To The Editor:
Many parents voice an unfounded, concern about school consolidation and larger class sizes resulting in poor student and performance. Their concern is not supported by the facts. Large classroom size does not mean poorer performance.
Consolidation of our schools is inevitable. Small schools are not a long-term option in Vermont. Vermont spends $20,838 per student making it one of the highest-spending states in the nation. The current local budget comes in at $15,486, per pupil. The national average for public school spending per pupil in fiscal year 2022 was $15,633.
Living in a rural area, is a choice that means kids will spend more time on a school bus. For all the reasons we love this little corner of the world called Vermont, we cannot continue to avoid the inevitable – consolidation.
Our grandson in Massachusetts has 30-plus students in his classes. He, like his peers, scores higher than the national averages and go to top-ranked colleges. The education he receives; the extra support he requires and receives; has never been more robust than in the Medfield School system.
The irony for those parents who continue to resist consolidation is the simple fact that their children are not receiving the education they deserve. Our grandson is in his fifth year of Chinese Mandarin language, by example. Smaller class sizes means fewer computers; fewer language options; fewer advance placement options; and fewer options for trade training\education.
Large class size do not and does not, by definition, mean students with be cheated. My personal experience shows me that larger class size can deliver a better education experience for students.
There is no rational, nor empirical data, to support the premise that larger class sizes mean a lower academic performance then we now deliver. Do we want to keep our children in a holding pattern while we vote down future school budgets, or do we want to finally face reality and consolidate, and make our school system the best in the nation.
Fighting the inevitable consolidation will only delay the future effective educational experience each child deserves.
Don Simonini
Fayston
