By H. Jay Eshelman
Finally, Vermont’s reasonable political practitioners and progressive media are beginning to understand what economic sustainability is all about. Yes, it took long enough. But here they are… at last, with some reasonable discussion about the most expensive aspect of our government and one of the primary causes of high taxes. Specifically, the need for “education reform”.
In a recent VT Digger commentary by Tom Pelham of Berlin, former finance commissioner in the administration of Gov. Howard Dean and tax commissioner in administration of Gov. Jim Douglas, Mr. Pelham lays out what many VDC readers have known for some time about Vermont’s public education monopoly. And Mr. Pelham was, apparently, part of the problem. He also served as an independent state representative, including on the Vermont House Appropriations Committee. But arriving at a reasonable position in this regard is always better late than never.
And kudos to VT Digger for publishing Pelham’s commentary.
Long story short; while VDC readers should view the detailed commentary for themselves, Mr. Pelham ends with the following education reform recommendation.
“One such reform might be migrating public school personnel management structures more toward merit-based principles and systems while diminishing those based on longevity. Such would reduce pressures on both operating and retirement budgets while maintaining high levels of competency in our classrooms.”
My interpretation: The citation of ‘merit-based principles and systems’ is another way of recommending an educational free market consisting of willing buyers and sellers. This is what School Choice is all about. And there is legislation, currently collecting dust on the House Education Committee shelves that will, in one fell swoop, create that market.
H.405: Subject: Education; school choice; elementary education; secondary education
“Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to allow all Vermont students to attend the school of the student’s choice, paid for by a School Choice Grant issued by the Agency of Education. The School Choice Grant would be paid from the Education Fund payment otherwise due to the student’s school district of residence. This bill also proposes to require the Joint Fiscal Office to issue a report with recommendations for the integration of the school choice program into Vermont’s current education funding structure.”
Again, I suggest all VDC readers take the time to review H.405. Basically, H.405 simply expands the School Choice provisions already in place for many Vermont students to all Vermont students. It is the simplest way to make meaningful reforms to Vermont’s education system. Not only does School Choice improve educational outcomes, it saves money – lots of money.
H. Jay Elshelman is a former River Valley Technical Center School Board director, former Workforce Investment Board member (liaison between schools and businesses), a Vermont employer for the last 45 years, and parent of two children who attended our Vermont public school system while taking advantage of its existing School Choice provisions