by Chaunce Benedict
Whether one thinks school district consolidations or mergers would be beneficial for Vermont, or not, is immaterial in regard to the fundamental issue raised by the Vermont School Redistricting Task Force’s move to thwart the intent and requirements of Vermont law concerning the future of our pre-k – 12 schools.
The Task Force has grossly abused its privilege as an appointed policy group by deciding to, essentially, disobey the law and thwart the process that our elected representatives designed for school reform. They created no “maps” as requested by the law, instead choosing to create a dense, wonkish 170 page tome – unreadable for the everyday Vermonter – making a fancy argument for a 1970s-style BOCES model, and a further try at voluntary district merging, the instances of which under Act 46 have reduced little if any cost; to be put in place over TEN YEARS.
Our elected legislature and governor, with much research and then debate, set a policy direction for Vermont school governance, operations and finance. It is not in any way, the prerogative of this small group to take it upon themselves to thwart the process set forth in law, for reorganizing our educational system.
The “thousands” of people who came forth to voice concern or opposition to the law, is transparently the result of organized, concerted political activism. While it is important to listen to and respect voices of concern, there is no reason per se to think that this is a “ground swell” representing the overall will of Vermonters as a whole. In fact, our 2025 Vermont legislature and governor duly elected by Vermont citizens, set this policy into law.
The Task Force, as well as “anti-merger” activists, have generated through their actions an undue, large amount of worry, fear, and anxiety over the idea of school district reconfiguring, and a demonstrated enormous insolence in gaslighting Vermonters by suggesting its plan will improve student learning and save much cost. In all, a stunning failure and lack of respect for the will of Vermonters who have said that the status quo of our schools – educationally and financially is no longer working and needs dramatic change, very soon.