Is it realistic to come up with $158M in additional revenue?
For us to move forward with a productive discussion, we must focus on the structure of the plan first. Before we can take this dialog to the next level, we all need to understand where we are and agree on where we’re going. We believe that Vermonters are looking a system that provides local control, equity, simplicity, transparency, and cost containment. Assuming that we can all agree to those basic principles, we must find common ground on the fundament structure of a plan. We have outlined such a broad structure, and for illustration purposes, have set the per-pupil grant at $8,500, which is 85% of prior year average spending. Now, this number can be adjusted up or down, depending on a variety of other variables, including equity, costs savings, and availability of revenues.
