testimony the board heard in the hearings it held around the state was overwhelmingly opposed to a forced merger.
And, as has repeatedly been made clear to the board by many members of the Legislature itself, it was never the intent of the Legislature - or the signing governor - to force mergers upon districts that had voted against them.
Although neither the Legislature nor the People want this to happen, their will is being trampled by two non-elected administrative entities.
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When listening to the voice of tyranny, we can typically hear explanations that sound something like: “We know better what's good for the people.” “We have to do what's right, not what the voters decide.” “We can see the bigger, long-range picture.” “We have to do this, even if it is not the will of the people. Maybe one day they'll understand it; they'll get used to it later.” “The populace can't be relied upon to know what is best for them -- but we do.”
These are merely justifications, to themselves and to the populace, for the arbitrary exercise of power. Whether by a king, a czar, a dictator, a president, or a state functionary or board, the overpowering of the will of the people is the common denominator.
(While there may have been historical instances, in the face of significant threats to constitutional liberties or the body politic, where such action may be defensible, this is clearly not the case here.)
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The proposed action of the State Board weirdly mirrors the merger debate itself: centralized control removed from the people, or communities of citizens setting their course.
Thus, the issue is not just forced mergers, but perhaps more important, who decides?
Whatever our individual stance on school consolidation, pro- or anti-merger, the abuse of governmental authority in this proposal is so outrageous that it should be deeply objectionable to all Vermonters.
Given the State Board's proposal, we can only hope that the voice of the people will be heard in Montpelier in the Legislature and in the courts.