The 802 Ed
What's going on in Vermont's education policy and practice
Welcome back!
This issue of the 802 Ed covers many topics that are immediately useful like the latest on how lay-offs at the U.S. Department of Education may affect Vermont, advice on self-care for superintendents, and the possible end of a well-known STEM program. Be sure to check out suggestions on how to lead in uncertain times!
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
Leading in Uncertain Times. Education Week offers practical advice on how to handle unforeseen challenges: “If you lead long enough, chaos will find you.”
“Really, Really Frightening Rhetoric.” The Winooski News reports on how school communities are responding to new federal immigration policies: “The impact of saying schools aren’t protected or churches aren’t protected means that people with bad intentions feel freer to just do bad things.”
“What Makes This Worth It?” NPR digs into the question of why on-line colleges don’t cost less than in-person classes.
Minimum Class Sizes And More. The VPO points out many problem areas of H.454, a House bill with only five sponsors that encapsulates much of the governor’s education reform proposal: “Here’s hoping the House Education Committee holds a rational, thorough discussion of H.454, and then says ‘Thanks, but no thanks.’” This was a popular item in last issue, so here it is again for readers who may have missed it.
Sunsetting Starbase? The Times Argus gives us a heads up that the nonprofit STEM program STARBASE may be closing its doors as early as this week because of federal pressures coming from Congress. [I used to be on the board of this program, it’s really an outstanding resource for students. - Ed.]
Speaking Truth to Power. VT Digger hands the pen to a recent AOE division director who doesn’t hold back the punches: “As a public servant, the governor should be inviting questions and concerns, not denigrating them.”and consolidation on them.”
Interviewing As Yourself. Higher Ed Jobs offers suggestions on how to show up authentically for a job interview, advice that is just as applicable to bringing your best self to the day-to-day workplace.
Plan to Weaken Education. In VT Digger, Vermont’s Teacher of the Year argues that the many faults in the governor’s education proposal should start from strength-based assumptions: “We must invest in our schools, students, and educators, not force cuts
And Then There Were None. The Hechinger Report spotlights the U.S. Department of Education’s statistics department, formerly at 100 employees and now hovering at three people at time of press.
“Illegal Rampage.” VT Digger asks members of the Congressional delegation about how the U.S. Department of Education’s rapid lay-offs and down-sizing will affect education in Vermont.
This Seems Oddly Familiar. Seven Days VT reports on the Senate’s second attempt to confirm the appointment of the Secretary of Education, after a down-vote last year. The VPO doesn’t hold back, calling it “a thoroughly predictable outcome of a subverted process.”
Heads Up, Vermont. States are taking innovative steps to support their students and Vermont school leaders and lawmakers should take note:
New York’s governor is pushing for a “bell to bell” ban on cell phones in school.
Rural schools in Illinois have developed creative recruitment solutions to solve the problem of often having few or no applicants for vacancies.
Superintendents in Maine are advocating for revisions to the education funding formula: “It just feels like the seesaw is not in balance right now.”
School Shootings in 2025. Education Week’s tracker has logged three school shootings in 2025: “On March 4, a 16-year-old student was shot and killed after being chased onto Lansdowne High School grounds in Baltimore, Md.” 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.
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: How important are universal school meals? Responses were strongest for I will fight, fight, fight for them, with fewer than half as many readers selecting Great, but not my top priority or Let’s use that funding for something else.
This issue’s survey question: Would Vermont be better off with a state-wide teacher contract? Please indicate your response by clicking a check mark.
✅ Yes, it’s unfair that schools pay teachers differently
✅ No, it should be left up to the local communities
✅ I’m not sure, there are benefits to both sides of it
Thank you to the reader from the Northeast Kingdom 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 44 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 more than 500 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, Chicago is looking for a new head of its school system, having fired the last one without cause. You think you had a tough time developing a budget this year? The Windy City’s budget for education is larger than all of the State of Vermont.
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
The kids and I won the lottery when we moved to Vermont. I told family it’s like living in a national park, but with better snack shops. Mountains! Lakes! Rivers! Ski in the winter, kayak in the summer.
And about those seasons. I’m okay with digging my car out after a snow storm, and no issues here with the clouds of mosquitoes in the summer. But… heads up to our out of state readers, Vermont has a bonus season. We’re talking about mud season, folks, when roads melt into a syrupy mess and what I wouldn’t give for a pickup truck.
Perhaps coincidentally, mud season tends to arrive at about the same time as the other syrupy mess in the middle of the state, when the legislature hits “cross-over” and bills move from one chamber to the other for consideration. Bills that don’t cross over are left hanging until next year, like a legislative version of musical chairs.
Policy wonks like me have been keeping a sharp eye on bills related to possible statewide redistricting of schools. Do we consolidate to five districts? Or twenty five districts? Or one district? Or, heck, nine districts made up of six supervisory districts, three supervisory unions, two interstate districts, and possibly an early spring partridge in a pear tree?
It’s a lot to consider. On short notice. Without details fully worked out. Sigh.
Cross-over is also a time for spring cleaning, washing the many muddy bills off the legislative calendar for now.
What to do with a messy bunch of options in education? The legislators have chosen to hit the delay button, launching the redistricting question out of session and into a summer study.
Stay tuned for further details, in between rides in that kayak.
Eye on Data
The chart below tracks the number of open positions for education in Vermont in the past 80 days, presented as data points and no trend line this time. 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
Usually we include updates on colleagues who received administrator licensure from AOE since the last issue of the 802 Ed, but… nothing to report this time.
Do you know a colleague who has made a recent move? Let us know!
Grants & Opportunities
Youth Mental Health First Aid. Sunshine Silver Lining is offering no-cost certification in an evidence-based approach to supporting the mental health of school-aged youth. 5 pm - 8 pm, March 25/26.
Water Water Everywhere. State of Vermont posted RFPs for workshop delivery on Drinking Water Asset Management and Water System Rates, both due March 28.
Bingo. AOE and the Vermont Lottery are accepting proposals for school education technology projects to receive a $15,000 award. Deadline is March 30.
Snap! VDH has published an RFP for nutritional education services related to the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, valued at more than $300,000. Deadline is April 11.
Statewide Student Voice. The State Board of Education is seeking a student representative for a two-year term. Deadline is April 28.
If You Missed It
News You Can Use. AOE recently announced a site for updates coming from D.C.: “The Agency aims to be disciplined, thoughtful, and factual when evaluating and responding to changes in federal policy.”
The Five District Problem. A UVM researcher just published a policy brief on the governor’s education plan, summarized using empirical research.
Principals of the Year. Congratulations to these outstanding school leaders:
Jason Di Guilo, principal at Hazen Union High School
Bobby Riley, principal at the Eagle Bay Academy
Sarah Welch, principal at Danville Elementary School
Erik Remmers, Director at Green Mountain Technology & Career Center
John Craig, assistant principal at South Burlington High School
“Relentless Antisemitic Eruptions.” Middlebury College is among 60 universities under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for allegedly failing to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Voices of Rural Vermont Teachers. Check out several informal interviews with teachers in the Northeast Kingdom.
New Catamount in Charge. Congratulations to Marlene Tromp, recently selected as the University of Vermont’s next president.
“Selfish to Self-Full” AASA’s annual conference included a panel of superintendents sharing what works best for them when it comes to self-care as education leaders.
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, ADM Average Daily Membership, AHS Agency of Human Services, AOE Agency of Education, CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDD Child Development Division, CVTSE Coalition for Vermont Student Equity, DAIL Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, DCF Department for Children and Families, DMH Department of Mental Health, DPS Department of Public Safety, ED U.S. Department of Education, FERPA Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act, NAEP National Assessment of Education Progress, NAEYC National Association for the Education of Young Children, NEASC New England Association of Schools and Colleges, NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NPR National Public Radio, PBIS Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, RFP Request for Proposals, SBE State Board of Education, SEL Social Emotional Learning, VEHI Vermont Education Health Initiative, VOCALE Vermont Organization of Classics and Language Educators, 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: How many people are orbiting the Earth right now? Yes, there’s a website for that, too.