Education: An Optimistic Vision for Vermont’s

Kids, Families & Future

 

Our kids are the future of Vermont.  I am confident that if we roll up our sleeves and approach the Act 170 process with an open, constructive mindset, we can build a state-of-the-art education system that keeps our next generation living, learning, and thriving right here in Vermont.

 

1. School Choice & Public-Independent School Partnerships

• Every Child Learns Differently: Education isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best learning path should always be a collaborative choice between parents and their children.

• Support What Works: Vermont’s independent schools achieve fantastic student outcomes and test scores. Let’s celebrate that success, preserve town tuitioning, and maintain strong, well-funded public schools side-by-side.

• New Combined School Models: As the Act 170 process unfolds, we have an exciting opportunity to explore innovative partnerships where public and independent schools share advanced coursework, arts programs, and resources while keeping their unique community identities intact.

 

2. Expanding Career Technical Education (CTE) & Modern Learning

• Pathways to High-Paying Vermont Careers: Not every kid wants or needs a four-year desk degree. We need to supercharge access to Career Technical Education (CTE) and hands-on trades so young Vermonters can graduate with valuable skills, build businesses, and afford to stay here.

• Regional Resource Sharing: Through Act 170’s seven Cooperative Educational Service Areas (CESAs), our districts can pool technical training programs and modern equipment, giving rural students access to cutting-edge vocational and tech education that individual small towns could never afford alone.

 

3. The Act 170 Process: Unlocking Smarter Funding Options

• Moving Beyond the Broken "Pool": Right now, the state pools 100+ local budgets statewide, meaning unchecked spending in one corner of Vermont drives up property tax bills in Arlington. That open-ended pool is why two-thirds of our local property taxes go toward school costs.

• Building a Fairer Funding Model: Moving toward the Foundation Formula is a strong starting point, but the Act 170 process doesn't end there. Over the next several years, the Legislature and local committees have the flexibility to design better alternatives—whether that’s a balanced foundation rate or regional district models where funding is shared transparently among regional partners.

• Local Democracy at the Ballot Box: The merger and alignment process under Act 170 is led by local study committees, with final decisions voted on by local communities in March 2028. We can use this runway to design school structures and funding mechanisms that truly work for our towns.

 

A Positive Path Forward

We don’t have to settle for runaway property taxes or diminished educational opportunities. By combining fiscal accountability with real school choice, expanded trade education, and modern regional cooperation, we can create an education system Vermont can be proud of for decades to come.