William Mathis: Reflections on Brigham

Editor’s note: This commentary is by William J. Mathis, who is the managing director of the National Education Policy Center and vice chair of The Vermont State Board of Education. The views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of any group with which he is affiliated.
It was June 26, 1997 when former Gov. Howard Dean signed Act 60 in the Whiting schoolyard with a young, but unimpressed Amanda Brigham by his side. A local farmer added pungency to the event by