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Rural school alliance urges shared‑services (BOCES) model and warns that forced mergers would harm communities
Summary
The Rural School Community Alliance and witnesses testified that cooperative shared‑service models (BOCES/CSAs) can save costs and preserve local voice, while forced, large-scale mergers risk damaging rural communities and could produce long bus rides and community losses.
Cheryl Charles, chair of the Rural School Community Alliance, and coalition witnesses told the task force their group now represents more than 100 towns and argues any transformation should protect local voice and avoid forced mergers. "We advocate for the importance of rural community public schools and for a democratic and decision making, that affects them," Charles said.
Speakers described shared-service approaches already operating in Vermont and urged expanding them rather than…
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