The Rural School Community Alliance (RSCA) commends the leadership and members of the Act 73 Redistricting Task Force for their principled, evidence-driven approach to the work assigned by the Vermont Legislature.
On Monday, November 10, the Task Force voted to send a proposal forward to the Legislature that calls for voluntary, cooperative agreements that create real cost savings, protect rural schools, maintain Vermont’s quality of life, and preserve democracy at the community level. Notably, the Task Force has committed to a democratic, community-driven approach to redistricting Vermont’s schools, one that trusts local decision-making at the community level rather than imposing top-down mandates. They took a strong stand against forced mergers of existing school districts and supervisory unions and an equally strong stand in support of protecting rural elementary schools and keeping them close to the children they serve.
The Task Force also proposed a thoughtful, cost-effective framework for communities to explore larger regional and comprehensive high schools, paired where feasible with Community and Technical Education Centers. This approach is grounded in the evidence and will reduce costs while increasing opportunities for older students. Their recommendations reflect hours of deliberation, review of research and careful listening to the public.
With more than 5,000 Vermonters engaging through surveys, meetings and public comment, the overwhelming conclusion was clear: forced mergers will not reduce costs or property taxes and would have negative impacts on our communities and children. Vermonters want solutions that protect local schools and make education more affordable. The Task Force listened. Their proposal affirms that communities, working collaboratively with local school boards, are best positioned to lower costs while maintaining the quality and character of Vermont’s public education system.
Task Force members openly questioned the assumption that “simply consolidating is going to save the state money” – a concern strongly supported by the research. And much would be lost in the process. The Rural School Community Alliance supports that view. In a July 2025 position statement sent to the Task Force, the RSCA stated, “there are no clear and consistent economic benefits from creating mega-districts that dissolve local ties.” Neither per-pupil spending data nor qualitative evidence shows that school closures or consolidations reduce costs. When increased transportation costs, maintenance of empty buildings, costs for expanding infrastructure, and reduced property values are accounted for, the evidence is even clearer: consolidation does not deliver savings and therefore does not reduce property taxes. Voluntary collaboration, however, consistently does.
After reviewing this and other evidence, the Task Force concluded that the most effective path for reducing costs now and in the future is the creation of cooperative educational services districts. This shared-services model, used successfully across the United States, especially in rural states, has already begun to show results in Vermont. Seven supervisory unions and one large school district in southern Vermont have signed agreements to form such a system. As chair of the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union Board, one of the cooperating districts, I can report that we are already seeing savings that will ultimately help relieve pressure on local property tax rates.
The Act 73 Redistricting Task Force recognizes that closing small schools and creating mega-school districts will not solve Vermont’s rising education costs. Instead, they are poised to ask the Legislature to support strategies that actually reduce spending, and therefore cut property taxes, without destroying the character and quality of Vermont’s entire education system in the process.
On behalf of the members of the Rural School Community Alliance, representing more than 100 towns and villages, we urge the public to contact your senators and representatives and support the Task Force’s recommendation for voluntary, cooperative agreements that will deliver cost savings, protect rural schools, and preserve local control. And while you are reaching out, please thank the Task Force members for their courage, clarity, and commitment to Vermont’s shared values.
Charles, lives in Westminster, Vermont, and is on the steering committee for the Rural School Community Alliance.
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