Education reform was again a focus of this year’s legislative session. We passed major legislation to move forward with holistic change to our PK-12 education system, and we addressed several other pressing issues, including immigration protocols in schools, chronic absenteeism, and college scholarships. You can read a summaries of these bills below, and more in this summary in VTDigger.
Consensus K-12 Education Reform (H.955/Act 170). Addressing property taxes and improving our K-12 school system has been a huge priority over the past two years, and I’m proud to have played a significant role in delivering bipartisan, consensus legislation. Act 170 updates and improves 2025 Act 73, requiring the formation of cooperative education service agencies; a facilitated process for community-driven school district mergers; further work on education tax reform to stabilize public school funding & property tax rates; better integration of career & technical education; and a funding process for school facilities improvements. To read more about this important legislation see my post about Consensus K-12 Education Reform.
Limiting Education Property Taxes (H.949/Act 169). We know property taxes have strained personal budgets for many Vermonters, so in developing this year’s annual “yield bill” which sets the property tax rate for the coming year, we prioritized securing a modest average statewide education property tax rate increase of 3.5%, spending $100 million of one-time funds to “buy down” the rate significantly. Similarly, at my urging, we implemented a one-time $4 million increase to the Vermont renter credit so that renters would also save money. We also expanded eligibility and amounts for the property tax credit, meaning more Vermonters will qualify for tax credits to lower their property tax bills. Finally, H.949 limits school budget and public & private school tuition increases over the next several years. For more information, see the Education Fund Outlook and JFO fiscal note for the bill.
Creating Immigration Protocols to Protect Students (S.227/Act 125). All students need to feel safe in school. However, the enormous increase in ICE raids across the country that have resulted in the abduction of even very young children have left many families fearful of their student’s safety at school. Act 125 requires schools to provide immigration resources to students, protect their privacy, and follow protocols that restrict immigration enforcement at schools. The legislation requires the Attorney General to develop an immigration resource guide for distribution to schools, prohibits schools from collecting the immigration or citizenship status of students unless required by law, and prohibits schools from allowing a law enforcement officer appearing on an immigration-related matter into a nonpublic area of a school without the officer showing official identification and presenting a judicial warrant. The Agency of Education will develop a model policy to help school districts implement these requirements.
Preserves & Expands Student Scholarships (H.951/Act 144). Act 144, the FY27 State Budget, raises the family income eligibility threshold for the Freedom & Unity Scholarship from $65,000 to $80,000, meaning more students will qualify for scholarships to make college feasible. Importantly, it also does not take $12 million from the Higher Education Trust Fund to build a recreation facility at the University of Vermont. I opposed this proposal vehemently, particularly at a time when families are struggling to pay for college. While the $2 million it does spend from the Trust Fund for this purpose is still too much, I am pleased that my advocacy helped preserve $10 million for student scholarships.
Addressing Chronic Absenteeism (H.930/Act 122). In the years since the pandemic, chronic absenteeism has become a serious problem for many students, hampering their learning and access the educational and support services available in our schools. Act 122 updates out-of-date policies related to absenteeism & truancy to ensure early identification, supportive intervention, and meaningful family engagement to produce regular school attendance. The bill also eliminates truancy fines but requires truant officers to file complaints with the state’s attorney after a student has more than 20 unexcused absences, permits alternative education services for suspended students, and requires recommendations for updating the oversight of home schooling in Vermont.
Career & Technical Education Improvements (S.313/Act 177). Career & Technical Education (CTE) is a crucial part of our K-12 education system, but CTE education is often not well integrated into our school districts or universally available to students. Act 177 requires AOE to update and clarify many of the rules that govern CTE to provide statewide consistency and promote better access to CTE courses, including through Flexible Pathways and Adult Diploma programs. It also requires schools to apply credits or proficiencies earned for CTE programs toward graduation requirements. Importantly, Act 177 also underscores the intent to move toward a model of comprehensive high schools that would offer all opportunities available to students in the public education system within one school building or campus, with a single budget for both CTE education and general education.
Promoting Vermont’s Public Libraries (S.232/Act 127). Public libraries are important hubs for learning, community engagement, and access to information & resources for Vermonters of all ages in towns across the state. I have been a vocal advocate for public libraries for many years, spearheading multiple bills to help support libraries and the communities they serve. My most recent bill, Act 127 helps libraries access more resources and better promote their services. It designates the third Monday in October as Vermont Library Day, a day to celebrate the exciting resources & programming in our local libraries. Act 127 also makes it easier for public libraries to access funds for summer & afterschool programming, early childhood literacy efforts, and library facilities upgrades.
Photo Note: On a visit to the Richmond Elementary School to hear the 4th graders’ policy proposal to require bear locks on all new garbage cans.
