Education Funding

Education funding is an issue that affects all Vermonters in one way or another. The current system places the majority of the financial burden on property owners. This can lead to inequities in the quality of education students receive. Children from wealthier ZIP codes are often able to access better funded public schools. In the past, legislators have addressed some of these inequities, but more work needs to be done. School vouchers are not the answer. We need fundamental change in the way we fund our public schools so we can make them stronger and more equitable. Over twenty years as an educator has prepared me to be a leader in affecting that change and helping to create an income based funding system that will give all Vermont children equal access to a good education.

An Aging Workforce

A big problem facing Vermont right now is an aging workforce that isn’t being replaced by younger workers. Our young people are leaving the state for better opportunities and higher paying jobs elsewhere. According to the Vermont Department of Labor, workers in what they consider to be prime working age (35-54) made up about a third of our workforce in 2000. In 2020 that number had dropped to about a quarter of the workforce. Meanwhile, over a third of Vermont’s population is now over 55, up from less than a quarter a mere two decades ago.

We need to find a solution to this problem. A big part of that solution can take place in our schools. We need to broaden work-based learning opportunities for our high school students, especially in the trades. This should include the expansion of concurrent enrollment in our state colleges. Doing so would allow high school students to receive time towards certifications/licenses in the trades, as well as meaningful college credit while they are still in high school. Expanded work-based learning opportunities will set up our students for success in the trades after graduation, and the job offers they get from local companies will help keep them in our state. Bolstering concurrent enrollment will incentivize staying in-state for college. These systems are already in place – we need to build upon them. If we want our children to stay in Vermont, we are going to need to invest in them.