DRAFT Summary of Major Points of Discussion
Stakeholder Meeting
Thursday, October 28
Speaker: Rep. Peter Peltz, primary author of Act 153, An act relating to voluntary school district merger.
Note: The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the content and implications of Act 153 which is designed to encourage school consolidation. These minutes highlight major points that were made during the discussion. They do not constitute a comprehensive summary of the legislation and may not accurately record the process outlined in the Act. All are encouraged to read the bill itself and to review the format for preparing the study of merger options.
These documents can be found at:
The Act itself: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2010/Acts/ACT153.pdf
The Study template: http://education.vermont.gov/new/html/mainlaws.html
Background and Business. Heid Krantz introduced Anne Morse who has assumed responsibilities for chairing the Steering Committee. Anne briefly summarized the history of the collaborative, and current thinking regarding next steps. Harry Miller noted that the School Board has not re-established the Collaborative and that this matter is under consideration but that at this point we can assume re-appointment.
Anne noted that the Collaborative will meet again on November 4 at 6:30 at the Town Hall to further discuss the merger legislation and implications for Craftsbury.
Peter Peltz was introduced. He made several opening comments and then took questions. The following key points emerged.
Opening Comments and Discussion:
1. In the years ahead, school closures are inevitable. Fixed costs are not sustainable, student population appears to be on the decline and small schools lack resources needed to prepare students for the 21st century. (These themes were discussed in the Report to the Craftsbury School Board.)
2. Act 153 is designed to lead to savings, efficiencies and a qualitative improvement in education. Support for the bill was bi-partisan.
3. The legislation contains financial incentives to encourage merger. However it is difficult at this stage to determine their exact value to participating towns.
4. The legislation envisions a bottom up approach designed to respect local decision making. It is hoped that this approach will be more effective than top-down mandatory pressure to consolidate. (Vermont has 280 School Districts. In the last 100 years there have been numerous attempts to consolidate and they have failed because they are viewed as “top down”.)
5. Under the legislation, the new Regional Education Districts (REDs) will be unified School District under a single governing Board. They will comprise a boundary based on the boundaries of participating towns. Participating towns will have the same school tax rate.
6. Under 153, all grades (K-12) can be considered for possible merger
7. The pros and cons of merger will be addressed in a Study that will be reviewed by the Department of Education. Ultimate merger will require Town approval and Departmental approval.
8. The Supervisory Union will be responsible for preparing the Study. Those towns that are members of their Supervisory Union will work together to develop the Study.
9. The Orleans Supervisory Union has already decided to proceed with the optional study phase outlined in Act 153. This decision was supported by the Craftsbury Academy School Board. The Study itself will follow the format outlined in a template prepared the Department of Education. (See reference above) Up to $20,00 will be available to hire consulting services to assist with the research.
10. There are a variety of questions regarding the location of authority for conducting the Merger Study. These include:
i. Who chooses the consultant?
ii. Who does the consultant work for?
iii. Who determines the options to be studied?
iv. Who has ultimate authority when Towns within the Supervisory Union may disagree regarding the configuration of the merger proposal?
11. The Study must show cost savings and demonstrate a qualitative improvement in education in order to be approved.
12. The study phase will involve a group process of negotiation. The Towns with the strongest, most creative and most convincing models and approach will be the most successful.
13. The Study process is likely to be competitive. Towns with a clear and strong vision and strategy are more likely to be successful in reaching an outcome that suits their desires and needs. The School Board will need to determine the “Rules of Engagement” when negotiating with other Towns.
14. With respect to transportation issues, this matter will be up to participating Towns to address during the study process
15. The future of School Choice is not clear at this time.
16. Concluding observations:
i. It is critically important that the Town develop a viable and attractive proposal that reflects the needs and desires of citizens.
ii. It is likely that the Study process will be competitive. Creative and cost effective models that demonstrate savings and enhanced educational quality are likely to be successful.
iii. The Collaborative has a potentially important role in:
1. Evaluating pros and cons of different models;
2. Educating citizens.
3. Building consensus in support of a particular approach.;
4. Demonstrating community support and building an active constituency for a particular strategy.
