Note: This opinion editorial was sent to media outlets throughout Vermont on December 9th, 2025
On December 1, the Scott Administration released its annual education tax rate letter. That letter projected a 12% average increase in education property taxes. Even though only 6% of this projection is related to school spending for next year, the Administration has described this as a crisis that can only be solved by following its preferred education governance model.
The Administration’s model would consolidate Vermont’s 119 school districts into large, regional districts. They have described this as a necessary “transformation” of the education system. In reality, it is a big state takeover of public education.
And worse, there is no evidence that this forced consolidation will reduce costs or fix the cost drivers in Vermont’s education system. We know it will not bring down health care premiums, repair old infrastructure, or support the growing need for student mental health and social services. It will not fix the staffing shortages that districts across the state are struggling to manage. It will not improve student outcomes or honor the work done through ACT 127, which brought equity to districts serving students living in poverty, English Learners, and students living in rural communities.
What it WILL do is take decision-making power away from local communities and concentrate power at the state level.
The tax letter is designed to serve as a tool to help school boards and legislators deliberate, set budgets, and control costs to the best of their ability. This year, however, the letter and the Administration’s feedback on the letter seem designed to spread fear and to create distrust in our education system.
Governor Scott has publicly tied tax relief to the full implementation of this forced consolidation plan. That is not how good policy is made. The process of addressing the costs of education and choosing new governance models should require honest discussions, good data, and a willingness to listen to the people who will be impacted by the changes.
We believe the Redistricting Task Force listened carefully. Despite what Governor Scott says, they looked closely at consolidation options and decided that forced mergers would not work. Instead, they suggested a plan based on successful examples from other states. Their plan focuses on saving money through shared regional services and voluntary cooperation, while keeping communities in control of key decisions. It is based on evidence and public input. But instead of considering this plan, the Administration rejected it and went back to its original top-down consolidation idea, while suggesting that Task Force members who don’t agree should be replaced.
Since this conversation began, BSD has been clear in our support of regional collaboration where it improves outcomes, increases equity, and saves money. We believe in building efficiencies where possible because we agree that changes in the system are needed.
We cannot support a plan that takes away decision-making from communities, centralizes control, and undermines progress in equitable funding. We will continue to engage in this process with an open mind and a commitment to equity. We will advocate for solutions that protect our students, preserve local democratic governance, and build a sustainable public education system. And, we will continue to speak out when top-down policies threaten to strip our communities of their voice.
Vermont’s schools are not broken; they are under strain. School boards are not resistant to reform; they are asking for a future grounded in equity, evidenced savings, and common sense. Public education does not need to be taken over. It needs to be strengthened.
Clare Wool, Chair, Burlington Board of School Commissioners
Tom Flanagan, Superintendent, Burlington School District
