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Witnesses urge Senate Education Committee to favor voluntary mergers, supervisory unions and BOCES over forced consolidations
Summary
Witnesses before the Senate Education Committee argued that Vermont should prioritize voluntary mergers, supervisory unions and regional educational service agencies (BOCES/VTLC) rather than mandated large-district consolidations under Act 73, citing survey responses and claimed cost savings from a newly launched BOCES.
Vermont school leaders and a superintendent told the Senate Education Committee Thursday that voluntary collaboration and regional service agencies should come before any state-mandated district consolidations under Act 73.
Dr. Cheryl Charles and Jeanie Albert, speaking for the Rural School Community Alliance, told the committee they surveyed school board members and administrators about draft redistricting maps tied to Act 73 and found widespread opposition to forced mergers. "There really is no evidence that forced mergers ... will save money or improve educational outcomes," Charles said, urging the committee to favor supervisory unions and voluntary mergers instead.
The alliance reported that roughly 75% of survey respondents were current school board members and that 95% rejected the House map;…
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