The Education Conversation (Part 5)

(This is the concluding conversation in a series of interviews with Hugh Kemper covering his research and recommendations regarding K-12 education in Vermont and its financing.  Kemper will not, however, be going away.  Which is good news for Vermont since the state's finances have reached a crisis point and, as he and others have been pointing out, no solution is possible without serious reforms in how much we pay for education and how we raise the money.)

VT: Hugh, we’ve now addressed the four core initiatives that underlie the proposed streamlining and reorganization of K-12 staffing on a more cost-effective basis; specifically, (1) the State’s assumption of Special Education, (2) the establishment of statewide resource parameters by function and purpose, (3) the provision of on-call consultancy support to local school boards and principals and (4) the standardization at the State level of teacher and support staff contracts. This could sound and feel like a state takeover of K-12 education. How does the issue of local control fit into all of this?

HTK: Local control of community schools has a long history in Vermont and is an important issue as public schools often play an integral role in community affairs.

Addressing the issue of local control, however, requires taking a step back and reminding ourselves of the two components of the education equation, i.e. the capacity to provide an education, which is an outgrowth of funding and spending, and outcomes, or student performance. 

Since the Brigham Decision and Act 60’s passage, the State has been responsible for funding education while spending remained locally controlled. The result- a spending spree that created far more capacity (i.e. staffing) than required to provide a quality education and consumed more and more of Vermont’s limited revenue capacity. Public education spending currently consumes 42% of state revenues or 100% of property taxes + 45% of Personal Income taxes + 33% of sales taxes. Unless mitigated, education spending threatens to crowd out other State spending needs and undermine Vermont’s economic viability.

What the proposed reorganization does is put the State in control of capacity, i.e. of both funding and spending so they are aligned on a sustainable basis, and put School Boards  in control of outcomes, i.e. for managing a school’s administrative, teaching and support functions as well as curriculum and school environment to produce high achievement.

If Vermont has the political will and leadership to streamline and reorganize staffing on a more cost-effective basis as well as to clarify stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities,  Vermont K-12 would not only be on a sounder more sustainable financial footing but would also produce better performance as school boards and principals focus virtually exclusively on improving outcomes.

VT: Hugh, how would you suggest all of this be implemented?

HTK: Carefully and methodically in four basic steps.

Step One is agreement among senior stakeholders on the desired outcome, i.e. the critical legislative issues and how resources are determined and deployed.

Step Two is selection of a transition team of dedicated, skilled and knowledgeable practitioners who are hard working, thorough and excellent communicators.  

Step Three is the development of an Implementation Plan for review and then approval or amendment by an oversight committee comprised of senior stakeholders.

Step Four is implementation in a careful manner to avoid unnecessary disruptions to the primary responsibility of providing our kids with a quality education.

(previous conversations can be found here)

 

Comments

[anon]

I believe all thinking Vermonters are now aware there is a total disconnect between what is real and what is "lemming like". If Mr. Kemper's data is factual about "public education currently consumes 42% of state revenues or 100% of property taxes + 45% of personal income taxes +33% of sales taxes", one cannot comprehend why the Legislature of this close to bankrupt state (based on what we want to do with the resources we have) fail to do their duty to the State, notwithstanding the citizens who mistakenly followed passion instead of sense, and face the real world. You dreamers may beat the prophecy that "the world will end on Dec 21st 2012". Our legislature has been on the cutting edge with "real important stuff" but they will beat the the prophecy without doubt. Vermont on its present path is destined to be nothing more than a pastoral state and that is in jeapardy. This means our children will continue leave, industry will never come, great programs to support the masses will drive all that are the supportees from the state to their neighboring states. If our elected legislature cannot understand basic Econ 101 then we will beat the prophecy. What a sorry future for all of us.

[Peter Joes]

Sorry - - but you don't have a lot of credibility with me. I don't have to look any further than your statement that "100% of property taxes" goes to education.

Bye - PJ

[Dennis Lukas]

Looking back and talking to friends, we all went to school in the 60's &70's, we had classes in elementary school of an average of 30 students per class, one principal and one teacher per grade, in high school, we had 28-34 students per class, one principal, one vice principal, two guidance councilors,a school nurse and one teacher per subject.We all can read and write, we know American and world history and we do not have to count on our fingers and toes, and we know were other countries are on the globe. True not all passed there courses but those that failed received more attention in summer school with a more one on one approach. Today with all the money being spent on American students our companies must import workers to do jobs Americas over priced educated students can not do.The teachers union is like General Motors,pay the workers good salaries and benefits and turn out a poor product.

[Jerry Coleman]

Has anyone else noticed the discussion on educational spending has disappeared and thats the fault of leadership in the Republican party. The house is filled with retired professionals from all sectors who have no clue and how to run this state. We truly need some "young Republican's blood" injected into this process.!!!

[GreggB]

There aren't many young people in VT and the young people that are here definitely aren't Republicans. I wouldn't wait for anyone else to inject anything into the process, because there is no one else to save you.

[sceptical]

The Republican party isn't interested in new young republicans because it would mean eliminated a bunch of old Republicans who were standing watch when everything went to hell right under their noses.