Today in Vermont, a deep blue, Democratic‑controlled legislature forced through an education bill by relying on a majority of Republican votes to pass the bill in a process that has eroded trust in the legislature to thoughtfully and strategically transform the education system for ALL Vermont students. In the House, we will never know how the vote broke down, because leadership moved so quickly that no one was able to request that votes be recorded. That is not the move of a chamber confident in its bill or proud of its vote.

 

Democratic and Republican leadership bullied members and twisted arms and ignored the groundswell of opposition from school leaders. Senate leadership, heavily influenced by private school interests, was especially responsible for shaping a bill that protects private institutions from the most impactful and potentially harmful components of this "education transformation" while holding our public schools and communities responsible for the full scope of these reforms. 

 

This is a sad day for public education in Vermont and for the values Vermonters expect from its elected officials. We know that when the time comes to vote for our lawmakers again, Vermonters will remember who stood up for public education and who did not.