First, I’d like to thank Senators Gulick, Baruth, Hashim, and Perchlik for their clear
understanding, as evidenced by this bill to address the composition of the State Board of
Education, in recognizing that our current state board composition and construct should be
updated. (full written testimony)

First, I do agree that our reading scores should be better. I will remind the committee that one of
the strongest levers we have to improve reading scores and overall literacy skills is to offer free
publicly available prekindergarten for all children and that the VPA has been on the record
advocating for this for several years now and all of the research supports this need. (full written testimony)

In preparation for testimony on this and related issues, the Vermont Principals’ Association
(VPA) conducted a survey to ascertain what current policies and procedures are in place in
Vermont schools. We put out this quick survey and had over 100 responses from school
leaders. (full written testimony)

Let me start by explaining that this is not an area of expertise for me or for the vast majority of of school leaders. However, principals are the individuals who on a day-to-day basis make sure, through leadership oversight, that students are provided with the services that they are entitled to. (full written testimony)

The Mental Health of students continues to be at the top of the list of concerns for Principals and school personnel. (Read full written testimony)

Please accept this written testimony as support from the Vermont Principals’ Association as full
endorsement of passing S. 18 and banning flavored tobacco products and e-liquids including
Menthol products. (Full Written Testimony)

Thank you for inviting us to provide testimony on behalf of the Vermont Superintendents
Association (VSA) and Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA) on the proposed S.87. (Full Written Testimony)

The Vermont Principals’ Association has just under 800 members. These members are mostly principals, assistant principals, and high school athletic directors; however, many superintendents, curriculum coordinators, and special education administrators are also members of the VPA. (Full Testimony)

In terms of the new pupil weighting and the impact on FY25 budgets, the cost drivers I
mentioned previously to Senate Education are exacerbating the circumstances… (Full Written Testimony)

First, thank you to Senators Gulick and Hashim for signing on to this bill and Senate Education
in general for its strong interest over the last few legislative sessions in looking to assist schools
in improving instruction and ultimately outcomes in reading performance for our students. (Full Written Testimony)