Happy May – I’m thrilled to see flowers blooming and leaves opening on trees! Spring is really here, which also means that we’re almost done with the legislative session. I will be writing up a summary of the work of the session after we adjourn, but for now I write about supporting public libraries, public schools, and freedom of speech.
Library Love: Ilsley Vote, Bixby Bash, and S.220
Calling all Middlebury voters – Tuesday is the vote on the renovation bond for the Ilsley Public Library.You can vote 7am-7pm at the Town Offices (you can register to vote & vote on the same day!). Discussions and planning for renovating Ilsley have been ongoing for over a decade. The current plan would expand and update the ailing historic 100-year-old building, creating a new children’s library, dedicated space for teens, a roof garden, and lovely energy efficient, user-friendly public spaces. Thanks to generous fundraising and strategic use of grants and local options revenues, only 25% of the $17 million project will be funded through a public bond. You can find more information on the Ilsley Library website and watch this video about the project.
Calling all library patrons in the Vergennes area – Friday, May 31st is the Bixby Bash. This annual fundraiser is a major source of revenue for the Bixby Memorial Free Library, the incredible historic library that serves Addison, Ferrisburgh, Panton, Vergennes, and Waltham. I plan to be there dancing under the stars at this year’s Celestial Soiree! You can purchase tickets here and learn more about the great work of the Bixby Memorial Free Library here. Public libraries are a vital part of our communities and schools, so I’m thrilled that my bill S.220 relating to Vermont’s public libraries is up for a vote in the House this week with strong provisions to prevent book banning in community and school libraries, secure the privacy of teens who check out books, and protect librarians and patrons from criminal threatening in a library. I’m thrilled to be a champion for libraries and the intellectual freedom & free speech they promote. Thank you for your support of libraries too!
Public Schools & the Secretary of Education Vote
Over the past month, I have heard from dozens and dozens of constituents sharing concerns about Governor Scott’s nominee for secretary of education, Zoie Saunders. After personally meeting with Ms. Saunders, reading about her background and experience, watching the Senate hearing on her nomination, and talking with legislative colleagues, I voted against her appointment. While Ms. Saunders seems to be a decent person, she does not have the experience and vision necessary to lead the Agency of Education, which has broad oversight of PK-12 schools in Vermont. Her professional experience has been largely working as an executive at a private charter school company and as an administrator whose focus has been on ways for private organizations and companies to be involved with public education. When I spoke with her, it was clear that she had almost no knowledge of our education finance system, school governance structure, and the deep-rooted and constitutionally protected public schools in Vermont.
Agency secretaries are appointed by the Governor with the “advice and consent” of the Senate, but despite a 19-9 vote against the appointment of Ms. Saunders, Governor Scott immediately appointed her as interim secretary of education, a move that I believe undermines the statutory authority of the Senate and disrespects the separation of powers doctrine embedded in the state and federal constitutions. While our options may be limited at this late date in the legislative session, I am continuing to explore means for respecting the vote of the Senate and the will of the many Vermonters who voiced their opposition to Governor Scott’s appointment.
Middlebury Student Peaceful Protest
Last week, dozens of students at Middlebury College set up an encampment to protest the war in Gaza, releasing a set of five demands for the College administration. The students at the encampment have been peaceful and leading respectful and educational dialogue with other members of the campus community. It is my understanding that students and administrators have also been engaged in productive negotiations about the students’ demands. I hope such discussions continue and that the students and administrators will reach agreement soon, without the police involvement and violence experienced on campuses nearby and nationwide. I fully support the right to peaceful protest and freedom of speech and believe students should remain safe from police interventions. I am proud of students for speaking out and continuing the long tradition of student protest on college campuses. I hope for both a cease-fire and peace in Gaza and a peaceful, joyous Middlebury College commencement later this month.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the hard-working moms out there. Thank you for reading!
Photo note: The header photo is of Middlebury High School students with me at the State House. The students came to participate in a press conference with librarians and legislators supporting libraries and my bill S.220.
Ruth for Vermont 