First, I’m sure we’d all agree that public schools could be better than they are and that we as school leaders could do a better job for our kids. And that maybe we could do it for less money as well if we got really creative. However please bear with me because I am very angry, partly because of substance, but more about the attitudes we experience in the state.More

1. The law usurps the authority of school boards to propose budgets reflecting the needs of their communities in formats understandable to voters.
2. The required ballot wording for the two votes is prejudicial and misleading. To require a vote first on a "total budget" and then on "additional spending" unfairly presents the budget and will invite voters to unreasonably question the true fiscal needs of the district.More

Calitri was born in New York City and raised in the Bronx, the second of four children. Both his parents were educators. His father also pursued a successful writing career. He attended public schools in New York, graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School. Though he describes himself as having been an average student, he soon discovered a pursuit that became a lifelong passion- competitive swimming.More

Legal cases have their own peculiar twists and turns, which make them very interesting to follow.

In one such curious twist, a student free speech case from Alaska that was lost before the U.S. Supreme Court likely helped to produce a "win" for a student free speech case that the ACLU-VT brought.

The student, Zachary Guiles of Williamstown, was vindicated, setting an important precedent for future student free speech cases.More

Public awareness of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which requires standardized testing for all students and penalizes failing districts, is growing, and more people are viewing the law less favorably. So found the latest Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll, conducted in June 2007, which focused on the public view of public education.

54% of respondents answered that they knew a great deal or fair amount about NCLB, up from 45% last year and 24% in 2003. 31% of respondents held a "very or somewhat favorable" opinion of the law, about the same as last year, but 40% now say they have a "somewhat or very unfavorable" view. This is up 9 points from just last year, and up 27 points since 2003. In addition, more respondents are now likely place more blame for failing schools on NCLBA itself as opposed to the schools (49% vs. 43%). In 2006, more respondents were likely to blame the schools. More

September was regional meeting month at the VSBA, where executive director John Nelson and associate director Winton Goodrich hit the road to meet the regional groups and elect officers to the board of directors.

This year, John’s presentation was focused on explaining the punitive aspects of Act 82 and how authority over our schools if shifting from local decision-making to the state and federal level. His power point is available online.More

The winter months are fast approaching and it will not be long before weather conditions will be making our lives just a little more complicated. For the next several months snow and ice will make for slippery school parking lots and side walks and be the cause of many accidents. Statistics concerning accidents, in general, suggest that 90% happen as a result of unsafe conditions.More

This is an opportunity for you to nominate a principal, assistant principal or technical director to be recognized statewide as an educational leader. Please take the time to complete the nomination of an outstanding school leader who may work in your local district or elsewhere. Recipients will be recognized at the VPA Leadership Academy Banquet.

The two national distinguished principal recipients will travel to Washington D.C. for an awards ceremony. Last year’s national recipients were James Taffel of Barre City Elementary and Middle School and Amy Mellencamp of Burlington High School.More (link is in Acrobat format)