ST. JOHNSBURY – Vermont’s School District Redistricting Task Force (TF) is likely to recommend the current state school district (SD) and supervisory union (SU) structure remain in place, said Caledonia County Senator Scott Beck following Monday’s task force meeting in Waterbury.
“The TF decided not to advance the much-discussed CTE (Career and Technical Education Center) map,” said Beck.
“Effectively, not advancing a map means we are recommending the existing SD and SU structure that is in place, without any forced mergers,” he said.
Forced mergers and school consolidation have been seen by many as the worst impact of Act 73, especially for the most rural schools. Removing that option from the TF recommendation leaves proposals for regional high schools cooperative services that among the three proposals the TF has discussed.
Despite an agenda item indicating the hour before lunch had been set aside to discuss a map centered on regional high schools, Beck said, “there was no mention of a proposed regional high school map at the meeting.”
“The co-op services concept was discussed, but there is no associated map,” he said.
A summary of the Cooperative Education Services (CES) proposal for TF members said it “outlines a strategic framework for tackling the drivers of cost, improving quality, and protecting access to opportunity through cooperative services, voluntary mergers, and the creation of comprehensive regional high schools. Its central aim is to enhance educational equity, operational efficiency, cost containment and program diversity across districts while preserving community identity and local governance.”
That last sentence seems to address concerns submitted in an October 5 letter to the task force by Samantha Friend, chair of the Mountain View Union Elementary School District (MVUESD), who wrote. “I am writing to you as the chair of a small but vital school district in the Northeast Kingdom. We were forced to merge under Act 46, and have been working through the challenges and differing experiences/needs of our communities. Now we find ourselves faced with another forced change to how we run our local districts and Supervisory Union.”
Friend went on to express important aspects of local school districts: “Our community values town/school meetings where they can discuss and amend budgets including making recommendations to curb central office budgets. They value community-based schooling.”
“Please focus on your charge,” she said, then indicated a preference for the CES proposal that received attention at Monday’s TF meeting.
“At this point in time many districts have notified you of their preference for governance within the new larger central service regions required by Act 73.”
Friend emphasized the wishes of MVUESD members in saying, “Both Supervisory Unions and Supervisory districts are viable governance structures and both structures are included in the law. Please comply with the law.”
Noting the focus of that board on students and involving families in their education, she said, “Young children should be educated close to home, families should be encouraged and able to attend school events to support their students.”
Emphasizing the MVUESD preference for retaining the SU structure, Friend wrote, “Supervisory Unions are best for making decisions close to the students that the decisions directly impact.
Supervisory Unions are best in governing rural distinct communities over large geographic regions.”
The CES summary reviewed by TF members Monday presented a rationale that acknowledges at least some of the MVUESD concerns: “Rural and small districts face increasing challenges, including declining enrollment, limited curricular offerings, and financial strain. The proposal argues that cooperative approaches and strategic consolidations can address these pressures by pooling resources, expanding access to specialized programs, and reducing duplication. The goal is not compulsory consolidation but voluntary, community-driven partnerships that produce sustainable, high-quality education for all students.”
Editor’s note: Edits have been made to clarify confusing sentences in this article.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
