Montpelier students tell Senate panel: include youth voice in redistricting
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Summary
Students from central Vermont presented a youth-led research brief arguing that redistricting must center student voice and preserve flexible pathways, belonging and real‑world opportunities; they urged legislators to consult more youth before finalizing maps.
Lindsay Hallman, executive director of UP for Learning, introduced a student panel to the Vermont Senate Education Committee on Feb. 13, asking lawmakers to consider youth perspectives in the state’s school redistricting work.
Olivia Scharnberg, a senior at Montpelier High School, said the Future Vermont Education Team used listening circles and youth participatory action research to compare learning opportunities across three districts and identify common priorities. “The purpose of our Future of Education Team is to attempt to bring student voice to the school redistricting process,” Scharnberg said.
Students presented a five‑pillar blueprint for ‘‘future‑facing’’ schools: academic freedom (flexible pacing and options for different learning rates), a broader variety of opportunities (field trips, service learning and pathway exposure), stronger real‑world community awareness, a sense of belonging and consistent, reasonable expectations. One student described personalized learning coursework that counted for credit while she worked with UP for Learning; she said such options both expand opportunity and reduce teacher burnout by distributing responsibility differently.
Committee members questioned students about teacher workload and whether larger schools would increase opportunities. Students acknowledged teacher burnout in some districts and described variation in supports across communities, saying stronger administrative systems correlate with more robust student options. On funding and opportunity, presenters recommended more resources for field trips and pathways such as dual enrollment and project‑based learning to help students prepare for postsecondary life.
The panel asked the committee how student priorities will be incorporated before maps are finalized and encouraged the legislature to widen outreach to more youth statewide. The session moved on after a brief question and answer period and a recess called by the committee.
The testimony supplied direct student recommendations for policymakers weighing redistricting options and program design; lawmakers said they found the youth input helpful as they consider House proposals and implementation details.
