Dear Editor,
The debate over H.454 might seem irrelevant to Vermonters without children in school. Still, its impact stretches far beyond education—it threatens our economy, property values, and long-term tax stability.
Although school consolidation and cost containment may appear fiscally responsible, both the Senate’s and the governor’s proposals provide only short-term budgetary solutions rather than effective reforms. Reducing school programs and closing campuses does not necessarily guarantee lower taxes. On the contrary, it often results in families leaving our communities, reducing the residential tax base and increasing costs per resident.
When homes are sold to second homeowners, housing prices frequently rise, and Grand List values are inflated, leading to higher taxes and the loss of year-round contributors to the local economy. This scenario places increased pressure on fewer permanent residents to support civic infrastructure.
Vermont’s aging population makes this even more urgent. We need to attract younger families to maintain our workforce and economy. Strong public schools are a critical part of that equation. Families choose where to live based on school quality.
Rather than blanket mandates, Vermont should support strategic consolidation and, with its savings, make smart, future-oriented investments, such as integrating Career and Technical Education (CTE) into more schools and promoting community-based models where they are feasible. These programs address workforce shortages, enhance economic opportunities, and reduce long-term costs for all Vermonters.
H.454 also fails to address one of the most pressing issues facing our education system: aging school infrastructure. Delaying investments only increases the eventual price tag. Prioritizing regional hubs and targeted modernization is far more effective than imposing arbitrary rules on class sizes or district sizes.
A forward-looking Vermont should resist extreme cuts that destabilize communities. Let’s focus on making the state affordable, competitive, and livable for working families, retirees, and taxpayers.
Bryce Sammel, Barnard
