The Vermont Senate is considering a bill that will provide tax incentives to school that find ways to cooperate with surrounding districts to improve efficiency and student opportunities. The schools in our supervisory union are widely recognized as leaders in these kinds of changes, having begun implementing them a decade ago.
The bill also cuts supports for small schools, and cuts support for schools adjusting to declining numbers of students. Guilford, Putney, Vernon, and the high school district benefit from these supports and will see tax rates increase if they are cut.
What this means is that we will be paying higher taxes despite our continuing improvement and efficiencies, while school districts that have not been working effectively with their neighbors will get tax breaks.
If you don’t think this is a good idea, please contact our senators and tell them so. You can call the statehouse and leave a message at 802-828-2228 or email them at
bbalint@leg.state.vt.us
jwhite@leg.state.vt.us
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David Schoales
Brattleboro
