Welcome back!
This issue of the 802 Ed covers many topics that are immediately useful like updates on the many federal changes that affect education, recent school closing decisions, and an easy - or at least easier - to read summary of the legislature’s proposal for education reform. Be sure to check out the new section of op-eds and letters to the editor!
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
Peek Behind The Curtain. Higher Ed Jobs offers a glimpse into what interviewers wish they could tell you about the job interview.
Thanks, But No Thanks. Seven Days VT follows up on a federal directive to certify that schools don’t engage in DEI activities, the push-back from school leaders, and a letter from Vermont’s Secretary of Education back to the feds: “Unlawful and so-called ‘illegal’ DEI practices referenced in federal communications bear no resemblance to the inclusive, student-centered practices happening in Vermont schools.” Similar responses have come from New York, Minnesota, Washington, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, California, Oregon, and Colorado.
“An Absolute Shock.” VT Digger spotlights the response from Vermont schools to sudden changes to federal grants that support summer programming, a statewide literacy initiative, and more.
Ripton Closes. WCAX covers a recent school board meeting and unanimous vote in favor of closing a twenty-person elementary school over the summer. Similar news is coming from North Hero, and Westford may be close behind as well.
Shut Down, Walk Out. Seven Days VT reports on a recent school board meeting where the chair twice called a recess when a teacher tried to talk, and then dozens of educators walked out of the meeting.
Breadcrumbing for Jobs. Higher Ed Jobs offers practical advice on how to use social media to start a new search even before a job has been posted.
“Five Districts Doesn’t Mean Five Schools.” The Chester Telegraph reviews a recent community meeting about statewide education reform, with many lingering questions: “How can we move ahead without answers to the unknown?”
DEI at High Noon. The New York Times highlights lawsuits against the federal administration’s directive to public schools and universities to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or risk losing federal funding. Gift link
Shhh. Politico covers the federal administration’s recent instructions to its agencies to “repeal any existing regulations that are inconsistent with his priorities without providing advance notice or going through the traditional public input process.”
“We Trusted The United States.” NBC 5 updates the story about two Nicaraguan students in Vermont who were threatened with deportation, received a last-minute reprieve, and school leaders’ reactions - including a personal perspective.
Knitting > Phones. The Hechinger Report zooms into a school district in Washington state that hurried to fill the vacuum created when phones became prohibited: “We can’t just do the cellphone ban in isolation.”
“Movement Breaks” for Teachers. Education Week presents arguments in favor of short physical activity for school staff.
Supreme Court on Education. Politico recently published an opinion piece about the “biggest threat to public education” coming from a pair of cases under consideration by the nation’s highest court.
Head Start Zeroed Out. USA Today gets the scoop on the federal administration’s proposal to remove funding for child care and preschool education to low-income families.
“What Did I Say in Class?” NPR digs into the decision-making of classroom teachers in the current politically charged focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
AI for Teachers. The New York Times brings us up to speed on the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom, including its rapid rise as a tool for teachers. Gift link
Special Sauce. Fast Company picked up on the U.S. Secretary of Education’s recent confusion between AI and A1.
Heads Up, Vermont. States are taking innovative steps to support their students and Vermont school leaders and lawmakers should take note:
Missouri’s largest school district improved student attendance through an innovative communications strategy.
Legislators in Washington state are considering a new tax on social media platforms that bring more dollars into the coffers for youth mental health.
School boards in Delaware may have greater accountability and transparency under a proposed bill.
Arizona’s governor just signed a bill limiting cell phone use in school.
School Shootings in 2025. Education Week’s tracker has logged six school shootings in 2025: “On April 15, at least four students were injured - three by gunfire - in a shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Dallas.” 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 Rob Evans.
Buzz On The Street
We are testing out a new section with this issue, highlighting recent op-eds and letters to the editor about education. Send a note and tell us what you think!
Students in Brattleboro pen an open letter to the governor: “Students are the biggest stakeholders in any changes to the education system, and their voices must be heard and valued. We do not see this happening.”
T. Elijah Hawkes shares thoughts on the governor’s education proposal and similar legislative activity: “Vermont schools aren’t as broken as some say.” This was a popular item in last issue, so here it is again for readers who may have missed it.
Katie Grenon raises the alarm about consolidation in the state’s education system: “Without a clear plan for cost savings, all we can confidently anticipate is that closing schools is damaging to children, communities, and equitable access.”
Kate Livermore makes a plea that the state not let Vermont’s education system mirror Florida’s failings.
Ben Clark draws attention to the “moral imperative” of supporting phone-free schools in Vermont.
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 assign computer or phone based homework? Responses were strongest for No, kids today are already in front of their screens too much, with about half as many readers selecting Sometimes, as long as there’s a non-computer/phone option. Few readers selected Yes, it’s important that students develop tech skills.
This issue’s survey question: How is Vermont’s education system responding to recent changes coming from the federal government? Please indicate your response by clicking a check mark.
✅ We should be pushing back more.
✅ We should try to avoid being noticed.
✅ The changes are fine, what’s the big deal?
Thank you to the reader from Lamoille County 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!
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
School Leader Vacancies. Latest report from VPA counts 43 school leader positions, like principal and assistant principal, that are turning over for next school year.
The Big List. Josh Czupryk compiles and publishes a monthly spreadsheet with almost 700 job opportunities for remote work in K-12 education.
Looking for a Change? With so many open positions in education, there are sometimes unusual opportunities. For example, Lets Go Fishing is looking for volunteer fishing teachers, no experience necessary.
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
Have you noticed that many Vermonters try to avoid using the word “Spring” until about mid-Summer? It’s as if talking about the season will jinx the weather. I think someone said it last week and then snow started falling. Thanks, buddy.
With that in mind, I’ll just say that I am grateful for the warmer days. Last weekend I went for a walk through the woods in Ripton, where there is a Robert Frost trail with poems set up like a contemplative labyrinth.
Driving there I passed the sign for Ripton Elementary School. If you missed the news earlier in this issue, the school board recently voted to close the school. I didn’t see any RIPton Elementary tee shirts in the general store. Maybe it’s too soon?
Closing a school is more than a calculation weighing the financial savings against the logistical headache of bussing students out of town. It can also be a harbinger of doom for the town. I know that my family ended up where we’re living in large part because of the elementary school for my kids, and it would have been a hard sell to move somewhere without a local school.
The changes that are being contemplated for our state’s education system, both the governor’s proposal and the latest iteration of the House’s bill, assume long-term overall savings based on closing small schools like Ripton Elementary. Rural legislators are pushing back, of course, but it’s unclear how much traction they will get.
Sure, no one wants their taxes to keep going up. But the price we may pay is losing local control, and our local schools. The choice we are making today has profound implications for our future, and as that walking trail reminded me last weekend, we still have miles to go before we sleep.
Eye on Data
The chart below tracks the number of open positions for school bus driver roles in Vermont 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!
Colleagues on the Move
Congratulations to this colleague who received administrator licensure from AOE since the last issue of the 802 Ed! Data from AOE.
Timothy MacDonnell • Principal
Sergio Simunovic • Principal
Mary Spivey • Principal
Do you know a colleague who has made a recent move? Let us know!
Grants & Opportunities
Immigrant Student Conference. Burlington School District has opened a call for proposals for a statewide conference on immigrant and refugee background PreK-12 students, May 16 and 17. Deadline for proposals is April 25.
Teacher of The Year. AOE recently announced that nominations are open for outstanding teachers in Vermont who model exemplary teaching practice, demonstrate leadership, and support their colleagues. Deadline is April 28.
Statewide Student Voice. The State Board of Education is seeking a student representative for a two-year term. Deadline is April 28.
Mental Health First Aid. Virtual, no-cost workshops are available to educators and others who want to learn skills in identifying and responding to symptoms of mental illness and substance use disorder. May and June.
History Teacher of the Year. Nominations are open for full-time K–12 history teachers with a minimum of three years teaching experience, who teach American history. Deadline is April 30.
State Youth Council. Applications have opened for three-year, stipended terms, where youth ages 11-18 develop state policy recommendations for the governor and legislature. Deadline is May 31.
If You Missed It
Student Voice Amplifier. A recent profile of the Vermont Teacher of the Year highlights her commitment to the classroom: “Despite all of the noise of everything else, I walk into my room every day filled with immense purpose and immense hope.”
And The Kitchen Sink. The Joint Fiscal Office produced a clear summary of H.454, An act relating to transforming Vermont’s education governance, quality, and finance systems. Or you could dig into the 415-page bill itself. Or you could ask ChatGPT to create a punk rock song based on the bill and then contemplate the chorus: “Five districts, one fight, / They say it’s fair, but is it right? / $13,200 per kid’s the plan, / But what about the local stand?”
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. 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: Percent of Dutch population that has difficulty distinguishing between left and right: 15%.