Vermont’s tax commissioner has released his estimate of the 2024 education tax rate. This estimate is the result of complex calculations, but perhaps the most significant factor is the total level of spending adopted by all school districts in Vermont, and based on the information Commissioner Bolio has now, he believes school districts intend to spend 12% more next year than they did this year, which will result in a tax rate increase of 18%, perhaps 20% — in one year.
One problem with this system is a school district is not directly responsible for its own tax rate. Because the rate is based on statewide calculations, each school district can point fingers and say, “We didn’t do it — all the other districts did.” Let’s reverse that and assign responsibility where it belongs — to each and every school district. Indeed, in the Barre School District, the administration has proposed an 11.7% increase in spending, which is just what has led Commissioner Bolio to make his estimate of 18% increase in the tax rate.
