Commission urges cohesive, evidence-driven approach; offers no short-term cost-containment plan

Megan Roy, chair of the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont, told a joint House Education and House Ways and Means hearing that the commission’s preliminary report highlights the interconnectedness of finance, governance and delivery and therefore does not yet include modeled short-term cost-containment recommendations.

The commission—created under Act 183—was convened to study statewide education provision and propose a vision and legislative language. Roy said the panel, which first met on July 15, developed guiding principles (equity, quality and sustainability), gathered public comment across Vermont and compiled a working “brainstorm” document of policy ideas. "This is really difficult work, but it's really important work," Roy said.

Nut graf: The commission presented two main, actionable requests for the legislature: to affirm and support the commission’s role so it can act cohesively with the Agency of Education and the General Assembly, and to sustain and expand public engagement before the commission issues final recommendations. The panel stopped short of recommending…