This commentary is by Jarrod Weiss. He is a transplant to Vermont from Ohio with a background in education, government and public policy. He lives with his wife and four young kids in Calais.
In 1995, Vermont became the 50th state in the United States to welcome Walmart begrudgingly, along with its “Great Value” brand, to the Green Mountain State. A land known for small-town charm and local general stores was then and forever forced to compete in the marketplace of low-cost products and underappreciated labor. Thirty years, and six Walmarts, later, Vermonters are now faced with a fancy new big box concept to contend with: “education reform.”
Gov. Phil Scott and the Agency of Education recently announced their big, bold and misguided education reform plan which will upend the education system in Vermont as we know it. A state known for small schools, responsive teaching and community-mindedness has apparently become too much of a hassle.
Instead of true innovative reform, we get a proposed Walmart-ization of education in our state. The plan presented to the Legislature was simply the big box version of standardized and consolidated education, something most Vermonters have rejected in other parts of life.
Vermont is known for local, independent small businesses, shops, co-ops and restaurants, and most of us will do what we can to avoid the big box stores, even if it costs more. We do that out of an appreciation for what local businesses mean to our communities and supporting those businesses is supporting our neighbors and friends.
As of today, Vermont has only six Walmarts and this plan would create five school districts. We would have more Walmarts than school districts. The entire appeal of Vermont to focus on small, local communities and schools will be lost.
Unlike what Gov. Scott has said, those of us who are highly skeptical of this plan are not “fearful” of change. In fact, many of us recognize there are serious deficiencies in our system and now is the time to act. However, just because we don’t like the plan he presented doesn’t mean we don’t seek change.
In fact, the opposite is true. Change is what many of us have been calling for, loudly, for years, especially since the pandemic. That change needs to be thoughtful and carefully crafted and truly innovative and creative — a new system that takes full advantage of all we have to offer as a state.
What we are “fearful” of is the Walmart-ization of our education system. We don’t want “big box” education, we want to do education the Vermont way and do it right. Changes are needed, and some big changes, to create that unique, innovative and successful education system that our kids deserve, but we want it done right. This plan is no “Great Value” and our state deserves a better approach.
The cost of education is too high. Some schools are probably too small. There are redundancies in the system that make delivery inefficient. These things are true. However, we have smart, dedicated and amazing people in this state who can stand up and deliver what is needed to make the education system work. We can face those challenges and change what education looks like in a way that truly works for all Vermonters.
It’s cliche, but the education of our children is truly the linchpin of our future. As a state with an aging population, a housing affordability crisis and a desperate need for job growth, an innovative and thriving education system is the most important step toward a sustainable future for all of Vermont.
I’ll be the first to admit, as a father of four kids under the age of 13, sometimes we just have to go to Walmart. There are times when I look at my wife and say, “Do we really have to go to Walmart?” Yet, when it comes to the education of our children, my own or the 82,000 plus in the state, I don’t want us to think the only solution is the Walmart-ization of our schools.
This education reform plan, as written, is just not the “Great Value” Vermont needs or desires.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Jarrod Weiss: We don’t need the Walmart-ization of education .