Legislative Update 2/14/2023
Many constituents have reached out to me in recent days with questions or alarm about a bill introduced in the Senate last week, S.66, which would largely eliminate public tuition money going to independent schools. It is important to note that there has not yet been any movement or testimony on this bill, nor is any scheduled yet as of this writing.
Last year the US Supreme Court ruled in Carson Vs Makin that religious schools cannot be denied public funding on the basis of religion alone. Every state is grappling with what this ruling means for its educational landscape, and there are many directions to go. S.66 is part of the fallout from that decision. Denying public funds to virtually all independent schools is one approach. I firmly believe it’s the wrong one for Vermont.
S.66 is not an outright ban on public funding, but it sets a high enough bar to effectively prohibit all but four “historic academies” and various “therapeutic schools” from qualifying. The historic academies of Burr and Burton Academy, St. Johnsbury Academy, the Lyndon Institute, and Thetford Academy are private schools that serve as de facto public high schools in their communities, but are not under the control of the State Board of Education.
In this legislative district, Pawlet, Middletown Springs, Wells, and Rupert all allow students to choose the high school that best fits their needs and interests, and then pays tuition to that school; full tuition to public schools, and the statewide average tuition to independent schools.
Students from these towns attend Mill River, Poultney, Fair Haven, Long Trail, Burr and Burton, and Granville and Salem in NY, among others. As the only school that is at risk under this proposed change, it is worth noting that about 25% of students in our communities choose to attend Long Trail School, showing just how deeply ingrained and valued school choice is. Through my work as a realtor, I can also attest that many people choose to move to this area specifically because of school choice.
Every area of Vermont claims to be unique, but we may actually be so in that the entire Bennington Rutland Supervisory Union made up of 12 towns does not operate a single public high school. As a result, students have a wide range of choices from public schools in VT and NY, to independent schools like BBA, Long Trail, and the Mountain School in Winhall, depending on geography. This is a proven system that allows student to thrive in their chosen setting, and I will defend this system.
As always please contact me with questions or concerns at rchesnut-tangerman@leg.state.vt.us or leave a message with the Sargent at Arms at 802-828-2228.