Update on the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont

Commission on the Future, 2nd meeting, 8-26-24

Friends of Vermont Public Education members Greg Hughes and Ken Fredette attended the second meeting of the full Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont on August 26th, 2024. Chair Meagan Roy opened with a brief statement that an item of agreement by all was use of a broad spectrum of data, not restricted solely to education finance, and the concern that the Commission’s work might be summarily dismissed by some because the membership does not represent all concerned citizens/groups across the entire state. Chair Roy reiterated the pledge to have robust community engagement sessions to ensure consideration of a diverse array of opinions from throughout Vermont.

During the first opportunity for public comment, Ken tied the chair’s reference to needing an abundance of data to the fact that private schools do not have to provide details on how they spend public monies, as public schools are required to do annually. He said that taxpayers have the right to know how their money is being spent, and since rising property taxes were the driving force for forming the Commission, total financial transparency by any entities accepting public monies is an obvious starting point for them to build their work upon.

Greg followed with an overview of the past 35 years of education in Vermont, with a focus on how public monies started going to private schools to accommodate a peak in student population that subsequently leveled off and then declined. While public schools at one time were becoming overcrowded and private schools served to alleviate some of that, the need has long ago subsided. Greg quoted a Vermont Supreme Court opinion from 2023 “that the methods appropriate for providing educational opportunity may change over time, as those once sufficient ‘can and should be modified’ if they no longer serve their intended purpose.” (Vitale v BFUHS citing Brigham v State). Greg closed his comments with “…if we follow the guidance of the VT Supreme Court the policy of funding private schools with public money can and should be modified.”

Interim Secretary of Education Saunders then facilitated an Agency of Education presentation on a healthy assortment of data. It was heartening that Agency legal counsel Emily Simmons pointed to the Vermont Constitution’s references to the importance of public education at the outset of the presentation, as a core belief by Friends is that we have drifted away from our Constitution and the founders’ intent with regard to education. Ms. Simmons appropriately pointed out that education is the only public service included in the Vermont Constitution.

During the second opportunity for public input, Greg implored Commission members to read the recent report from US Senator Bernie Sanders, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, on “The Coordinated Attacks on Public Education in the United States”

The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for Monday, September 9th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Following that exception for Labor Day, they plan to meet on the first Mondays of every month, with times of day and locations TBD.

The Communication and Engagement Subcommittee met virtually on August 29th to review the draft Communication and Engagement Plan; the Education Finance Subcommittee is scheduled for September 4th; and the Steering Group is scheduled for September 5th.

More information, including minutes (with public comments), videos of meetings, and meeting schedules/agendas can be found at the Commission’s webpage:

https://education.vermont.gov/state-board-councils/commission-on-the-future-of-public-education

Enjoy the unofficial end to summer!