LETTER: Superintendent raises concerns over Vt. Senate version of H.454
May 19, 2025 | By Mike LeichliterDear HUUSD Families,
A few weeks ago, I shared my support for Vermont House Bill H.454, believing it to be a step forward in education reform. However, the Senate has since made major revisions that raise serious concerns for me.
The current version, which could be approved by the full Senate this week, would significantly impact public education across Vermont. If passed, the bill will move to a House-Senate conference committee before going to the Governor. VTDigger recently reported on this version.
As an educational leader in Vermont, I feel obligated to speak out. The Senate proposal risks doing real harm while failing to address the root causes of rising education costs.
Key Concerns:
It caps future education spending based on current budgets with an inadequate inflation index. This would force deep cuts in districts like ours.
Current modeling from the independent Joint Fiscal Office shows a 13.5% reduction—or $5.4 million—in the HUUSD’s budget by July 2027, likely resulting in the loss of 50 additional positions, significant reduction in student programming, and/or forced closure of some of our schools.
We’ve already reduced about 50 positions to balance this year’s and next year’s budgets.
The bill allows six legislators to redraw school district maps--with no help from Vermont public education experts--potentially merging HUUSD into a much larger district, which may prioritize financial redistribution over educational quality.
It does not address real cost drivers: healthcare, housing, aging school building infrastructure, or student mental health.
Only one current school board member from our six towns would serve on the transitional board of a merged district.
I urge you to learn more and, if you choose, to contact our local Washington County senators to share your views:
Sen. Ann Cummings – acummings@leg.state.vt.us
Sen. Andrew Perchlik – aperchlik@leg.state.vt.us
Sen. Ann Watson – awatson@leg.state.vt.us
Local control matters. This bill would make deep cuts in funding for our schools while shifting decision-making to a regional board that does not adequately represent our communities. Quick policy changes without local input risk undermining what makes our schools strong, responsive, and accountable.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mike
Michael G. Leichliter, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Harwood Unified Union School District