This commentary is by Nick Brown of Burlington. He is the current co-chair of the Burlington Progressive Party. He also serves as a coordinating committee member for the statewide Vermont Progressive Party.
By 1777, Vermont had one of the most liberal constitutions in America, mandating universal education across the state. In fact, the Vermont commitment to common schools was boasted about and often cited as a reason for Vermont’s exceptional egalitarianism.
Today, that commitment to public education is under attack.
In 1829, at the height of a rigid, anti-worker two-party system between National Republicans and Jacksonians, a third party emerged demanding something better. Many resisted, questioning why go further. Yet, in the Woodstock-based Working-Man’s Gazette, a Working-Man’s Party member wrote:
“There are some who would contend that our system of common school education is perfectly republican, and already as good as could be desired … while the higher branches of literature and science remain accessible only to the children of the wealthy. There must be a balance of knowledge, and with it a balance of power.”
Nearly 200 years later, the fight for equitable education funding remains just as urgent. What the Gazette correctly points out is that public education is an equalizer that shifts the balance of power away from the select few who can afford higher academic pursuits towards the working class who benefit most from public schools. This is why the way we fund our public schools matters: to reject the outdated notion that kids who live in wealthy towns should have better opportunities than kids who live in poorer towns. Leveling the playing field means ensuring every Vermont community has the resources to support all our kids and neighbors. And that begins with investing in strong, local schools.
Yet, time and time again, we see legislators attempt to “reallocate” resources away from these schools. Vermonters should reject these attempts outright.
We know from years of proposals by conservative lawmakers that school consolidation doesn’t work. It guts communities, leaves buildings vacant, and offers minimal savings.
We also know Vermonters are fed up with an unsustainable education financing system — not because we can’t afford these schools, but because our legislature refuses to take on special interests and build a funding system that holds the ultra-wealthy accountable.
With a bullet-proof supermajority in 2023, Democrats had the power to lead boldly and create a fairer, more sensible tax system. They didn’t. Instead, they told working-class Vermonters, already frustrated with the status quo, to accept a 14% tax hike during these difficult times.
In response, voters delivered a damning rejection of our broken tax system in 2024. Democratic leadership has responded by working with Republicans to “reform” education to contain political fallout — not to strengthen schools. As a result, Republicans now hold key leadership positions in legislative committees, while Democrats, fearful of further losses, shy away from bold action.
Meanwhile, the Vermont Progressive Party is offering a real alternative: let’s fund our schools through a progressive income tax, instead of a regressive, flat property tax. While the wealthy few continue to get richer, kids’ music and arts programs are being phased out, and students are being bussed 45 minutes away just to attend school. That’s wrong. Tax the rich, fully fund our schools and move away from an education system propped up by an outdated property tax model.
We know what’s coming because Gov. Scott’s administration has said it out loud. Zoe Saunders made it clear in a recent session with legislators:
”There will need to be shifts in terms of operations and staffing to be able to deliver on the proposal. … We know that there are certain schools where this would be very challenging to achieve without considerable adjustments and changes.”
The governor’s intent is clear: permanently reshape Vermont’s education system at the expense of “certain schools.” We need to push back and demand something better.
