The 802 Ed
What's going on in Vermont education policy and practice
Welcome back!
This issue of the 802 Ed covers many topics that are immediately useful like the state’s redistricting whiplash, education tax rate shock and possible buy-down, and new school safety pressures. Be sure to check out the research on a national push for a four day school week!
New to the lingo? At the suggestion of a reader we include a guide to common abbreviations, just scroll down past the news.
- Steven Berbeco, Editor
School Leadership
Calls And Threats. Seven Days VT recounts the national blowback after right-wing social media accounts posted news of a Vermont school that raised the Somali flag in support of its students and local community.
Four Day School Week. Stateline points to the popularity of shorter school weeks in rural communities as a way to reduce absenteeism, stretch budgets, and recruit teachers, though the jury is still out on student learning outcomes.
“Full Steam Ahead.” Vermont Public gives us the heads up that the state’s Democratic leaders plan to push ahead with consolidation of school districts, despite a task force recommendation to drop the idea in favor of voluntary mergers and shared services.
Seven Days VT sums up the School Redistricting Task Force’s final report to the legislature, recommending regional partnerships and school consolidation incentives through construction funds; the secretary of education offers a critique, and the governor sees the task force’s conclusions as a failure. This was a popular item in last issue, so here it is again for readers who may have missed it.
The VPO wryly notes: “I don’t know what’s more depressing: The fact that our top politicians intend to ignore the widespread consternation and anger that greeted Act 73 and the equally widespread opposition from the educational community, or the fact that legislative leadership seems to be in lockstep with our Republican governor on the number-one issue of this biennium.”
Possible Tax Relief. The Times Argus reports that the governor is looking at reducing the projected double-digit education tax rate increase through a one-time use of state funds: “Obviously, we’re contemplating (a buy-down).”
Avoiding “Board Capture.” School Administrator gives the mic to a former school board chair who argues that the risks of a strategic plan may outweigh possible benefits.
Principal’s Termination Upheld. The Brattleboro Reformer updates us on a Vermont school leader’s unsuccessful lawsuit against a school board for alleged breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and defamation.
Act 73 Top 10. VT Digger reviews common questions about the state’s most recent education law, for those who could use a quick recap.
More Than “Dusty Books.” Education Week hands the pen to a librarian who explains why the school library is a “recovery engine” for students’ literacy skills and also social emotional learning.
“Death Rate” of Pre-K. The Hechinger Report recaps a recent research study of unintended consequences of universal preschool in California and the loss of revenue for private child care programs: “When you’re losing those preschoolers, there are no funds to make up … The whole business model completely falls apart.”
Heads Up, Vermont. States are taking innovative steps to support their students. Vermont school leaders and lawmakers should take note:
High school students in Oklahoma can get training and certification as long term care nursing professionals through a program meant to address statewide staffing shortages.
Pennsylvania legislators reintroduced a bill to provide free tuition to Native American students in the state universities.
Legislative leadership in Tennessee is looking into stipends for student teachers as a way to attract more people to a teaching career.
School Shootings in 2025. Education Week’s tracker has logged 17 school shootings in 2025: “On Dec. 12, a student was shot and injured in the Stewartville High School parking lot in Stewartville, Minn., as students and coaches were boarding a bus to travel to a school wrestling tournament.” Total school shootings in 2024: 39. As a reminder, DPS and AOE operate an anonymous school safety tip line for students, school staff, and their community: calling 1-844-SAFE4VT; texting SAFE4VT to 274637; or online at safe4vt.org. For questions about school safety training in Vermont, contact Sunni Erikson.
Buzz On The Street
This sections highlights recent op-eds and letters to the editor about education.
Caitlin Macleod-Bluver argues that lawmakers should focus on pressing educational needs like staffing, mental health support, and equitable funding: “Recognizing the nuances of an issue is not a failure; it’s a success.”
John Castle takes a stand on Act 73, its mandatory redistricting approach was a wrong turn that should be abandoned in favor of voluntary, community-focused solutions and tax policy fixes: “Act 73 is one of several legislative attempts billed to save money … but it appears this endeavor is entirely based on wishful assumptions or political spin.”
Jack Hoffman urges Vermonters to embrace the redistricting task force’s more nuanced, less top-down approach to school reform as a second chance to fix education funding and governance by prioritizing local collaboration and needs over forced consolidation: “What the redistricting task force has laid out is a more nuanced approach that has a better chance of gaining public acceptance than something imposed by Montpelier.”
Chaunce Benedict states that the Vermont school redistricting task force failed by effectively ignoring the legally required process and undermining the legislature’s intent for school reform: “It is not in any way the prerogative of this small group to take it upon themselves to thwart the process set forth in law for reorganizing our educational system.”
Steven Gaarder advocates that Vermont should update its school-tax system by shifting more of the burden from property taxes to income-based funding and gradually using general fund support to make the system fairer and more equitable: “The use of property taxes to pay for education made good sense when most of people’s income came from their house and lands. But that’s not true anymore.”
Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders makes the case that Vermont can build the best education system in America by embracing the Act 73 reforms: “Vermont is on the cusp of something special.”
Reader Survey
In each issue we ask a survey question to get a sense of what is on our readers’ minds. Then, the following issue, we report back on what we learned.
Last issue we asked: Should teachers use AI to write IEPs? Responses were strongest for Yes, it can be a real time-saver, with about half as many readers selecting No, there’s too much at stake. Few readers selected Sometimes, and with parents’ consent.
This issue’s survey question: How many days until winter break? Please indicate your response by clicking a check mark.
✅ I’m counting them down, one by one.
✅ I could actually use a little more work time before break.
✅ Wait a sec, is there a vacation coming up?
Thank you to the reader from California who suggested that survey question. What’s on your mind? Suggest a survey question to find out how your colleagues respond in an upcoming issue of the 802 Ed!
How Ya Doin’?
The start of the school year can be challenging for many reasons. It may be helpful to look for support around personal and professional issues. If you would like to schedule a time to talk with a rostered psychotherapist and VPA mentor, we can work on making small but significant steps that promote self-care, communication, and control. Sponsored by 802 Ed
Listen Up
Check out the 802 Ed’s conversation-style podcast! Generated by Notebook LM
Job Listings
Supercharge The Applicant Pool. The market for school staff in Vermont is fierce and it’s important to stand out when attracting quality candidates. Why get wedged in among thousands of open positions on SchoolSpring? Your opportunity can stand out in an upcoming issue of the 802 Ed, dropping into the Inbox of thousands of readers. Sponsored by 802 Ed
The Big List. Josh Czupryk compiles and publishes a monthly spreadsheet with more than 600 job opportunities for remote work in K-12 education.
Looking for a Change? With so many open jobs in Vermont, there are sometimes unusual opportunities. For example, the City of Burlington is hiring a Forester with a salary that could top $100k, but zero remote work days. Or all remote work days, if you think about it.
Thank The Team
You read it, you love it, and now is a good time to say thanks. Cover our coffee budget! Writing, editing, researching… all of that is caffeine driven. Choose this option and the extra energy will go to finding a few more updates to share.
Note From The Editor
Don’t know about you, but I’m a sci-fi fan. You know: Star Wars, Star Trek, Blade Runner, The Matrix. That’s me on a Saturday night with a bowl of popcorn after the kids have gone to bed.
These sci-fi worlds have fascinating characters, but the best of the best in my book is Yoda. He blends unstoppable charm with surprising wisdom. (Not unlike my children.)
So what would Yoda make of the recent events in Winooski? The schools there raised a Somali flag in support of the school community, and boom went the Death Star of racist invective from the national outrage machine.
It’s played out like a remake of The Mandalorian’s most stubborn theme: fear of the unfamiliar. A simple gesture of belonging, offered to students whose families have weathered war and dislocation, was twisted into something it never was. A local community tried to say “you’re part of us,” and the comment-brigades outside Vermont cranked up the super-laser.
The result feels painfully familiar. It’s the same script Hollywood keeps using: invent a villain, cue the soundtrack, and let the spectacle drown out the truth.
In Vermont, we have always prided ourselves on being a community of communities. That spirit is tested not by the big challenges, but by the small symbolic ones. If we want our schools to prepare young people for a world where borders blur and cultures mingle, we can’t keep reacting to diversity like it’s a plot twist we didn’t see coming.
As Yoda would say: “Raising a flag, a threat it is not. Children’s identities as political props, hmmm - that it is.”
Eye on Data
The chart below tracks the percentage of open positions that are for substitutes in the past 90 days, presented as data points and a linear trend line. Data from SchoolSpring.
Pass It On
Like what you are reading? Hit the button below to send a copy to a colleague, friend, neighbor, your boss… whoever!
Grants & Opportunities
Poops and Paws. Vermont’s Fish and Wildlife Department is offering a free curriculum in recognizing wintertime animals by their scat and tracks, intended for K-8 students. Register by December 15.
Happy Birthday, Vermont! AOE recently announced in-person professional development workshops on integrating the Vermont 250th Art Exhibition into classes. 9 am to 3 pm, December 17 in St. Johnsbury, December 18 in Brattleboro.
Clipping, Snipping, And Coloring. The state’s Department of Corrections published an RFP for a cosmetology and barbering instruction. Deadline is December 18.
Infant And Toddler Credential. DCF has posted an RFP for a contractor to develop courses and a practicum for an 18-credit early childhood professional qualification. Deadline is January 5.
Counselor of The Year. The Vermont School Counselor Association is accepting nominations for School Counselor of the Year, Rising Star, Intern of the Year, and Excellence in School Counseling Program. Deadline is January 9.
Slingshot Challenge. National Geographic announced a contest for 13‑ to 18‑year‑olds who submit a one‑minute video outlining an innovative solution to a local environmental issue, with $10,000 in funding on the line to help bring their idea to life. Deadline is February 6.
If You Missed It
In Memoriam. We mourn the passing of Beth Cobb, a colleague and friend to many in the school leadership community. This was a popular item in last issue, so here it is again for readers who may have missed it.
Superintendents Strained. A national, mid-decade survey of superintendents finds that district leaders want to grow their skills most in the areas of budget planning and stress management, among many other findings.
New Year’s Envelopes. The Smithsonian National Postal Museum offers a quick lesson for classrooms interested in making something special to express gratitude and good wishes for the new year.
Since 2021 the biweekly 802 Ed has brought together the latest from Vermont’s associations for principals, superintendents, and school board members, as well as state and national education agencies and many other news sources. We hope that you’ll find something useful in each issue and welcome comments or suggestions for upcoming issues: editor@802ed.com.
Abbreviation list: AASA School Superintendents Association, AOE Agency of Education, DCF Department for Children and Families, DMH Department of Mental Health, DPS Department of Public Safety, FERPA Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act, NAEP National Assessment of Education Progress, NEASC New England Association of Schools and Colleges, RFP Request for Proposals, SBE State Board of Education, SEL Social Emotional Learning, UVEI Upper Valley Educators Institute, VEHI Vermont Education Health Initiative, VPA Vermont Principals Association, VPO Vermont Political Observer, VREC Vermont Rural Education Collaborative, VSA Vermont Superintendents Association, VSBA Vermont School Board Association, VSBIT Vermont School Boards Insurance Trust, VSBPE Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators, VTCLA Vermont Curriculum Leaders Association, VTSU Vermont State University.
Special bonus for making it to the bottom: Check out relaxing sounds from around the world to power down, take a deep breath, and escape the holiday jingles for a few minutes.