At Brattleboro’s Representative Town Meeting, it is expected that Representative Andy Davis will introduce a non-binding resolution on the topic of Act 46 and school mergers for members to discuss, debate, and vote upon during “Other Business” at the end of the meeting.
I asked him about the resolution and here’s what he said:
“The basic meaning of this is straightforward. We have been unable to form a “preferred” merger under the rules of Act 46. There are provisions in Act 46 for school boards – not the study group – to find an alternative path towards the goals of Act 46. This resolution simply directs the Brattleboro Town School Board to pursue this alternative path under Sec. 9 of Act 46.
If we do not do something like this the Vermont State Board of Education will have the option of telling Brattleboro what to do to fulfill the law – with no further public input. I think that would be unfortunate and a missed opportunity.
Our current supervisory union (WSESU) could possibly be retained in a modified form – along with individual town school boards – if we could show that we are achieving the goals of Act 46. The goals are basically student achievement, equity of educational opportunity and sustainable costs.
Here is the resolution:
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WHEREAS, the Brattleboro Town Schools have not, as of this date, entered
into a school merger as directed by the Vermont Legislature under Act 46,
NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we the Town Meeting Representatives of Brattleboro
direct the Brattleboro Town School Board to explore the Alternative
Structure in Section 9 of Act 46 referred to as “SELF-EVALUATION,
MEETINGS, AND PROPOSAL” (p. 17, Act 46), and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that we direct the Brattleboro Town School Board to hold
at least two public hearings for the purpose of exploring this option for
complying with Act 46.
****
Prepared by
Andy Davis
District 3 Representative
Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting
March 25, 2017″
