MONTPELIER, Vt. -
The state received its 285-page review of Vermont's education finance system Tuesday. Its intention-- to evaluate whether or not the current system works.
"We're pleased with the findings that the funding system developed in Acts 60 and 68 is doing what it was intended to do," said Bill Talbott, the deputy secretary of the Vt. Education Department.
Acts 60 and 68 were put in place to provide equal opportunities for towns to raise funds for local schools. But Rep. Adam Greshin says the study doesn't address whether Vermont's high per pupil spending is paying off.
"I think the Picus report tells us everything we already knew and nothing we need to know," said Greshin, I-Warren.
Vermont's education system, like that of most states, is funded largely by property taxes, which are expected to go up unless schools can level fund again. Most say they can't.
"Fifty-five percent have responded that the increase is 2.6 percent this year. So if that holds true, it won't be level-funded, but it won't be up by a great deal," Talbott said.
Schools cut 300 teachers last year. The state encourages these cuts as enrollment numbers have dropped consistently over the past 12 years. But there's one place where spending has gone up-- in supervisory unions. So while teachers are losing their jobs, the Department of Education says superintendents' salaries are going up.
"There was nothing economic or judicious about their spending. In fact, much of the spending relative to what school boards are doing with their budgets was outlandish," Greshin said.
Greshin cites his own district as an example. The superintendent of Washington West supervisory union took an 8 percent raise last year; central office employees received a 3 percent raise.
"The magnitude of the salary increases over the years has been excessive," Greshin said.
"I think salaries are going up everywhere. So, that's the question: should they or should they not," Talbott said.
That question is up to the Legislature. Greshin hopes they'll give voters the power to decide themselves, especially because the increased salaries come out of public tax dollars.
All other education fund issues will appear on the ballot on Town Meeting Day.
If Greshin gets his way, supervisory cuts will be up to the public. Currently they are decided upon by each school board.
