Vermont Business Magazine Vermont public school students holding hand-made signs declaring their support for public schools joined teachers, community-members, and advocates at the State House on Tuesday to remind the governor and legislature that Vermonters want good public schools and fair taxes. After hearing from parents, teachers, students, administrators, and community members, the students headed outside for a Keep the Public in Public Education sledding party.
“Public schools are the heart of our communities,” said Susan Clark, author and community facilitator. “In our public school’s communities we learn to listen across difference, to navigate trade-offs, and identify commonalities, because that’s what democratic communities do. Ultimately, the school's heartbeat pumps out not only educated students, but an energized civic community.”
“We’re asking our schools to help our children grow into young adults. We’re asking for a lot – and investing a lot – because this work is critical to our success as a state,” said Liz Schlegel of the Alchemist Foundation. “Our investment in public education can be used to diminish inequality or it can reinforce it. Making sure that all Vermont kids have the resources they need to succeed means investing in our public schools, and giving educators the resources they need to teach kids in their communities.”
Schools partner with more than 40 local community businesses, farmers, and mentors to provide our students with hands-on learning opportunities that allow them to pursue their passions and goals while emphasizing relevance and rigor,” said Jamie Kinnarney, Superintendent of the White River Valley Supervisory Union. “Please join me in making certain that students, families, and rural communities are at the forefront of any/all discussions related to how we best position ourselves for sustainability and growth as an education system; while making certain that small rural towns don’t disappear.”
PAI courtesy photos.
“Vermonters overwhelmingly support their public schools. They recognize that strong schools make strong communities, and they want to see them fully funded, well-resourced, and able to provide the opportunities their children deserve,” said Vermont 2017 Teacher of the Year Kate McCann. “We cannot continue to ask low- and middle-income Vermonters to bear the burden alone. The wealthiest in our society must pay their fair share to ensure that every student, no matter their background or zip code, has the tools they need to succeed.”
“Prior to attending Harwood High School, I was constantly frustrated in math class. However, this changed in my ninth-grade math class, where my teacher taught with excitement, visuals, challenging us, accepting mistakes, and checking in to make sure we understood each step as he taught,“ said Harwood Union High School Tenth Grader Harmony Belle Devoe. If our school budget doesn’t pass, this teacher, among others, will be let go. We cannot keep asking our schools and teachers to do more with less, because it results in cuts to programming that has a direct negative impact on students.”
Participating organizations included Voices for Vermont’s Children, Vermont Education Justice Coalition, Vermont Rural Education Collaborative, Vermont NEA, and Public Assets Institute.
Public Assets Institute
Montpelier, VT
publicassets.org
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