Strategic Solutions & Opportunities for Leaders
A Guide to Vermont REDs, Voluntary Mergers and Joint Ventures

This Guide is structured as a companion document to the Vermont Agency of Education’s Facilitating and Achieving Joint Ventures and Mergers Under Act 153/Act 156: A Manual for School Districts and Merger Consultants. While the Manual is intended as the more in-depth resource, this Guide is designed as an abbreviated and practical stepping-off place for school leaders as they begin the important dialogues over options for altered governance structures affecting local and regional education.

Guide to Student Voice in Education Governance

This guide is intended to provide school boards and administrators with general guidance and information to assist them in engaging students on public school boards. It includes information to consider when debating the inception, preparing the board and the youth for the taskand implementation. This document should not be relied upon for legal advice. We recommend all boards consult with their attorney if they have legal questions.

Vermont’s school boards are passionate about every child receiving an exceptional education. We know that the world is changing and that technology has opened dramatic new opportunities to enhance learning for our students.

For the past several months, we have spoken at regional meetings and at our annual conference about the need to engage every child in education and prepare them for success in this fast-changing world. By most measures, Vermont has a very good education system compared to other states. At the same time, we know that there are too many students who do not engage in their education. We know that too few students go on to higher education and fewer still complete a degree. We know we have much to do to better prepare our students for the new economy that calls for highly skilled graduates who are proficient in literacy, science, math, critical thinking, and creativity.

Moving education forward will require change on many levels—statewide leadership as evidenced by the Governor in his recent inaugural address, sound policy from the State Board, effective support from the new Agency, and most importantly, local implementation. Genuine, sustainable change comes community-by-community, school-by-school, through the creative efforts of teachers, through the education leadership of superintendents and principals, and through the commitment and focus of school boards. Vermont’s school boards are catalysts for change and create a climate that allows innovation to flourish among educators. We must be committed to moving education forward.

VSBA & VSA Joint Agenda for a World Class Education

Over the course of the fall, the Vermont School Boards Association and the Vermont Superintendents Association have put together a joint Agenda for Public Education. The comprehensive proposal, presented by board members and superintendents to a joint press conference on January 15, is available on this webpage. It focuses on how we engage every child in a world-class education. Specific proposals are being made in the areas of:

• Focusing education on personalized learning and proficiency
  
• A new vision for teaching and learning
  
• Engaging and supporting families
  
• Delivering and using world-class technology and information
  
• Providing effective leadership

To learn more about the Agenda for a World-Class Education System, please review the following documents:
VSBA & VSA Press Release
VSBA & VSA Agenda for a World-Class Education System
Succinct Summary of Agenda Proposals

The Essential Work of Vermont School Boards book is 134 pages. It is revised every three years. The current version was created in 2012. The next will be released in the fall of 2015. The price of the book is $15 plus $5 (each) shipping. The books are mailed with invoice. If you are a current board member the invoice will be mailed to your school district.

The Vermont Education Lawbook is released annually in early December. Vermont School Boards Association holds a standing order list for the lawbook. If you are placed on the list you will receive a postcard in July/August of the release year to confirm your order.

ORDER FORM

All books are shipped with an invoice with net 30 terms of payment.

Would you like to be placed on the lawbook standing order list - no charge. We would mail you a postcard in August to verify an order for the upcoming year.

• Youtube Video
• Situational Analysis PowerPoint
• Secretary of Education Presentation