VERMONT-NEA/VERMONT SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION/VERMONT SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCITION/VERMONT PRINCIPALS’ ASSOCIATION

March 2, 2026

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Darren Allen, Vermont-NEA, 802-839-8618

Jay Nichols, Vermont Principals’ Association, 802-782-4629

Chelsea Myers, Vermont Superintendents Association, 802-318-1814

Sue Ceglowski, Vermont School Boards Association, 802-275-8666

Public Education Advocates Decry Scott’s Anti-School Board Rhetoric

Governor’s rejection of his town’s budget is counterproductive political stunt

MONTPELIER – Organizations representing educators, principals, superintendents, and local school boards condemned Gov. Phil Scott’s years-long practice of announcing how he will vote on his local school budget, calling it a political stunt with serious consequences.

“Given the influence your words carry across Vermont and especially within your hometown, I am concerned about the impact of your statement,” said Flor Diaz Smith, chair of the Washington Central School Board and president of the Vermont School Boards Association. “Your comments focused primarily on property taxes, without reference to the academic, social and emotional needs of our students and families.”

Diaz Smith’s comments were echoed by the Vermont Superintendents Association, the Vermont Principals’ Association, and the union representing the majority of public-school employees.

Scott’s very public repudiation of local school boards and the tough decisions they balance when preparing budgets is in service of an agenda that would significantly shift decision-making away from local communities, impose sweeping arbitrary consolidation, and further hamstring funding without addressing the root causes driving costs, according to Don Tinney, a high school English teacher who serves as president of the 13,000-member Vermont-NEA.

“There isn’t a single school board in Vermont that doesn’t carefully craft budgets that meet the needs of their communities’ children,” he said. “By very publicly denouncing the efforts of the school board in his own community, he is clearly hoping other voters go along with him.” Tinney said that while the governor – like all Vermonters – has the right to vote as he wishes, his very public “no” vote does nothing to serve the needs of Vermont’s students.

Superintendents – who, among other responsibilities, carry out the policies of school boards – also condemned Scott’s all-but tacit call for all Vermonters to vote down their budgets tomorrow.

“Our focus remains where it always has been — on students,” said Amy Minor, president of the Vermont Superintendents Association. “School boards and superintendents engage in months of thoughtful, transparent discussions to balance student needs with fiscal responsibility.

“It is difficult to square repeated calls for fiscal restraint and economic growth with a pattern of public criticism unaccompanied by meaningful, collaborative solutions. After nearly a decade in office, Vermonters deserve leadership that advances those goals in partnership with local communities. Strong schools are essential to strong communities and a strong economy.”

The principals’ association said the governor’s remarks are disappointing and counterproductive, especially coming days before Vermonters head to Town Meeting on Tuesday. “Vermonters support local school budgets because they trust their teachers, principals and school board members. This trust is built on relationships forged in doing the hard work of providing our systems with the resources we need at a price that local communities can afford,” said Chris Young, president of the Vermont Principals’ Association. “It is disappointing and counterproductive for the governor to use his considerable power to divide communities and the state at a time in which school board members, superintendents, principals, and teachers are working so hard to address the increasing needs of Vermont students.” 

The groups noted that the governor has already admonished lawmakers that he will cast future “no” votes if they don’t put the state’s public education system on the path he prefers. During his budget address, he made it clear he will veto the state budget and the annual school spending bill if they don’t contain all the elements of his “reform” roadmap.

“As people who care deeply about the success of Vermont’s students and the strength of Vermont’s communities, we all would prefer that the governor work alongside us to ensure that all students get the free, quality public education guaranteed by our Constitution,” Tinney said.

The organizations call on the governor to lead by example, to bring Vermonters together rather than deepen divisions, and to work in true partnership with the legislature and local communities.

# # #

Darren M. Allen (he/him)

Communications Director | Vermont-NEA

802.839.8618

@vermontnea

The first point I’d like to make is that if we are going to have a conversation about 1752 the proper venue for that would be the House Education Committee. A change of this magnitude should not occur as an amendment to a bill that has nothing to do with public education. There are valid points on both sides of the issue on whether teachers should be required to fulfill contractual obligations as well as whether school districts should be required to fulfill those same requirements. (full written testimony)

February 10, 2026 – First 2026 Legislative Session Report 

Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the initial map draft presented by House Education Chair, Peter Conlon, last week. I want to first of all, thank Representative Conlon for putting out a thoughtful map for his committee (and obviously many other Vermonters including Senate Education) to consider. It is hard to tell where we are going to end up in terms of governance constructs related to Act 73; and, I’ve heard many times, including from members of this committee, that maps have to come before other aspects of the transformational change. Although I am not sure that is necessarily the case, having a map to react to certainly is a place to start. (Full Written Testimony)

The VPA agrees with the Agency of Education that Chronic Absenteeism is an issue both in Vermont and nationally. We also agree that the tools we have used in the state and nation have to be updated. (Full Written Testimony)

The Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA) is proud to announce the Hall of Fame Class of 2026, a distinguished group of individuals whose collective impact reflects the very best of education-based athletics and activities in Vermont. This year’s inductees represent a powerful common thread — lifelong service, excellence, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to students. Across decades of leadership as athletes, coaches, educators, officials, and advocates, these honorees have shaped school communities, elevated opportunity, and modeled the values of sportsmanship, belonging, and perseverance. Their achievements span local, state, regional, national, and even Olympic levels, yet each story is grounded in the same purpose: using education-based activities to positively influence young people. (Full Press Release)

In terms of bill S. 209, my testimony today is about protecting children/students in our schools and making sure school employees know what they can and cannot do. I would like to share with you some guidance that we have put out to our members. (view full written testimony)

Testimony from Jason Gingold, Montpelier Middle and High School Principal and Angela Fillion, Allen Brook Elementary School Principal. (Read Principal Fillion’s Written Testimony & Principal Gingold’s Written Testimony)

Good afternoon. My testimony today is two-fold. First to point out a few considerations related to testimony shared by the Agency of Education and secondly to share a concept memo that the VPA believes is a better path forward to ultimate educational transformation in the state of Vermont. (read full testimony)

The Commission had essentially five areas to provide findings for consideration for the General Assembly and it is my intent to directly go through the recommendations if that works for the Committee…(full written testimony)