Tough budget season underway for urban and rural school boards
With Vermont facing an education fund deficit of at least $50 million, school boards and property-tax weary constituents across the state have a challenging budget season ahead.
Union says health care premiums put UVM raise below cost-of-living increase
According to United Academics, a union that represents University of Vermont faculty, labor contract negotiations are approaching the mediation stage, and a health care premium increase of almost 6 percent is a primary point of contention.
Act 46 designed to enhance education monopoly, limit school choice — a debate for Vermont
The education monopoly is continuing its incessant push to consolidate and control funding. That is, after all, what the monopoly is all about — growing its business at the expense of any competition.
Vermont man making a last stand for local control of schools
“If I fail with this lawsuit there will be no local control of schools in Vermont. This is a last stand. This is it.”
Study: School choice increases college success for low income students
Rather than scheming to eliminate Vermont’s tuitioning system, the Legislature ought to be working to expand it to all Vermont children. Perhaps folks within the state college system will see the benefit of pushing this policy direction in the future.
A conversation with the state auditor on education costs in Vermont
In a recently initiated online discussion with State Auditor Doug Hoffer regarding the coming 8-cent increase in Vermont’s statewide education taxes, I suggested checking out the Agency of Education on behalf of Vermont taxpayers.
Common Core faces even more resistance with Trump’s second-in-command education guy
Common Core education standards will face even more resistance with the Tuesday night appointment of President Donald Trump’s second-highest Department of Education official.
Roper: Are public schools the best option for low income students?
It is time to consider that maybe the public school system as currently designed just isn’t the right environment for low income and specially challenged students.
Massachusetts librarian’s scolding of Melania Trump shows need for school choice
Liz Phipps Soeiro thoroughly scolded first lady Melania Trump for giving the school 10 books by Dr. Seuss in honor of National Read a Book Day.
Letovsky: Boards need to stand up to striking teachers
Watching recent teacher contract talks in both Burlington and South Burlington, it’s clear that nothing has changed in the bargaining strategy and tactics of the teachers’ union.
Nearly 30 percent of public school teachers are ‘chronically’ skipping classes, study says
Over 28 percent of public school educators miss 11 or more school days each year, discovered a report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, an education policy nonprofit think tank.
Lindberg: Elected officials choose private schools for their kids, public schools for others
Many elected representatives and senators send their children to private schools. Ironically, they also vote to deny school choice to their taxpaying constituents, essentially resigning them to the public schools.