You’re Kidding Me, Right? Rupert Revote TODAY

15 Thursday Feb 2018

Posted by Eve Ogden Schaub in local event, Pawlet Happenings

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pawlet rupert school merger, rupert revote, school choice vermont

SCHOOL MERGER REVOTE: RUPERT POLLS OPEN TODAY 10 AM to 7PM

Remember how I was afraid to be happy about the school merger vote passing in both Rupert and Pawlet? How I had this weird, lingering doubt that this contentious issue could possibly have been put to rest at last?

Funny story.

Turns out some Rupert residents petitioned for- and got- the right to revote the merger question.

So… right.

Maybe I just haven’t been paying attention, but this particular vote seems to me to be especially, almost troublingly, quiet– especially in contrast to the previous hubbubs. I have yet to see ANY publicizing of the vote today in any of the local media. I haven’t driven through Rupert lately, so I don’t know if there are exclamation-point-filled signs out arguing with each other again, but somehow I doubt it. Mum seems to be the word this time- on both sides.

To make it legal, of course, a few days ago they still had to hold the four-zillionth public informational meeting- also unpublicized as far as I could tell. Maybe you’re one of the people who could bear to go rehash the same arguments over yet again, who isn’t sick to death of the division, the bickering, and what has devolved into some pretty nasty name-calling. I wasn’t.

I love asking super-obvious questions so here goes: is there a single solitary soul left in either town who is still on the fence here? Are any minds being changed at this point? I don’t think so. Rather, I think this is more of an “Are you sure??” vote.

So, for better or for worse the moment is here— again— for Rupert residents to be heard. Please Rupert- go vote. Today. For crying out loud.

And stay tuned.

Pawlet Rupert Merger Approved

22 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by Eve Ogden Schaub in Pawlet Happenings

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Pawlet and Rupert vote, Pawlet Rupert Merger Committee, pawlet rupert school merger, school choice versus designation

The Pawlet Rupert School Merger was approved yesterday by a vote of 259 to 201 in Pawlet and a vote of 150 to 142 in Rupert… It needed to be approved in both towns in order to be viable, so Rupert’s slim margin of only six votes proves more than ever that every single vote really does count.

Are we allowed to feel relieved that this years-long decision may finally be resolved? I’m not sure yet. This argument has gone on so long, and had so many unexpected twists and turns it’s been like a soap opera that never ends… But nevertheless, tomorrow I’ll be giving thanks that our community may finally be able to move on.

Signs of a Town Divided

21 Tuesday Nov 2017

Posted by Eve Ogden Schaub in Pawlet Happenings

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defaced signs, merger vote today, pawlet rupert school merger, school merger pawlet, signs of conflict

In case you’ve been a hermit for the last few months, I’d like to let you know that our towns have a vote today. Simply put, the question is whether or not the voters of Pawlet and Rupert want to approve the school merger plan. The plan consolidates our school districts, does not designate any particular high school, and would keep us part of the BRSU (Bennington Rutland Supervisory Union.) Polls open at 10AM and close at 7PM. There will also be the opportunity to vote for members of the new merged school board.

If you harbor any doubt that our two towns are a bit -ah- conflicted about the school merger vote today, all you need to do is take a little sightseeing tour of the area. The signs are everywhere. Literally.

I have to give the “NO” signs points for better creativity and enthusiasm… you’ll notice many of the signs say “no” as many as six or eight times.

The yes signs are out in abundance too, but most of them don’t even say “yes” on them… which I thought was a little weird.

And then there are the defaced signs. I ran across two prominent signs which had been spray painted with red cross-out symbols to forcibly transform them from “yes” to “no”…

See what I mean? Conflicted. I don’t know what the results of today’s vote will be, but can we all agree that this debate has gone on for far too long and been far too debilitating to the fabric of our community?

For my part, I now know that there are some folks in town who will never think I’m a “real” resident, for a variety of arbitrary reasons- I moved here, my whole family doesn’t live here, I don’t work in a local business- and I’m kind of sorry to know that. I liked my illusion better: that we all lived in one town and despite our differences, despite our debates, we could all agree on one thing: we are a community. And a damn good one at that.

So okay. I still love my town, even if every last inch of it might not love me back. I can live with that. No matter the results of today’s vote, there will still be kids in Pawlet, and Rupert too. They’ll still go to school, and we still care about them all.