Why Act 73 is flawed
Based on Governor Scott’s State of the State address, he is clearly concerned that his goal of advancing his education reform law, Act 73 may be in jeopardy. The Governor is now threatening to hold other pieces of legislation hostage unless the legislature adheres to the mandated consolidation process of Act 73.
Act 73 has faced significant criticism due to its foundation on the Picus and Odden report, a consulting document developed by an out-of-state firm. A primary critique is that this report was remarkably similar to those prepared for other states, lacked an in-depth study of Vermont-specific educational dynamics, and did not incorporate local perspectives or community input.
The core issue is that Act 73’s framework only applies to Vermont’s larger school districts with “normal” size schools. This approach has limited relevance for the state’s small, rural communities, which constitute approximately 66% of Vermont. Even the authors of the Picus and Odden report acknowledge (on page 14) that their model is not applicable for most of Vermont. This is why in rural parts of Vermont there is no support for forced mergers or consolidations.
Conversely, a separate analysis conducted by the Vermont Redistricting Task Force challenges the central assumption that school consolidation is the sole or most effective method for achieving cost savings. The Task Force’s findings suggest that Act 73 does not adequately address the primary drivers of educational costs in the state, which include health care, special education expenses, facilities maintenance, and student transportation.
Through an evidence-based review that incorporated research from comparable rural states and extensive input from over 5,000 Vermonters, the Task Force recommends an alternative, more localized approach. This strategy advocates for targeted, regional solutions that respect local geography and community identity. It prioritizes voluntary mergers and community-driven collaborations over a state-imposed, blanket redistricting mandate. Effective strategies identified by the Task Force include enhanced regional coordination, shared staffing models, and strategic inter-district collaborations.
If the overarching goal of Vermont’s educational reorganization is to enhance quality while containing costs, then the legislature should give serious consideration to the Redistricting Task Force’s recommendations.