Superintendents warn facilities limit scale gains; say construction funding must be part of reform

Presenters from the Vermont Superintendents Association told the Senate Adaptation Committee that facilities are a limiting factor for consolidating districts and achieving school-size economies of scale.

The presenters said existing building footprints in many towns cannot accommodate larger enrollments without renovations or additions. "To have larger schools, we need to acknowledge that we do not have facilities that can currently support larger student enrollment," Chelsea Myers said, arguing that any school-size policy must include a school construction aid program prioritized for efficient scale.

Speakers said reusing existing buildings within a larger district can sometimes produce savings without immediate new construction, but other reconfigurations will require capital investments. One presenter referenced an analysis — discussed in committee — that identified approximately $180 million in reallocations or savings in the administration's proposal, suggesting money might be repurposed to support construction where needed; presenters stressed those choices would involve trade-offs.

Committee members and superintendents discussed voter willingness to support bonds for construction in local towns, noting that even where consolidation yields systemwide efficiency, local voters may reject local bond measures. The presenters recommended options that combine state-level construction aid with local financial tools and urged clearer timelines and plan elements so communities can evaluate the local impact before votes.

The presenters also raised the need to model district staffing as districts scale up: larger districts may require more central-office staff (for HR, special education, finance) even if some per-student administrative costs decline. They asked the committee to include staffing models in any consolidation or foundation-formula work.