The Vermont School Boards Association released a video that attempts to explain the way the state funds its schools. The threat of an 8 cent tax hike means lawmakers will be focused on school spending during the legislative session and the association wants to ensure the public understands how the system works, according to a news release.
Making Sense of Vermont’s Funding System, is an 11-minute video that uses real examples to explain budgets and tax rates.
Two friendly avatars walk viewers through the way taxes are calculated. They admit “this is complicated” and that “they have only scratched the surface.” But they explain the history of how the state pays for schools, the way different people pay their taxes to support them and some of the difficulties communities face.
Some towns are increasing spending even though they are losing students and that is confusing and makes budget decisions more difficult.
Nicole Mace, executive director of VSBA, said she hopes the video will help school boards communicate the impact local budgeting decisions have on tax rates.
