Outside, the sleet was flying while inside it was, um, words that were airborne.
On October 20th in Stowe, gubernatorial candidates Jim Douglas (R) and Scudder Parker (D) faced-off in a 45-minute debate sponsored by the Vermont Association of Educators of Young Children (VAEYC). The event capped the organization’s daylong conference, which was attended by 410 members and featured industry speakers of national renown. The inclement weather, however, left approximately 35 people to hear the candidates’ thoughts on topics ranging from state funding to what lessons have carried over from their own childhood.
Economics proved the signal theme of the evening in many guises, beginning with the first of five questions previously selected by VAEYC. Moderator Kathy Apgar noted that 58 percent of all American parents in the workforce have children under six years of age, but in Vermont that number rises to 68 percent – with 5,319 families currently receiving early childhood education subsidies. “Eligibility levels,” Apgar said, “haven’t been updated since 1999 – what are your views on the state and government role in supporting early childhood education?”
Having won the coin toss, Parker answered first by saying that, “having spent 20 years in the ministry – another lucrative profession! – I appreciate and recognize the dedication and hard work it takes and that you bring to the work you do every day.” He noted that despite the seven-year lapse since the eligibility criteria have been updated, the Douglas administration has most recently proposed level funding for the subsidies; bringing the eligibility up to 2006 parity would cost an estimated $11 million. “We have to make every effort to do that [because] to get young families and single parents with children into the workforce and stay there they need adequate childcare, and the total cost right now is in the range of [a year’s] tuition at the University of Vermont,” Parker added.
Gov. Douglas also lauded the audience for the services they provide, but said, “I would be less than honest if I didn’t say I went into lots of meetings where demands were legitimate and significant – and we have to put the budget together to accommodate all of those needs. The key, I think, is not higher appropriations so much as using [the money] wisely.”
The incumbent governor did not specifically support or oppose the use of public education dollars for voluntary preschool, but said, “In Vermont, we have to respect that taxpayers are bearing a disproportionate burden; the property tax is rising at an unsustainable rate two or three times that of inflation or family incomes. There are lots of issues in this debate; that’s why I wanted the [Building Bright Futures] council to assess and make recommendations.”
Parker called early childhood education “the best investment you can make,” noting studies that indicate an economic return of up to 13 times the total money spent. “It is something that should continue without hesitation. I’m not proposing mandatory preschool, but there are 140 communities participating in [public-private partnerships] and the state should support and encourage others to do it,” he said. “They make the investment on behalf of the whole state budget, because it results in lower corrections costs, better earning power, and lower special ed costs.” Parker also objected to the governor’s proposed cap on education spending, citing it as something that could potentially inhibit additional communities from participating in expanded early childhood programs.
The discussion of funding concerns continued with questions about the best practice of inclusive education or children with special needs and what proposed solutions each candidate has for supporting existing programs. Parker said that, “one of the critical focuses of my administration will be to learn just what the best investments will be in early childhood,” and identified as his priorities addressing inadequate pay, the need to maintain continuity of services, and focusing on building partnerships at the community level. “I also think it is important to look at other structural issues,” including help with energy costs and universal health care, he added, noting that many early childhood educators cannot afford health care for themselves.
Douglas highlighted his own children’s experiences at a cooperative preschool in Addison County saying, “I don’t need to be persuaded that what you provide is critical, and the diversion of expenses might be far greater as time goes on,” but again deferred to the Building Bright Futures council for specific recommendations. “The need for additional resources is high on the list and that has been obvious for some time, but it is important to reconsider if we can deploy our money more successfully,” perhaps by reaching out for more community involvement through volunteers, he suggested. “If a center doesn’t have to pay for a snow plow, that lowers the cost, so maybe someone can donate that or provide some other services. We have to be creative.”
However, one audience member commented to Parker, who remained after the debate for a brisk give-and-take with the providers: “Quality care, whether it is for-profit, in-home, or in a center, is a combination of educational, social services and a business all in one. Depending on things like volunteers to plow is not something that well-run businesses can do.”
Parker highlighted the absence of early childhood education from the Douglas campaign platform of the ‘Affordability Agenda,’ saying it begs the question, “What are the priorities for making life more affordable in Vermont if it doesn’t include giving families the confidence that our youngest children get the best education they can and are ready for school when it happens?”
One of the final VAEYC-selected questions ended the evening on a lighter tone, asking the candidates to share a value he has carried from childhood and what could be done to encourage and instill that value in the children of Vermont today. For Parker, the answer was joy. “I want young people to grow up with delight, not sitting in front of a TV, but engaged with their peers, learning and developing at an early age,” he said. “It used to happen more at home when a parent could be there, but for most of the workforce that is just not a choice anymore. But that ability to engage with children from the youngest age as they grow up with delight and to watch their talents blossoming, I found that one of the most profound things in my experience.”
Douglas highlighted the need to develop abilities of getting along with other people in an age of social disconnection, noting his son’s recent experience with a group project in college. “[The students] all got the same grade regardless of what they contributed, but that is the real world and [cooperation] is a key element,” he said. “I think back to my own youth and I wasn’t really good at that, so I think it is important and a real value that attending a childcare center and interacting with other kids provides.”
The debate was one of a dozen between these two candidates this campaign season and the only one to focus on issues of early childhood education. Their final debate will be Vermont Public Television’s traditional “Super Sunday”, live from the VPT studio on November 5th at 7:30 p.m.
Mary Fratini is the Assistant Editor at Vermont Woman. She can be reached at maryfrat@vermontwoman.com.
