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By Rep. Jim Harrison
The School District Redistricting Task Force invites Vermonters to participate in a series of public hearings. These hearings are an opportunity to learn about the Task Force’s work and to share your perspectives and priorities, which will help guide the Task Force as it develops proposals for Vermont’s school district boundaries. These hearings are not for commenting on finalized maps, but your input will inform the Task Force’s work and be included in their report to the legislature.
Public Hearing Schedule
Oxbow High School, Bradford
Friday, October 10 | 4:30–6:30 PM
To participate virtually: Microsoft Teams | Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 231 210 695 257 5
Passcode: P7pU9Na7
Leland & Gray High School, Townshend
Thursday, October 16 | 6:00–8:00 PM
To participate virtually: Microsoft Teams | Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 296 732 012 312 5
Passcode: cw3gJ7v5
Rutland High School, Rutland
Wednesday, October 22 | 6:00–8:00 PM
To participate virtually: Microsoft Teams | Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 231 719 329 874 5
Passcode: GL9bU6uP
Winooski High School, Winooski
Tuesday, October 28 | 6:00–8:00 PM
To participate virtually: Microsoft Teams | Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 232 302 482 854 2
Passcode: rf2gs3PG
Purpose of the Hearings
The hearings will inform Vermonters about the work of the Task Force, created by Act 73 to recommend new school district boundaries and configurations to the General Assembly. Your input will help the Task Force understand community priorities and considerations as it develops draft proposals.
Hearing Format
Overview: The Task Force will share its purpose, context, and process.
Community Input: Participants will have opportunities to discuss concerns, priorities, and ideas that should guide the Task Force’s work.
Report-Outs: Facilitators will summarize highlights; all input will be entered into the public record.
Public Testimony: Members of the public may also provide individual testimony (up to 2 minutes each).
Equity and Fairness: One hour has been set aside for testimony. If additional people wish to speak, the hearing may be extended by up to 30 minutes. If we cannot hear from everyone, participants will be invited to provide written testimony by email to ensure every voice is included.
Participation & Accessibility: All hearings are open to the public, both in person and via Microsoft Teams.
Members of the public may observe or participate in small-group conversations, provide live testimony, or submit written testimony.
Summaries of input will become part of the official public record.
To request accommodations, please contact Chrissy.Gilhuly@vermont.gov
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Categories: Community Events, State Government
Re: “These hearings are not for commenting on finalized maps, but your input will inform the Task Force’s work and be included in their report to the legislature.”
Is this a typical equivocation? How can we be expected to comment without seeing at least some idea of the ‘maps’ being proposed?
According to one member of the task force, Gov. Scott started by asking the task force to just draw up the maps. This does includes one map. What it doesn’t include and I hope the people speak widely to it – is the need for local school boards to remain. No huge districts with a superintendent and board that doesn’t begin to know the people – the parents, teachers, staff and students… Elementary students should definitely remain under local control and a strong case for middle school students, that have long been the more rambunctious student population, needing accountability to local leadership (parents and board) as well.
Funny how these meetings ended up being in the ‘blue’ counties.
It’s not ‘the maps’ that are my biggest concern. It’s the continued restrictions on School Choice and Homeschooling. If the legislature would simply allow the State Average Tuition voucher to go to parents to let them choose how to best educate their children, not only would these governance fiascos disappear, education costs paid by taxpayers would begin to decline immediately.
Re: “education costs paid by taxpayers would begin to decline immediately. ”
Which is why the legislature, and the Governor for that matter, continue to restrict School Choice tuitioning. They only care about increasing their cash flow to the detriment of students and taxpayers. It’s such a rip-off. If they were reasonable people, they’d be ashamed of themselves.