Education chief: Merger talks should continue
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By SUSAN ALLEN STAFF WRITER - Published: October 22, 2009
MONTPELIER – Vermont Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca applauded the Montpelier School Board and Washington Central Supervisory Union for their early discussions about consolidation between the two districts – a topic that even a decade ago was almost impossible to broach.
"You're threatening local control … it's a normal process," the commissioner said of common concerns about blending, consolidating or merging districts or schools.
"Now it's a positive sign that people are at least having that conversation," Vilaseca said in a discussion last week in his State Street office. "Asking the questions doesn't mean we are going to do anything. But voters and boards can get the facts."
The most important fact, the commissioner said, is best illustrated on a graph showing student enrollment steadily declining in Vermont, starting around the mid-1990s and expected to bottom out around 2014. Even then, the chart shows, it doesn't appear enrollment will increase significantly in future years, based on a low and fairly level birth rate in Vermont.
"We have declining student enrollment, but that's not reflected in a reduction of school staff," Vilaseca said.
He said it's important for supervisory unions to look for ways to consolidate their own boards (the Washington Central Supervisory Union, for example, includes five elementary school boards and a U-32 Middle and High School board) and talk to their neighboring districts and unions about possible shared efficiencies.
He said the discussion in central Vermont makes a good case for consolidation and possible merger of the two high schools – Montpelier High School and U-32, which hosts students from Middlesex, Berlin, Worcester, Calais and East Montpelier.
"Parents who live in Middlesex drive through Montpelier to get to their high school," he said. "Whether that's right or wrong, is there a better way?"
That said, Vilaseca acknowledged that "emotionally, it's hard to close a school" or join another district. He said, "People identify with that institution, and that's wonderful because that gets buy-in from the community."
But given the financial realities that declining enrollments are forcing on property taxpayers, things need to change, he said.
In fact, Vilaseca continued, the current economic recession has probably opened the door to more districts considering consolidation. People are feeling serious financial strain; they are willing to have cost-cutting discussions today that were almost impossible in the past.
"The economy and declining student enrollment … the convergence of two separate issues that have made this whole conversation more palatable," he said.
The Washington Central Supervisory Union Executive Committee contacted Montpelier School Board Chairman John Hollar in July and invited the Montpelier panel to join in a study of consolidation, including possibly sharing a superintendent and merging the high schools.
Vilaseca noted last week that the state of Maine, under the leadership of the governor, is working on school reorganization.
The commissioner said talking about merging MHS and U-32 makes sense. Both, he said, have good staff, good programs and a similar academic philosophy.
"Should they consider it at some time, it would be a nice match," he said.
Vilaseca, who has been a strong proponent of consolidation, sent a letter to the Montpelier board recently hinting that he has the power to prompt the redrawing of district lines to force consolidation.
Asked about that letter last week, he said, "I have the authority. I look at this as a local issue … I would not want to step in."
But, he re-emphasized when pressed, he does have the authority.
In addition, Vilaseca said his staff is looking for grant money to help districts like Montpelier, Washington Central and others study consolidation.
Hollar mentioned to his board at a recent meeting that financial assistance to thoroughly research all the pertinent issues linked to consolidation or merger is needed, and Vilaseca said the Addison Northwest district has also requested assistance.
He said if these districts are able to move forward with consolidation, they could be models for the state.
"I will do anything I can to help them," he said.
He predicted that, as it has elsewhere, the Montpelier/Washington Central debate on merger possibilities will become contentious.
"There will be people on both sides. This will be a polarizing issue," Vilaseca said. But, he added, "In the end, they have to do what's in the best interest of the kids."
To view an online video detailing 2010 educational issues, visit www.vtvsba.org and click on Current Realities 2010.
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