Vermont Governor Phil Scott’s latest coronavirus update focused on the status of K through 12 education while in-person teaching is suspended. Another topic that came under scrutiny was projected budget deficits due to the pandemic.
As he often does, Governor Scott began Wednesday’s briefing by turning the podium over to Dr. Mark Levine. The state Health Commissioner, who tends to have charts reflecting current data beside him, revealed a new data analysis assessing the first 29 of 40 deaths from COVID -19 in Vermont. “Every single individual had other diseases that put them at higher risk. Like we’re seeing on the national stage there were more males than females and the ratio was 60-40. Most were over 65 years of age. If you look at the 13 that were in long-term care facilities the median age was 80. And as you've been hearing, our efforts to flatten the curve are starting to make a difference but this isn't over yet.”
The Agency of Education and partner departments provided updates regarding the shift to online learning. Secretary of Education Daniel French noted that one challenge is with Career and Technical Education, or CTE, programs, which often require hands-on training. “Their learning strategies are unique and their focus on applied learning and the student obtaining industry credentials is different than the rest of the system. Because of the virus, the nature of many CTE programs have changed as a result and the delivery and the outcomes of the programs had to be modified. CTE programs like business, finance, IT, accounting, graphic design and similar programs, where the applied context is based on computer-based instruction had a little difficulty in this environment. Other programs such as construction, automotive, diesel mechanics, agriculture are more difficult to move online even though instructors are using computer-based simulations to a certain extent.”
Another major issue for the Education Department’s Continuity of Learning mandate is internet access. Department of Public Service Commissioner June Tierney said they are working to find Vermonters without access and connect them. “The COVID-19 emergency has starkly exposed how dependent we are on frequent and reliable internet access to meet everyday needs. Now that we're staying home to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus the reality is that most of us need internet access at home. It's no stretch to say that the internet has become the major highway in Vermont for essential everyday services. Even if it is only temporary we need to find ways now to get internet to people where they live. To help with the immediate emergency the department has published a Wi-Fi hotspot map.”
AOE Secretary French addressed growing concerns over an estimated $90 million shortfall in the education fund this year due to the pandemic. “We have a truly statewide education funding system. So that's all of our spending. From what we know about the CARES Act revenues that are dedicated to school districts that amount will equal around $30 million for Vermont. The CARES Act funding will certainly be important for districts to navigate some issues in the near term, but it doesn't begin to cover the shortfall that we're seeing as a result of revenues falling off.”
State shortfalls are also anticipated. Republican Governor Scott, who has maintained a no new taxes and fees stance, would not say if he would reconsider that position.
“I think it's premature to have that conversation at this point in time. It all depends on federal reimbursement and how quickly we can put the economy back to work. So we'll do what we can to live within our means. Raising taxes and putting a burden back on Vermonters who are already suffering I'm not sure that that's the answer either.”
Governor Scott said the state’s hospitals are working with his administration on a regional plan that would allow elective surgeries to restart.
