Bill > H0454

This bill aims to transform Vermont's education system through comprehensive reforms in governance, funding, and educational quality. The bill creates a Commission on the Future of Public Education to study and make recommendations for Vermont's educational system, focusing on ensuring substantially equal educational opportunities for all students. It establishes a School District Redistricting Task Force to propose new, larger school district boundaries, with the intent of creating districts with 4,000-8,000 students that are geographically and demographically balanced. The bill introduces a new foundation formula for education funding, replacing the current system with an educational opportunity payment based on a base amount of $15,033 per pupil, adjusted for various student weights (such as economic disadvantage, English language learners, and special education needs). Additionally, the bill creates a homestead property tax exemption to replace the existing property tax credit system, provides support for small and sparse schools, and establishes a State Aid for School Construction Program. The legislation also implements class size minimums, creates new governance structures for education oversight, and sets up a transition plan to implement these changes between 2025 and 2028, with the ultimate goal of improving educational equity, efficiency, and quality across Vermont's public school system.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.454