Comprehensive public education reform in Vermont could save $160 million a year, which would not only offset property tax hikes but also increase classroom resources. The independent, non-partisan policy organization Campaign for Vermont today released a series of comprehensive education reforms to improve results and better serve children. The proposals were paired with an analysis of current investments and results that underscore the opportunities for academic and administrative improvements in the current system.
Specifically, the Campaign for Vermont plan would reduce more than $160 million in administrative and overhead costs in favor of locally endorsed investments in early childhood education and more classroom resources to improve student achievement. The proposal also calls for boosting average teacher pay by more than 20 percent, while containing property taxes and enhancing the influence of local school boards.
The 64 Supervisory Unions would be replaced by about 15 regional districts. Student/teacher and, more so, student/administrator ratios, both lowest in the nation, would be increased to be more inline with New England ratios. Meanwhile, Vermont's teachers are the second lowest paid in New England, so pay would be increased to help incease excellence by offering more competitive salaries.
"The bottom line," according to the report, "excellent schools attract families. Finally, a spectacular education system would be a valuable Vermont brand asset, attracting businesses to Vermont, providing jobs of all types for our high school and higher education graduates, allowing them to remain in Vermont and build a financially viable career and raise a family of their own."
VERMONT CAN BE THE BEST
Campaign for Vermont founder Bruce Lisman said the organization has a vision for Vermont that includes the best public education system in the world.
We believe Vermont can have, and Vermonts children deserve, a public education system that produces the most innovative thinkers in the world, Lisman said. We know were spending enough to have the best education system in the world, and we know that this is what Vermonters want for their children. Were dedicated to moving this important discussion forward with a bold set of ideas that can jumpstart the discussion of how best to invest our education resources.
Vermonts education system is well positioned to be the very best, Lisman continued.
We have great educators and we get above average results, as compared to the rest of the nation. However, while Vermonts system is among the best resourced on a per pupil basis in the world, our results are not the best internationally. To be the best in the world, weve got to invest more in our children and less in administration and bureaucracy.
SIMPLIFY ADMINISTRATION & SAVE $160 MILLION
In order to be the best, we need meaningful reforms that reduce overhead costs and can free up more than $160 million that can be invested in early education, classroom technology, teachers and innovative curricula, as well as in reducing the property tax burden, Lisman said.
Vermonts current system has more than 300 local and regional administrative entities, plus the State Department of Education, serving slightly over 85,000 students.
As a result, too many dollars are diverted from the classroom, Lisman said. Campaign for Vermont proposes the elimination of most of Vermonts 64 supervisory unions, in favor of local Education Districts made up of local and union school district board representatives and responsible to and guided by the local school boards in that district.
ENHANCE LOCAL CONTROL & MEET BRIGHAM
Local boards would elect representative to the Education District board. Representation would be proportional to the population of their local district divided by the total population of the Education District. These Education Districts would generally align, and incorporate with, the 15 Career and Technical Education Centers in Vermont. And manage matters common to all school districts, including union negotiations, purchasing supplies and education materials, crafting the budget to be placed before voters and coordinating the tasks of tax collection with municipalities.
Reorganizing the system in this way would save more than $160 million, allow the Education Districts to achieve an economy of scale that improves efficiency and saves taxpayers more money over time, the report notes. It would also allow for a greater diversity of educational offering and experiences. And, with the state continuing to cover its current financial responsibilities, and preservation of a functional excess school spending mechanism in place, these reforms will be entirely consistent with the Brigham standard of a substantially equal educational opportunity.
INVEST IN CHILDREN & CONTAIN PROPERTY TAXES
As a matter of principle, I believe education policy should be child-centered and focus on improving outcomes for our children, while also containing skyrocketing property taxes, Lisman said. Our proposal shows that it is possible to do both and we welcome the input of any Vermonter who shares our view that we need to put children first.
Lisman noted that with just $50 million of the savings Vermont could likely prevent most, if not all, of the statewide property tax increase projected for this year and still have more than $110 million to invest in children.
THE BEST EDUCATION SYSTEM ATTRACTS THE BEST JOBS
An education system that leads the world in results will also make Vermont more attractive to employers and young families, Lisman notes. This is particularly important because Vermont has become the second oldest state in the nation, next to Maine, while the enrollment in schools has dropped by over 18%, or almost 19,000 students since 2000. This means the size of our workforce a key factor for employers seeking a long-term location continues to decline.
Excellent schools attract families and great jobs of all types for high school and higher education graduates, and allow them to remain in Vermont and build a financially viable career and raise a family of their own. Our public education system should be our strongest economic development tool, Lisman said.
We all want the very best for every young Vermonter and this proposal is a first step toward delivering on our obligation to provide them with the tools they need to succeed and prosper in the 21st Century. We hope that more Vermonters will join this important discussion and share their ideas. But we must move forwardwe must embrace innovative, child-centered reformsin order to build an economy where every child is secure and can prosper.
Attached is a summary of the position statement and here is the link to Putting Children First, CFV Education Position Document: http://www.campaignforvermont.org/pdfs/12.08.12-PUTTING-CHILDREN-FIRST.pdf
ABOUT CAMPAIGN FOR VERMONT
Campaign for Vermont (CFV) is an independent, non-partisan policy organization founded by Bruce Lisman, Mary Alice McKenzie, Tom Pelham and 23 Founding Partners from across Vermont.CFV's mission includes advocating for practical and non-partisan solutions that result in greater government transparency and accountability, a stronger and more diverse economy with more and better-paying jobs, and an unwavering commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Through CFV, Vermonters from all over the state, and from all points of view, are working together to build consensus around ideas that will ensure every Vermonter is economically secure, no one lives in poverty and everyone has a chance to prosper.
Source: Campaign for Vermont 12.10.2012
Campaign for Vermont proposed education reforms include cutting SUs, raising teacher pay
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