The Vermont Legislature adjourned Monday evening, June 16, following the passage of H.454, the education reform plan. I call it a roadmap as the legislation lays out a list of changes that will take place over the next few years. And as various studies and reports come back in, there will also likely be adjustments, potential detours and even off ramps along the way.
The first task calls for a small group of legislators and former education officials to draw up recommendations for three new school district map options in the coming months for the Legislature to consider next session. If that doesn’t happen, the other changes, including the new financing plan, will not proceed.
The bill is a compromise, which gained the backing of all six legislators on the conference committee (four Democrats and two Republicans), legislative leaders in the House and Senate and Governor Scott. The two-week break of the Legislature allowed the conferees and administration to continue their work to reach an agreement.
That is not to suggest that final passage by the House or Senate was easy. Many in the education community and parents of students expressed concern about the bill and its potential to reduce spending in certain districts and possible loss of local control. They urged lawmakers to vote “no.” Some on the Right also objected to the lack of immediate tax relief. At one point on Monday, the talk in the State House was that the Senate vote may result in a tie. In the end it was approved by a 17-12 vote and a voice vote in the House, which followed with a 96-45 vote to send the bill to the governor.
There is probably something in the bill with which everyone can take issue. The measure is a compromise by any definition. But if the roadmap is followed, there will be significant changes in the years to come. I did vote “yes” on the bill, knowing that much work lies ahead and that inaction was not an option in my view. We cannot ignore the fact that we have a school system built for 125,000 students and now find ourselves with just over 80,000. For a state with a total population just under the city of Boston, it’s hard to justify the overhead of 52 supervisory unions. Change will not be easy, but necessary from my perspective.
In his remarks to legislators Monday night, Gov. Scott said, “Our current system is unsustainable for students and taxpayers. This is only the first step and the work ahead will be just as if not more important than what we’ve done this session.”
Some of the elements of the plan include:
The number of school districts will be reduced from the current 119 to perhaps 15-20.
The number of independent schools currently allowed in school choice towns will be reduced.
Some towns in school choice districts could lose that option depending on how the new district maps are drawn.
Average minimum class sizes are established with some exemptions.
School financing will shift to a foundation formula in three years where each district will receive a fixed amount per student adjusted for certain factors (non-English, poverty, high school, etc.)
A new property tax classification for second homes may be established when the reforms take effect.
Districts could spend up to 10% more with voter approval (phases down to 5% in a few years).
Statewide school calendar and graduation requirements to be established.
Other issues of interest:
The Senate completed legislative approval of a targeted tax reduction package that includes an exemption of Vermont income taxes on military pensions for most veterans.
Scott vetoed S.125, which was a measure supported by the Vermont state employees union (VSAE). The bill would have potentially added supervisory employees in the Judiciary to the union and increased the bar at which employees could ask for a revote to decertify their union status.
The governor also vetoed H.91, which would have transferred much of the responsibility for homelessness to the regional community action groups. Scott feared the cost of the new approach was going to be more expensive than the current hotel voucher program, which is already significantly higher than it was pre-pandemic. The current program will continue with limits.
A miscellaneous education bill, that included a new ban on student cell phones in schools, was approved on the last day and sent to the governor.
An election bill approved on the last day will add a new candidate consent requirement for the candidate to be counted in the write-ins on the ballot. The measure also restricts candidates that lose in a primary from running in the general election in another party or as an independent.
The 2025 session saw the passage of 82 bills by both chambers, with four of them vetoed. Given the change in political makeup, leaders did not choose to try and override any of those four vetos.
The last day of the session came on the heels of the tragic assassination of the former Speaker of the Minnesota House and an attempted assassination of a state senator there. While there were no known threats here, security at the Vermont State House was tighter than usual on Monday. It served as an unfortunate reminder that political violence can happen anywhere.
It continues to be an honor to represent the communities of Chittenden, Killington, Mendon and Pittsfield. Thank you for reading my updates throughout the session. I will provide further information as necessary. In the meantime, enjoy the summer! I can be reached at [email protected].
