Elmore, Morristown, & Stowe PROUD!
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On November 30, 2018, the Vermont State Board of Education (VSBE) voted to force Elmore Morristown Unified Union (EMUU) and Stowe School District (SSD) to merge. This ruling was in direct opposition to the recommendation of the Secretary of the Agency of Education and the findings of community studies on the impact of a merger.
There are only two ways to reverse this merger decree and retain local control of our schools: a lawsuit against the State of Vermont (this lawsuit was filed on 12/13/2018) and legislative changes to the law during the 2019 Vermont Legislative Session. Both of these routes will take considerable effort, coordination, and will cost money. In order to advocate for our interests, to the best of our ability, we have set up this fundraiser to help with lobbying efforts and legal fees. While our local State Representatives and Senator stand with us in opposition to this forced merger, and will continue to advocate fiercely on our behalf, the effort will need lobbying support to educate and influence other legislators from around the State.
Any funds collected that exceed the funds needed for the lobbying effort will be used to help defray the cost of the legal action if needed, or will simply go to [directly benefit] the Elmore, Morristown, and Stowe Schools [students].
How does this decision impact our community and why should we, collectively, fight this forced merger?
1. Decreased Accountability
By all metrics, both EMUU and SSD have successful schools (graduation rates, test scores, staff to teacher ratios, etc…). Part of this success lies with the separate school boards being able to address the needs of the individual communities. A forced merger will result in the towns no longer having a local school board that specifically represents the children of each town. An example: If Stowe wants to enrich the arts programming, they will need to get the approval of the Elmore and Morristown board members. If Morristown wants to add computer programming to PA, they will need to get the approval of Elmore and Stowe board members. Budgetary decisions will be made in a very similar manner, since we will all be operating under one school budget; one shared budget.
If a parent, student, or community member wants to draw attention to an educational issue that needs addressing, that person will need to make the case to a combined board and we are unsure of what the board configuration will be.
The VSBEs decision is taking away our local control!
2. Unfair Tax Burden
Tax projections show the forced merger will directly cause Elmore and Morristown’s taxes to increase, while Stowe’s taxes will decrease. In addition, Elmore and Morristown residents will have to carry more than half of the costs of the capital needs in Stowe.
This is in direct opposition to one of the goals of Act 46 (education delivered at a cost the parents, voters, and taxpayers value).
Does this sound fair to you?
3. A Flawed Process Resulted in a Flawed Outcome
Two VSBE Board members, John Carroll and William Mathis, voted against the final state plan on the grounds the Act 46 process was both “flawed and rushed.” Our school boards provided substantial data and evidence showing our communities meet and/or exceed the goals of Act 46.
We cannot allow a “flawed and rushed” decision, by unelected officials, to decide the fate of our children.
It is time for us, as community members, voters, and taxpayers, to stand behind the school boards and help them with their efforts.
Please contribute if you are frustrated by the VSBE decision to implement their vision of what a successful school district should be, while ignoring the ongoing successes of our school systems and the recommendation of the VT Secretary of Education.
We thank you for your consideration and appreciate any and all contributions!
Sincerely,
Amanda Guy - Morristown, Vermont
Erica Loomis - Stowe, Vermont
On November 30, 2018, the Vermont State Board of Education (VSBE) voted to force Elmore Morristown Unified Union (EMUU) and Stowe School District (SSD) to merge. This ruling was in direct opposition to the recommendation of the Secretary of the Agency of Education and the findings of community studies on the impact of a merger.
There are only two ways to reverse this merger decree and retain local control of our schools: a lawsuit against the State of Vermont (this lawsuit was filed on 12/13/2018) and legislative changes to the law during the 2019 Vermont Legislative Session. Both of these routes will take considerable effort, coordination, and will cost money. In order to advocate for our interests, to the best of our ability, we have set up this fundraiser to help with lobbying efforts and legal fees. While our local State Representatives and Senator stand with us in opposition to this forced merger, and will continue to advocate fiercely on our behalf, the effort will need lobbying support to educate and influence other legislators from around the State.
Any funds collected that exceed the funds needed for the lobbying effort will be used to help defray the cost of the legal action if needed, or will simply go to [directly benefit] the Elmore, Morristown, and Stowe Schools [students].
How does this decision impact our community and why should we, collectively, fight this forced merger?
1. Decreased Accountability
By all metrics, both EMUU and SSD have successful schools (graduation rates, test scores, staff to teacher ratios, etc…). Part of this success lies with the separate school boards being able to address the needs of the individual communities. A forced merger will result in the towns no longer having a local school board that specifically represents the children of each town. An example: If Stowe wants to enrich the arts programming, they will need to get the approval of the Elmore and Morristown board members. If Morristown wants to add computer programming to PA, they will need to get the approval of Elmore and Stowe board members. Budgetary decisions will be made in a very similar manner, since we will all be operating under one school budget; one shared budget.
If a parent, student, or community member wants to draw attention to an educational issue that needs addressing, that person will need to make the case to a combined board and we are unsure of what the board configuration will be.
The VSBEs decision is taking away our local control!
2. Unfair Tax Burden
Tax projections show the forced merger will directly cause Elmore and Morristown’s taxes to increase, while Stowe’s taxes will decrease. In addition, Elmore and Morristown residents will have to carry more than half of the costs of the capital needs in Stowe.
This is in direct opposition to one of the goals of Act 46 (education delivered at a cost the parents, voters, and taxpayers value).
Does this sound fair to you?
3. A Flawed Process Resulted in a Flawed Outcome
Two VSBE Board members, John Carroll and William Mathis, voted against the final state plan on the grounds the Act 46 process was both “flawed and rushed.” Our school boards provided substantial data and evidence showing our communities meet and/or exceed the goals of Act 46.
We cannot allow a “flawed and rushed” decision, by unelected officials, to decide the fate of our children.
It is time for us, as community members, voters, and taxpayers, to stand behind the school boards and help them with their efforts.
Please contribute if you are frustrated by the VSBE decision to implement their vision of what a successful school district should be, while ignoring the ongoing successes of our school systems and the recommendation of the VT Secretary of Education.
We thank you for your consideration and appreciate any and all contributions!
Sincerely,
Amanda Guy - Morristown, Vermont
Erica Loomis - Stowe, Vermont
Organizer and beneficiary
Erica EP Loomis
Organizer
Stowe, VT
Lamoille South
Beneficiary
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