Latest News

Feb 7, 2026

The Times Argus: School choice economics

In the last 30 years, Vermont has created a public school system where a small minority of towns get to choose to have their private school education publicly funded. The majority of Vermonters do not.

Jan 18, 2026

The Rutland Herald: Gaslight Governing

If you recently read Secretary Saunders' opinion piece It’s Not All About Taxes [Stupid] you too may be wondering, “What?”

Jan 4, 2026

A closer look at the VT Digger Q&A with Secretary Saunders

The Secretary is in a difficult position because she is compelled by state statute to promote a flawed plan.

Jan 3, 2026

Valley News: The Death of Vermont Public Education

Our state's voucher system is the elephant in the room of education reform. Redistricting cannot happen without reforming our tuitioning system.

Dec 20, 2025

There are Monsters Under Lyman Orton's Bed

Responding to a VT Digger Letter, John Walters notes that "Burr & Burton is one of the most coddled, protected, politically insulated institutions in the state of Vermont"

Nov 23, 2025

'The Apprentice' - Vermont Style

Education should be overseen by educators, not politicians.

Nov 21, 2025

Greg Hughes: There is a better way.

Vermont is facing an affordability crisis, and it is time to rethink our property tax system to ease the financial burden on working residents.

Nov 5, 2025

Krista Huling on There's No "A" in Creemee podcast

In this powerful conversation, Krista shares why Vermont’s education system favors private schools and why we need a renewed commitment to all students—not just a privileged few.

Nov 2, 2025

Families are moving to Vermont choice towns to take advantage of private school choice

Chair of Barstow Unified Union School District Board highlights the need for additional guardrails on tuitioning

Oct 15, 2025

Senator Beck Should Be Removed From the Redistricting Task Force

A letter to the Senate Committee on Committees

Oct 15, 2025

Sevendays: School Board Chair Files Ethics Complaint Against Sen. Beck

The ethics complaint alleges that Scott Beck used his position to pressure two school districts to consider closing their high schools.

Sep 22, 2025

Setting the Record Straight

Since our founding, Friends of Vermont Public Education has had one clear mission: to ensure that any school receiving public taxpayer funds adheres to the same rules, regulations, and standards established by Vermont law.

Aug 21, 2025

Ken Fredette - The Fox Is Guarding the Hen House

The Council of Independent Schools (CIS) monitors private and independent schools in Vermont.

Jul 5, 2025

St. Albans Messenger - Baruth should not make same mistake twice

Editor emeritus Emerson Lynn of the St. Albans Messenger notes that Sen President Pro Tem Baruth has a choice to make with the Senate appointments to the redistricting task force. Beck and Bongartz should not be among them.

Jul 2, 2025

Seven Days - Vermont's Independent Schools Discussed at Length in Ed Reform

Public school advocates worried that in the final days of negotiations about transforming how schools are financed and governed in Vermont, private schools got inordinate attention.

Jul 2, 2025

H.454 is now law

July 1 was a difficult day for public education in Vermont. But this fight isn’t over. Friends of Vermont Public Education will keep working to ensure that any school receiving public dollars follows public rules, serves all students, and answers to Vermonters.

Jul 1, 2025

NBC 5 - Ceremonial signing puts transformational Vermont education reform bill into law

The legislation has sparked debate over its impact on independent schools. Critics, such as Friends for Vermont Public Schools, argue these institutions disproportionately influenced the law.

Jul 1, 2025

Fox 44 News - Ethics Complaints Filed Against State Senators

The complaint alleges that two senators who voted for the education transformation bill, which Governor Scott plans to sign Tuesday, had conflicts of interest.

Jul 1, 2025

Vermont Public - Ethics complaint targets 2 Vermont senators with private school ties

Geo Honigford, a member of the advocacy group Friends of Vermont Public Education, filed his complaint with the Senate Ethics Panel on Monday. It claims Sens. Seth Bongartz and Scott Beck, who played a key role crafting the sweeping education reform bill H. 454, violated state conflict of interest rules in their advocacy for private schools.

Jun 30, 2025

VTDigger - Complaints allege Vermont senators with private school ties violated ethics rules during education bill negotiations

Ethics complaints filed with the Vermont Senate against Sens. Seth Bongartz, D-Bennington, and Scott Beck, R-Caledonia, allege they used their positions on a critical committee negotiating the final form of a wide-ranging education bill to advance provisions that benefited the private schools they are associated with.