Education Bill Updates
Concurrent with sending out this newsletter, I have also sent a new email update about h.483, a bill about oversight of independent schools.
I (Eric) testified last Wednesday before the committee in Montpelier, and I submitted written testimony. I was also able to speak with a number of other legislators. It seemed to go really well, and I learned a lot too. I was able to strongly advocate against the provisions in H.483 about mandating a blind admissions process and about no public money "subsidizing" private-pay students. I was also able to strongly advocate for the value of small schools, and to present Compass School as a valuable part of our community's overall educational offeringings that is very worthy of public support.
Pasted below and attached is my written testimony which I read and submitted, if you're interested. (It has also been distributed in the Vermont Independent Schools Association newsletter.) My statement was followed by some productive Q&A with the senators. There is definitely more resistance in the Senate to the anit-independent school forces that are more powerful in the House.
Windham County Senator Nader Hashim, a member of the Senate Education Committee, is a key vote on H.483. Sen. Hashim has spoken favorably about independent school concerns. However, we know he is under intense pressure from other stakeholders to support H.483's damaging provisions.
Sen. Hashim can more easily withstand the pressure if he knows he has the support of many Windham County voters. I encourage you to email him and request he support Windham County's independent schools by voting "No" on H.483. Email to: nhashim@leg.state.vt.us
A simple request that he vote "No" is sufficient. If anyone wishes to say more, they may write about the value of having independent school options in Windham County and their personal experiences with Compass School.
Here too is an Op Ed in VT Digger written by Representative Michelle Bos-Lun expressing opposition to the bill.
Upcoming School Schedule and Events!:
Monday April 17-- teacher inservice day
Tuesday April 18-- resume normal schedule (M/Tu/Th 8:15-4:00; W/F 8:15-2:15)
Wed. April 26-- 6pm-8pm--Compass Film Festival! (produced by 11th/12th filmmaking class)
Spring school trips in May:
middle school to Burlington overnight-- Wed. 5/17-Thurs. 5/18 (no school for middle school on Friday 5/19)-- Staying at Rock Point School in Burlington.
9th-10th graders to Cape Cod-- Wed. 5/17-Fri. 5/19 -- Staying at Camp Fairly in Mashpee, MA
Upcoming Lunch Menu
Mon 4/3 Chicken fajitas
Tue 4/4 Burgers
Wed 4/5 Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
Thu 4/6 Chicken filet sandwich
Fri 4/7 Pizza