Education bigwigs are up in arms about this new education reform bill, saying it’s going to mess things up big time for some districts. They claim that the bill, H.454, will slash funding for certain districts and jack up tax rates for others without actually dealing with the real cost issues that schools are facing. On top of that, the bill proposes to create a committee made up solely of lawmakers to redraw district lines, which these school leaders think will just make things more political.
Superintendents from various districts, including Burlington, Champlain Valley, Winooski, South Burlington, Rutland, Franklin, and Washington counties, have been vocal about their concerns with the Senate’s version of the bill. They’ve been sending letters to their communities and legislators, expressing their doubts about the new funding system that’s supposed to kick in on July 1, 2027, two years earlier than what the House had in mind.
Burlington’s superintendent, Tom Flanagan, penned a letter on May 16, warning that his district could lose millions under the new formula, which he called “devastating.” He questioned the wisdom of locking in a new funding system before figuring out the district boundaries and governance structures. Flanagan pointed out that just a few years ago, they were all for Act 127, which tweaked the education funding to account for students in need. But now, he’s worried that H.454 will undo all the good that Act 127 did.
Champlain Valley’s superintendent, Adam Bunting, and board chair, Meghan Metzler, also chimed in with a letter on May 19, saying that their district stands to lose a whopping $10 million under the new formula. They’ve already slashed $9 million and 82 positions from their budget in the past year, so losing more money would be a real blow to the students they serve.
Winooski’s superintendent, Wilmer Chavarria, and board chair, Robert Millar, urged their community to reach out to legislators about the bill, which they described as “deeply problematic.” They fear that it will lead to service cuts, layoffs, and overall tough times for the district in the coming years.
Harwood Unified Union School District’s superintendent, Mike Leichliter, supported the House’s version of the bill but has serious reservations about the Senate’s take. He warned that they’d have to cut $5.4 million by July 2027, which could mean losing 50 more positions, cutting programs, or even shutting down schools. Meanwhile, Slate Valley Union School District in Rutland County expects more money under the Senate’s changes, but that also means a hefty 22% property tax hike.
The superintendents in Franklin County also raised concerns about the bill, especially the lack of educator voices in the decision-making process. They worry that the Senate’s proposed foundation formula could force schools to make deep cuts or result in tax hikes ranging from three to 30 percent for residents in their districts. They argue that the bill doesn’t tackle the real reasons behind rising costs in education, like healthcare, housing, infrastructure, and mental health needs.
In short, these education leaders are not thrilled with the Senate’s version of the bill and think it misses the mark on addressing the core issues facing schools. They want more thoughtful solutions that take into account the real challenges schools are grappling with.
