Letters to the Editor: May 29

Concerns about the Education Transformation Bill

To the Editor:

Champlain Valley School District Board Chair Meghan Metzler and I have been carefully considering when to bring your attention to a bill currently in the Vermont Senate. We believe the time to communicate is now.

The bill — H.454 — was introduced in response to Governor Scott’s call for education spending and governance reform in our state. Given the stakes and the timing of the legislative session, it would be irresponsible to remain silent about a bill that will have dramatic impacts on the students we serve. 

The bill is complex and far reaching, and many of these reform ideas could represent a meaningful step forward in Vermont’s long-standing conversation about equitable education; however, the most current version of the bill, largely drafted in the Senate, fails to achieve those objectives and politicizes the task force redrawing district lines. It includes few, if any, provisions to address the very real cost pressures facing schools, such as rising healthcare expenses, the increasing demands placed on the education system and the economic inefficiencies associated with maintaining very small schools across the state. It proposes changing the way schools are funded by implementing a foundation formula.

Unfortunately, both the Senate and House versions of the proposed new foundation formula could result in a loss of at least another $10 million in funding for our schools. To put that in perspective: over the past 12 months, we’ve already reduced $9 million — resulting in the elimination of 82 positions. A combined impact exceeding $20 million is unworkable.

Most importantly, from our perspective, this bill would significantly reduce opportunities for the students we serve.

We are open to being constructive partners in this work. But we urge you to contact your legislators and let them know that we need legislation that strengthens the Champlain Valley School District — not dismantles it.

Adam Bunting
Williston
(Adam Bunting is the superintendent of the Champlain Valley School District.)

An update on charter testimony and next steps

To the Editor:

On April 30, I provided testimony in support of the charter for town-wide vote on land-use regulation changes, now referred to as bill H.506, to the House Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee. I shared the comments and concerns heard from Charlotters in support of the charter in three sections: civic engagement, power of the selectboard and transparency in government, and the importance of building consensus. I conveyed that Charlotte’s desire to vote on land-use regulation changes is not an attempt to close the doors on housing in Charlotte; we too experience the effects of the statewide housing shortage, and as a community, we are taking steps to work on that issue.

Next, Charlotte Selectboard Chair Lee Krohn also testified in support of the charter as written, in honor of the 2-1 vote in favor of the charter in March.

Finally, Kesha Ram Hinsdale, author of the Home Act, testified. Her presentation highlights the need for increased housing stock in Vermont, as well as concerns that land-use regulations can exacerbate barriers to housing access and development.

I reiterated that the charter in Charlotte addresses one specific piece of the Home Act: Charlotte residents want to maintain our ability to vote on land-use regulation changes — rather than giving permissions to the selectboard to make changes without a town vote. Charlotte residents want to be involved in decision making around development in town, not to block decision making. Our community continually works to be good stewards of our natural resources and the rural character of the town.

No other action is being taken by the House Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee at this time, so our next step is to work with the selectboard to create town policy that preserves town-wide voting on land-use regulation changes. Changes to our land-use regulations are in the works, so we hope to formalize policy ASAP.

The recording of the testimony can be viewed online: youtube.com/watch?v=5-EgKT9vaV0.

Karen Frost
Charlotte

Building a flock of hope

To the Editor:

On Monday, May 12, from 5-6 p.m., the Social Justice team of Charlotte Congregational Church hosted the first of eight vigils, which will run through July 14, on the front lawn of the church at 403 Church Hill Rd. We rang bells, held encouraging signs and waved at cars and bicyclists as they passed by.

We’re doing this because:

• We recognize that so many of us across the political spectrum are feeling anxious, angry and overwhelmed by the rapid and extensive policy changes coming from Washington.
• We know that so many of us are deeply concerned about how these are negatively impacting our neighbors, refugees and immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, our businesses, public health and research, our free speech.
• We recognize that all this is taking a toll on our emotional, spiritual, physical and relational well being.

As a faith community, committed to “prayerful, compassionate and courageous action in the world,” and as a supplement to the many protests already occurring around the country, we’ll gather once a week to offer something different: a place and time to build a flock of hope, saying: “We see you, and we’re here as people of hope to meet you with hope.”

All are invited to join us. For more info about the Charlotte Congregational Church, see charlotteucc.org.

Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen
Charlotte
(Kevin Goldenbogen is the senior pastor of Charlotte Congregational Church.)