LETTER: Harwood School Board leaders share letter to Gov. Scott

February 15, 2025

Editor’s note: Harwood Unified Union School District School Board Chair Ashley Woods and Vice Chair Cindy Senning wrote to Gov. Phil Scott on Monday regarding his administration’s proposal to transform public education in Vermont. They share their letter here with the community. 

Dear Governor Scott, 

As Vermonters and leaders of the Harwood Unified Union School District Board, we are writing with deep concern about your proposed education funding reform plan. We believe in meaningful reform, but we need to understand the numbers behind your proposal to create five mega districts. 

Our district represents six towns with shared interests dating back over 100 years. Your plan would expand this to the "Winooski Valley School District" - encompassing 47 towns from Belvidere to Stockbridge. Before asking Vermonters to accept such a dramatic change to our educational system, we need you to answer one fundamental question: 

How much money will this actually save? 

Specifically, we need to see the data showing that the cost savings from this consolidation would be substantial enough to justify diminishing local voices in our children's education. As a board who needed three tries to pass last year's budget, we understand the pressing need to control costs. But consolidation cannot be proposed as a solution without clear evidence of its benefits. 

Vermont isn't Florida, South Carolina, or Mississippi - states with county systems where such massive districts might make sense. We're a state where communities work together in natural clusters, sharing resources like stores, gas stations, and post offices. These organic connections have served us well. Before dismantling this system, we need concrete evidence that the alternative will better serve both our taxpayers and our students. 

We believe real education reform in Vermont needs to address the true cost drivers: healthcare funding reform and construction assistance for schools. If district consolidation is to be prioritized over these issues, we need to see the numbers that justify this choice. 

Our request is simple: show us the data that proves consolidating 47 towns under one school board will generate meaningful cost savings for Vermonters. Without this evidence, how can we ask our communities to support a plan that could silence their voice in their children's education? 

We remain committed to finding real solutions for Vermont's education system, but these solutions must be grounded in data and respect for our state's unique character. 

Sincerely, 

Ashley Woods, Chair, Warren

Cindy Senning, Vice-Chair, Duxbury