Most of the additional funding in Lowell has gone for focused, on-going professional development. In addition, class size has significantly decreased with the addition of several more classroom teachers. Lowell has also invested in more administrative time, computers and support staff. A recent research study on the impact of Act 60, released last month by the Rural School and Community Trust, suggests that this kind of success story is being repeated in many small towns throughout Vermont. Inequities are diminishing, but local control has not been abandoned.
Tax burdens are more appropriately related to income.
More children are performing better on statewide assessments. These changes have not been without pain, but they have been for the better. Poor communities, frequently the most remote and rural, often needed to levy very high taxes to raise even the bare minimum for their local schools. Property-wealthy communities could enjoy low tax rates and be able to raise a great deal more. The study shows that after three years, Act 60 has made significant gains in increasing spending equity.