Editor’s note: This op-ed is by Carol Brigham, a school board member from Whiting. She is the mother of Amanda Brigham, the namesake of the Vermont Supreme Court’s decision requiring equitable funding for education that prompted Act 60.
Dear Gov. Shumlin,
I am writing to you in response to your strong call for level funding on local school budgets for the third year in a row. I am a born Vermonter, voter, taxpayer, parent and a school board member. As a school board member, I have grown a thick skin, broad shoulders and a long neck. I have taken the blame for cutting popular programs at the same time being asked why there are so many cars in the school parking lot. As a school board member, I carry the weight of failed septic systems and leaky roofs along with the hope that all our young students will receive the love of learning. As a school board member, I will continue to stick my neck out in support of our students while balancing the financial interests of my community members.
I chose to have our daughter join the lawsuit against the State of Vermont for inequitable funding in education. Amanda was 8 years old. She was shy and did not like men who talked loud. I convinced her to go to the Supreme Court by saying she was helping all the kids in Vermont. She never looked up the whole time she was there. The Brigham decision was handed down on Feb. 5, 1997. Amanda can be proud to know that Vermont’s funding for education is one of the most equitable in the United States.
I feel you truly lack the understanding of what two years of level funding meant for our school systems. We used up carry forwards, cut all possible line items, reduced programs, services and the people who provided them. We put off building repairs and bus leases. Salaries not protected by union contracts have had little to no increases and many contract negotiations have come to impasse. These were all hard and painful choices.
We school board members are a pretty bright group when you put us all together. We understand declining enrollments, fund balances, equalized pupils, along with state and federal mandates. We also understand that our work is not done. I would hope you would be more understanding and supportive to our task.
Yes, we are facing declining enrollments in many schools, but there are still other challenges that are increasing. There are more parents unemployed. There are more children living in poverty. There are more drugs coming into this state than ever before and our young adults are the target. These and many other factors work their way into the schools and become hurdles for learning. These unending challenges, combined with the increased expectations in learning outcomes for all children, continue to put pressure on schools and school budgets. If we are to succeed in the education of Vermont’s children, we need the cooperation and understanding from both you and our communities.
Home, business or municipal level funding for three years in row is near impossible. Your demand that this must be done for school budgets statewide is unrealistic. It also shows the disregard for the past two years of difficult choices. What it really does — is hurt.
