Don’t let Vermont Become Maryland: Stop bill H.454

June 9, 2025  |  By Olivia Cooling

When my family moved to Vermont from Maryland, I finally experienced what an engaged school community looks like, one where teachers know you, students feel supported, and schools are deeply connected to the towns they serve. 

This is why I am deeply urging Vermonters to reject bill H.454. Vermont could make the same mistakes Maryland did, which will change schools, making them less unique to the community. 

In Maryland, there are only 25 school districts for over 200 schools. It sounds structured, but it created huge issues: overcrowded classrooms, underfunded schools, and decisions made by individuals who don’t understand the communities they affect. Students like me didn’t get the support we needed. Resources were spread too scarce, and the system wasn’t designed for everyone to thrive. 

Gov. Phil Scott’s original proposal would shrink Vermont’s 119 school districts down to just five. Supporters claim this will save spending and improve fairness, but the truth is it would eliminate local control and damage small towns. The close-knit, community-based school model Vermont is known for would disappear. In addition, there is no guarantee this will actually save taxpayers money. In fact, according to a recent UVM study, “it is therefore highly unlikely that the Governor’s Transformative Education Plan will reduce education costs or strengthen schools and communities.” (Sutherland, UVM)

At Harwood Union High School, I’ve understood how well the current system works. Teachers understand their students. Schools and towns work together. Our education system isn’t perfect, but it’s more unique and effective than what I experienced before. Vermont also has some of the best test scores in the country and one of the fairest school funding systems. As policy expert Paul Cillo said, “Our schools hold together many of the small rural communities that make Vermont an enviable place to live.”

This bill would weaken small communities. It risks larger class sizes, fewer teachers, and schools closing or consolidating far from students’ homes. Most education spending already goes to teacher pay and benefits. Cutting schools won’t fix the real financial challenges, like rising health care costs. It will just make learning harder for students and teaching harder for educators.

Worst of all, H.454 is being pushed through too quickly. Students, teachers, and community members haven’t had a real chance to share other opinions about the bill. A law that could reshape Vermont’s education system for decades shouldn’t be rushed.

I urge you to not allow Vermont to become another Maryland. Let’s protect what makes our schools and communities strong. Say no to bill H.454.

Olivia Cooling is an 11th grader from Waterbury at Harwood Union Middle-High School.