This commentary is by Gary J. DiMaggio, a resident of Bondville.
I sent this proposal to Gov. Phil Scott via his website.
Thank you again for your common-sense stance, setting the national standard for post-pandemic life to live safely in Vermont.
I write to encourage you to consider changes to our public school system. The goals are:
1) To address parents’ and children’s child care issues.
2) To address children’s emotional issues.
3) To address our children’s nutrition issues.
Changes
Daily classes and activities, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cafeteria open all day and serving free buffet-style hot breakfast, lunch and dinner to all students.
School year extended; starts Sept. 1 and ends June 28, with established holidays.
School sports, gym, boxing, track, gymnastics and student’s choice programs. School music and acting program and student’s choice programs.
Elementary through high school, second and third language programs.
— Elementary school, ages 5 to 12.
— Junior high school, ages 12-16.
— High school or trade school. ages 16-19.
— Free Vermont Community College for those who qualify.
— Vermont university for those who qualify for scholarships.
I believe this is a civil rights issue — that our children up to the age of 18 years as a protected class have certain rights. Is their physical and emotional well-being our responsibility? I think so, and it’s why I am an advocate for these points. Vermont already takes these responsibilities on and provides some of these services. I’m advocating expanding and changing the system to do the job better, for smarter adults.
I could find and list all the ancillary services and their budgets, including police and jails, where the state spends and could save, but that’s not the point.
While you are enacting district mergers, perhaps these changes might encourage those who resisted merging and appreciate the benefits of merging and what this means to every one of us.
The media is focused on these issues, and with our legislative might, and a friend in the White House, it is timely. While I have no doubt that everyone is considering Vermont’s kids first, it’s to everyone’s political benefit to start the conversation and push for federal legislative funding, and as the coming months until November 2022 will see President Biden reach for more bipartisan accomplishments.
I believe this will also bring Vermont to the attention of new families moving to our state. As you know, South Burlington High is ranked No. 1 in Vermont, but is ranked No. 786 nationally with a 37 college readiness score. Happy better students, happy better teachers, happy better parents, could mean happy better families.
The influx of families relocating to Vermont we experienced these past two years has ended. They are our greatest and vocal advocates. This is a valuable resource for Vermont that should be recognized and its value understood and utilized, so it is not lost. It’s not about WiFi or jobs; it’s about children and families.
Gov. Scott, please consider taking the lead in the nation for our children and for Vermont.
