Rural School Community Alliance Statement on House Passage of H. 454

rsca on April 13, 2025

April 11, 2025

Cheryl Charles 

RSCA Steering Committee Chair

802-376-8093 cherylcharles01@gmail.com

The Rural School Community Alliance appreciates the effort lawmakers have made in recent weeks to respond to the many concerns raised by Vermonters about proposed changes to our public education system. Unfortunately, despite some improvements, H. 454 falls short of addressing the most critical issues facing our rural communities, and it remains deeply concerning in its implications for educational equity, local democracy and the well-being of our children.

H. 454 proposes a dramatic shift away from Vermont’s functioning system of local democratic engagement in school governance. It moves toward centralizing decision-making into fewer school boards with reduced local representation, which would separate communities from decisions that directly impact their children and their schools. 

Many school districts in Vermont currently have merger agreements that give towns a say in decisions about school closures. These provisions are essential. When a school faces closure, it is the local community—families, students, and taxpayers—who are most affected. They deserve a voice to ensure that children’s needs are considered, including reasonable bus rides for young learners, thoughtful planning for the reuse of school buildings, and manageable financial impacts for the town. H454 eliminates closure articles of agreement in the formation of the new larger districts. and does not establish a clear process for school closures, creating uncertainty for rural communities. 

The combination of larger districts, less representation, goals for minimum class and district size without the protection of a vote of the town impacted, will drive rural school closures statewide.

 H454 does not acknowledge the well-documented negative impacts of school closures on children. National research consistently shows that closing community schools’ harms students: disrupts social connections, increases mental health challenges, lowers academic performance in the short term, and reduces family and community engagement.

Similarly, the bill ignores the consequences for rural communities in Vermont, a state that is predominantly rural. School closures lead to population decline, reduced property values, loss of social capital, and difficulties attracting and retaining families. These are not abstract concerns—they are lived realities in towns where schools have already closed.

Vermonters asked for tax relief—not the dismantling of a public education system that generations have worked to build, centered around strong, local community schools. We believe there is a path forward to address education funding in Vermont, and we urge lawmakers to focus on funding reform. Governance reform must be thoughtful, inclusive, and grounded in a commitment to educational equity and community voice. Our children and communities deserve nothing less.

Rural School Community Alliance Statement on House Education Committee Changes to H.454

rsca on March 28, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 27, 2025


CONTACT: CHERYL CHARLES

cherylcharles01@gmail.com 802 376 8093

Yesterday, the House Education Committee added a deeply concerning amendment to H.454 by adding language in Section 8 that would have disastrous consequences for public education and rural communities across Vermont. While H. 454 contains positive elements, this new provision would grant existing merged school boards and any newly created, larger school boards unilateral authority to close schools—bypassing local voting, eliminating community input, and undermining due process.

This move threatens the stability and quality of Vermont’s public education system and the health of rural communities. Without meaningful local input, our communities lose their ability to make informed decisions that best serve their students, jeopardizing the quality of education our children receive.

Following challenging negotiations under Act 46, many school districts across the state adopted local voting requirements on school closures as part of their Articles of Agreement. In many cases, these provisions were critical in securing public support for school mergers. An override of these agreements by legislators would undermine the trust Vermonters put in the merger process.


We urge lawmakers to reject this harmful language and reaffirm their commitment to community-driven decision-making in public education. The future of our schools and the strength of our communities depend on it.

###


About the Vermont Rural School Community Alliance
The Vermont Rural School Community Alliance is a coalition of educators, parents, and community members dedicated to advocating for equitable, high-quality public education in Vermont. To date, 89 Vermont school boards, select boards and other groups have joined the Alliance. Our work is informed by direct experience in Vermont schools and leading research in rural education.

Vermont Rural School Community Alliance Statehouse Press Conference recommended a thoughtful and balanced Approach to Education Reform 

rsca on February 25, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 25th, 2025 

Contact:
Dr. Cheryl Charles
802-376-8093, cherylcharles01@gmail.com 

Vermont Rural School Community Alliance Statehouse Press Conference recommended a thoughtful and balanced Approach to Education Reform 

Montpelier, VT – The Vermont Rural School Community Alliance (RSCA) came together last week at the statehouse to hold a press conference advocating for Vermont’s public schools and ensuring that any proposed education reform supports students, families, and communities while maintaining financial sustainability. 

The RSCA consists of Vermonters from all walks of life—educators, parents, school board members, and community leaders—who recognize the crucial role public schools play in shaping the state’s future. At this time almost 60 boards, school boards, select boards and parent teacher groups have voted or have votes scheduled to become members. These communities stretch from Guilford in the south on the Massachusetts border to Holland in the north on the Canadian border. From Grand Isle in the west to Westminster in the east.

The RSCA understands the need to address the rising cost of education but has concerns with elements of the Scott Administration’s education transformation proposal. Any reform must consider the potential adverse impacts on rural children, elementary schools and communities, and must ensure actual savings for taxpayers. 

“There are components of the proposed plan that will completely overhaul our public education system without due consideration for Vermont’s unique rural landscape and the role our schools play in our communities,” said Dr. Cheryl Charles of RSCA. “We must consider changes that support our children’s education, address costs, and ensure communities continue to have a voice in critical decisions.” 

A Call for Thoughtful Reform 

RSCA believes Vermont needs thoughtful, community-driven reforms that strengthen rather than dismantle our public education system. Instead of pursuing a one-size-fits-all approach, RSCA urges policymakers to consider alternative solutions that support Vermont’s diverse educational landscape. The alliance recommends:

  • Supporting elementary schools as community hubs that enhance early learning and economic development. 
  • Encouraging regional collaboration for secondary school education while maintaining flexibility for local needs. 
  • Potentially moving t into larger supervisory union groups to foster cost-effective cooperation among districts without sacrificing local governance. 
  • Addressing critical issues such as skyrocketing health care costs, teacher shortages, school infrastructure needs, and access to student mental health services without destabilizing our education system. 

“We recognize that Vermont’s education system needs thoughtful reform, but closing community elementary schools and dismantling local governance is not the answer,” said Dan MacArthur of Marlboro. “RSCA stands ready to work with legislators and communities to promote balanced, research-backed solutions that truly benefit Vermont students, families, taxpayers and communities.” 

About the Vermont Rural School Community Alliance 

The Vermont Rural School Community Alliance is a coalition of educators, parents, and community members dedicated to advocating for equitable, high-quality public education in Vermont. Our work is informed by direct experience in Vermont schools and leading research in rural education. 

Contact vtschoolsrock@gmail.com for more information.

###