In Barre, Vermont, a new education reform law is bringing cautious optimism to school leaders, students, and residents. For the Barre Unified Union School District (BUUSD), which has struggled for years to pass its school budgets, the law marks a hopeful turning point. BUUSD Board Chair Michael Boutin described the change as potentially transformative. “Last year we obviously had some significant problems passing our budget; we failed it three times,” he said. “I have faith that this bill is going to usher us into the future.”

A More Equitable Funding Formula

One of the biggest changes in the reform is the adjustment to Vermont’s education funding formula. Previously, per-pupil spending varied significantly across districts, creating wide disparities. In BUUSD, the average per-student expenditure was about $11,000. In contrast, students in the Windsor Central Unified Union School District received over $16,500 each. With the new law, the base amount per student will increase to just over $15,000 statewide.

“That is gonna have a great impact on the Barre Unified Union School District,” said Boutin. “We’ll have more money to teach our kids and meet the needs that they have.”

A Shift Toward Stability and Fairness

Vermont’s Education Secretary, Zoie Saunders, emphasized that fairness and predictability were at the heart of the reform. “We’re moving to a system that will be more equitable, that will be fair, and will be sustainable, along with being predictable,” she said. “That’s really important given the volatility of our education funding system over the last several years.”

For many communities, the lack of stability in education budgets has made it difficult to plan for the future. Boutin echoed this sentiment: “It’s going to give stability, and it’s going to create that ‘I know what I’m getting.’ Whereas, when people are voting in March, they have no idea what’s happening.”

Taxpayers Voice Support with Caution

Residents like Tony Campos, a lifelong Barre local, recognize that while no one enjoys higher taxes, investment in education is non-negotiable. “You don’t like paying taxes, but we need to invest in our children. So, if our taxes go down, fine, I want to see the quality of our education continue and go up,” he said. Campos also acknowledged the rising cost of living and the need for reforms that protect public services without placing undue burden on families.

Looking Ahead: Redistricting on the Horizon

While the reform is being welcomed, questions remain about the implementation phase. The final impact on individual school district budgets will depend on decisions made over the next three years. A redistricting task force is set to meet this summer to propose new district configurations. The Vermont Legislature will vote on those proposals in the next session, potentially reshaping the state’s education landscape further.