Update on yesterday's education remarks
2024-04-05
Dear friend,
Good afternoon!
I hate letting anyone down. But I did that yesterday with residents disappointed in my education remarks, and I want to address it. In addition to the following thoughts, I'll be available for the following "office hours" tomorrow, Saturday, April 6th:
Saturday, April 6th 10–11 a.m., Halifax Cafe at the Halifax Community Club, 20 Brook Road, Halifax
Saturday, April 6th 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Village Roost, 20 W Main St, Wilmington
I reported in email to you yesterday on the following testimony that I delivered to a joint hearing of the House Education and the House Ways & Means committees:
Here's how one resident responded:
After almost 30 years of our local schools being underfunded in favor of larger schools, I am dismayed that your testimony focuses on the closing of the only high school in your district. Access to public education is critical for the children in our area. “Inviting" the state to decide whether our local schools close is not acceptable.
A couple of points to clear up:
You mentioned that the Wilmington High School was closed because of maintenance costs on that building. That’s not quite right. Wilmington and Whitingham could not support three buildings for their students based on the funding formula at the time. The Whitingham school was renovated to serve middle/high school students and TVES was renovated to serve the elementary students from two towns.
The town has not “picked up” the Old School. It is run by a 501c3 and receives limited funding from the town.
You mentioned your constituents a few times in your testimony. I think you should know that you did not speak for me today.
Another resident wrote to point out that what I stated about the Twin Valley baseball team was out of date. They're right and I should have said that I'm excited to see that the program is bouncing back, as reported this week in the Reformer: TV sees roster increase as it continues rebuild. Best of luck to Coach Nido and the team!
Reformer headline: TV sees roster increase as it continues rebuild
I offered that testimony because both Governor Scott and the Legislature are working to keep the FY25 State budget to a small, inflation-driven increase, education spending for the coming year is undergoing massive inflation. Education taxes in some districts are going to be up 20% or 30% this year. Some districts are anticipating that they will see such increases again next year. And school infrastructure is aging, with a $6 billion statewide replacement cost estimate. And, I often hear quality concerns and concerns about school environment from residents across Vermont. I hear a lot that kids are not doing great, and teachers and staff are stressed. The litany of problems goes on and on.
Legislators have been asking each other, "What are your ideas?"
There is mixed opinion in the Legislature about how to confront the challenges of our time. I even hear people question whether the Governor or legislators have the political will to tackle an issue like consolidation.
There is broad disagreement among voters about what to do about any of these issues, and I try to consider everyone's voice when there is a bill to consider. I intended my statement to paint a picture, in a candid way, of some threads in Windham-6.
To be clear, there is no bill considering these issues under discussion. If a bill on any of these issues does come up, you can be sure I will vet it thoroughly and discuss it with you throughout the legislative process.
It's clear that making consolidation a focus of my remarks made some residents feel unrepresented by me. Even if I was attempting to be constructive, I was too cavalier in discussing such a sensitive subject. We're not going to have across-the-board agreement on some of these topics, but I owe it to you to be really intentional in setting a constructive and inclusive context. I apologize, and I will work to do better.
I also apologize for my language on the Old School, which I didn't consider as much as I should have.
I realize that the town itself did not take ownership of the school, only that the town has supported it in ancillary ways. The group of seven volunteers who came together and created the 501c3 (the Old School Enrichment Council, Inc.) to buy and run the building get all the credit for picking this up. They have received 1% funds from the town by request, but start with grants, events, and volunteer hours.
Old School Community Center
Our public education is both the crown jewel and the glue of our democracy. We must continue and I will continue my work to uphold the strong duty to public education in our Constitution.
Thanks to those who have written with your feedback. I consider this job to be a learning process. Harkening back to the inspiring John Dewey, “Education is a social process; education is growth; education is not a preparation for life but is life itself.”
Please keep your comments coming.
Thank you.
warm regards,
Rep. Tristan Roberts
Vermont House of Representatives