Superintendent Updates

 

Happy April Break! I hope you all have a chance to enjoy some time with your family during this vacation week. This week I wanted to share some incredible resources from the Cook Center for Human Connection. I learned about the Cook Center for Human Connection at a recent National Conference I attended and was impressed with the wide range of supports and resources they offer. 

 

The Cook Center for Human Connection is a family foundation established by Greg and Julie Cook to support childhood mental wellness and behavioral health—areas often overlooked in traditional fundraising. Motivated by personal experiences and a desire to make a local impact, the Cooks focus on preventing suicide, strengthening human connection, and supporting mental health for children, families, and schools. The foundation provides grants, parent programs, and global resources to raise awareness and offer critical support to those affected by mental health challenges. As someone who has been directly impacted by suicide, I am deeply committed to breaking the silence, expanding access to support, and fostering meaningful connections that can save lives.

 

I have included access to a set of parenting resources developed by the Cook Center, through their parent portal https://parentguidance.org/all-courses/ These are a FREE set of courses  on a number of topics that can help navigate some of the more challenging aspects of parenting. These topics include anxiety, behavior, technology, bullying and so many more. These courses require no sign up and are (again) free to use. 

 

I hope you take the time to explore this website and find it useful. Enjoy the week!

 

This is always such a busy time of year, filled with activities, trips, and plenty of learning still to come as we wait for the season to officially change. Things in Montpelier have also been hopping as the House worked to pass H. 454- a bill aimed at stabilizing the cost of education while providing scale to ensure equity in learning opportunities for students across the state. 

Last week, Senator Ruth Hardy and Representatives Rob North and Matt Birong joined our board meeting to provide updates on their work in Montpelier. Senator Hardy shared a detailed account of the House’s work on H.454, based on updates from Representative Peter Conlon, who was unable to attend. It is clear that our representatives are working hard on our behalf and taking seriously the concerns raised by our district and others across the state.

This past week, I provided testimony to the Senate Finance committee as a Trustee for the Vermont Superintendents Association, and in the weeks to come they will join with Senate Education to work through the bill making whatever edits they deem necessary. At this time, I support the bill because I see the “do nothing” option resulting in a future of cuts to educational opportunities for the students in ANWSD. Depending on the edits made in the Senate my opinion could change because I also see any expansion of school choice also resulting in a deterioration of equitable learning opportunities for students across the state. 

Key Reasons to Support H.454

Grounded in a More Realistic Timeline:

H.454 is the most grounded and actionable proposal developed during the 2025 session. It acknowledges the operational realities school leaders face every day. The implementation timeline is more manageable and allows for thoughtful planning. 

Recognizes that Scale Needs to Be Addressed at All Levels and Thoughtfully:

Education reform proposals to date have largely focused on achieving scale through district consolidation. In contrast, H.454 takes a more thoughtful approach—calling for decisions about district scale to be guided by public input, data, and research. It also calls for any CTE governance reform to be a part of this larger process, signalling support for CTE as an integral part of the K-12 system. The bill also acknowledges that achieving scale must be considered across all levels of the education system, where geographically appropriate, and often depends on the availability of school construction aid to support necessary infrastructure changes.

 

Aims to Achieve Equity in our Funding System:

The bill establishes a foundation formula with a base education amount of $15,033 per K–12 student, guided by research by Dr. Tammy Kolbe. It includes additional weights for students with greater needs, such as those experiencing poverty, and builds in an annual cost adjustment. The formula must also be reviewed every two years, ensuring it stays relevant and equitable over time.

 

Is a Start to Adding Balance in Statewide Governance:

H.454 maintains the essential role of the State Board of Education in shaping education through public input processes. It also shifts two appointments to the House and Senate, beginning a more balanced appointment structure within statewide governance.

 

Promotes Statewide Coordination:

The bill calls for increased coordination at the state level around the school calendar, education finance systems, student data systems, and graduation requirements. This alignment will create a more seamless experience for students and make access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) more equitable and efficient.

 

Reopens the Door to School Facilities Funding:

The bill reintroduces state aid for school construction through a new capital investment program. In addition, funds generated from communities that choose to spend more than the foundation formula will be pooled in a statewide capital construction fund.

 

Please also learn more from this Summary by the Joint Fiscal Office and this graphic comparing H.454 to the Governor's Proposal:
 

I encourage your continued engagement in these proposed changes. The future of public education in Vermont depends on the outcome of this legislative session, and your representatives in Montpelier need to hear from you. 

 

There is a lot happening in Montpelier right now related to education. And in many ways, it’s tempting to tune it out and wait for the Cliff Notes version once everything is settled. While we can expect both short- and long-term changes to come out of this legislative session, there’s also something much bigger underway—a more significant transformation in how Vermont thinks about and funds education.

This shift is about more than just budgets or policies. It’s about the future of public education itself. Rising costs, declining enrollment, and new legal requirements are combining to create a perfect storm. Public education as we know it is under pressure, and the systems that have long provided equitable access to learning are being reconsidered—or replaced.

This recent podcast- Have you Heard- outlines Vermont's education funding history and highlights the proposed changes under consideration in Montpelier- including the future of public schools. This episode is well worth your time. 

🎧 Click here to listen to the podcast

Embedded in the plans being discussed is a potential expansion of private school choice through vouchers. Some people have asked why it would matter if Vermont had a full voucher program. Those that argue in favor of school vouchers, choice, or privatization cite the increased satisfaction with choosing an educational environment that is the best match for their child(ren). On the whole, however, vouchers have historically contributed to the separation of students along socioeconomic lines and by ability, as access and availability often vary significantly—resulting in unequal opportunities for a high-quality education. In places where vouchers have become the norm, student outcomes have significantly dropped over time. Also concerning is the influence of private investment in independently operated schools—often paired with expectations of influence over the curriculum, outcome studies, or operational decisions.

The Governor’s proposal seemingly has surface level reassurance against these concerns, however, I believe strongly that once the door is open to these options, legal challenges will erode away the intended protections until the private schools can operate independently once again. It is not my intention to be overly political with this post. My goal is to outline the debate and provide some tangible context for families to engage. My fear is that without knowing what is at stake we might lose something we care a great deal about.

 

Dear Families,

We routinely offer engagement sessions like this one because we believe that a strong partnership between families and schools is essential to improving our students' experiences. Your participation helps us understand diverse perspectives, identify barriers, and work together toward meaningful solutions. When families engage with us, it strengthens our ability to serve all students better. We know it can be difficult to attend evening events, but we really need your perspective. Please consider taking the time to help us improve our students' learning experiences. When families engage with us, it strengthens our ability to serve all students better.

You're Invited!
Community Event: Belonging in Our Schools
Date: Thursday, March 27th
Time: 5:30-7:00 PM
Location: VUMHS Library
Dinner and Childcare Provided with RSVP (see below)

Over the past three years, we have been listening to students through Panorama surveys and other methods to understand their perspectives about school. One consistent theme has emerged: many students do not feel a strong sense of belonging in school. This feedback is concerning to both our educators and our community.

Our teachers have been working hard to create more opportunities for students to feel connected in classes, but we know there is more to uncover and address. In response, students advocated for a district equity assessment, leading to the formation of a committee made up of students, teachers, administration, and community members. Now, both students and the committee want to hear from you!

What is the purpose of this gathering?

• To provide a safe space for students to share their experiences with community members.
• To gather insights into the diverse experiences within our community.
• To work together toward creating a stronger sense of belonging for all students.

This is an opportunity to collaborate as a community to shape the future of our schools. Your perspective is invaluable to us.

Please RSVP by March 23rd, 2025, by filling out this form.

We hope to see you there!

Warm regards,

Dear ANWSD Families & Caregivers,

I want to take a moment to address recent federal communications regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in public schools and what it means for Addison Northwest School District (ANWSD). While federal guidance continues to evolve, our district remains committed to creating a school environment where every student and staff member feels respected, valued, and supported.

The U.S. Department of Education recently released an FAQ clarifying aspects of DEI and Title VI in response to the February 14 "Dear Colleague" letter. It reaffirms that schools must uphold anti-discrimination laws while also acknowledging that instructional decisions remain under local and state control. Additionally, a webform has been introduced for reporting potential violations of federal civil rights laws in schools that receive federal funding.

Vermont’s Agency of Education (AOE) has advised schools to continue moving forward with professional development and curriculum plans that align with state standards and local district priorities. Our approach at ANWSD is rooted in these guidelines, ensuring that our instructional practices meet both state and federal requirements while fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

We want to be clear—our district’s commitment to equity and inclusion has not changed. We will continue to provide students with diverse learning experiences that help prepare them for success in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. Our curriculum remains grounded in state-approved frameworks and best educational practices.

We understand that there may be questions about how this federal guidance could impact our schools. As we receive further updates, we will share relevant information with our community. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out with any concerns or questions.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students and schools.

Sincerely,

Sheila Soule
Superintendent Addison Northwest School District