I am writing as chair of the Harwood Unified Union School District Board, representing 14 board members from six towns (Waterbury, Duxbury, Moretown, Warren, Waitsfield, and Fayston). Like all districts across Vermont, we are working to pass a responsible budget in an environment clouded by serious uncertainty about this upcoming legislative session. While Act 73 does not directly change our budget, the lack of clarity around its implications affects nearly every planning decision we make.
I would like to invite you to attend a Harwood Unified Union School District Board meeting at 6 p.m. on January 14, or January 21. We meet in the library at Harwood Union High School on Route 100 in South Duxbury. We would welcome the opportunity for you to hear directly from our community and to share your perspective on education affordability and policy.
Vermonters are clear that they cannot afford higher property taxes. We agree. But Vermont will not solve its affordability problem by weakening public education or removing the protection of local control, in favor of consolidated leadership far away. Our schools are the backbone of our communities, particularly in rural areas, and they are essential to workforce development, civic life, and long-term economic health for Vermont.
Local boards are being asked to manage costs we do not control, including health care, underfunded mandates, special education and student mental health services, and penalties tied to any necessary facilities investments. These pressures cannot be solved through larger class sizes, school closures, or governance changes, and evidence shows consolidation alone does not produce meaningful savings.
We ask for clear leadership on the root causes of cost growth. What is your plan to address health care costs and unfunded mandates so that local boards and property taxpayers are not left carrying a statewide burden? If affordability is truly the goal, Vermont should also be willing to discuss broader revenue solutions, including the role of second homeowners.
Your legacy as governor will be shaped by what you do in this critical situation. By whether you prioritize protecting Vermont’s strong local schools and equitable access to education for everyone, and whether you address the issues of education costs and affordability honestly with the people of our state. We believe both are possible, but only with a transparent, statewide approach.
We hope you will join us on January 14, or 21 at 6:00 pm for a direct conversation. I am happy to speak with someone from your office to schedule a convenient time. I can be reached at
Woods is the chair of the Harwood Unified Union School District board. She represents Warren on that board.
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