EARLIER THIS MORNING in Montpelier we got an update from HOUSE DEMOCRATS on their EDUCATION PROPOSAL IT would include a study TO LOOK AT REDISTRICTING AND CONSOLIDATION IN THE STATE... with a SLOWER TIMELINE THAN GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT OR THE SENATE WOULD LIKE TO SEE. NBC5 STEPHEN BIDDIX EXPLAINS WHY. 22;35;51;29 <creating these new districts must be done right must be done carefully thoughtfully by the right people.> HOUSE DEMOCRATS AGAIN OPTING FOR A STUDY AFTER THIS SESSION THAT WILL PROVIDE 3 EXAMPLES OF WHAT REDISTRICTING WOULD LOOK LIKE for school districts statewide. 22;36;24;28-22;36;39;14 Rep. Peter Conlon, House Education Chair Cornwall <there have been calls for us legislators to draw these lines now and in the compressed time we have, it's tempting but the chance of unintended consequences that would just have to be corrected and changed in the next session is to greed.> IN THEIR PLAN THE SMALLEST DISTRICT WOULD HAVE 4,000 KIDS AND THE SMALLEST CLASS SIZE AT 15. 22;34;44;24 peter <time and time again I've been told that a classroom of 15 3rd graders is a much better learning experience then a classroom with far fewer kids kids are more interactive more engaged with each other and more engaged with their education.> THE HOUSE'S TAX COMMITTEE ARE STILL WORKING ON A FOUNDATION FORMULA. MOST ARE SUPPORTIVE OF A BASE FUNDING MODEL WHERE MONEY IS GIVEN TO DISTRICTS BY THE STATE... BUT ARE STILL FIGURING OUT HOW MUCH. 22;40;40;06 Rep. Emilie Kornhieser, Chair House Ways and Means, Brattleboro <some children and some schools throughout the state have much greater access to opportunity but access to dollars then other kids our hope is a foundation formula would fix this by creating consistent opportunities and dollars for kids throughout the state.> IT'S A MORE RESERVED APPROACH in comparison to lawmakers in the SENATE and GOVERNOR SCOTT WHO WANT DISTRICT LINES AND A BASE funding AMOUNT DECIDED THIS YEAR. 00;46;40;29 Gov. Phil Scott <i'm more encouraged with the senate they seem to be somwhat ahead of the house in many different ways. They' have established the number supervisory unions even considering what lines and so forth.> SCOTT REMAINS OPTIMISTIC SOMETHING WILL GET DONE BUT IT REMAINS A WAITING GAME. HIS SAYS HIS BEST BET IS A COMBINATION OF THE SENATES REDISTRICTING PLAN WITH THE HOUSE'S FOUNDATION FORMULA. THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE IS EXPECTED TO FINALIZE THEIR WORK Friday AS THE SENATE CONTINUES THEIR PLAN. IN MONT SB NBC5 NEWS. IN A STATEMENT OUT THIS AFTERNOON. THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WILL NOT SUPPORT ADJOURNING THE SESSION WITHOUT A NEW EDUCATION FUNDING SYSTEM..
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House Dems propose another study for education transformation and redistricting
The House’s study will be post-legislative session and, when returned, will outline three potential redistricting scenarios they would then vote on next year
Stephen Biddix
Reporter
House Democrats are finalizing their education proposal, which will be a study of redistricting and school consolidation in Vermont. It’s a more reserved approach compared to Gov. Phil Scott’s and the Senate’s proposal. The House’s study will be post-legislative session, and when returned will outline three potential redistricting scenarios they would decide on next year. “There have been calls for us legislators to draw these lines now, and in the compressed time we have, it's tempting, but the chance of unintended consequences that would just have to be corrected and changed in the next session is to greed,” said Rep. Peter Conlon, the chair of the House Education Committee. The proposed redrawn districts will have at least 4,000 students per district and have the lowest class size minimum of 15 students.“Time and time again, I've been told that a classroom of 15 third graders is a much better learning experience than a classroom with far fewer kids. Kids are more interactive, more engaged with each other and more engaged with their education,” Conlon said. The House Tax Committee continues to explore a base funding model to distribute resources equitably across districts. Rep. Emilie Kornheiser stressed the importance of addressing disparities in access to opportunities for students statewide.While the House takes a measured approach, the Senate and Gov. Scott are pushing for swift action, including finalizing district lines and determining funding amounts this year.“I’m more encouraged with the Senate. They seem to be somewhat ahead of the House in many different ways, they have established the number of supervisory unions, even considering what lines and so forth,” said Scott. Scott said in a statement after the Democratic plan release, “I also want to be upfront with legislators, I will not support adjourning this session without a bill to transition to a new funding system, establish a new governance structure that unlocks transformation, and includes a specific implementation timeline. We were elected to make tough decisions. It’s our problem to solve and our time to solve it.”Discussions will continue, with the House Education Committee expected to finalize their proposal tomorrow as the Senate still works on their own plan.
MONTPELIER, Vt. —
House Democrats are finalizing their education proposal, which will be a study of redistricting and school consolidation in Vermont. It’s a more reserved approach compared to Gov. Phil Scott’s and the Senate’s proposal.
The House’s study will be post-legislative session, and when returned will outline three potential redistricting scenarios they would decide on next year.
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“There have been calls for us legislators to draw these lines now, and in the compressed time we have, it's tempting, but the chance of unintended consequences that would just have to be corrected and changed in the next session is to greed,” said Rep. Peter Conlon, the chair of the House Education Committee.
The proposed redrawn districts will have at least 4,000 students per district and have the lowest class size minimum of 15 students.
“Time and time again, I've been told that a classroom of 15 third graders is a much better learning experience than a classroom with far fewer kids. Kids are more interactive, more engaged with each other and more engaged with their education,” Conlon said.
The House Tax Committee continues to explore a base funding model to distribute resources equitably across districts. Rep. Emilie Kornheiser stressed the importance of addressing disparities in access to opportunities for students statewide.
While the House takes a measured approach, the Senate and Gov. Scott are pushing for swift action, including finalizing district lines and determining funding amounts this year.
“I’m more encouraged with the Senate. They seem to be somewhat ahead of the House in many different ways, they have established the number of supervisory unions, even considering what lines and so forth,” said Scott.
Scott said in a statement after the Democratic plan release, “I also want to be upfront with legislators, I will not support adjourning this session without a bill to transition to a new funding system, establish a new governance structure that unlocks transformation, and includes a specific implementation timeline. We were elected to make tough decisions. It’s our problem to solve and our time to solve it.”
Discussions will continue, with the House Education Committee expected to finalize their proposal tomorrow as the Senate still works on their own plan.
