| 1 | | - | BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 3 | | - | H.454 |
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| 4 | | - | IntroducedbyRepresentativesToofofSt.AlbansTown,McCoyofPoultney, |
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| 5 | | - | TaylorofMilton,DobrovichofWilliamstown,andQuimbyof |
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| 6 | | - | Lyndon |
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| 7 | | - | ReferredtoCommitteeon |
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| 8 | | - | Date: |
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| 9 | | - | Subject:Education;schooldistricts;educationfinance;propertytaxes;Agency |
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| 10 | | - | ofEducation;StateBoardofEducation |
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| 11 | | - | Statementofpurposeofbillasintroduced:Thisbillproposestotransform |
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| 12 | | - | Vermont’seducationgovernance,quality,andfinancesystems.Itwouldcreate |
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| 13 | | - | fiveschooldistrictstogovernthepubliceducationsystemfortheentireState, |
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| 14 | | - | eachgovernedbyaschoolboardandoperatedbyacentraloffice.Thisbill |
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| 15 | | - | alsoproposestotransformVermont’seducationfinancingsystemtoa |
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| 16 | | - | foundationformula,withabaseamountof$13,200.00perstudent,infiscal |
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| 17 | | - | year2025,withadditionalweightsbasedonstudentneed,schoolscale,and |
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| 18 | | - | districtsparsity,developedbasedonanevidence-basedmodelthathasbeen |
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| 19 | | - | adjustedtotheVermontcontext. |
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| 20 | | - | AnactrelatingtotransformingVermont’seducationgovernance,quality, |
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| 21 | | - | andfinancesystems |
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| 40 | | - | 19 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 42 | | - | ItisherebyenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermont: |
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| 43 | | - | ***FindingsandIntent*** |
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| 44 | | - | Sec.1.FINDINGS;INTENT |
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| 45 | | - | TheGeneralAssemblyfindsthat: |
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| 46 | | - | (1)Thestudycommissionedin2024titled“AnEvidence-Based |
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| 47 | | - | ApproachtoIdentifyinganAdequateEducationSpendingLevelinVermont” |
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| 48 | | - | byAllanOddenandLawrenceO.PicusevaluatedVermonteducationspending |
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| 49 | | - | againstresearch-informedbestpractices.Theevidence-basedmodelis |
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| 50 | | - | designedtoidentifyanarrayofstaffingandresourcesthathigh-performing |
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| 51 | | - | schoolsneedtoprovideeverystudentwithrobustopportunitiestomeet |
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| 52 | | - | collegeandcareer-readystandards.Performingtothosestandardswould |
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| 53 | | - | substantiallyimprovestudentachievementandreducedemographicrelated |
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| 54 | | - | performancegaps. |
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| 55 | | - | (2)Theevidence-basedmodelrepresentsanadequatemodelforthe |
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| 56 | | - | levelofeducationfundingnecessarytoimprovestudentachievement.Itwas |
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| 57 | | - | developedbyexpertsineducationfundingwithmorethan25yearsof |
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| 58 | | - | experienceacrosstheUnitedStatesindetermininghowtoadequatelyfund |
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| 59 | | - | schools,meaningprovidingalevelofresourcesthatwouldenableschoolsto |
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| 60 | | - | provideeverystudentwithanequalopportunitytolearntohighperformance |
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| 61 | | - | standards.TheStatehasaConstitutionalobligationtoensurethatallstudents |
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| 62 | | - | areprovidedaqualityeducationonareasonablyequalbasis,withoutregardto |
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| 83 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 85 | | - | townofresidence.Doingsowillrequiresignificantchangetothecurrent |
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| 86 | | - | systemofeducation. |
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| 87 | | - | (3)Vermont’scurrentfundingmodelequalizesschooldistrict’sability |
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| 88 | | - | toraiseeducationtaxes,levelingoutthedistinctionsinpropertywealthamong |
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| 89 | | - | districts.Thecurrentfundingsystemdoesnotprovideequalizededucation |
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| 90 | | - | dollarstodistricts.Thechoicetospendornotspendequitableamountsof |
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| 91 | | - | educationfundingperstudentacrosstheStaterestswithindividualdistricts. |
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| 92 | | - | Spendingpatternsdemonstratethatmanydistrictsdonotutilizethetax |
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| 93 | | - | equalizationmechanismstoincreasespending,eveninthedistrictswiththe |
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| 94 | | - | mostdemonstratedstudentneed. |
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| 95 | | - | (4)Vermont’scurrentschoolandschooldistrictsizesdonotalignwith |
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| 96 | | - | theEvidence-BasedModel,andcontributetohighercoststhatarenotfully |
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| 97 | | - | addressedbytheModel.InordertoensuretheModelcanbeimplementedin |
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| 98 | | - | awaythatimproveseducationquality,theStatemustbeorganizedintolarger |
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| 99 | | - | schooldistrictsthatareresponsibleforapproximatelyatminimum3,900 |
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| 100 | | - | students,apopulationthatrepresentstheminimumtoachieveefficiencyin |
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| 101 | | - | deliveringtheEvidence-BasedModel. |
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| 102 | | - | (5)Additionally,largerschooldistricts,consistentwithState-level |
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| 103 | | - | guidanceforschoolsize,averageclasssize,andbudgetarypriorities,must |
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| 104 | | - | examinetheappropriatenumberofschoolsforthestudentpopulation, |
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| 105 | | - | geography,studentneed,andcommunitydesiresoftheschooldistrict. |
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| 126 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 128 | | - | (6)Theintentoftheproposedfivedistrictsistochargeschoolboardsto |
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| 129 | | - | representadiversesetofstudentandcommunityneedstopromoteequitable |
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| 130 | | - | budgetinganddistrictpoliciesandtocreatecentralofficesthatprovide |
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| 131 | | - | specializedresourcesandsupportforstudentsandteachersinalignmentwith |
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| 132 | | - | bestpracticesforteachingandlearning. |
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| 133 | | - | Sec.2.16V.S.A.§ 43isamendedtoread: |
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| 134 | | - | § 43.FEDERALEDUCATIONAIDFUNDS;ADMINISTRATION;LOCAL |
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| 135 | | - | EDUCATIONAGENCY |
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| 136 | | - | (a)TheAgency,assolestateagency,mayadministerfederalfundsmade |
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| 137 | | - | availabletotheStateundertheElementaryandSecondaryEducationActof |
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| 138 | | - | 1965,PublicL.No.89-10,asamended,andtheNoChildLeftBehindActof |
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| 139 | | - | 2001,PublicL.No.107-110.Thosefundsmaybeacceptedandshallbe |
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| 140 | | - | distributedandaccountedforbytheStateTreasurerinaccordancewiththat |
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| 141 | | - | lawandrulesandregulationsoftheUnitedStatesissuedunderitifthereis |
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| 142 | | - | conflictbetweenthatlaworthoserulesandregulationsandthelawsofthis |
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| 143 | | - | State. |
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| 144 | | - | (b)Forpurposesofdistributionoffundsunderthissection,asupervisory |
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| 145 | | - | unionschooldistrictshallbealocaleducationagencyasthattermisdefinedin |
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| 146 | | - | 20U.S.C.§ 7801(26). |
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| 147 | | - | (c)Forpurposesofdeterminingstudentperformanceandapplicationof |
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| 148 | | - | consequencesforfailuretomeetstandardsandforprovisionofcompensatory |
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| 169 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 171 | | - | andremedialservicespursuantto20U.S.C.§§ 6311–6318,asupervisory |
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| 172 | | - | unionschooldistrictshallbealocaleducationagency. |
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| 173 | | - | Sec.3.16V.S.A.§ 212isamendedtoread: |
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| 174 | | - | § 212.SECRETARY’SDUTIESGENERALLY |
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| 175 | | - | TheSecretaryshallarticulatealong-termstrategicvisionforeducational |
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| 176 | | - | servicesintheState,throughengagementoftheeducationcommunity;shall |
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| 177 | | - | executethosepoliciesadoptedbytheStateBoardinthelegalexerciseofits |
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| 178 | | - | powers;andshall: |
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| 179 | | - | (1)Coordinatetheeducationalworkofthepublicschoolswithhigher |
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| 180 | | - | educationintheState. |
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| 181 | | - | (2)Identifytheeducationalgoalsofthepublicschools,provide |
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| 182 | | - | alternativemethodsofattainingthosegoals,andpromoteeducationinthe |
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| 183 | | - | State. |
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| 184 | | - | (3)EvaluatetheprogramofinstructioninthepublicschoolsEstablish, |
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| 185 | | - | throughrulemaking,educationanddistrictqualitystandardstoevaluatethe |
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| 186 | | - | qualityofinstructionandoperationsinthepublicandschoolchoiceschools. |
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| 187 | | - | (4)AdvisetheGeneralAssemblyconcerningproposedlawsaffecting |
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| 188 | | - | thepublicschools. |
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| 189 | | - | (5)Superviseanddirecttheexecutionofthelawsrelatingtothepublic |
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| 190 | | - | schoolsandensurecompliance. |
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| 212 | | - | (6)Supervisetheexpenditureanddistributionofallmoneyappropriated |
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| 213 | | - | bytheStateundertheprovisionsofthistitleforpublicschools. |
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| 214 | | - | (7)Arrangeconferencesandsummerschoolsforsuperintendentsand |
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| 215 | | - | teachersandemploysuitablespeakers,lecturers,andinstructorsforthesame; |
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| 216 | | - | fixtheamountoftuitionfortheinstruction;provideforeducational |
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| 217 | | - | gatherings,institutes,summerschools,andothersupplementaryeducational |
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| 218 | | - | activities;andprovideforcooperationwiththeBoardofLibrariesestablished |
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| 219 | | - | by22V.S.A.§ 602ortheStateLibrarian. |
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| 220 | | - | (8)Informcitizensoftheconditionofandopportunitieswithinthe |
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| 221 | | - | publiceducationsystemandprovideothereducationalpublicityforthe |
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| 222 | | - | enlightenmentandwell-beingofthecitizensoftheStateProvideclear, |
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| 223 | | - | transparentandhighqualityinformationtocitizensregardingthecondition |
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| 224 | | - | andopportunitieswithinthepubliceducationsystem. |
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| 225 | | - | (9)Establishrequirementsforinformationtobesubmittedbyschool |
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| 226 | | - | districts,includingnecessarystatisticaldataandotherinformation,andensure, |
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| 227 | | - | totheextentpossible,thatdataarereportedinauniformway.Datacollected |
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| 228 | | - | underthissubdivisionshallincludebudgetsurplusamounts,reservefund |
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| 229 | | - | amounts,andinformationconcerningthepurposeanduseofanyreserve |
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| 230 | | - | funds. |
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| 231 | | - | (10)Makerecommendationstoschoolboardsregardingtransportation |
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| 232 | | - | policies. |
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| 255 | | - | (11)Provideaneducationalfacilitiesplanningservicetomakeavailable |
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| 256 | | - | technicalassistanceandcomprehensiveinformationonschoolconstruction, |
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| 257 | | - | schoolsystemsdesign,componenttechnologyandsuppliers,andsimilar |
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| 258 | | - | subjectstopublicschools,schooldistricts,andindependentschools,forthe |
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| 259 | | - | purposeofhelpingthemtoachieveflexibilityandeconomyinconstruction,to |
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| 260 | | - | retainthepotentialformodificationandexpansionofeducationalfacilities, |
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| 261 | | - | andtoattainthelowestmaintenancecostsconsistentwitheducationalneeds. |
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| 262 | | - | [Repealed.] |
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| 263 | | - | (12)DistributeathisorhertheSecretary’sdiscretionuponrequestto |
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| 264 | | - | approvedindependentschoolsappropriateformsandmaterialsrelatingtothe |
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| 265 | | - | educationqualitystandardsforelementaryandsecondarystudents. |
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| 266 | | - | (13)Ensuretheprovisionofservicestochildrenandadolescentswitha |
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| 267 | | - | severeemotionaldisturbanceincoordinationwiththeDepartmentsofMental |
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| 268 | | - | Health,forChildrenandFamilies,andofDisabilities,Aging,andIndependent |
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| 269 | | - | Livingpursuanttotheprovisionsof33V.S.A.chapter43. |
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| 270 | | - | (14)Annually,communicatetoeachsuperintendentalistofinformation |
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| 271 | | - | thatasupervisoryunion,aschoolboard,aschooldistrict,aschool,oraschool |
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| 272 | | - | districtemployee,orasupervisoryunionemployeeisrequiredunderStateor |
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| 273 | | - | federallawtomakeavailabletotheelectorate,communitymembers,parents, |
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| 274 | | - | orstudents.ItistheintentofthissubdivisionthattheSecretaryshallmakea |
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| 275 | | - | goodfaithefforttocompileacompletelistoftheinformationtobemade |
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| 298 | | - | available.Duetothedifficultnatureofcompilingsuchalist,itisalsothe |
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| 299 | | - | intentthatfailuretoincluderelevantinformationonthelistshallnotconstitute |
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| 300 | | - | groundsforanactionagainsttheSecretary. |
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| 301 | | - | (15)Annually,withtheCommissionerofHealth,shalljointlyinform |
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| 302 | | - | superintendentsandprincipalsofappropriatepracticesregardingstudentswith |
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| 303 | | - | life-threateningallergiesandchronicillnesses;andprepareanddistribute |
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| 304 | | - | policies,trainingmaterials,andschoolguidelinesformanagingstudentswith |
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| 305 | | - | life-threateningallergiesandchronicillnesses,includingfamily |
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| 306 | | - | responsibilities,schoolresponsibilities,andstudentresponsibilities. |
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| 307 | | - | (16)Annually,conveneameetingofdirectorsofVermonteducator |
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| 308 | | - | preparationprogramsandrepresentativesofschoolboards,superintendents, |
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| 309 | | - | principals,educators,andtheVermontStandardsBoardtodeterminesubject |
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| 310 | | - | andgeographicareasinwhichthereisacriticalneedforeducatorsandto |
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| 311 | | - | discusswaystomeettheneed. |
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| 312 | | - | (17)Encourageandfacilitatecollaborationamongschooldistrictsand |
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| 313 | | - | supervisoryunionstoshareinformationandexpertiseregardinglow-incidence |
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| 314 | | - | specialeducationneeds. |
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| 315 | | - | (18)Annually,informsuperintendentsandprincipalsofregional |
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| 316 | | - | resourcesavailabletoassistschoolstoprovideinstructionincardiopulmonary |
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| 317 | | - | resuscitationandtheuseofautomatedexternaldefibrillatorsandprovide |
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| 339 | | - | updatedinformationtotheeducationcommunityregardingtheprovisionofa |
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| 340 | | - | comprehensivehealtheducation. |
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| 341 | | - | (19)Establishaninformationclearinghouseandaccessibledatabaseto |
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| 342 | | - | helpdistrictsshareinformationabouteducationalprogramsandpracticesthat |
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| 343 | | - | improvestudentperformance.Educationalprogramsandpracticesinclude |
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| 344 | | - | thosedesignedtocreateandsustainasafelearningenvironment. |
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| 345 | | - | (20)Develop,inconsultationwiththeSecretaryofState,andmake |
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| 346 | | - | availabletoschoolboardssampleballotlanguageforissuesthatmaybe |
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| 347 | | - | decidedbyAustralianballotandforwhichnostatutorylanguageexists. |
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| 348 | | - | (21)PrepareabudgetfortheAgencyandsubmitittotheGovernor |
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| 349 | | - | afterreviewbytheStateBoard. |
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| 350 | | - | (22)Annually,priortoSeptember1,presenttheGovernor’seducation |
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| 351 | | - | policyprioritiestotheStateBoard. |
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| 352 | | - | (23)Makeregulationsgoverningtheattendanceandrecordsof |
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| 353 | | - | attendanceofallstudentsandthedeportmentofstudentsattendingpublic |
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| 354 | | - | schools. |
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| 355 | | - | (24)Implementandcontinuallyupdatestandardsforstudent |
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| 356 | | - | performanceinappropriatecontentareasandatappropriateintervalsinthe |
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| 357 | | - | continuumfromkindergartentograde12andmethodsofassessmentto |
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| 358 | | - | determineattainmentofthestandardsforstudentperformance.Thestandards |
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| 359 | | - | shallberigorous,challenging,anddesignedtopreparestudentstoparticipate |
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| 382 | | - | inandcontributetothedemocraticprocessandtocompeteintheglobal |
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| 383 | | - | marketplace.Thestandardsshallincludeastandardforreadinglevel |
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| 384 | | - | proficiencyforstudentscompletinggradethree. |
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| 385 | | - | (25)Byrule,determinestatewidegraduationstandards. |
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| 386 | | - | (26)Provideoversightforadulteducationandliteracyprogramsand |
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| 387 | | - | performallthedutiesandpowersprescribedbylawpertainingtoadult |
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| 388 | | - | educationandliteracyandtoactastheStateapprovalagencyforeducational |
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| 389 | | - | institutionsconductingprogramsofadulteducationandliteracy. |
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| 390 | | - | (27)Reportannuallyontheconditionofeducationstatewideandona |
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| 391 | | - | schooldistrictbasis.Thereportshallincludeinformationonattainmentof |
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| 392 | | - | standardsforstudentperformanceadoptedundersubdivision(24)ofthis |
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| 393 | | - | section,thenumberandtypesofcomplaintsofhazing,harassment,orbullying |
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| 394 | | - | madepursuanttochapter9,subchapter5ofthistitleandresponsestothe |
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| 395 | | - | complaints;financialresourcesandexpenditures;andcommunitysocial |
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| 396 | | - | indicators.Thereportshallbeorganizedandpresentedinawaythatiseasily |
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| 397 | | - | understandablebythegeneralpublicandthatenableseachschoolandschool |
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| 398 | | - | districttodetermineitsstrengthsandweaknesses.Totheextentconsistent |
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| 399 | | - | withStateandfederalprivacylawsandregulations,dataonhazing, |
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| 400 | | - | harassment,orbullyingincidentsshallbedisaggregatedbyincidenttype, |
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| 401 | | - | includingdisaggregationbyethnicgroups,racialgroups,religiousgroups, |
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| 402 | | - | gender,sexualorientation,genderidentity,disabilitystatus,andEnglish |
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| 423 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 425 | | - | languagelearnerstatus.TheSecretaryshallusetheinformationinthereport |
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| 426 | | - | todeterminewhetherstudentsineachschoolandschooldistrictareprovided |
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| 427 | | - | educationalopportunitiessubstantiallyequaltothoseprovidedinotherschools |
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| 428 | | - | andschooldistrictspursuanttosubsection165(b)ofthistitle. |
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| 429 | | - | (28)EnsurethatVermont’sstudents,includingstudentsenrolledin |
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| 430 | | - | secondarycareertechnicaleducation,haveaccesstoasubstantiallyequal |
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| 431 | | - | educationalopportunitybydevelopingasystemtoevaluatetheequalizing |
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| 432 | | - | effectsofVermont’seducationfinancesystemandeducationqualitystandards |
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| 433 | | - | undersection165ofthistitle. |
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| 434 | | - | Sec.4.16V.S.A.§ 164isamendedtoread: |
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| 435 | | - | § 164.STATEBOARD;GENERALPOWERSANDDUTIES |
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| 436 | | - | TheStateBoardshallengagelocalschoolboardmembersandthebroader |
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| 437 | | - | educationcommunityand,consistentwiththeprovisionsofthistitle,itsown |
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| 438 | | - | rules,andrulesadoptedbytheSecretary,establishandregularlyupdate |
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| 439 | | - | contributetoalong-termstrategicvisionarticulatedbytheSecretaryof |
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| 440 | | - | EducationforthedeliveryofeducationalservicesinVermont;advisethe |
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| 441 | | - | GeneralAssembly,theGovernor,andtheSecretaryofEducationonhigh- |
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| 442 | | - | priorityeducationalpoliciesandissuesastheyarise;andactinaccordance |
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| 443 | | - | withlegislativemandates,includingtheadoptionofrulesandexecuting |
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| 444 | | - | specialassignments.Inadditiontootherspecifiedduties,theBoardshall: |
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| 464 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 466 | | - | (1)Establishsuchadvisorycommissionsasinthejudgmentofthe |
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| 467 | | - | Boardwillbeofassistancetoitincarryingoutitsduties.Advisory |
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| 468 | | - | commissionmembersshallservewithorwithoutcompensationatthe |
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| 469 | | - | discretionoftheBoardbutshallreceiveactualexpensesincurredinpursuance |
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| 470 | | - | oftheirduties. |
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| 471 | | - | (2)Havetheauthoritytoenterintoagreementswithschooldistricts, |
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| 472 | | - | municipalities,states,theUnitedStates,foundations,agencies,orindividuals |
|---|
| 473 | | - | forservice,educationalprograms,orresearchprojects. |
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| 474 | | - | (3)Examineanddetermineallappealsthatbylawaremadetoitand |
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| 475 | | - | prescriberulesofpracticeinrespectthereto,notinconsistentwithlaw. |
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| 476 | | - | (4)[Repealed.] |
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| 477 | | - | (5)[Repealed.] |
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| 478 | | - | (6)Makeregulationsgoverningtheattendanceandrecordsof |
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| 479 | | - | attendanceofallstudentsandthedeportmentofstudentsattendingpublic |
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| 480 | | - | schools.[Repealed.] |
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| 481 | | - | (7)Adoptrulespursuantto3V.S.A.chapter25tocarryoutthepowers |
|---|
| 482 | | - | anddutiesoftheBoardasdirectedbytheGeneralAssembly,withinthe |
|---|
| 483 | | - | limitationsoflegislativeintent. |
|---|
| 484 | | - | (8)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 485 | | - | (9)Implementandcontinuallyupdatestandardsforstudentperformance |
|---|
| 486 | | - | inappropriatecontentareasandatappropriateintervalsinthecontinuumfrom |
|---|
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| 507 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 509 | | - | kindergartentograde12andmethodsofassessmenttodetermineattainmentof |
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| 510 | | - | thestandardsforstudentperformance.Thestandardsshallberigorous, |
|---|
| 511 | | - | challenging,anddesignedtopreparestudentstoparticipateinandcontribute |
|---|
| 512 | | - | tothedemocraticprocessandtocompeteintheglobalmarketplace.The |
|---|
| 513 | | - | standardsshallincludeastandardforreadinglevelproficiencyforstudents |
|---|
| 514 | | - | completinggradethree.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 515 | | - | (10)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 516 | | - | (11)Ifdeemedadvisable,determineeducationalstandardsforadmission |
|---|
| 517 | | - | toandgraduationfromthepublicschools.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 518 | | - | (12)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 519 | | - | (13)BetheStateBoardfortheprogramofadulteducationandliteracy |
|---|
| 520 | | - | andperformallthedutiesandpowersprescribedbylawpertainingtoadult |
|---|
| 521 | | - | educationandliteracyandtoactastheStateapprovalagencyforeducational |
|---|
| 522 | | - | institutionsconductingprogramsofadulteducationandliteracy.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 523 | | - | (14)Adoptrulesforapprovalofindependentschools.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 524 | | - | (15)Establishcriteriagoverningtheestablishmentofasystemforthe |
|---|
| 525 | | - | receipt,deposit,accounting,anddisbursementofallfundsbysupervisory |
|---|
| 526 | | - | unionsandschooldistricts.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 527 | | - | (16)IncooperationwiththeSecretary,ensurethattheAgencydevelops |
|---|
| 528 | | - | information,plans,andassistancetoaidinmakingtechnologyand |
|---|
| 529 | | - | telecommunicationsavailableandcoordinatedinallschooldistricts.TheState |
|---|
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| 550 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 552 | | - | Boardshalldevelopguidelinesfordistributionoffederal,State,orprivate |
|---|
| 553 | | - | fundsdesignatedforthedevelopmentorexpansionofdistancelearning |
|---|
| 554 | | - | technologies.Theguidelinesshallencourage,consistentwithanytermsor |
|---|
| 555 | | - | conditionsestablishedbythefundingsource,collaborationbetweenschools |
|---|
| 556 | | - | andschooldistrictstorealizeeconomicandeducationalefficiencies. |
|---|
| 557 | | - | [Repealed.] |
|---|
| 558 | | - | (17)Reportannuallyontheconditionofeducationstatewideandona |
|---|
| 559 | | - | supervisoryunionandschooldistrictbasis.Thereportshallinclude |
|---|
| 560 | | - | informationonattainmentofstandardsforstudentperformanceadoptedunder |
|---|
| 561 | | - | subdivision(9)ofthissection,numberandtypesofcomplaintsofhazing, |
|---|
| 562 | | - | harassment,orbullyingmadepursuanttochapter9,subchapter5ofthistitle |
|---|
| 563 | | - | andresponsestothecomplaints,financialresourcesandexpenditures,and |
|---|
| 564 | | - | communitysocialindicators.Thereportshallbeorganizedandpresentedina |
|---|
| 565 | | - | waythatiseasilyunderstandablebythegeneralpublicandthatenableseach |
|---|
| 566 | | - | school,schooldistrict,andsupervisoryuniontodetermineitsstrengthsand |
|---|
| 567 | | - | weaknesses.TotheextentconsistentwithStateandfederalprivacylawsand |
|---|
| 568 | | - | regulations,dataonhazing,harassment,orbullyingincidentsshallbe |
|---|
| 569 | | - | disaggregatedbyincidenttype,includingdisaggregationbyethnicgroups, |
|---|
| 570 | | - | racialgroups,religiousgroups,gender,sexualorientation,genderidentity, |
|---|
| 571 | | - | disabilitystatus,andEnglishlanguagelearnerstatus.TheSecretaryshalluse |
|---|
| 572 | | - | theinformationinthereporttodeterminewhetherstudentsineachschool, |
|---|
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| 593 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 594 | | - | 2025 Page15of415 |
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| 595 | | - | schooldistrict,andsupervisoryunionareprovidededucationalopportunities |
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| 596 | | - | substantiallyequaltothoseprovidedinotherschools,schooldistricts,and |
|---|
| 597 | | - | supervisoryunionspursuanttosubsection165(b)ofthistitle.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 598 | | - | (18)EnsurethatVermont’sstudents,includingstudentsenrolledin |
|---|
| 599 | | - | secondarycareertechnicaleducation,haveaccesstoasubstantiallyequal |
|---|
| 600 | | - | educationalopportunitybydevelopingasystemtoevaluatetheequalizing |
|---|
| 601 | | - | effectsofVermont’seducationfinancesystemandeducationqualitystandards |
|---|
| 602 | | - | undersection165ofthistitle.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 603 | | - | (19)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 604 | | - | (20)Pursuanttosection806gofthistitle,constitutetheStateCouncil |
|---|
| 605 | | - | fortheInterstateCompactonEducationalOpportunityforMilitaryChildren |
|---|
| 606 | | - | andappointtotheCouncilaCompactCommissionerandMilitaryFamily |
|---|
| 607 | | - | EducationLiaison,whomaybethesameperson.TheBoardmayappoint |
|---|
| 608 | | - | additionalmembers. |
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| 609 | | - | (21)ReportannuallytotheGovernorandtheGeneralAssemblyonthe |
|---|
| 610 | | - | progresstheBoardhasmadeonthedevelopmentofeducationpolicyforthe |
|---|
| 611 | | - | Stateintheexecutionofitsenumeratedduties. |
|---|
| 612 | | - | (22)Administerastatewidecontracttoprovideannualtrainingto |
|---|
| 613 | | - | schoolboardmembersoneducationalleadershipandtherolesand |
|---|
| 614 | | - | responsibilitiesoftheschooldistrictboard.TheStateBoardwillselectan |
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| 634 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 635 | | - | 2025 Page16of415 |
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| 636 | | - | appropriatetrainingvendortospeaktotheVermontcontextandtobe |
|---|
| 637 | | - | informedbyresearch-basedbestpractices. |
|---|
| 638 | | - | (23)Annually,revieweachschooldistrict’sadoptedequitybudget |
|---|
| 639 | | - | policy,andcoordinatewithschooldistrictsonthecontentandimplementation |
|---|
| 640 | | - | considerationsforthosepolicies. |
|---|
| 641 | | - | (24)Annually,reviewtheoutcomeoftheDistrictQualityStandards |
|---|
| 642 | | - | evaluationofschoolboardproficiencypublishedbytheAgencyofEducation. |
|---|
| 643 | | - | TheStateBoardshallconvenepublicdiscussionswitheachschooldistrictto |
|---|
| 644 | | - | identifyareasforimprovementandtodefinetheroleoftheschoolboardin |
|---|
| 645 | | - | improvingdistrictwidepractices. |
|---|
| 646 | | - | Sec.5.16V.S.A.§ 165isamendedasfollows: |
|---|
| 647 | | - | § 165.EDUCATIONQUALITYSTANDARDS;EQUALEDUCATIONAL |
|---|
| 648 | | - | OPPORTUNITIES;INDEPENDENTSCHOOLMEETING |
|---|
| 649 | | - | EDUCATIONQUALITYSTANDARDS |
|---|
| 650 | | - | (a)InordertocarryoutVermont’spolicythatallVermontchildrenwillbe |
|---|
| 651 | | - | affordededucationalopportunitiesthataresubstantiallyequalinquality,each |
|---|
| 652 | | - | Vermontpublicschool,includingeachcareertechnicalcenter,shallmeetthe |
|---|
| 653 | | - | followingeducationqualitystandards: |
|---|
| 654 | | - | (1)Theschool,throughaprocessincludingparents,teachers,students, |
|---|
| 655 | | - | andcommunitymembers,develops,implements,andannuallyupdatesa |
|---|
| 656 | | - | continuousimprovementplantoimprovestudentperformancewithinthe |
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| 677 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 678 | | - | 2025 Page17of415 |
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| 679 | | - | school.Theplanshallincludegoalsandobjectivesforimprovedstudent |
|---|
| 680 | | - | learningandeducationalstrategiesandactivitiestoachieveitsgoals.Theplan |
|---|
| 681 | | - | shallalsoaddresstheeffectivenessofeffortsmadesincetheprevious |
|---|
| 682 | | - | continuousimprovementplantoensuretheschoolmaintainsasafe,orderly, |
|---|
| 683 | | - | civil,andpositivelearningenvironmentthatisfreefromharassment,hazing, |
|---|
| 684 | | - | andbullying.Theschoolshallassessstudentperformanceundertheplan |
|---|
| 685 | | - | usingamethodormethodsofassessmentdevelopedundersubdivision164(9) |
|---|
| 686 | | - | ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 687 | | - | (2)Theschool,atleastannually,reportsstudentperformanceresultsto |
|---|
| 688 | | - | communitymembersinaformatselectedbytheschoolboard.Inthecaseofa |
|---|
| 689 | | - | regionalcareertechnicalcenter,thecommunitymeanstheschooldistrictsin |
|---|
| 690 | | - | theserviceregion.Theschoolreportshallinclude: |
|---|
| 691 | | - | (A)Informationindicatingprogresstowardmeetingstandardsfrom |
|---|
| 692 | | - | themostrecentmeasuretaken. |
|---|
| 693 | | - | (B)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 694 | | - | (C)Informationindicatingprogresstowardmeetingthegoalsofan |
|---|
| 695 | | - | annualcontinuousimprovementplan. |
|---|
| 696 | | - | (D)Anyotherstatisticalinformationabouttheschoolorcommunity |
|---|
| 697 | | - | thattheschoolboarddeemsnecessarytoplacestudentperformanceresultsin |
|---|
| 698 | | - | context. |
|---|
| 699 | | - | (E)–(G)[Repealed.] |
|---|
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| 722 | | - | (H)Adescriptionofhowtheschoolensuresthateachstudent |
|---|
| 723 | | - | receivesappropriatecareercounselingandprograminformationregarding |
|---|
| 724 | | - | availabilityofeducationandapprenticeshipprogramofferingsatcareer |
|---|
| 725 | | - | technicalcenters. |
|---|
| 726 | | - | (I)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 727 | | - | (J)Iftheschoolisasecondaryschool,informationandsupporting |
|---|
| 728 | | - | datapresentedinamannerdesignedtoprotectstudentconfidentialityonthe |
|---|
| 729 | | - | dropoutandgraduationrates. |
|---|
| 730 | | - | (K)DataprovidedbytheSecretarythatenableacomparisonwith |
|---|
| 731 | | - | otherschools,orschooldistrictsifschoolleveldataarenotavailable,forcost- |
|---|
| 732 | | - | effectiveness.TheSecretaryshallestablishwhichdataaretobeincluded |
|---|
| 733 | | - | pursuanttothissubdivisionand,notwithstandingthattheotherelementsofthe |
|---|
| 734 | | - | reportaretobepresentedinaformatselectedbytheschoolboard,shall |
|---|
| 735 | | - | developacommonformattobeusedbyeachschoolinpresentingthedatato |
|---|
| 736 | | - | communitymembers.TheSecretaryshallprovidethemostrecentdata |
|---|
| 737 | | - | availabletoeachschoolnonotlaterthanOctober1ofeachyear.Datatobe |
|---|
| 738 | | - | presentedincludestudent-to-teacherratio,administrator-to-studentratio, |
|---|
| 739 | | - | administrator-to-teacherratio,andcostperpupil. |
|---|
| 740 | | - | (3)TheschoolsubstantiallymeetsstandardsadoptedbyruleoftheState |
|---|
| 741 | | - | BoardAgencyofEducationregardingconditions,practices,andresourcesof |
|---|
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| 763 | | - | schools.Thestandardsshalladdressthoseaspectsofthefollowingthatare |
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| 764 | | - | mostcloselyassociatedwithimprovingstudentperformance: |
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| 765 | | - | (A)schoolleadership,staffing,andsupportservices,andaverage |
|---|
| 766 | | - | minimumclasssizesthatshallrequirethatforgradesfourthrough12average |
|---|
| 767 | | - | classsizestobeequivalenttoateachertostudentratioof1:25andforgrades |
|---|
| 768 | | - | kindergartenthroughthreeshallbeequivalenttoateachertostudentratioof |
|---|
| 769 | | - | 15:1; |
|---|
| 770 | | - | (B)instructionalpracticesandcurriculumleadership,content,and |
|---|
| 771 | | - | coordination; |
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| 772 | | - | (C)educationalmaterialsandschoolfacilities; |
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| 773 | | - | (D)accesstocurrenttechnology. |
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| 774 | | - | (4)Theschoolshallprovideforandthestaffshalluseneeds-based |
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| 775 | | - | professionaldevelopmentdesignedtoimprovethequalityofeducation |
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| 776 | | - | providedtothestudentsanddirectlyconnectedtostandardsforstudent |
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| 777 | | - | performanceestablishedbytheStateBoardAgencyofEducationandany |
|---|
| 778 | | - | othereducationalperformancegoalsestablishedbytheschoolboard. |
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| 779 | | - | (5)Theschoolusesstaffevaluationtoadvanceeducationalperformance |
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| 780 | | - | objectives. |
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| 781 | | - | (6)Theschoolensuresthatstudentsreceiveappropriatecareer |
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| 782 | | - | counselingandprograminformationregardingtheavailabilityofeducation |
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| 783 | | - | andapprenticeshipprogramofferingsatcareertechnicalcenters.Inaddition, |
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| 804 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 806 | | - | theschool,ifitisasecondaryschool,offersagenuineopportunitytoaccess |
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| 807 | | - | careertechnicaleducationprograms. |
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| 808 | | - | (7)Theschoolensuresthatstudentsarefurnishededucationalservices |
|---|
| 809 | | - | inaccordancewithanyStateorfederalentitlementsandina |
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| 810 | | - | nondiscriminatorymanner. |
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| 811 | | - | (8)Theschoolmaintainsasafe,orderly,civil,andpositivelearning |
|---|
| 812 | | - | environmentthatisfreefromhazing,harassment,andbullying,andisbased |
|---|
| 813 | | - | onsoundinstructionalandclassroommanagementpracticesandclear |
|---|
| 814 | | - | disciplinepoliciesthatareconsistentlyandeffectivelyenforced. |
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| 815 | | - | (b)Annually,theSecretaryshalldeterminewhetherstudentsineach |
|---|
| 816 | | - | Vermontpublicschoolareprovidededucationalopportunitiessubstantially |
|---|
| 817 | | - | equaltothoseprovidedinotherpublicschools.IftheSecretarydetermines |
|---|
| 818 | | - | thataschoolisnotmeetingtheeducationqualitystandardslistedinsubsection |
|---|
| 819 | | - | (a)ofthissectionorthattheschoolismakinginsufficientprogressin |
|---|
| 820 | | - | improvingstudentperformanceinrelationtothestandardsforstudent |
|---|
| 821 | | - | performancesetforthinsubdivision164(9)ofthistitle,heorshetheSecretary |
|---|
| 822 | | - | shalldescribeinwritingactionsthatadistrictmusttakeinordertomeeteither |
|---|
| 823 | | - | orbothsetsofstandardsandshallprovidetechnicalassistancetotheschool. |
|---|
| 824 | | - | Iftheschoolfailstomeetthestandardsormakesufficientprogresswithintwo |
|---|
| 825 | | - | yearsofthedetermination,theSecretaryshallrecommendtotheStateBoard |
|---|
| 826 | | - | oneormoreofthefollowingactions: |
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| 847 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 849 | | - | (1)theAgencycontinuetoprovidetechnicalassistanceforonemore |
|---|
| 850 | | - | cycleofreview; |
|---|
| 851 | | - | (2)theStateBoardadjustsupervisoryunionboundariesor |
|---|
| 852 | | - | responsibilitiesofthesuperintendencypursuanttosection242ofthistitle; |
|---|
| 853 | | - | (3)theSecretaryassumeadministrativecontrolofanindividualschool, |
|---|
| 854 | | - | orschooldistrict,orsupervisoryunion,includingbudgetarycontroltoensure |
|---|
| 855 | | - | soundfinancialpractices,onlytotheextentnecessarytocorrectdeficiencies; |
|---|
| 856 | | - | (4)theStateBoardcloseanindividualschoolorschoolsandrequire |
|---|
| 857 | | - | thattheschooldistrictpaytuitiontoanotherpublicschooloranapproved |
|---|
| 858 | | - | independentschoolpursuanttochapter21ofthistitleassignstudentstoa |
|---|
| 859 | | - | differentschooloperatedbythedistrict;or |
|---|
| 860 | | - | (5)theStateBoardrequiretwoormoreschooldistrictstoconsolidate |
|---|
| 861 | | - | theirgovernancestructures. |
|---|
| 862 | | - | (c)TheStateBoard,afterofferingtheschoolboardanopportunityfora |
|---|
| 863 | | - | hearing,shalleitherdismisstheSecretary’srecommendationororderthatone |
|---|
| 864 | | - | ormoreoftheactionslistedinsubsection(b)ofthissectionbetaken.The |
|---|
| 865 | | - | actionorderedbytheStateBoardshallbetheleastintrusiveconsistentwith |
|---|
| 866 | | - | theneedtoprovidestudentsattendingtheschoolsubstantiallyequal |
|---|
| 867 | | - | educationalopportunities.AschoolboardaggrievedbyanorderoftheState |
|---|
| 868 | | - | BoardmayappealtheorderinaccordancewiththeRulesofCivilProcedure. |
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| 890 | | - | (d)Nothinginthissectionshallbeconstruedtoentitleanystudentto |
|---|
| 891 | | - | educationalprogramsorservicesidenticaltothosereceivedbystudentsinthe |
|---|
| 892 | | - | sameoranyotherschooldistrict.Further,nothinginthissectionshallcreatea |
|---|
| 893 | | - | privaterightofaction. |
|---|
| 894 | | - | (e)IftheSecretarydeterminesatanytimethatthefailureofaschoolto |
|---|
| 895 | | - | meettheeducationqualitystandardslistedinsubsection(a)ofthissectionis |
|---|
| 896 | | - | severeorpervasive,potentiallyresultsinphysicaloremotionalharmto |
|---|
| 897 | | - | studentsorsignificantdeprivationofequaleducationopportunities,andthe |
|---|
| 898 | | - | schoolhaseitherunreasonablyrefusedtoremedytheproblemoritsefforts |
|---|
| 899 | | - | haveprovedineffective,heorshetheSecretarymayrecommendtotheState |
|---|
| 900 | | - | Boardoneormoreoftheactionslistedinsubsection(b)ofthissection.The |
|---|
| 901 | | - | StateBoardshallthenfollowtheprocedureofsubsection(c)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 902 | | - | (f)Inordertobedesignatedanindependentschoolmeetingeducation |
|---|
| 903 | | - | qualitystandards,anindependentschoolshallparticipateintheeducation |
|---|
| 904 | | - | qualitystandardsprocessofsubsection(b)ofthissection.Anindependent |
|---|
| 905 | | - | schoolshallreceivetechnicalassistanceinaccordancewiththeprovisionsof |
|---|
| 906 | | - | subsection(b),butshallnotbesubjecttosubdivisions(b)(2)–(4)ofthis |
|---|
| 907 | | - | section.Theschoolshallbeanindependentschoolmeetingeducationquality |
|---|
| 908 | | - | standardsunlesstheStateBoard,afteropportunityforhearing,findsthat: |
|---|
| 909 | | - | (1)theschoolhasdiscontinueditsparticipationintheeducationquality |
|---|
| 910 | | - | standardsprocess;or |
|---|
| 911 | | - | 1 |
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| 931 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 933 | | - | (2)twoormoreyearsfollowingadeterminationthattheschoolisnot |
|---|
| 934 | | - | meetingtheeducationqualitystandardsorthattheschoolismaking |
|---|
| 935 | | - | insufficientprogressinimprovingstudentperformance,theschoolfailsto |
|---|
| 936 | | - | meetthestandardsormakesufficientprogresstowardmeetingthestandards. |
|---|
| 937 | | - | [Repealed.] |
|---|
| 938 | | - | (g)Inadditiontotheeducationqualitystandardsprovidedinsubsection(a) |
|---|
| 939 | | - | ofthissection,eachVermontschooldistrictshallmeettheschooldistrict |
|---|
| 940 | | - | qualitystandardsadoptedbyruleoftheAgencyofEducationregardingthe |
|---|
| 941 | | - | business,facilitiesmanagement,andgovernancepracticesofschooldistricts. |
|---|
| 942 | | - | Thesestandardsshallincludeaprocessforschooldistrictqualityreviewstobe |
|---|
| 943 | | - | conductedbytheAgencyofEducation.Annually,theSecretaryshallpublish |
|---|
| 944 | | - | metricsregardingtheoutcomesofschooldistrictqualityreviews. |
|---|
| 945 | | - | Sec.6.16V.S.A.§ 166isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 946 | | - | § 166.APPROVEDANDRECOGNIZEDINDEPENDENTSCHOOLS; |
|---|
| 947 | | - | INDEPENDENTSCHOOLSERVINGASSCHOOLCHOICE |
|---|
| 948 | | - | SCHOOLFORGRADES9–12 |
|---|
| 949 | | - | (a)Authority.Anindependentschoolmayoperateandprovideelementary |
|---|
| 950 | | - | educationorsecondaryeducationifitiseitherapprovedorrecognizedor |
|---|
| 951 | | - | designatedasaschoolchoiceschoolassetforthinthissection. |
|---|
| 952 | | - | (b)Approvedindependentschools.Onapplication,theStateBoardshall |
|---|
| 953 | | - | approveanindependentschoolthatofferselementaryorsecondaryeducation |
|---|
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| 976 | | - | ifitfinds,afteropportunityforhearing,thattheschoolprovidesaminimum |
|---|
| 977 | | - | courseofstudypursuanttosection906ofthistitleandthatitsubstantially |
|---|
| 978 | | - | complieswithallstatutoryrequirementsforapprovedindependentschoolsand |
|---|
| 979 | | - | theBoard’srulesforapprovedindependentschools.Anindependentschool |
|---|
| 980 | | - | thatintendstoacceptpublictuitionshallbeapprovedbytheStateBoardonly |
|---|
| 981 | | - | ontheconditionthattheschoolagrees,notwithstandinganyprovisionoflaw |
|---|
| 982 | | - | tothecontrary,toenrollanystudentwhorequiresspecialeducationservices |
|---|
| 983 | | - | andwhoisplacedinorreferredtotheapprovedindependentschoolasan |
|---|
| 984 | | - | appropriateplacementandleastrestrictiveenvironmentforthestudentbythe |
|---|
| 985 | | - | student’sindividualizededucationprogramteamorbythelocaleducation |
|---|
| 986 | | - | agency;provided,however,thatthisrequirementshallnotapplytoan |
|---|
| 987 | | - | independentschoolthatlimitsenrollmenttostudentswhoareonan |
|---|
| 988 | | - | individualizededucationprogramoraplanunderSection504ofthe |
|---|
| 989 | | - | RehabilitationActof1973,29U.S.C.§ 794,andwhoareenrolledpursuantto |
|---|
| 990 | | - | awrittenagreementbetweenthelocaleducationagencyandtheschool.Except |
|---|
| 991 | | - | asprovidedinsubdivision(6)ofthissubsection,theBoard’srulesmustat |
|---|
| 992 | | - | minimumrequirethattheschoolhavetheresourcesrequiredtomeetitsstated |
|---|
| 993 | | - | objectives,includingfinancialcapacity,facultywhoarequalifiedbytraining |
|---|
| 994 | | - | andexperienceintheareasinwhichtheyareassigned,andphysicalfacilities |
|---|
| 995 | | - | andspecialservicesthatareinaccordancewithanyStateorfederallawor |
|---|
| 996 | | - | regulation.ApprovalmaybegrantedwithoutStateBoardevaluationinthe |
|---|
| 997 | | - | 1 |
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| 1017 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 1018 | | - | 2025 Page25of415 |
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| 1019 | | - | caseofanyschoolaccreditedbyaprivate,State,orregionalagency |
|---|
| 1020 | | - | recognizedbytheStateBoardforaccreditingpurposes,providedthattheState |
|---|
| 1021 | | - | Boardshalldeterminethattheschoolcomplieswithallstudentenrollment |
|---|
| 1022 | | - | provisionsrequiredbylaw. |
|---|
| 1023 | | - | (1)Onapplication,theStateBoardshallapproveanindependentschool |
|---|
| 1024 | | - | thatofferskindergartenbutnoothergradededucationifitfinds,after |
|---|
| 1025 | | - | opportunityforhearing,thattheschoolsubstantiallycomplieswiththe |
|---|
| 1026 | | - | Board’srulesforapprovedindependentkindergartens.TheStateBoardmay |
|---|
| 1027 | | - | delegatetoanotherStateagencytheauthoritytoevaluatethesafetyand |
|---|
| 1028 | | - | adequacyofthebuildingsinwhichkindergartensareconductedbutshall |
|---|
| 1029 | | - | considerallfindingsandrecommendationsofanysuchagencyinmakingits |
|---|
| 1030 | | - | approvaldecision. |
|---|
| 1031 | | - | (2)Approvalsunderthissubsection(b)shallbeforatermestablished |
|---|
| 1032 | | - | byruleoftheBoardbutnotgreaterthanfiveyears. |
|---|
| 1033 | | - | (3)Aapprovedindependentschoolshallprovidetotheparentor |
|---|
| 1034 | | - | guardianresponsibleforeachofitsstudents,priortoacceptinganymoneyfor |
|---|
| 1035 | | - | astudent,anaccuratestatementinwritingofitsstatusunderthissectionanda |
|---|
| 1036 | | - | copyofthissection.Failuretocomplywiththisprovisionmaycreatea |
|---|
| 1037 | | - | permissibleinferenceoffalseadvertisinginviolationof13V.S.A.§ 2005. |
|---|
| 1038 | | - | (4)EachapprovedindependentschoolshallprovidetotheSecretaryon |
|---|
| 1039 | | - | October1ofeachyearthenames,genders,datesofbirth,andaddressesofits |
|---|
| 1040 | | - | 1 |
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| 1041 | | - | 2 |
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| 1042 | | - | 3 |
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| 1060 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 1061 | | - | 2025 Page26of415 |
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| 1062 | | - | enrolledstudents.Withinsevendaysoftheterminationofastudent’s |
|---|
| 1063 | | - | enrollment,theschoolchoiceschoolshallnotifytheSecretaryofthenameand |
|---|
| 1064 | | - | addressofthestudent.TheSecretaryshallnotifytheappropriateschool |
|---|
| 1065 | | - | officialsasprovidedinsection1126ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 1066 | | - | (5)TheStateBoardmayrevoke,suspend,orimposeconditionsupon |
|---|
| 1067 | | - | theapprovalofanapprovedindependentschool,afterhavingprovidedan |
|---|
| 1068 | | - | opportunityforahearing,forsubstantialfailuretocomplywiththeminimum |
|---|
| 1069 | | - | courseofstudy,forfailuretodemonstratethattheschoolhastheresources |
|---|
| 1070 | | - | requiredtomeetitsstatedobjectives,forfailuretocomplywithstatutory |
|---|
| 1071 | | - | requirementsortheBoard’srulesforapprovedindependentschools,orfor |
|---|
| 1072 | | - | failuretoreportundersubdivision(4)ofthissubsection(b).Uponthat |
|---|
| 1073 | | - | revocationorsuspension,studentsrequiredtoattendschoolwhoareenrolled |
|---|
| 1074 | | - | inthatschoolshallbecometruantunlesstheyenrollinapublicschool,an |
|---|
| 1075 | | - | approvedorrecognizedindependentschool,orahomestudyprogram. |
|---|
| 1076 | | - | (6)Thissubdivision(6)appliestoanindependentschoollocatedin |
|---|
| 1077 | | - | Vermontthatoffersadistancelearningprogramandthat,becauseofits |
|---|
| 1078 | | - | structure,doesnotmeetsomeoralltherulesoftheStateBoardforapproved |
|---|
| 1079 | | - | independentschools.Inordertobeapprovedunderthissubdivision,aschool |
|---|
| 1080 | | - | shallmeetthestandardsadoptedbyruleoftheStateBoardforapproved |
|---|
| 1081 | | - | independentschoolsthatcanbeappliedtotheapplicantschoolandanyother |
|---|
| 1082 | | - | standardsorrulesadoptedbytheStateBoardregardingthesetypesofschools. |
|---|
| 1083 | | - | 1 |
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| 1103 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 1104 | | - | 2025 Page27of415 |
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| 1105 | | - | Aschoolapprovedunderthissubdivisionshallnotbeeligibletoreceive |
|---|
| 1106 | | - | tuitionpaymentsfrompublicschooldistrictsunderchapter21ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 1107 | | - | (7)Approvalforindependentresidentialschoolsunderthissubsectionis |
|---|
| 1108 | | - | alsocontingentuponproofoftheschool’ssatisfactorycompletionofanannual |
|---|
| 1109 | | - | firesafetyinspectionbytheDepartmentofPublicSafetyoritsdesignee |
|---|
| 1110 | | - | pursuantto20V.S.A.chapter173,subchapter2.Acertificateexecutedbythe |
|---|
| 1111 | | - | inspectingentity,declaringsatisfactorycompletionoftheinspectionand |
|---|
| 1112 | | - | identifyingthedatebywhichanewinspectionmustoccur,shallbepostedat |
|---|
| 1113 | | - | theschoolinapubliclocation.Theschoolshallprovideacopyofthe |
|---|
| 1114 | | - | certificatetotheSecretaryofEducationaftereachannualinspection.The |
|---|
| 1115 | | - | schoolshallpaytheactualcostoftheinspectionunlesswaivedorreducedby |
|---|
| 1116 | | - | theinspectingentity. |
|---|
| 1117 | | - | (8)(A)Ifanapprovedindependentschoolexperiencesanyofthe |
|---|
| 1118 | | - | followingfinancialreportingeventsduringtheperiodofitsapprovedstatus, |
|---|
| 1119 | | - | theschoolshallnotifytheSecretaryofEducationwithinfivedaysafterits |
|---|
| 1120 | | - | knowledgeoftheeventunlessthefailureisdeminimis: |
|---|
| 1121 | | - | (i)theschool’sfailuretofileitsfederalorStatetaxreturnswhen |
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| 1122 | | - | due,afterpermissibleextensionperiodshavebeentakenintoaccount; |
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| 1123 | | - | (ii)theschool’sfailuretomeetitspayrollobligationsastheyare |
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| 1124 | | - | dueortopayfederalorStatepayrolltaxobligationsastheyaredue; |
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| 1146 | | - | (iii)theschool’sfailuretomaintainrequiredretirement |
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| 1147 | | - | contributions; |
|---|
| 1148 | | - | (iv)theschool’suseofdesignatedfundsfornondesignated |
|---|
| 1149 | | - | purposes; |
|---|
| 1150 | | - | (v)theschool’sinabilitytofullycomplywiththefinancialterms |
|---|
| 1151 | | - | ofitssecuredinstallmentdebtobligationsoveraperiodoftwoconsecutive |
|---|
| 1152 | | - | months,includingtheschool’sfailuretomakeinterestorprincipalpayments |
|---|
| 1153 | | - | astheyaredueortomaintainanyrequiredfinancialratios; |
|---|
| 1154 | | - | (vi)thewithdrawalorconditioningoftheschool’saccreditation |
|---|
| 1155 | | - | onfinancialgroundsbyaprivate,State,orregionalagencyrecognizedbythe |
|---|
| 1156 | | - | StateBoardforaccreditingpurposes;or |
|---|
| 1157 | | - | (vii)theschool’sinsolvency,asdefinedin9V.S.A.§ 2286(a). |
|---|
| 1158 | | - | (B)(i)IftheSecretaryreasonablybelievesthatanapproved |
|---|
| 1159 | | - | independentschoollacksfinancialcapacitytomeetitsstatedobjectivesduring |
|---|
| 1160 | | - | theperiodofitsapprovedstatus,thentheSecretaryshallnotifytheschoolin |
|---|
| 1161 | | - | writingofthereasonsforthisbeliefandpermittheschoolareasonable |
|---|
| 1162 | | - | opportunitytorespond. |
|---|
| 1163 | | - | (ii)IftheSecretary,afterhavingprovidedtheschoolareasonable |
|---|
| 1164 | | - | opportunitytorespond,doesnotfindthattheschoolhassatisfactorily |
|---|
| 1165 | | - | respondedordemonstrateditsfinancialcapacity,theSecretarymayestablisha |
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| 1185 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 1187 | | - | reviewteamthat,withtheconsentoftheschool,includesamemberofthe |
|---|
| 1188 | | - | CouncilofIndependentSchools,to: |
|---|
| 1189 | | - | (I)conductaschoolvisittoassesstheschool’sfinancial |
|---|
| 1190 | | - | capacity; |
|---|
| 1191 | | - | (II)obtainfromtheschoolsuchfinancialdocumentationasthe |
|---|
| 1192 | | - | reviewteamrequirestoperformitsassessment;and |
|---|
| 1193 | | - | (III)submitareportofitsfindingsandrecommendationstothe |
|---|
| 1194 | | - | StateBoard. |
|---|
| 1195 | | - | (iii)IftheStateBoardconcludesthatanapprovedindependent |
|---|
| 1196 | | - | schoollacksfinancialcapacitytomeetitsstatedobjectivesduringtheperiod |
|---|
| 1197 | | - | ofitsapprovedstatus,theStateBoardmaytakeanyactionthatisauthorized |
|---|
| 1198 | | - | bythissection. |
|---|
| 1199 | | - | (iv)Inconsideringwhetheranindependentschoollacksfinancial |
|---|
| 1200 | | - | capacitytomeetitsstatedobjectivesduringtheperiodofitsapprovedstatus |
|---|
| 1201 | | - | andwhatactionstheStateBoardshouldtakeifitmakesthisfinding,theState |
|---|
| 1202 | | - | Boardmayconsultwith,anddrawontheanalyticalresourcesof,theVermont |
|---|
| 1203 | | - | DepartmentofFinancialRegulation. |
|---|
| 1204 | | - | (C)Informationprovidedbyanindependentschoolunderthis |
|---|
| 1205 | | - | subsectionthatisnotalreadyinthepublicdomainisexemptfrompublic |
|---|
| 1206 | | - | inspectionandcopyingunderthePublicRecordsActandshallbekept |
|---|
| 1207 | | - | confidential.[Repealed.] |
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| 1228 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 1230 | | - | (c)SchoolChoiceSchools.Anindependentschoolmaybedesignatedasa |
|---|
| 1231 | | - | SchoolChoiceSchooltoservegrades9–12bytheschooldistrictinwhichitis |
|---|
| 1232 | | - | geographicallylocated.Inordertobeeligiblefordesignation,anindependent |
|---|
| 1233 | | - | schoolshallbecertifiedbytheAgencyofEducationasmeetingthefollowing |
|---|
| 1234 | | - | criteria: |
|---|
| 1235 | | - | (1)useofStatestandardizedassessments; |
|---|
| 1236 | | - | (2)implementationofminimumStategraduationrequirements; |
|---|
| 1237 | | - | (3)theprovisionofspecialeducationservicestoallenrolledstudents |
|---|
| 1238 | | - | tothesameextentaswouldberequiredofapublicschooloperatedbya |
|---|
| 1239 | | - | schooldistrict; |
|---|
| 1240 | | - | (4)completionofanannualsingleauditbyacertifiedpublic |
|---|
| 1241 | | - | accountant,whichshallbesubmittedtotheAgencyofEducation; |
|---|
| 1242 | | - | (5)maintenanceofminimumfinancialreserves,inanamounttobe |
|---|
| 1243 | | - | establishedbyrulesadoptedbytheAgencyofEducation; |
|---|
| 1244 | | - | (6)compliancewiththeschoolchoiceschoolrequirementsofthe |
|---|
| 1245 | | - | EducationQualityStandardsasdefinedbytheSecretarythroughrulemaking; |
|---|
| 1246 | | - | (7)compliancewithschoolsafetyrequirementsinchapter33ofthis |
|---|
| 1247 | | - | title; |
|---|
| 1248 | | - | (8)adherenceinallpoliciesandoperationswithnondiscrimination |
|---|
| 1249 | | - | requirementsof9V.S.A.chapter139; |
|---|
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| 1271 | | - | (9)adoptionofharassment,hazing,andbullyingpreventionpolicies |
|---|
| 1272 | | - | requiredbychapter9,subchapter5ofthistitle;exceptthattheboardshall |
|---|
| 1273 | | - | followitsownproceduresforadoptingpolicy; |
|---|
| 1274 | | - | (10)theschoolannuallyannouncesacapacityforincomingstudents |
|---|
| 1275 | | - | toattendonapubliclyfundedbasisinthefollowingschoolyear; |
|---|
| 1276 | | - | (11)theschoolwasanapprovedindependentschoolonJuly1,2025; |
|---|
| 1277 | | - | (12)theschool’senrollmentisatleast51percentcomprisedof |
|---|
| 1278 | | - | studentsattendingonadistrict-fundedtuitionbasisasofJuly1,2025, |
|---|
| 1279 | | - | (13)theschoolhasapolicytogovernanondiscriminatorylottery |
|---|
| 1280 | | - | systemfordeterminingwhichstudentsmayenrollintheschoolonapublicly |
|---|
| 1281 | | - | fundedbasiswhenstudentinterestexceedscapacity;and |
|---|
| 1282 | | - | (14)theschooloffersdueprocessprotectionspriortosuspendingor |
|---|
| 1283 | | - | expellingastudentattendingonapubliclyfundedbasisthatareatleastas |
|---|
| 1284 | | - | comprehensiveasthoserequiredofpublicschoolsinsection1162ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 1285 | | - | (c)(d)Recognizedindependentschools.Uponfilinganenrollmentnotice, |
|---|
| 1286 | | - | arecognizedindependentschoolmayprovideelementaryorsecondary |
|---|
| 1287 | | - | educationinVermont.Theenrollmentnoticeshallbeonaformprovidedby |
|---|
| 1288 | | - | theSecretaryandshallbefiledwiththeSecretarynoearlierthanthreemonths |
|---|
| 1289 | | - | beforethebeginningoftheschoolyearforthepublicschoolsinthetownin |
|---|
| 1290 | | - | whichtheapplicantproposestolocate. |
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| 1312 | | - | (1)Theenrollmentnoticeshallcontainthefollowinginformationand |
|---|
| 1313 | | - | assurances: |
|---|
| 1314 | | - | (A)astatementthattheschoolwillbeinsessionanamountoftime |
|---|
| 1315 | | - | substantiallyequivalenttothatrequiredforpublicschools; |
|---|
| 1316 | | - | (B)adetaileddescriptionoroutlineoftheminimumcourseofstudy |
|---|
| 1317 | | - | foreachgradeleveltheschooloffersandhowtheannualassessmentofeach |
|---|
| 1318 | | - | studentwillbeperformed;and |
|---|
| 1319 | | - | (C)assurancesthat: |
|---|
| 1320 | | - | (i)theschoolwillprepareandmaintainattendancerecordsfor |
|---|
| 1321 | | - | eachstudentenrolledorregularlyattendingclasses; |
|---|
| 1322 | | - | (ii)atleastonceeachyear,theschoolwillassesseachstudent’s |
|---|
| 1323 | | - | progress,andwillmaintainrecordsofthatassessment,andpresenttheresultof |
|---|
| 1324 | | - | thatassessmenttoeachstudent’sparentorguardian; |
|---|
| 1325 | | - | (iii)theschool’seducationalprogramwillincludetheminimum |
|---|
| 1326 | | - | courseofstudysetforthinsection906ofthistitle; |
|---|
| 1327 | | - | (iv)theschoolwillhaveteachersandmaterialssufficienttocarry |
|---|
| 1328 | | - | outtheschool’seducationalprogram;and |
|---|
| 1329 | | - | (v)theschoolwillmeetsuchStateandfederallawsand |
|---|
| 1330 | | - | regulationsconcerningitsphysicalfacilitiesandhealthandsafetymattersas |
|---|
| 1331 | | - | areapplicabletorecognizedindependentschools. |
|---|
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| 1351 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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|---|
| 1353 | | - | (2)IftheSecretaryhasinformationthatcreatessignificantdoubtabout |
|---|
| 1354 | | - | whethertheschoolwouldbeabletomeettherequirementssetforthinthis |
|---|
| 1355 | | - | subsection(c)(d),theSecretarymaycallahearing.Atthehearing,theschool |
|---|
| 1356 | | - | shallestablishthatitcanmeettherequirementsforrecognizedindependent |
|---|
| 1357 | | - | schools.FailuretodososhallresultinafindingbytheSecretarythatthe |
|---|
| 1358 | | - | schoolmusttakespecifiedactiontocomeintocompliancewithinaspecified |
|---|
| 1359 | | - | timeframeorthechildrenenrolledmustattendanotherrecognized |
|---|
| 1360 | | - | independentschool,apublicschool,anapprovedindependentschool,ora |
|---|
| 1361 | | - | homestudyprogram,orbedeclaredtruantunlessabsentwithlegalexcuse. |
|---|
| 1362 | | - | (3)Arecognizedindependentschoolshallprovidetoeachstudent’s |
|---|
| 1363 | | - | parentorguardianacopyofitscurrentlyfiledstatementofobjectivesanda |
|---|
| 1364 | | - | copyofthissection.Thecopyshallbeprovidedwhenthestudentenrollsor |
|---|
| 1365 | | - | beforeSeptember1,whichevercomeslater.Failuretocomplywiththis |
|---|
| 1366 | | - | subsectionmaycreateapermissibleinferenceoffalseadvertisinginviolation |
|---|
| 1367 | | - | of13V.S.A.§ 2005. |
|---|
| 1368 | | - | (4)Arecognizedindependentschoolshallrenewitsenrollmentnotice |
|---|
| 1369 | | - | annually.Anindependentschoolshallberecognizedforaperiodnotto |
|---|
| 1370 | | - | exceedfiveyearsbytheSecretarywithoutneedforfilinganannualenrollment |
|---|
| 1371 | | - | noticeif: |
|---|
| 1372 | | - | (A)itisrecognizedbyanorganizationapprovedbytheStateBoard |
|---|
| 1373 | | - | forthepurposeofrecognizingsuchschool;or |
|---|
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| 1394 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 1395 | | - | 2025 Page34of415 |
|---|
| 1396 | | - | (B)itisaccreditedbyaprivate,state,orregionalagencyapproved |
|---|
| 1397 | | - | bytheStateBoardforaccreditingpurposes;provided,however,nothinginthis |
|---|
| 1398 | | - | subdivision(4)shallbeconstruedtoprohibittheSecretaryfrominitiatinga |
|---|
| 1399 | | - | hearingunderthissubsection(c)(d). |
|---|
| 1400 | | - | (5)IftheSecretaryhasinformationthatcreatessignificantdoubtabout |
|---|
| 1401 | | - | whethertheschool,onceinoperation,ismeetingtherequirementsfor |
|---|
| 1402 | | - | recognizedindependentschools,theSecretarymaycallahearing.Atthe |
|---|
| 1403 | | - | hearing,theschoolshallestablishthatithasmettherequirementsfor |
|---|
| 1404 | | - | recognizedindependentschools.Failuretodososhallresultinafindingby |
|---|
| 1405 | | - | theSecretarythat: |
|---|
| 1406 | | - | (A)theschoolmaynotbeinoperationfortheremainderofthe |
|---|
| 1407 | | - | schoolyearandthatthechildrenaretruantunlessabsentwithlegalexcuseor |
|---|
| 1408 | | - | enrolledinapublicschool,anindependentschool,anotherrecognized |
|---|
| 1409 | | - | independentschool,orahomestudyprogram;or |
|---|
| 1410 | | - | (B)theschoolmusttakespecifiedactiontocomeintocompliance |
|---|
| 1411 | | - | withinaspecifiedtimeframeortheschoolwillnotbepermittedtooperatefor |
|---|
| 1412 | | - | theremainderoftheschoolyear. |
|---|
| 1413 | | - | (6)EachrecognizedindependentschoolshallprovidetotheSecretary |
|---|
| 1414 | | - | onOctober1ofeachyearthenames,genders,datesofbirth,andaddressesof |
|---|
| 1415 | | - | itsenrolledstudents.Withinsevendaysoftheterminationofastudent’s |
|---|
| 1416 | | - | enrollment,therecognizedindependentschoolshallnotifytheSecretaryofthe |
|---|
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| 1437 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 1438 | | - | 2025 Page35of415 |
|---|
| 1439 | | - | nameandaddressofthestudent.TheSecretaryshallnotifytheappropriate |
|---|
| 1440 | | - | schoolofficialsasprovidedinsection1126ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 1441 | | - | (7)Afterthefilingoftheenrollmentnoticeoratahearing,iftheschool |
|---|
| 1442 | | - | isunabletocomplywithanyspecificrequirementsduetodeepreligious |
|---|
| 1443 | | - | convictionsharedbyanorganizedgroup,theSecretarymaywaivesuch |
|---|
| 1444 | | - | requirementsifheorshetheSecretarydeterminesthattheeducational |
|---|
| 1445 | | - | purposesofthissubsectionarebeingorwillbesubstantiallymet. |
|---|
| 1446 | | - | (8)Arecognizedindependentschoolshallprovidetotheparentor |
|---|
| 1447 | | - | guardianresponsibleforeachofitsstudents,priortoacceptinganymoneyfor |
|---|
| 1448 | | - | astudent,anaccuratestatementinwritingofitsstatusunderthissectionanda |
|---|
| 1449 | | - | copyofthissection.Failuretocomplywiththisprovisionmaycreatea |
|---|
| 1450 | | - | permissibleinferenceoffalseadvertisinginviolationof13V.S.A.§ 2005. |
|---|
| 1451 | | - | (9)Eachschoolchoiceschooldesignatedbyaschooldistrictpursuantto |
|---|
| 1452 | | - | schoolshallprovidetotheSecretaryonOctober1ofeachyearthenames, |
|---|
| 1453 | | - | genders,datesofbirth,andaddressesofitsenrolledstudents.Withinseven |
|---|
| 1454 | | - | daysfollowingtheterminationofastudent’senrollment,theschoolchoice |
|---|
| 1455 | | - | schoolshallnotifytheSecretaryofthenameandaddressofthestudent.The |
|---|
| 1456 | | - | Secretaryshallnotifytheappropriateschoolofficialsasprovidedinsection |
|---|
| 1457 | | - | 1126ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 1458 | | - | (10)Approvalforindependentresidentialschoolsunderthissubsection |
|---|
| 1459 | | - | isalsocontingentuponproofoftheschool’ssatisfactorycompletionofan |
|---|
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| 1480 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 1482 | | - | annualfiresafetyinspectionbytheDepartmentofPublicSafetyorits |
|---|
| 1483 | | - | designeepursuantto20V.S.A.chapter173,subchapter2.Acertificate |
|---|
| 1484 | | - | executedbytheinspectingentity,declaringsatisfactorycompletionofthe |
|---|
| 1485 | | - | inspectionandidentifyingthedatebywhichanewinspectionmustoccur, |
|---|
| 1486 | | - | shallbepostedattheschoolinapubliclocation.Theschoolshallprovidea |
|---|
| 1487 | | - | copyofthecertificatetotheSecretaryofEducationaftereachannual |
|---|
| 1488 | | - | inspection.Theschoolshallpaytheactualcostoftheinspectionunlesswaived |
|---|
| 1489 | | - | orreducedbytheinspectingentity. |
|---|
| 1490 | | - | (d)(e)CouncilofIndependentSchools.ACouncilofIndependentSchools |
|---|
| 1491 | | - | iscreatedconsistingof11members,nofewerthanthreeofwhomshallbe |
|---|
| 1492 | | - | representativesofrecognizedindependentschools.TheSecretaryshallappoint |
|---|
| 1493 | | - | ninemembersfromwithintheindependentschools’community.TheSecretary |
|---|
| 1494 | | - | shallappointtwomembersfromthepublic-at-large.Eachmembershallserve |
|---|
| 1495 | | - | fortwoyearsandmaybereappointedforuptoanadditionaltwoterms.The |
|---|
| 1496 | | - | Councilshalladoptrulesforitsownoperation.Achairshallbeelectedbyand |
|---|
| 1497 | | - | fromamongthemembers.ThedutiesoftheCouncilshallincludeadvisingthe |
|---|
| 1498 | | - | Secretaryonpoliciesandprocedureswithrespecttoindependentschools.No |
|---|
| 1499 | | - | hearingshallbeinitiatedunderthissectionbeforetheStateBoardorbythe |
|---|
| 1500 | | - | SecretaryuntiltherecommendationsoftheCouncilhavebeensoughtand |
|---|
| 1501 | | - | received.TherecommendationsoftheCouncil,includinganyminority |
|---|
| 1502 | | - | reports,shallbeadmissibleatthehearing.[Repealed.] |
|---|
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| 1523 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 1524 | | - | 2025 Page37of415 |
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| 1525 | | - | (e)(f)Harassment,hazing,andbullyingpolicies.Theboardoftrusteesof |
|---|
| 1526 | | - | anapprovedorarecognizedindependentschooloperatinginVermontshall |
|---|
| 1527 | | - | adoptharassment,hazing,andbullyingpreventionpolicies;establish |
|---|
| 1528 | | - | proceduresfordealingwithharassment,hazing,andbullyingofstudents;and |
|---|
| 1529 | | - | providenoticeofthese.Theprovisionsofchapter9,subchapter5ofthistitle |
|---|
| 1530 | | - | forpublicschoolsshallapplytothissubsection,exceptthattheboardshall |
|---|
| 1531 | | - | followitsownproceduresforadoptingpolicy. |
|---|
| 1532 | | - | (f)(g)Tuitionbills.Anapprovedindependentschoolthatacceptsstudents |
|---|
| 1533 | | - | forwhomthedistrictofresidencepaystuitionunderchapter21ofthistitle |
|---|
| 1534 | | - | shallbillthesendingdistrictmonthlyforaState-placedstudentandshallnot |
|---|
| 1535 | | - | billthesendingdistrictforanymonthinwhichtheState-placedstudentwas |
|---|
| 1536 | | - | notenrolled.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 1537 | | - | (g)(h)Tuitionstudents;assessments.Anapprovedindependentschoolthat |
|---|
| 1538 | | - | acceptsstudentsforwhomthedistrictofresidencepaystuitionunderchapter |
|---|
| 1539 | | - | 21ofthistitleshallusetheassessmentorassessmentsrequiredunder |
|---|
| 1540 | | - | subdivision164(9)ofthistitletomeasureattainmentofstandardsforstudent |
|---|
| 1541 | | - | performanceofthosestudents.Inaddition,theschoolshallprovidedata |
|---|
| 1542 | | - | relatedtotheassessmentorassessmentsasrequiredbytheSecretary. |
|---|
| 1543 | | - | [Repealed.] |
|---|
| 1544 | | - | Sec.7.AGENCYOFEDUCATIONSTUDYOFCOOPERATIVE |
|---|
| 1545 | | - | EDUCATIONSERVICESANDTHERAPEUTICPROGRAMS, |
|---|
| 1546 | | - | 1 |
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| 1566 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 1568 | | - | STATEWIDESALARYSCHEDULE;REPORT |
|---|
| 1569 | | - | TheAgencyofEducationshallconvenesuperintendents,directorsof |
|---|
| 1570 | | - | therapeuticindependentschools,specialeducationdirectorsandotherexperts |
|---|
| 1571 | | - | intheopinionoftheAgencytostudytheneedforcooperativeeducation |
|---|
| 1572 | | - | servicesandtheoversightoftherapeuticschoolswithinthegovernance |
|---|
| 1573 | | - | frameworkcreatedbythisAct.TheAgencyshallsubmitasummaryofits |
|---|
| 1574 | | - | findingsandrecommendedlegislativelanguagetotheHouseCommitteeon |
|---|
| 1575 | | - | EducationandtheSenateCommitteeonEducationonorbeforeDecember15, |
|---|
| 1576 | | - | 2025.TheAgencyshallalsosubmitrecommendationsforlegislativelanguage |
|---|
| 1577 | | - | toimplementastatewidesalaryschedulewithitsreport. |
|---|
| 1578 | | - | Sec.8.16V.S.A.§ 241isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 1579 | | - | § 241.APPOINTMENT |
|---|
| 1580 | | - | (a)Eachsupervisoryunionschooldistrictboard,withtheadviceofthe |
|---|
| 1581 | | - | Secretary,mayshallemployasuperintendentofschools. |
|---|
| 1582 | | - | (b)Asuperintendentshallbeemployedbywrittencontractforatermnot |
|---|
| 1583 | | - | toexceedfiveyearsnorlessthanoneyearandshallworkthenumberofhours |
|---|
| 1584 | | - | requiredbycontract,performingthedutiesdesignatedinthecontractor |
|---|
| 1585 | | - | assignedbytheboard.Asuperintendentofschoolsmaybedismissedfor |
|---|
| 1586 | | - | causeorasspecifiedinthecontractofemployment. |
|---|
| 1587 | | - | (c)NotlaterthanMay15ofayearinwhichanincumbentsuperintendent’s |
|---|
| 1588 | | - | contractofemploymentexpires,thesupervisoryunionschooldistrictboard |
|---|
| 1589 | | - | 1 |
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| 1611 | | - | shallmeettoreneworactotherwiseuponthesuperintendent’scontract.Ifa |
|---|
| 1612 | | - | supervisoryunionemploysasuperintendent,thesupervisoryunionboardshall |
|---|
| 1613 | | - | specifyandassignthedutiesofasuperintendent.Ifthesupervisoryunion |
|---|
| 1614 | | - | boarddoesnothireasuperintendent,theboardmayassignanydutiesassigned |
|---|
| 1615 | | - | tothesuperintendentunderthistitletotheschoolprincipalorprincipalsinthe |
|---|
| 1616 | | - | supervisoryunionortootherqualifiedpersonsdesignatedbytheboard. |
|---|
| 1617 | | - | Sec.9.16V.S.A.§ 242isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 1618 | | - | § 242.DUTIESOFSUPERINTENDENTS |
|---|
| 1619 | | - | Thesuperintendentshallbethechiefexecutiveofficerforthesupervisory |
|---|
| 1620 | | - | unionboardandforeachschoolboardwithinthesupervisoryunion,andshall: |
|---|
| 1621 | | - | (1)Carryoutthepoliciesadoptedbytheschoolboardsboardrelatingto |
|---|
| 1622 | | - | theeducationalorbusinessaffairsoftheschooldistrictorsupervisoryunion, |
|---|
| 1623 | | - | anddevelopprocedurestodoso. |
|---|
| 1624 | | - | (2)Prepare,foradoptionbyalocaltheschoolboard,planstoachieve |
|---|
| 1625 | | - | theeducationalgoalsandobjectivesestablishedbytheschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 1626 | | - | (3)(A)Nominateacandidateforemploymentbytheschooldistrictor |
|---|
| 1627 | | - | supervisoryunionifthevacantpositionrequiresalicensedemployee; |
|---|
| 1628 | | - | provided,iftheappropriateboarddeclinestohireacandidate,thenthe |
|---|
| 1629 | | - | superintendentshallnominateanewcandidate; |
|---|
| 1630 | | - | (B)selectnonlicensedemployeestobeemployedbythedistrictor |
|---|
| 1631 | | - | supervisoryunion;and |
|---|
| 1632 | | - | 1 |
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| 1654 | | - | (C)dismisslicensedandnonlicensedemployeesofaschooldistrict |
|---|
| 1655 | | - | orthesupervisoryunionasnecessary,subjecttoallproceduralandother |
|---|
| 1656 | | - | protectionsprovidedbycontract,collectivebargainingagreement,orprovision |
|---|
| 1657 | | - | ofStateandfederallaw. |
|---|
| 1658 | | - | (4)(A)ProvidedataandinformationrequiredbytheSecretaryandby |
|---|
| 1659 | | - | usingaformatapprovedbytheSecretaryto: |
|---|
| 1660 | | - | (i)Reportbudgetarydataforthesubsequentschoolyearandfiscal |
|---|
| 1661 | | - | year. |
|---|
| 1662 | | - | (ii)Reportallfinancialoperationswithinthesupervisoryunion |
|---|
| 1663 | | - | districttotheSecretaryandStateBoardfortheprecedingschoolyearonor |
|---|
| 1664 | | - | beforeAugust15ofeachyear. |
|---|
| 1665 | | - | (iii)Reportallfinancialoperationsforeachmembertheschool |
|---|
| 1666 | | - | districttotheSecretaryandStateBoardfortheprecedingschoolyearonor |
|---|
| 1667 | | - | beforeAugust15ofeachyear. |
|---|
| 1668 | | - | (B)Prepareforeachdistrictanitemizedreportdetailingtheportion |
|---|
| 1669 | | - | oftheproposedsupervisoryunionbudgetforwhichthedistrictwouldbe |
|---|
| 1670 | | - | assessedforthesubsequentschoolyearidentifyingthecomponentcostsby |
|---|
| 1671 | | - | categoryandexplainingthemethodbywhichthedistrict’sshareforeachcost |
|---|
| 1672 | | - | wascalculated;andprovidethereporttoeachdistrictatleast14daysbeforea |
|---|
| 1673 | | - | budget,includingthesupervisoryunionassessment,isvotedonbythe |
|---|
| 1674 | | - | electorateofthedistrict.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 1675 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 1676 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 1677 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 1678 | | - | 4 |
|---|
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| 1697 | | - | (5)Workwiththeschoolboardsofthememberdistrictstodevelopand |
|---|
| 1698 | | - | boardtoimplementpoliciesregardingminimumandoptimalaverageclass |
|---|
| 1699 | | - | sizesforregularandcareertechnicaleducationclassesconsistentwithsection |
|---|
| 1700 | | - | 165ofthistitleandrulesadoptedbytheAgency.Thepoliciesmaybe |
|---|
| 1701 | | - | supervisoryunion-wide,maybecourse-orgrade-specific,andmayreflect |
|---|
| 1702 | | - | differencesamongschooldistrictsduetogeographyorotherfactors. |
|---|
| 1703 | | - | (6)Arrangefortheprovisionoftheprofessionaltrainingrequiredin |
|---|
| 1704 | | - | subsection561(b)ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 1705 | | - | (7)Provideforthegeneralsupervisionofthepublicschoolsinthe |
|---|
| 1706 | | - | supervisoryunionordistrict. |
|---|
| 1707 | | - | ***SchoolGovernance*** |
|---|
| 1708 | | - | Sec.10.REPEAL |
|---|
| 1709 | | - | 16V.S.A.chapter7(supervisoryunions)isrepealedonJuly1,2027. |
|---|
| 1710 | | - | Sec.11.NEWUNIONSCHOOLDISTRICTS |
|---|
| 1711 | | - | TheVermontschooldistrictsandsupervisoryunionsthenineffectshallbe |
|---|
| 1712 | | - | dissolvedonJuly1,2027andsucceededbyfiveunifiedunionschooldistricts. |
|---|
| 1713 | | - | Notlaterthan30daysfollowingtheenactmentofthissection,theSecretaryof |
|---|
| 1714 | | - | Educationshallcertifythedesignationofthenewlycreatedschooldistricts |
|---|
| 1715 | | - | pursuanttosection713ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 1716 | | - | Sec.12.16V.S.A.§ 2isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 1717 | | - | § 2.MEMBERSHIPOFFIVEUNIFIEDUNIONSCHOOLDISTRICTS |
|---|
| 1718 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 1719 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 1720 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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|---|
| 1739 | | - | 2025 Page42of415 |
|---|
| 1740 | | - | AsofJuly1,2027: |
|---|
| 1741 | | - | (1)ThememberdistrictsoftheBarreSD,CentralVermontSU, |
|---|
| 1742 | | - | HarwoodUUSD,LamoilleNorthMUUSD,LamoilleSouthUUSD, |
|---|
| 1743 | | - | MontpelierRoxburySchoolDistrict,OrangeSouthwestSU,Orleans |
|---|
| 1744 | | - | SouthwestSU,OrleansSouthwestSU,WashingtonCentralSchoolDistrict, |
|---|
| 1745 | | - | andWhiteRiverValleySchoolDistrictshallconstitutetheWinooskiValley |
|---|
| 1746 | | - | UUSD. |
|---|
| 1747 | | - | (2)ThememberdistrictsoftheBennington-RutlandSU,Greater |
|---|
| 1748 | | - | RutlandCountySU,MillRiverUUSD,RutlandCitySD,RutlandNortheast |
|---|
| 1749 | | - | UUSD,SlateValleyUUSD,SouthwestVermontUUSD,andSouthwestTech |
|---|
| 1750 | | - | CentershallconstitutetheSouthwestVermontUUSD. |
|---|
| 1751 | | - | (3)ThememberdistrictsofHartfordSD,MountainViewsUUSD, |
|---|
| 1752 | | - | RiverValleyTechCenter,SpringfieldSD,TwoRiversSD,WindhamCentral |
|---|
| 1753 | | - | SU,WindhamNortheastSU,WindhamSoutheastSU,WindhamSouthwest |
|---|
| 1754 | | - | SU,andWindsorSoutheastSUshallconstitutetheSoutheastVermontUUSD. |
|---|
| 1755 | | - | (4)ThememberdistrictsofCaledoniaCentralSU,EssexNorthSU, |
|---|
| 1756 | | - | KingdomEastUUSD,NorthCountrySU,OrangeEastSU,OrleansCentral |
|---|
| 1757 | | - | UUSD,andSt.JohnsburySDshallconstitutetheNortheastVermontUUSD. |
|---|
| 1758 | | - | (5)TheAddisonCentralSD,AddisonNorthwestSD,BurlingtonSD, |
|---|
| 1759 | | - | ChamplainValleySD,ColchesterSD,EssexWestfordECUUSD,Franklin |
|---|
| 1760 | | - | NortheastSU,FranklinWestSU,GrandIsleSU,LincolnSchoolDistrict, |
|---|
| 1761 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 1762 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 1763 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 1781 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
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| 1783 | | - | MapleRunSD,MiltonSD,FranklinNorthwestSU,MountMansfieldSD, |
|---|
| 1784 | | - | PatriciaHanafordTechCenter,SouthBurlingtonSD,andWinooskiSDshall |
|---|
| 1785 | | - | constitutetheChamplainValleyUUSD. |
|---|
| 1786 | | - | Sec.13.16V.S.A.§ 563isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 1787 | | - | § 563.POWERSOFSCHOOLBOARDS;FORMOFVOTE |
|---|
| 1788 | | - | Theschoolboardofaschooldistrict,inadditiontootherdutiesand |
|---|
| 1789 | | - | authorityspecificallyassignedbylaw: |
|---|
| 1790 | | - | (1)Shalldeterminetheeducationalpoliciesoftheschooldistrict.Board |
|---|
| 1791 | | - | policiesshallbeofgeneralapplicationtothedistrictandshallbeinwriting, |
|---|
| 1792 | | - | codified,andmadeavailabletothepublic.Boardpoliciesshallbeadoptedat |
|---|
| 1793 | | - | regularorspecialschoolboardmeetings.Aschoolboardshallgivepublic |
|---|
| 1794 | | - | noticeofitsintenttoadoptaboardpolicy,statingthesubstanceofthe |
|---|
| 1795 | | - | proposedpolicy,atleasttendayspriortoitsadoption.Aschoolboardmay |
|---|
| 1796 | | - | alsoapproveordisapproverulesandregulationsproposedbytheprincipalor |
|---|
| 1797 | | - | superintendentfortheconductandmanagementofpublicschoolsinthe |
|---|
| 1798 | | - | district. |
|---|
| 1799 | | - | (2)Maytakeanyactionthatisrequiredforthesoundadministrationof |
|---|
| 1800 | | - | theschooldistrict.TheSecretary,withtheadviceoftheAttorneyGeneral, |
|---|
| 1801 | | - | uponapplicationofaschoolboard,shalldecidewhetheranyaction |
|---|
| 1802 | | - | contemplatedortakenbyaschoolboardunderthissubdivisionisrequiredfor |
|---|
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|---|
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| 1824 | | - | thesoundadministrationofthedistrictandisproperunderthissubdivision. |
|---|
| 1825 | | - | TheSecretary’sdecisionshallbefinal. |
|---|
| 1826 | | - | (3)Shallhavethepossession,care,control,andmanagementofthe |
|---|
| 1827 | | - | propertyoftheschooldistrict,subjecttotheauthorityvestedintheelectorate |
|---|
| 1828 | | - | oranyschooldistrictofficial. |
|---|
| 1829 | | - | (4)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 1830 | | - | (5)Shallkeeptheschoolbuildingsandgroundsingoodrepair,suitably |
|---|
| 1831 | | - | equipped,insured,andinsafeandsanitaryconditionatalltimes.Theschool |
|---|
| 1832 | | - | boardshallregulateorprohibitfirearmsorotherdangerousordeadlyweapons |
|---|
| 1833 | | - | onschoolpremises.Ataminimum,aschoolboardshalladoptandimplement |
|---|
| 1834 | | - | apolicyatleastconsistentwithsection1166ofthistitleand13V.S.A.§ 4004, |
|---|
| 1835 | | - | relatingtoastudentwhobringsafirearmtoorpossessesafirearmatschool. |
|---|
| 1836 | | - | (6)Shallhavediscretiontofurnishinstructiontostudentswhohave |
|---|
| 1837 | | - | completedasecondaryeducationandtoadministerearlyeducational |
|---|
| 1838 | | - | programs. |
|---|
| 1839 | | - | (7)Mayrelocateordiscontinueuseofaschoolhouseorfacility,subject |
|---|
| 1840 | | - | totheprovisionsofsections821and822ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 1841 | | - | (8)Shallestablishandmaintainasystemforreceipt,deposit, |
|---|
| 1842 | | - | disbursement,accounting,control,andreportingproceduresthatmeetsthe |
|---|
| 1843 | | - | criteriaestablishedbytheStateBoardpursuanttosubdivision164(15)Agency |
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| 1844 | | - | pursuanttosection165(g)ofthistitleandthatensuresthatallpaymentsare |
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| 1845 | | - | 1 |
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| 1846 | | - | 2 |
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| 1847 | | - | 3 |
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| 1848 | | - | 4 |
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| 1859 | | - | 15 |
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| 1860 | | - | 16 |
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| 1861 | | - | 17 |
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| 1862 | | - | 18 |
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| 1863 | | - | 19 |
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| 1864 | | - | 20 |
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| 1865 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 1866 | | - | 2025 Page45of415 |
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| 1867 | | - | lawfulandinaccordancewithabudgetadoptedoramendedbytheschool |
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| 1868 | | - | board.Theschoolboardmayauthorizeasubcommittee,thesuperintendentof |
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| 1869 | | - | schools,oradesignatedemployeeoftheschoolboardtoexamineclaims |
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| 1870 | | - | againstthedistrictforschoolexpensesanddrawordersforthepaymentof |
|---|
| 1871 | | - | thoseclaims.Suchordersshallstatedefinitelythepurposeforwhichtheyare |
|---|
| 1872 | | - | drawnandshallserveasfullauthoritytothetreasurertomakesuchpayments. |
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| 1873 | | - | Itshallbelawfulforaschoolboardtosubmittoitstreasureracertifiedcopy |
|---|
| 1874 | | - | ofthoseportionsoftheboardminutes,properlysignedbytheclerkandchair, |
|---|
| 1875 | | - | oramajorityoftheboard,showingtowhomandforwhatpurposeeach |
|---|
| 1876 | | - | paymentistobemadebythetreasurer,andsuchcertifiedcopyshallserveas |
|---|
| 1877 | | - | fullauthoritytothetreasurertomakethepaymentsasthusapproved. |
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| 1878 | | - | (9)ShallestablishwiththeadviceandconsentoftheAuditorof |
|---|
| 1879 | | - | AccountsandtheSecretaryasystemofaccountsforthepropercontroland |
|---|
| 1880 | | - | reportingofschooldistrictfinancesandforstatingtheannualfinancial |
|---|
| 1881 | | - | conditionoftheschooldistrict. |
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| 1882 | | - | (10)Shallprepareanddistributetotheelectorate,notlessthantendays |
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| 1883 | | - | priortothedistrict’sannualmeeting,areportoftheconditionsandneedsof |
|---|
| 1884 | | - | thedistrictschoolsystem,includingthesuperintendent’s,supervisoryunion |
|---|
| 1885 | | - | treasurer’s,andschooldistricttreasurer’sannualreportforthepreviousschool |
|---|
| 1886 | | - | yearandthebalanceofanyreservefundsestablishedpursuantto24V.S.A. |
|---|
| 1887 | | - | § 2804.Ataschooldistrict’sannualmeeting,theelectoratemayvoteto |
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| 1888 | | - | 1 |
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| 1889 | | - | 2 |
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| 1890 | | - | 3 |
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| 1891 | | - | 4 |
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| 1907 | | - | 20 |
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| 1908 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 1909 | | - | 2025 Page46of415 |
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| 1910 | | - | providenoticeofavailabilityofthereportrequiredbythissubdivisiontothe |
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| 1911 | | - | electorateinlieuofdistributingthereport.Iftheelectorateoftheschool |
|---|
| 1912 | | - | districtvotestoprovidenoticeofavailability,itmustspecifyhownoticeof |
|---|
| 1913 | | - | availabilityshallbegiven,andsuchnoticeofavailabilityshallbeprovidedto |
|---|
| 1914 | | - | theelectorateatleast30daysbeforethedistrict’sannualorspecialmeeting. |
|---|
| 1915 | | - | [Repealed.] |
|---|
| 1916 | | - | (11)(A)Shallprepareanddistributepublishannuallyaproposedbudget |
|---|
| 1917 | | - | forthenextschoolyearaccordingtosuchmajorcategoriesasmayfromtime |
|---|
| 1918 | | - | totimebeprescribedbytheSecretary.Theboardshallholdnotfewerthan |
|---|
| 1919 | | - | twoinformationalmeetingsatwhichthepubliccancommentontheproposed |
|---|
| 1920 | | - | budget. |
|---|
| 1921 | | - | (B)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 1922 | | - | (C)Ataschooldistrict’sannualorspecialmeeting,theelectorate |
|---|
| 1923 | | - | mayvotetoprovidenoticeofavailabilityoftheschoolbudgetrequiredbythis |
|---|
| 1924 | | - | subdivisiontotheelectorateinlieuofdistributingthebudget.Iftheelectorate |
|---|
| 1925 | | - | oftheschooldistrictvotestoprovidenoticeofavailability,itmustspecify |
|---|
| 1926 | | - | hownoticeofavailabilityshallbegiven,andsuchnoticeofavailabilityshall |
|---|
| 1927 | | - | beprovidedtotheelectorateatleast30daysbeforethedistrict’sannual |
|---|
| 1928 | | - | meeting.Theproposedbudgetshallbepreparedanddistributedatleastten |
|---|
| 1929 | | - | daysbeforeasumofmoneyisvotedonbytheelectorate.Anyproposed |
|---|
| 1930 | | - | 1 |
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| 1931 | | - | 2 |
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| 1932 | | - | 3 |
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| 1933 | | - | 4 |
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| 1934 | | - | 5 |
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| 1943 | | - | 14 |
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| 1944 | | - | 15 |
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| 1945 | | - | 16 |
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| 1946 | | - | 17 |
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| 1947 | | - | 18 |
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| 1948 | | - | 19 |
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| 1949 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 1950 | | - | 2025 Page47of415 |
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| 1951 | | - | budgetshallshowthefollowinginformationinaformatprescribedbythe |
|---|
| 1952 | | - | Secretary: |
|---|
| 1953 | | - | (i)allrevenuesfromallsources,andexpenses,includingas |
|---|
| 1954 | | - | separateitemsanyassessmentforasupervisoryunionofwhichitisamember |
|---|
| 1955 | | - | andanytuitiontobepaidtoacareertechnicalcenter;andincludingthereport |
|---|
| 1956 | | - | requiredinsubdivision242(4)(D)ofthistitleitemizingthecomponentcostsof |
|---|
| 1957 | | - | thesupervisoryunionassessment; |
|---|
| 1958 | | - | (ii)thespecificamountofanydeficitincurredinthemost |
|---|
| 1959 | | - | recentlyclosedfiscalyearandhowthedeficitwasorwillberemedied; |
|---|
| 1960 | | - | (iii)theanticipatedhomesteadtaxrateandthepercentageof |
|---|
| 1961 | | - | householdincomeusedtodetermineincomesensitivityinthedistrictasa |
|---|
| 1962 | | - | resultofpassageofthebudget,includingthoseportionsofthetaxrate |
|---|
| 1963 | | - | attributabletosupervisoryunionassessments;and |
|---|
| 1964 | | - | (iv)thedefinitionof“educationspending,”thenumberofpupils |
|---|
| 1965 | | - | andnumberofequalizedpupilsintheschooldistrict,andthedistrict’s |
|---|
| 1966 | | - | educationspendingperequalizedpupilintheproposedbudgetandineachof |
|---|
| 1967 | | - | thepriorthreeyears.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 1968 | | - | (D)Theboardshallpresentthebudgettothevotersbymeansofa |
|---|
| 1969 | | - | ballotinthefollowingform: |
|---|
| 1970 | | - | “Article#1(SchoolBudget): |
|---|
| 1971 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 1972 | | - | 2 |
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| 1973 | | - | 3 |
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| 1974 | | - | 4 |
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| 1975 | | - | 5 |
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| 1976 | | - | 6 |
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| 1977 | | - | 7 |
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| 1978 | | - | 8 |
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| 1979 | | - | 9 |
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| 1980 | | - | 10 |
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| 1981 | | - | 11 |
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| 1982 | | - | 12 |
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| 1983 | | - | 13 |
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| 1984 | | - | 14 |
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| 1985 | | - | 15 |
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| 1986 | | - | 16 |
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| 1987 | | - | 17 |
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| 1988 | | - | 18 |
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| 1989 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 1990 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 1991 | | - | 2025 Page48of415 |
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| 1992 | | - | Shallthevotersoftheschooldistrictapprovetheschoolboardtoexpend$ |
|---|
| 1993 | | - | ______,whichistheamounttheschoolboardhasdeterminedtobenecessary |
|---|
| 1994 | | - | fortheensuingfiscalyear? |
|---|
| 1995 | | - | The________Districtestimatesthatthisproposedbudget,ifapproved,will |
|---|
| 1996 | | - | resultinperpupileducationspendingof$________,whichis_____% |
|---|
| 1997 | | - | higher/lowerthanperpupileducationspendingforthecurrentyear.” |
|---|
| 1998 | | - | [Repealed.] |
|---|
| 1999 | | - | (12)Shallemploysuchpersonsasmayberequiredtocarryoutthe |
|---|
| 2000 | | - | workoftheschooldistrictpursuanttotheprovisionsofsubdivision242(3)of |
|---|
| 2001 | | - | thistitle. |
|---|
| 2002 | | - | (13)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 2003 | | - | (14)Shallprovide,attheexpenseofthedistrict,subjecttotheapproval |
|---|
| 2004 | | - | ofthesuperintendent,alltextbooks,learningmaterials,equipment,and |
|---|
| 2005 | | - | supplies. |
|---|
| 2006 | | - | (15)Shallexercisethegeneralpowersgiventoalegislativebranchofa |
|---|
| 2007 | | - | municipality. |
|---|
| 2008 | | - | (16)Mayexecutecontractsonbehalfoftheschooldistrict,including |
|---|
| 2009 | | - | contractsprovidingforbindingarbitration,byitschairoranyperson |
|---|
| 2010 | | - | designatedwhoseappointmentisrecordedintheminutesoftheboard. |
|---|
| 2011 | | - | (17)-(18)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 2012 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2013 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2014 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2015 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2016 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 2017 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 2018 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 2019 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 2020 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 2021 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 2022 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 2023 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 2024 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 2025 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2026 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2027 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2028 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2029 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2030 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2031 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2032 | | - | 2025 Page49of415 |
|---|
| 2033 | | - | (19)Shallallowanyhighschoolstudentwhomeetstheacademic |
|---|
| 2034 | | - | requirementsofthehighschooltograduateandreceiveadiplomainlessthan |
|---|
| 2035 | | - | fouryears. |
|---|
| 2036 | | - | (20)Shallestablishpoliciesandproceduresdesignedtoavoidthe |
|---|
| 2037 | | - | appearanceofboardmemberconflictofinterest. |
|---|
| 2038 | | - | (21)Shallhavetheauthoritytoengageinshort-termborrowingtocover |
|---|
| 2039 | | - | thecostsofthoseportionsofprojectsapprovedbytheStateBoardandthat |
|---|
| 2040 | | - | willbereimbursedbytheStateBoardundersections3447–3456ofthistitle |
|---|
| 2041 | | - | butwhichpaymentswillbedelayed.However,theboardshallborrowunder |
|---|
| 2042 | | - | thissubdivisiononlyamountsthatitwouldreceiveiftheStateBoardcould |
|---|
| 2043 | | - | funditsobligationandmayborrownoearlierthanthetimeitwouldhave |
|---|
| 2044 | | - | receivedthefunds.TheStateshallnotpayforcostsofborrowingfundsunder |
|---|
| 2045 | | - | thissubdivision. |
|---|
| 2046 | | - | (22)Mayapplyforgrantsandmayacceptandexpendgrantsorgifts. |
|---|
| 2047 | | - | Theboardshallinclude,initsannualreport,adescriptionofallgrantsorgifts |
|---|
| 2048 | | - | acceptedduringtheyearandassociatedexpenditures. |
|---|
| 2049 | | - | (23)May,attheexpenseofthedistrict,presentinformationalmaterials |
|---|
| 2050 | | - | totheelectorateonanymattertobevoted.However,suchmaterialsshallbe |
|---|
| 2051 | | - | limitedtothosethatarereasonablydesignedtoinform,educate,andexplainto |
|---|
| 2052 | | - | theelectoratetheboard’spositiononthematter. |
|---|
| 2053 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2054 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2055 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2056 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2057 | | - | 5 |
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| 2058 | | - | 6 |
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| 2059 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 2060 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 2061 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 2062 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 2063 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 2064 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 2065 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 2066 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2067 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2068 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2069 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2070 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2071 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2072 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2073 | | - | 2025 Page50of415 |
|---|
| 2074 | | - | (24)Shalladoptapolicythat,inaccordancewithrulesadoptedbythe |
|---|
| 2075 | | - | StateBoardofEducationAgencyofEducation,willintegratehomestudy |
|---|
| 2076 | | - | studentsintoitsschoolsthroughenrollmentincourses,participationin |
|---|
| 2077 | | - | cocurricularandextracurricularactivities,anduseoffacilities. |
|---|
| 2078 | | - | (25)Shall,ifitisaschoolboardofaschooldistrictthatmaintainsa |
|---|
| 2079 | | - | secondaryschool,uponrequest,awardahighschooldiplomatoanyVermont |
|---|
| 2080 | | - | residentwhoservedinthemilitaryinWorldWarII,theKoreanWar,orduring |
|---|
| 2081 | | - | theVietnamera,washonorablyseparatedfromactivefederalmilitaryservice, |
|---|
| 2082 | | - | anddoesnotholdahighschooldiploma.TheStateBoardAgencyof |
|---|
| 2083 | | - | Educationshalldevelopandmakeavailableanapplicationformforveterans |
|---|
| 2084 | | - | whowishtorequestahighschooldiploma. |
|---|
| 2085 | | - | (26)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 2086 | | - | (27)Annually,shallinformeachsecondarystudentandthestudent’s |
|---|
| 2087 | | - | parentsorguardiansoftherighttooptoutofthefederalrequirementthat |
|---|
| 2088 | | - | studentcontactinformationbeprovidedtomilitaryrecruitersorinstitutionsof |
|---|
| 2089 | | - | highereducationpursuantto20U.S.C.§ 7908(a).Aschoolboardshallenable |
|---|
| 2090 | | - | thesecondarystudentandthestudent’sparentsorguardianstodisallow |
|---|
| 2091 | | - | provisionofstudentcontactinformationtoeithermilitaryrecruitersor |
|---|
| 2092 | | - | institutionsofhighereducation,whileallowingprovisionofinformationtothe |
|---|
| 2093 | | - | other.ForpurposesofAsusedinthissubdivision,“secondarystudent”means |
|---|
| 2094 | | - | astudentingrade9,10,11,or12. |
|---|
| 2095 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2096 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2097 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2098 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2099 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 2100 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 2101 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 2102 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 2103 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 2104 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 2105 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 2106 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 2107 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 2108 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2109 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2110 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2111 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2112 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2113 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2114 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 2115 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2116 | | - | 2025 Page51of415 |
|---|
| 2117 | | - | (28)Annually,shallinformstudentsandtheirparentsorguardiansof |
|---|
| 2118 | | - | theiroptionsforschoolchoiceunderapplicablelawsorpolicy. |
|---|
| 2119 | | - | (29)Shallassignanemployeetoannually: |
|---|
| 2120 | | - | (A)informparentsofstudentswithlife-threateningallergiesandlife- |
|---|
| 2121 | | - | threateningchronicillnessesofapplicableprovisionsofSection504ofthe |
|---|
| 2122 | | - | RehabilitationActof1973andotherapplicablefederalstatutes,Statestatutes, |
|---|
| 2123 | | - | federalregulations,andStaterules; |
|---|
| 2124 | | - | (B)informappropriateschoolstaffoftheirresponsibilities;and |
|---|
| 2125 | | - | (C)providenecessarytrainingtocarryouttheseresponsibilities. |
|---|
| 2126 | | - | (30)Maymakeavailableschoolfacilitiesandequipmentforspecified |
|---|
| 2127 | | - | publicpurposesifsuchpurposesappear,inthejudgmentoftheboard,tobein |
|---|
| 2128 | | - | thebestinterestsofthedistrictandareanefficient,economical,and |
|---|
| 2129 | | - | appropriateuseofthefacilitiesandequipment. |
|---|
| 2130 | | - | (31)Subjecttotherequirementsofsection571ofthistitle,mayenter |
|---|
| 2131 | | - | intocontractswithotherschoolboardstoprovidejointprograms,services, |
|---|
| 2132 | | - | facilities,andprofessionalorotherstaff. |
|---|
| 2133 | | - | (32)Mayenterintoacontractorcontractswithaschoolofferinga |
|---|
| 2134 | | - | distancelearningprogramthatisapprovedbyoneormoreaccrediting |
|---|
| 2135 | | - | agenciesrecognizedbytheU.S.DepartmentofEducationorisapprovedin |
|---|
| 2136 | | - | Vermontpursuanttosubdivision166(b)(6)ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 2137 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2138 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2139 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2140 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2141 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 2142 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 2143 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 2144 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 2145 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 2146 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 2147 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 2148 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 2149 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 2150 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2151 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2152 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2153 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2154 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2155 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2156 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2157 | | - | 2025 Page52of415 |
|---|
| 2158 | | - | (33)Establishadistrict-widecurriculum.Thecurriculumshallmeetthe |
|---|
| 2159 | | - | requirementsadoptedbytheAgencyofEducationundersubdivision |
|---|
| 2160 | | - | 165(a)(3)(B)ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 2161 | | - | (34)Assisteachschoolinthedistricttofollowthecurriculumas |
|---|
| 2162 | | - | adoptedundertherequirementsoftheAgencyofEducationpursuantto |
|---|
| 2163 | | - | subdivision165(a)(3)(B)ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 2164 | | - | (35)InaccordancewithcriteriaestablishedbytheAgencyofEducation |
|---|
| 2165 | | - | establishandimplementaplanforreceivinganddisbursingfederalandState |
|---|
| 2166 | | - | fundsdistributedbytheAgencyofEducation,includingfundsawardedunder |
|---|
| 2167 | | - | P.L.89-10,theElementaryandSecondaryEducationActof1965asamended. |
|---|
| 2168 | | - | (36)Provideprofessionaldevelopmentprogramsorarrangeforthe |
|---|
| 2169 | | - | provisionofthem,orboth,forteachers,administrators,andstaffwithinthe |
|---|
| 2170 | | - | district,whichmayincludeprogramsofferedsolelytooneschoolorother |
|---|
| 2171 | | - | componentoftheentiredistricttomeetthespecificneedsorinterestsofthat |
|---|
| 2172 | | - | component;adistricthasthediscretiontoprovidefinancialassistanceoutside |
|---|
| 2173 | | - | thenegotiatedagreementsforteachers’professionaldevelopmentactivities. |
|---|
| 2174 | | - | (37)Providespecialeducationservicestoresidentstudentsand |
|---|
| 2175 | | - | compensatoryandremedialservicesandprovideorcoordinatetheprovisionof |
|---|
| 2176 | | - | othereducationalservicesasdirectedbytheAgency. |
|---|
| 2177 | | - | (38)Employapersonorpersonsqualifiedtoprovidefinancialand |
|---|
| 2178 | | - | studentdatamanagementservices. |
|---|
| 2179 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2180 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2181 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2182 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2183 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 2184 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 2185 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 2186 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 2187 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 2188 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 2189 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 2190 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 2191 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 2192 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2193 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2194 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2195 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2196 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2197 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2198 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 2199 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2200 | | - | 2025 Page53of415 |
|---|
| 2201 | | - | (39)Providethefollowingservicesinamannerthatpromotesthe |
|---|
| 2202 | | - | efficientuseoffinancialandhumanresources: |
|---|
| 2203 | | - | (A)manageasystemtoprocureanddistributegoodsandoperational |
|---|
| 2204 | | - | services; |
|---|
| 2205 | | - | (B)manageconstructionprojects; |
|---|
| 2206 | | - | (C)providefinancialandstudentdatamanagementservices, |
|---|
| 2207 | | - | includinggrantwritingandfundraisingasrequested; |
|---|
| 2208 | | - | (D)negotiatewithteachersandadministrators,pursuanttochapter |
|---|
| 2209 | | - | 57ofthistitle,andwithotherschoolpersonnel,pursuantto21V.S.A.chapter |
|---|
| 2210 | | - | 22; |
|---|
| 2211 | | - | (E)providetransportationorarrangefortheprovisionof |
|---|
| 2212 | | - | transportation,orboth,toschoolswithinthedistrict,consistentwithrules |
|---|
| 2213 | | - | adoptedbytheAgencyofEducation;and |
|---|
| 2214 | | - | (F)providehumanresourcesmanagementsupport. |
|---|
| 2215 | | - | (40)Adoptdistrict-widetruancypoliciesconsistentwiththemodel |
|---|
| 2216 | | - | protocolsdevelopedbytheSecretary. |
|---|
| 2217 | | - | ***TransitiontoNewDistricts*** |
|---|
| 2218 | | - | Sec.14.16V.S.A.chapter11isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 2219 | | - | Chapter11.UnionSchoolDistricts |
|---|
| 2220 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 2221 | | - | § 702.DEFINITIONS |
|---|
| 2222 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2223 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2224 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2225 | | - | 4 |
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| 2235 | | - | 14 |
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| 2236 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2237 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2238 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2239 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2240 | | - | 19 |
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| 2241 | | - | 20 |
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| 2242 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2243 | | - | 2025 Page54of415 |
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| 2244 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 2245 | | - | (3)“Formingdistricts”meansallschooldistricts,includingunion |
|---|
| 2246 | | - | schooldistricts,thatarelocatedwithinthegeographicalboundariesofa |
|---|
| 2247 | | - | proposedorvoter-approvedunionschooldistrict,ordistrictsthatarenamedby |
|---|
| 2248 | | - | theGeneralAssemblytobemergedintoanewuniondistrictonJuly1,2027, |
|---|
| 2249 | | - | priortotheoperationaldateoftheunionschooldistrict,whichwillpotentially |
|---|
| 2250 | | - | mergeorhavemergedtoformthenewunionschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 2251 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 2252 | | - | (15)“Newuniondistrict”shallrefertoaschooldistrictcreatedbythe |
|---|
| 2253 | | - | GeneralAssemblythatshallassumeoperationsonJuly1,2027. |
|---|
| 2254 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 2255 | | - | §706.PROPOSALTOFORMSTUDYCOMMITTEE;BUDGETAND |
|---|
| 2256 | | - | MEMBERSHIPATTENDANCEINACADEMICYEAR2027–2028 |
|---|
| 2257 | | - | (a)Establishmentofcommittee.Whentheboardsoftwoormoreschool |
|---|
| 2258 | | - | districtsvotetoestablishastudycommitteetostudytheadvisabilityof |
|---|
| 2259 | | - | formingaunionschooldistrictorarepetitionedtodosobyatleastfive |
|---|
| 2260 | | - | percentofvotersintheschooldistrict,theboardsshallmeetwiththe |
|---|
| 2261 | | - | superintendentorsuperintendentsofeachschooldistrict.Withtheadviceof |
|---|
| 2262 | | - | thesuperintendentorsuperintendents,theboardsshallestablishabudgetfor |
|---|
| 2263 | | - | thestudycommittee’sworkandshalldeterminethenumberofpersonsto |
|---|
| 2264 | | - | serveonthestudycommitteepursuanttosubsection(b)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 2265 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2266 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2267 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2268 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2269 | | - | 5 |
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| 2270 | | - | 6 |
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| 2271 | | - | 7 |
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| 2273 | | - | 9 |
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| 2275 | | - | 11 |
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| 2276 | | - | 12 |
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| 2277 | | - | 13 |
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| 2278 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2279 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2280 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2281 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2282 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2283 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2284 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 2285 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2286 | | - | 2025 Page55of415 |
|---|
| 2287 | | - | (b)Budgetandmembership.Eachparticipatingschooldistrict’sshareof |
|---|
| 2288 | | - | theestablishedbudgetandmembershiponthestudycommitteeshallbethe |
|---|
| 2289 | | - | sameastheproportionoftheschooldistrict’sequalizedpupilstothetotal |
|---|
| 2290 | | - | equalizedpupilsofallschooldistrictsintendingtoparticipateformallyinthe |
|---|
| 2291 | | - | studycommittee.Asusedinthissubsection,“equalizedpupils”hasthesame |
|---|
| 2292 | | - | meaningasinsection4001ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 2293 | | - | (c)Existingunionschooldistricts. |
|---|
| 2294 | | - | (1)Existingunionelementaryorunionhighschooldistrict;proposed |
|---|
| 2295 | | - | unifiedunionschooldistrict.Iftheboardofanexistingunionelementaryor |
|---|
| 2296 | | - | unionhighschooldistrictvotestoparticipateinastudycommitteetoconsider |
|---|
| 2297 | | - | formationofaunifiedunionschooldistrict,orispetitionedbythevoterstodo |
|---|
| 2298 | | - | so,then: |
|---|
| 2299 | | - | (A)Theinterestsoftheexistingunionschooldistrictshallbe |
|---|
| 2300 | | - | representedbyitsmemberdistrictsonthestudycommittee. |
|---|
| 2301 | | - | (B)Anywarningandvoteonthestudycommitteebudgetpursuantto |
|---|
| 2302 | | - | section707ofthischapterandthewarningandvoteonanyresultingproposal |
|---|
| 2303 | | - | toformaunifiedunionschooldistrictpursuanttosection710shallbeatthe |
|---|
| 2304 | | - | memberdistrictlevel. |
|---|
| 2305 | | - | (C)Iftheexistingunionschooldistrictdoesnothaveanymember |
|---|
| 2306 | | - | districtsbecausealltownsforwhichitisorganizedaremembersofbotha |
|---|
| 2307 | | - | unionelementaryschooldistrictandaunionhighschooldistrict,thenthe |
|---|
| 2308 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2309 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2310 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2311 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2312 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 2313 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 2314 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 2315 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 2316 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 2317 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 2318 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 2319 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 2320 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 2321 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2322 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2323 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2324 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2325 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2326 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2327 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 2328 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2329 | | - | 2025 Page56of415 |
|---|
| 2330 | | - | existingunionschooldistrictshallrepresentitsowninterestsonthestudy |
|---|
| 2331 | | - | committee,andthetownswithinitshallnotparticipateonitsbehalf. |
|---|
| 2332 | | - | (D)Ifatownisamemberofbothaunionelementaryschooldistrict |
|---|
| 2333 | | - | andaunionhighschooldistrict,isnotindependentlyorganizedasadistrict |
|---|
| 2334 | | - | thatisresponsiblefortheeducationofstudentsinanygrade,anddoesnot |
|---|
| 2335 | | - | haveatownschooldistrictboard,thennotwithstandingotherprovisionstothe |
|---|
| 2336 | | - | contrary: |
|---|
| 2337 | | - | (i)Totheextentpossible,theboardsoftheunionelementaryand |
|---|
| 2338 | | - | unionhighschooldistrictsofwhichthetownisamembershallmakea |
|---|
| 2339 | | - | reasonableattempt,jointly,toappointamembertothestudycommitteewho |
|---|
| 2340 | | - | residesinthetown. |
|---|
| 2341 | | - | (ii)Thelegislativebodyorappropriateofficerofthetownshall |
|---|
| 2342 | | - | performelectoralfunctions,includingwarningmeetingsandconductingthe |
|---|
| 2343 | | - | votingprocess,ordinarilyperformedbyandinmemberdistrictsonbehalfofa |
|---|
| 2344 | | - | unionschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 2345 | | - | (2)Existingunifiedunionschooldistrict;proposedunifiedunionschool |
|---|
| 2346 | | - | district.Iftheboardofaunifiedunionschooldistrictvotestoparticipateina |
|---|
| 2347 | | - | studycommitteetoconsiderformationofanewunifiedunionschooldistrict |
|---|
| 2348 | | - | ratherthantheenlargementoftheexistingunifiedunionschooldistrict |
|---|
| 2349 | | - | pursuanttosection721(joininganexistingunionschooldistrict)ofthis |
|---|
| 2350 | | - | chapter,orispetitionedbythevoterstodoso,then: |
|---|
| 2351 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2352 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2353 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2354 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2355 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 2356 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 2357 | | - | 7 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 2360 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 2361 | | - | 11 |
|---|
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|---|
| 2363 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 2364 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2365 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2366 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2367 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2368 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2369 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2370 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 2371 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2372 | | - | 2025 Page57of415 |
|---|
| 2373 | | - | (A)Theexistingunifiedunionschooldistrictshallrepresentitsown |
|---|
| 2374 | | - | interestsonthestudycommittee,andthetownswithinitshallnotparticipate |
|---|
| 2375 | | - | onitsbehalf. |
|---|
| 2376 | | - | (B)Totheextentpossible,theboardoftheexistingunifiedunion |
|---|
| 2377 | | - | schooldistrictshallmakeareasonableattempttoappointmemberstothe |
|---|
| 2378 | | - | studycommitteewhoresideineachtownwithinthedistrict. |
|---|
| 2379 | | - | (C)Anywarningandvoteonthestudycommitteebudgetpursuantto |
|---|
| 2380 | | - | section707ofthischapterandthewarningandvoteoftheelectorateonany |
|---|
| 2381 | | - | resultingproposaltoformanewunifiedunionschooldistrictpursuantto |
|---|
| 2382 | | - | section710shallproceedpursuanttotheprovisionsforcommingled |
|---|
| 2383 | | - | Australianballotvotingassetforthinsubchapter3(unifiedunionschool |
|---|
| 2384 | | - | districts)ofthischapter. |
|---|
| 2385 | | - | (3)Existingunionelementaryorunionhighschooldistrict;proposed |
|---|
| 2386 | | - | unionelementaryorunionhighschooldistrict.Iftheboardofanexisting |
|---|
| 2387 | | - | unionelementaryorunionhighschooldistrictvotestoparticipateinastudy |
|---|
| 2388 | | - | committeetoconsiderformationofanewunionelementaryorunionhigh |
|---|
| 2389 | | - | schooldistrictratherthanenlargingtheexistingunionschooldistrictpursuant |
|---|
| 2390 | | - | tosection721(joininganexistingunionschooldistrict)ofthischapter,oris |
|---|
| 2391 | | - | petitionedbythevoterstodoso,then: |
|---|
| 2392 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2393 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2394 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2395 | | - | 4 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 2405 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2406 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2407 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2408 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2409 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2410 | | - | 19 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2411 | | - | 2025 Page58of415 |
|---|
| 2412 | | - | (A)Theexistingunionschooldistrictshallrepresentitsowninterests |
|---|
| 2413 | | - | onthestudycommittee,andthememberdistrictsoftheexistingunionschool |
|---|
| 2414 | | - | districtshallnotparticipateonitsbehalf. |
|---|
| 2415 | | - | (B)Totheextentpossible,theboardoftheexistingunionschool |
|---|
| 2416 | | - | districtshallmakeareasonableattempttoappointmemberstothestudy |
|---|
| 2417 | | - | committeewhoresideineachofthememberdistrictswithintheexistingunion |
|---|
| 2418 | | - | schooldistrict. |
|---|
| 2419 | | - | (C)Anywarningandvoteonthestudycommitteebudgetpursuantto |
|---|
| 2420 | | - | section707ofthischapterandthewarningandvoteoftheelectorateonany |
|---|
| 2421 | | - | resultingproposaltoformanewunionelementaryorunionhighschool |
|---|
| 2422 | | - | districtpursuanttosection710ofthischaptershallproceedpursuanttothe |
|---|
| 2423 | | - | provisionsforcommingledAustralianballotvotingassetforthinsubchapter4 |
|---|
| 2424 | | - | (unionelementaryandunionhighschooldistricts)ofthischapter. |
|---|
| 2425 | | - | Inacademicyear2027–2028,eachstudentinthenewuniondistrictwill |
|---|
| 2426 | | - | attendtheschoolthatastudentresidinginthattownwouldhaveattendedin |
|---|
| 2427 | | - | academicyear2026–2027;provided,however,thatthesuperintendentmay |
|---|
| 2428 | | - | grantaparent’sorguardian’srequestforstudentenrollmentinadifferent |
|---|
| 2429 | | - | schooloperatedbythenewuniondistrictbasedonindividualstudent |
|---|
| 2430 | | - | circumstancesandthesuperintendent’sdeterminationoftheschool’scapacity |
|---|
| 2431 | | - | toservethechild.Additionally,thesuperintendentmayadjuststudent |
|---|
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|---|
| 2433 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2434 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2435 | | - | 4 |
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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| 2443 | | - | 12 |
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|---|
| 2445 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2446 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2447 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2448 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2449 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2450 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2451 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2452 | | - | 2025 Page59of415 |
|---|
| 2453 | | - | attendancelocationstorespondtounforeseencircumstances,suchasfacilities |
|---|
| 2454 | | - | failures. |
|---|
| 2455 | | - | §707.APPROVALOFSTUDYBUDGET;APPOINTMENTOFSTUDY |
|---|
| 2456 | | - | COMMITTEE;PARTICIPATIONFINANCES |
|---|
| 2457 | | - | (a)Proposedbudgetexceeding$50,000.00. |
|---|
| 2458 | | - | (1)Iftheproposedbudgetestablishedinsection706ofthischapter |
|---|
| 2459 | | - | exceeds$50,000.00,thensubjecttotheprovisionsofthatsectiontheboardof |
|---|
| 2460 | | - | eachpotentiallyparticipatingschooldistrictshallwarnthedistrict’svotersto |
|---|
| 2461 | | - | meetatanannualorspecialschooldistrictmeetingtovotewhetherto |
|---|
| 2462 | | - | appropriatefundsnecessarytosupportthedistrict’sfinancialshareofastudy |
|---|
| 2463 | | - | committee’scosts.Themeetingineachschooldistrictshallbewarnedforthe |
|---|
| 2464 | | - | samedate.Thewarningineachschooldistrictshallcontainanidentical |
|---|
| 2465 | | - | articleinsubstantiallythefollowingform: |
|---|
| 2466 | | - | Shalltheschooldistrictof_______________________________________ |
|---|
| 2467 | | - | appropriatefundsnecessarytosupporttheschooldistrict’sfinancialshareofa |
|---|
| 2468 | | - | studytodeterminetheadvisabilityofformingaunionschooldistrictwith |
|---|
| 2469 | | - | someorallofthefollowingschooldistricts: |
|---|
| 2470 | | - | _______________________________________, |
|---|
| 2471 | | - | _______________________________________,and |
|---|
| 2472 | | - | _______________________________________?Itisestimatedthatthe |
|---|
| 2473 | | - | _______________________________________schooldistrict’sshare,ifall |
|---|
| 2474 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2475 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2476 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 2487 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2488 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2489 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2490 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2491 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2492 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2493 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 2494 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2495 | | - | 2025 Page60of415 |
|---|
| 2496 | | - | oftheidentifiedschooldistrictsvotetoparticipate,willbe |
|---|
| 2497 | | - | $_______________________________________.Thetotalproposedbudget, |
|---|
| 2498 | | - | tobesharedbyallparticipatingschooldistrictsis |
|---|
| 2499 | | - | $_______________________________________.” |
|---|
| 2500 | | - | (2)Ifthevoteinsubdivision(1)ofthissubsectionisintheaffirmative |
|---|
| 2501 | | - | intwoormoreschooldistricts,thentheboardsoftheaffirmingschooldistricts |
|---|
| 2502 | | - | shallappointastudycommitteeconsistingofthenumberofpersons |
|---|
| 2503 | | - | determinedpursuanttosection706(proposedstudycommitteebudgetand |
|---|
| 2504 | | - | membership)ofthischapter.Atleastonecurrentboardmemberfromeach |
|---|
| 2505 | | - | participatingschooldistrictshallbeappointedtothestudycommittee.The |
|---|
| 2506 | | - | boardofaschooldistrictappointingmorethanonepersontothestudy |
|---|
| 2507 | | - | committeemayappointresidentsoftheschooldistrictwhoarenotmembersof |
|---|
| 2508 | | - | theboardtoanyoftheremainingseats. |
|---|
| 2509 | | - | (3)Thesumsexpendedforstudypurposesunderthissectionshallbe |
|---|
| 2510 | | - | consideredpartoftheapprovedcostofanyprojectinwhichtheunionschool |
|---|
| 2511 | | - | district,ifcreated,participatespursuanttochapter123ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 2512 | | - | Indebtedness,includingcapitaldebt.Thenewuniondistrictshallassumeall |
|---|
| 2513 | | - | indebtednessthatmayexistonJune30,2027,includingcapitaldebtand |
|---|
| 2514 | | - | includingbothprincipalandinterest,oftheformingdistricts. |
|---|
| 2515 | | - | (b)Proposedbudgetnotexceeding$50,000.00. |
|---|
| 2516 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2517 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2518 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2519 | | - | 4 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 2532 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2533 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2534 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2535 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2536 | | - | 2025 Page61of415 |
|---|
| 2537 | | - | (1)Iftheproposedbudgetestablishedinsection706ofthischapterdoes |
|---|
| 2538 | | - | notexceed$50,000.00,thentheboardsoftheparticipatingschooldistricts |
|---|
| 2539 | | - | shallappointastudycommitteeconsistingofthenumberofpersons |
|---|
| 2540 | | - | determinedunderthatsection.Atleastonecurrentboardmemberfromeach |
|---|
| 2541 | | - | participatingschooldistrictshallbeappointedtothestudycommittee.The |
|---|
| 2542 | | - | boardofaschooldistrictappointingmorethanonepersontothestudy |
|---|
| 2543 | | - | committeemayappointresidentsoftheschooldistrictwhoarenotmembersof |
|---|
| 2544 | | - | theboardtoanyoftheremainingseats. |
|---|
| 2545 | | - | (2)Thesumsexpendedforstudypurposesunderthissectionshallbe |
|---|
| 2546 | | - | consideredpartoftheapprovedcostofanyprojectinwhichtheunionschool |
|---|
| 2547 | | - | district,ifcreated,participatespursuanttochapter123ofthistitle.Operating |
|---|
| 2548 | | - | fundsurpluses.Thenewuniondistrictshallassumealloperatingsurpluses, |
|---|
| 2549 | | - | deficits,andfundbalancesoftheformingdistrictsthatmayexistattheclose |
|---|
| 2550 | | - | ofbusinessonJune30,2027. |
|---|
| 2551 | | - | (c)Additionalcosts. |
|---|
| 2552 | | - | (1)Ifthevotersapproveabudgetthatexceeds$50,000.00butthestudy |
|---|
| 2553 | | - | committeelaterdeterminesthatitsbudgetislikelytoexceedtheprojected, |
|---|
| 2554 | | - | voter-approvedamount,thentheboardsofallparticipatingschooldistricts |
|---|
| 2555 | | - | shallobtainvoterapprovalfortheamountsexceedingthepreviouslyapproved |
|---|
| 2556 | | - | budgetinthemannersetforthinsubdivision(a)(1)ofthissectionbeforethe |
|---|
| 2557 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2558 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2559 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 2573 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2574 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2575 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2576 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2577 | | - | 2025 Page62of415 |
|---|
| 2578 | | - | studycommitteeobligatesorexpendssumsinexcessoftheinitialvoter- |
|---|
| 2579 | | - | approvedamount. |
|---|
| 2580 | | - | (2)Ifaproposedbudgetdoesnotexceed$50,000.00atthetimetheschool |
|---|
| 2581 | | - | boardsappointmemberstothestudycommittee,butthestudycommitteelater |
|---|
| 2582 | | - | determinesthatitstotalbudgetislikelytoexceed$50,000.00,thentheboards |
|---|
| 2583 | | - | ofallparticipatingschooldistrictsshallobtainvoterapprovalfortheamounts |
|---|
| 2584 | | - | exceeding$50,000.00inthemannersetforthinsubdivision(a)(1)ofthis |
|---|
| 2585 | | - | sectionbeforethestudycommitteeobligatesorexpendsfundsinexcessof |
|---|
| 2586 | | - | $50,000.00.Reservefunds.Thenewuniondistrictshallapplyanyreserve |
|---|
| 2587 | | - | fundforthefund’sspecificpurpose,ifidentified,unlessotherwisedetermined |
|---|
| 2588 | | - | throughappropriatelegalprocedures. |
|---|
| 2589 | | - | (d)Grants.CoststobepaidbyState,federal,orprivategrantsshallnotbe |
|---|
| 2590 | | - | includedwhencalculatingwhetherastudycommittee’sbudgetorproposed |
|---|
| 2591 | | - | budgetexceeds$50,000.00.Transferofdebtandfunds.Theformingdistricts |
|---|
| 2592 | | - | shalltransferthedebtandfundsspecifiedinthissectiontothenewunion |
|---|
| 2593 | | - | districtonorbeforeJune30,2027inaccordancewithproceduresand |
|---|
| 2594 | | - | timelinesestablishedbythenewuniondistrictboard. |
|---|
| 2595 | | - | (e)Subsequentappointmentsofpersonstothestudycommittee;vacancy. |
|---|
| 2596 | | - | (1)Subjecttotherequirementthateachschoolboardappointatleast |
|---|
| 2597 | | - | onecurrentmemberoftheboard,theboardofaparticipatingschooldistrict |
|---|
| 2598 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2599 | | - | 2 |
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| 2600 | | - | 3 |
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|---|
| 2617 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2618 | | - | 2025 Page63of415 |
|---|
| 2619 | | - | shallappointapersonresidingintheschooldistricttothestudycommitteeif |
|---|
| 2620 | | - | oneoftheschooldistrict’sseatsisvacantbecauseastudycommitteemember: |
|---|
| 2621 | | - | (A)isnolongeramemberoftheschooldistrict’sboardandwasthe |
|---|
| 2622 | | - | soleboardmemberappointedbythatschooldistrict; |
|---|
| 2623 | | - | (B)hasresignedfromorisnolongerabletoserveonthestudy |
|---|
| 2624 | | - | committee;or |
|---|
| 2625 | | - | (C)hasnotattendedthreeconsecutivestudycommitteemeetings |
|---|
| 2626 | | - | withoutprovidingnoticetothestudycommitteechairofthereasonforeach |
|---|
| 2627 | | - | absenceandobtainingadeterminationofthestudycommitteemembersthat |
|---|
| 2628 | | - | theabsenceswerereasonable. |
|---|
| 2629 | | - | (2)Noticeundersubdivision(1)(C)ofthissubsectionshallbegivenin |
|---|
| 2630 | | - | advanceofabsenceswheneverpossible.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 2631 | | - | (f)Formalparticipationinstudycommittee. |
|---|
| 2632 | | - | (1)Aschooldistrictshallnotbeaformalparticipantinandappoint |
|---|
| 2633 | | - | memberstomorethanonestudycommitteecreatedunderthischapteratany |
|---|
| 2634 | | - | onepointintime. |
|---|
| 2635 | | - | (2)Aschooldistrictshallnotformallywithdrawitsparticipationinan |
|---|
| 2636 | | - | existingstudycommitteeaftertheschooldistricthasappointedmembersto |
|---|
| 2637 | | - | thatcommitteeuntilthestudycommitteedissolvespursuanttosubsection |
|---|
| 2638 | | - | 708(e)ofthischapter.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 2639 | | - | (g)Additionalformalparticipants. |
|---|
| 2640 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 2660 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2661 | | - | 2025 Page64of415 |
|---|
| 2662 | | - | (1)Subjecttotheprovisionsofsubsection(f)ofthissection,aschool |
|---|
| 2663 | | - | districtmayjoinasanadditionalformalparticipantinastudycommitteeafter |
|---|
| 2664 | | - | creationofthecommitteeif: |
|---|
| 2665 | | - | (A)theschooldistrict’sboardhasrequestedthecommittee’s |
|---|
| 2666 | | - | approvaltoparticipateaftereitheravoteoftheschooldistrict’sboardora |
|---|
| 2667 | | - | petitionbyfivepercentoftheschooldistrict’svotersandifthestudy |
|---|
| 2668 | | - | committeevotestoapproveformalparticipationbythedistrict;or |
|---|
| 2669 | | - | (B)thestudycommitteehasvotedtoasktheschooldistrictto |
|---|
| 2670 | | - | participateformallyandeithertheboardoftheschooldistrictvotestoapprove |
|---|
| 2671 | | - | formalparticipationorispetitionedbyfivepercentoftheschooldistrict’s |
|---|
| 2672 | | - | voterstodoso. |
|---|
| 2673 | | - | (2)Aschooldistrictthatbecomesaformalparticipantinanexisting |
|---|
| 2674 | | - | studycommitteepursuanttothissubsectionissubjecttotheprovisionsof |
|---|
| 2675 | | - | section706(proposedstudycommitteebudgetandmembership)ofthis |
|---|
| 2676 | | - | chapterregardingfinancialandrepresentationalproportionalityandtoallother |
|---|
| 2677 | | - | requirementsofstudycommitteessetoutinthischapter.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 2678 | | - | (h)Informalparticipationbyotherschooldistricts. |
|---|
| 2679 | | - | (1)Theboardofaschooldistrictthatisnotaformalparticipantinan |
|---|
| 2680 | | - | existingstudycommitteemayauthorizeoneormoreoftheboard’smembers |
|---|
| 2681 | | - | tocontactthestudycommitteetodiscusswhetheritmaybeadvisableto |
|---|
| 2682 | | - | includetheschooldistrictwithinaproposaltoformanewunionschool |
|---|
| 2683 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2684 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2685 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2686 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2687 | | - | 5 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 2696 | | - | 14 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 2699 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2700 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2701 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2702 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 2703 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2704 | | - | 2025 Page65of415 |
|---|
| 2705 | | - | districtasan“advisable”district,asdescribedinsection708(necessaryand |
|---|
| 2706 | | - | advisabledistricts)ofthischapter. |
|---|
| 2707 | | - | (2)Anexistingstudycommitteemayauthorizeoneormoreofits |
|---|
| 2708 | | - | memberstocontacttheboardofoneormoreadditionalschooldistrictsthat |
|---|
| 2709 | | - | arenotformalparticipantsinthecommitteetodiscusswhetheritmaybe |
|---|
| 2710 | | - | advisabletoincludetheschooldistrictwithinaproposaltoformanewunion |
|---|
| 2711 | | - | schooldistrictasan“advisable”district. |
|---|
| 2712 | | - | (3)Anexistingstudycommitteemayinviterepresentativesofa |
|---|
| 2713 | | - | nonparticipatingschooldistrict’sboardtoparticipateinformallyinthestudy |
|---|
| 2714 | | - | committee’sdeliberations. |
|---|
| 2715 | | - | (4)Nothinginthissectionshallbeconstruedtoprohibittheboardofa |
|---|
| 2716 | | - | schooldistrictfromauthorizinginformalexplorationbetweenandamongthe |
|---|
| 2717 | | - | boardsofschooldistrictspriortotheformationofastudycommittee. |
|---|
| 2718 | | - | [Repealed.] |
|---|
| 2719 | | - | § 708.STUDYCOMMITTEE;NECESSARYANDADVISABLE |
|---|
| 2720 | | - | DISTRICTS;CONTENTSOFSTUDYCOMMITTEEREPORTAND |
|---|
| 2721 | | - | PROPOSEDARTICLES;DISSOLUTIONOFCOMMITTEEREAL |
|---|
| 2722 | | - | ANDPERSONALPROPERTY |
|---|
| 2723 | | - | (a)Studycommittee;process. |
|---|
| 2724 | | - | (1)Thesuperintendentshallconveneastudycommittee’sfirstmeeting |
|---|
| 2725 | | - | whenthecommittee’smembersareappointed.Iftheparticipatingdistrictsare |
|---|
| 2726 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2727 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2728 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2729 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2730 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 2731 | | - | 6 |
|---|
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|---|
| 2733 | | - | 8 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 2738 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 2739 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2740 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2741 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2742 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2743 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2744 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2745 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 2746 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2747 | | - | 2025 Page66of415 |
|---|
| 2748 | | - | membersofmorethanonesupervisoryunion,thenthesuperintendentsshall |
|---|
| 2749 | | - | decidewhichoftheirnumbershallconvenethemeeting.Thestudycommittee |
|---|
| 2750 | | - | membersshallelectachairwhoshallnotifytheSecretaryinwritingofthe |
|---|
| 2751 | | - | committee’screationandthechair’selectionwithin30daysfollowingthevote |
|---|
| 2752 | | - | ofthecommittee’screation. |
|---|
| 2753 | | - | (2)Staffofthesupervisoryunionorunionsshallprovideadministrative |
|---|
| 2754 | | - | assistancetothestudycommittee. |
|---|
| 2755 | | - | (3)TheSecretaryshallcooperatewiththestudycommitteeandis |
|---|
| 2756 | | - | authorizedtomakeAgencystaffavailabletoprovidetechnicalassistanceto |
|---|
| 2757 | | - | thecommittee. |
|---|
| 2758 | | - | (4)Thestudycommitteeisapublicbodypursuantto1V.S.A.§310(4) |
|---|
| 2759 | | - | andissubjecttotherequirementsof1V.S.A.chapter5,subchapter2. |
|---|
| 2760 | | - | (5)Althoughastudycommitteeshouldtrytoachieveconsensus, |
|---|
| 2761 | | - | committeedecisionsshallbereachedbyamajorityofallcommitteemembers |
|---|
| 2762 | | - | presentandvoting.Transferofpropertytothenewuniondistrict.Notlater |
|---|
| 2763 | | - | thanJune30,2027,theformingdistrictsshallconveytothenewuniondistrict, |
|---|
| 2764 | | - | forthesumofonedollarandothergoodandvaluableconsideration,and |
|---|
| 2765 | | - | subjecttotheencumbrancesofrecord,alloftheirschool-relatedrealand |
|---|
| 2766 | | - | personalproperty,includingallland,buildings,andcontents. |
|---|
| 2767 | | - | (b)Necessaryandadvisableschooldistricts.Ifastudycommitteedecides |
|---|
| 2768 | | - | torecommendformationofaunionschooldistrict,thenitshalldetermine |
|---|
| 2769 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2770 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2771 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2772 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2773 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 2774 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 2775 | | - | 7 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 2783 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2784 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2785 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2786 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2787 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2788 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 2789 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2790 | | - | 2025 Page67of415 |
|---|
| 2791 | | - | whethereachschooldistrictincludedintherecommendedformationis |
|---|
| 2792 | | - | “necessary”or“advisable”toformation. |
|---|
| 2793 | | - | (1)“Necessary”schooldistrict. |
|---|
| 2794 | | - | (A)Thestudycommitteeshallidentifyaschooldistrictas |
|---|
| 2795 | | - | “necessary”toformationoftheunionschooldistrictonlyiftheschooldistrict |
|---|
| 2796 | | - | isaformalparticipantinthestudycommittee. |
|---|
| 2797 | | - | (B)Subjecttotheprovisionsofsubsection706(c)ofthischapter,the |
|---|
| 2798 | | - | schoolboardofa“necessary”schooldistrictisrequiredtowarnavoteofthe |
|---|
| 2799 | | - | electorateundersections710(votetoformunionschooldistrict)and711 |
|---|
| 2800 | | - | (initialmembersofunionschooldistrictboardelection)ofthischapter. |
|---|
| 2801 | | - | (C)Aproposedunionschooldistrictisformedonlyifthevoters |
|---|
| 2802 | | - | votingineach“necessary”schooldistrictvotetoapproveformation. |
|---|
| 2803 | | - | (2)“Advisable”schooldistrict. |
|---|
| 2804 | | - | (A)Thestudycommitteemayidentifyanyschooldistrictas |
|---|
| 2805 | | - | “advisable”toformationoftheunionschooldistricteveniftheschooldistrict |
|---|
| 2806 | | - | isnotaformalparticipantinthestudycommittee. |
|---|
| 2807 | | - | (B)Theschoolboardofan“advisable”schooldistrictisnotrequired |
|---|
| 2808 | | - | towarnavoteoftheelectorateundersections710(votetoformunionschool |
|---|
| 2809 | | - | district)and711(initialmembersofunionschooldistrictboardelection)of |
|---|
| 2810 | | - | thischapter,exceptuponapplicationof10percentofthevotersintheschool |
|---|
| 2811 | | - | district. |
|---|
| 2812 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2813 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2814 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2815 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2816 | | - | 5 |
|---|
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|---|
| 2818 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 2819 | | - | 8 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 2825 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2826 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2827 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2828 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2829 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2830 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2831 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 2832 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2833 | | - | 2025 Page68of415 |
|---|
| 2834 | | - | (C)Voterapprovalinan“advisable”districtisnotrequiredfor |
|---|
| 2835 | | - | formationofanewunionschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 2836 | | - | (3)Existingunionelementaryorunionhighschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 2837 | | - | Notwithstandingotherprovisionsofthissubsection,anexistingunion |
|---|
| 2838 | | - | elementaryorunionhighschooldistrictis“necessary”totheformationofa |
|---|
| 2839 | | - | unifiedunionschooldistricteventhoughitsinterestsarerepresentedbyits |
|---|
| 2840 | | - | memberdistrictspursuanttosubdivision706(c)(1)(studycommitteebudget |
|---|
| 2841 | | - | andmembershipforexistingunionschooldistricts)ofthischapter. |
|---|
| 2842 | | - | Subsequentsaleofrealpropertytotowninwhichitislocated,inanyyearin |
|---|
| 2843 | | - | thefuture.Subjecttoanyprovisionoflawrelatingtodutiesofthenewunion |
|---|
| 2844 | | - | districtandtothesaleofbuildingsinthistitleoranyothertitleoftheVermont |
|---|
| 2845 | | - | StatutesAnnotated,ifthenewuniondistrictboarddetermines,inits |
|---|
| 2846 | | - | discretion,thattherealproperty,includinglandandbuildings,conveyedtoit |
|---|
| 2847 | | - | byoneormoreoftheformingdistrictswillnotbeusedfordirectdeliveryof |
|---|
| 2848 | | - | educationinatleastonegradeorforanyotherpurposerelatedtooperationof |
|---|
| 2849 | | - | thenewuniondistrict,thenthenewuniondistrictshallofferforsalesuchreal |
|---|
| 2850 | | - | propertytothetowninwhichtherealpropertyislocated,forthesumofone |
|---|
| 2851 | | - | dollar,subjecttoallencumbrancesofrecord,theassumptionorpaymentofall |
|---|
| 2852 | | - | outstandingbondsandnotes,andtherepaymentofanyschoolconstructionaid |
|---|
| 2853 | | - | orgrantsrequiredbyStatelaw.Theconveyanceofanyoftheaboveschool |
|---|
| 2854 | | - | propertiesshallbeconditioneduponthetownowningandusingthereal |
|---|
| 2855 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2856 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2857 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2858 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2859 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 2860 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 2861 | | - | 7 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 2868 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2869 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2870 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2871 | | - | 17 |
|---|
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|---|
| 2873 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2874 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 2875 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2876 | | - | 2025 Page69of415 |
|---|
| 2877 | | - | propertyforcommunityandpublicpurposesforaminimumoffiveyears.If |
|---|
| 2878 | | - | thetownelectstoselltherealpropertypriortofiveyearsofownership,then |
|---|
| 2879 | | - | thetownshallcompensatethenewuniondistrictforallcapitalimprovements |
|---|
| 2880 | | - | andrenovationsinitiatedafterJuly1,2027andpriortothesaletothetown.If |
|---|
| 2881 | | - | atownelectsnottoacquireownershipofsuchrealproperty,thenthenew |
|---|
| 2882 | | - | uniondistrictshallsellthepropertypursuanttoStatelawanduponsuchterms |
|---|
| 2883 | | - | andconditionsasestablishedbythenewuniondistrictboard. |
|---|
| 2884 | | - | (c)Proposaltoformunionschooldistrict;reportandproposedarticlesof |
|---|
| 2885 | | - | agreement.Ifastudycommitteedeterminesthatitisadvisabletopropose |
|---|
| 2886 | | - | formationofaunionschooldistrict,thenitshallprepareareportanalyzingthe |
|---|
| 2887 | | - | strengthsandchallengesofthecurrentstructuresofall“necessary”and |
|---|
| 2888 | | - | “advisable”schooldistrictsandoutliningthewaysinwhichaunionschool |
|---|
| 2889 | | - | districtpromotestheStatepolicysetforthinsection701ofthischapter.The |
|---|
| 2890 | | - | studycommitteeshallalsoprepareproposedarticlesofagreementthat,if |
|---|
| 2891 | | - | approvedpursuanttotheprovisionsofthischapter,shallserveastheoperating |
|---|
| 2892 | | - | agreementforthenewunionschooldistrict.Ataminimum,articlesof |
|---|
| 2893 | | - | agreementshallstate: |
|---|
| 2894 | | - | (1)Thenameofanyschooldistrictthestudycommitteeconsiders |
|---|
| 2895 | | - | “necessary”toformationoftheproposedunionschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 2896 | | - | (2)Thenameofanyschooldistrictthestudycommitteeconsiders |
|---|
| 2897 | | - | “advisable”toincludeintheproposedunionschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 2898 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2899 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2900 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2901 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2902 | | - | 5 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 2915 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2916 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2917 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 2918 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2919 | | - | 2025 Page70of415 |
|---|
| 2920 | | - | (3)Thelegalnameortemporarylegalnamebywhichtheunionschool |
|---|
| 2921 | | - | districtshallbeknown. |
|---|
| 2922 | | - | (4)Thegrades,ifany,thattheproposedunionschooldistrictwill |
|---|
| 2923 | | - | operateandthegrades,ifany,forwhichitwillpaytuition. |
|---|
| 2924 | | - | (5)Thecostandgenerallocationofanyproposednewschoolbuildings |
|---|
| 2925 | | - | tobeconstructedandthecostandgeneraldescriptionofanyproposed |
|---|
| 2926 | | - | renovationstoexistingschoolbuildings. |
|---|
| 2927 | | - | (6)Aplanforthefirstyearoftheunionschooldistrict’soperationfor |
|---|
| 2928 | | - | transportationofstudents,assignmentofstaff,anduseofcurriculumthatis |
|---|
| 2929 | | - | consistentwithexistingcontracts,collectivebargainingagreements,andother |
|---|
| 2930 | | - | provisionsoflaw.Theboardoftheunionschooldistrict,ifformed,shall |
|---|
| 2931 | | - | makeallsubsequentdecisionsregardingtransportation,staff,andcurriculum |
|---|
| 2932 | | - | subjecttoexistingcontracts,collectivebargainingagreements,andother |
|---|
| 2933 | | - | provisionsoflaw. |
|---|
| 2934 | | - | (7)Alistoftheindebtednessofeach“necessary”and“advisable” |
|---|
| 2935 | | - | district,whichtheunionschooldistrictshallassume. |
|---|
| 2936 | | - | (8)Thespecificpiecesofrealpropertyofeach“necessary”and |
|---|
| 2937 | | - | “advisable”districtthattheunionschooldistrictshallacquire,theirvaluation, |
|---|
| 2938 | | - | andhowtheunionschooldistrictshallpayforthem. |
|---|
| 2939 | | - | (9)Consistentwiththeproportionalrepresentationrequirementsofthe |
|---|
| 2940 | | - | EqualProtectionClauseoftheU.S.Constitution,themethodormethodsof |
|---|
| 2941 | | - | 1 |
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| 2961 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 2962 | | - | 2025 Page71of415 |
|---|
| 2963 | | - | apportioningrepresentationontheunionschooldistrictboardassetforthin |
|---|
| 2964 | | - | subsections711(d)(unifiedunionschooldistrict),(e)(unionelementaryor |
|---|
| 2965 | | - | unionhighschooldistrict),and(f)(weightedvoting)ofthischapter. |
|---|
| 2966 | | - | (10)Thetermofofficeforeachmemberinitiallyelectedtotheunion |
|---|
| 2967 | | - | schooldistrictboard,tobearrangedsothatone-thirdexpireonthedayofthe |
|---|
| 2968 | | - | secondannualmeetingoftheunionschooldistrict,one-thirdonthedayofthe |
|---|
| 2969 | | - | thirdannualmeeting,andone-thirdonthedayofthefourthannualmeeting,or |
|---|
| 2970 | | - | asneartothatproportionaspossible. |
|---|
| 2971 | | - | (11)Thedateonwhichtheproposaltocreatetheunionschooldistrict |
|---|
| 2972 | | - | andtheelectionofinitialunionschooldistrictboardmemberswillbe |
|---|
| 2973 | | - | submittedtothevoters. |
|---|
| 2974 | | - | (12)Thedateonwhichtheunionschooldistrictwillbesolely |
|---|
| 2975 | | - | responsiblefortheeducationofitsresidentstudentsinthegradesforwhichit |
|---|
| 2976 | | - | isorganizedandwillbeginoperatinganyschools,payinganytuition,and |
|---|
| 2977 | | - | providingeducationalservices. |
|---|
| 2978 | | - | (13)Whethertheelectionofboardmembers,electionofschooldistrict |
|---|
| 2979 | | - | officers,votesontheunionschooldistrictbudget,orvotesonotherpublic |
|---|
| 2980 | | - | questions,oranytwoormoreofthese,shallbebyAustralianballot. |
|---|
| 2981 | | - | (14)Anyothermattersthatthestudycommitteeconsiderspertinent. |
|---|
| 2982 | | - | Subsequentsaleofrealpropertyconveyedbyformingdistrictthatwasaunion |
|---|
| 2983 | | - | schooldistrict,inanyyearinthefuture.Notwithstandingsubsection(b)of |
|---|
| 2984 | | - | 1 |
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|---|
| 3004 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3005 | | - | 2025 Page72of415 |
|---|
| 3006 | | - | thissectionandanyotherprovisionoflawtothecontrary,ifthenewunion |
|---|
| 3007 | | - | districtboarddetermines,initsdiscretion,thattherealproperty,includingland |
|---|
| 3008 | | - | andbuildings,conveyedtoitbyaformingdistrictthatwasaunionschool |
|---|
| 3009 | | - | districtonJune30,2027willnotbeusedfordirectdeliveryofeducationinat |
|---|
| 3010 | | - | leastonegradeorforanyotherpurposerelatedtooperationofthenewunion |
|---|
| 3011 | | - | district,thenthenewuniondistrictshallsellthepropertypursuanttoStatelaw |
|---|
| 3012 | | - | anduponsuchtermsandconditionsasareestablishedbythenewunion |
|---|
| 3013 | | - | districtboard. |
|---|
| 3014 | | - | (d)Noproposaltoformaunionschooldistrict.Ifastudycommittee |
|---|
| 3015 | | - | determinesthatitisinadvisabletoproposeformationofaunionschool |
|---|
| 3016 | | - | district,thenitsmembersshallvotetodissolvethecommittee.Ifthestudy |
|---|
| 3017 | | - | committeemembersvotetodissolve,thenthechairshallnotifytheSecretary |
|---|
| 3018 | | - | inwritingofthevote.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 3019 | | - | (e)Dissolutionofstudycommittee. |
|---|
| 3020 | | - | (1)Ifastudycommitteeproposesformationofaunionschooldistrict |
|---|
| 3021 | | - | pursuanttosubsection(c)ofthissection,thenthecommitteeshallceaseto |
|---|
| 3022 | | - | existwhentheclerkofeachschooldistrictvotingonaproposaltoestablish |
|---|
| 3023 | | - | theunionschooldistricthascertifiedtheresultsofthevotetotheSecretary |
|---|
| 3024 | | - | pursuanttosubsection713(a)ofthischapter. |
|---|
| 3025 | | - | (2)Ifastudycommitteedeterminesthatitisinadvisabletopropose |
|---|
| 3026 | | - | formationofaunionschooldistrict,thenthecommitteeshallceasetoexist |
|---|
| 3027 | | - | 1 |
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| 3028 | | - | 2 |
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|---|
| 3047 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3048 | | - | 2025 Page73of415 |
|---|
| 3049 | | - | whenthechairnotifiestheSecretaryofthecommittee’svotepursuantto |
|---|
| 3050 | | - | subsection(d)ofthissection.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 3051 | | - | § 709.REVIEWBYLOCALSCHOOLDISTRICTBOARDS; |
|---|
| 3052 | | - | CONSIDERATIONANDAPPROVALBYSTATEBOARDOF |
|---|
| 3053 | | - | EDUCATIONTRANSPORTATION,EMPLOYEES,AND |
|---|
| 3054 | | - | CONTRACTSINACADEMICYEAR2027–2028 |
|---|
| 3055 | | - | (a)Ifastudycommitteedeterminesthatitisadvisabletopropose |
|---|
| 3056 | | - | formationofaunionschooldistrict,thenthecommitteeshalltransmitits |
|---|
| 3057 | | - | reportandproposedarticlesofagreementtotheschoolboardofeachschool |
|---|
| 3058 | | - | districtthatthereportidentifiesaseither“necessary”or“advisable”to |
|---|
| 3059 | | - | formationoftheproposedunionschooldistrict.Eachboardmayreviewthe |
|---|
| 3060 | | - | reportandproposedarticlesandmayprovideitscommentstothestudy |
|---|
| 3061 | | - | committee.Thestudycommitteehassoleauthoritytodeterminethecontents |
|---|
| 3062 | | - | ofthereportandproposedarticlesandtodecidewhethertosubmitthemtothe |
|---|
| 3063 | | - | StateBoardundersubsection(b)ofthissection.Inacademicyear2027–2028, |
|---|
| 3064 | | - | thenewuniondistrictshallprovideforthetransportationofstudents, |
|---|
| 3065 | | - | assignmentofstaff,andimplementationofcurriculuminamannerthatis |
|---|
| 3066 | | - | consistentwiththecontracts,collectivebargainingagreements,andprovisions |
|---|
| 3067 | | - | oflawthatareineffectduringthatacademicyear. |
|---|
| 3068 | | - | (b)Ifastudycommitteedeterminesthatitisadvisabletopropose |
|---|
| 3069 | | - | formationofaunionschooldistrict,thenthecommitteeshalltransmitthe |
|---|
| 3070 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3090 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3091 | | - | 2025 Page74of415 |
|---|
| 3092 | | - | reportandproposedarticlesofagreementtotheSecretarywhoshallsubmit |
|---|
| 3093 | | - | themwithrecommendationstotheStateBoard.Thenewuniondistrict, |
|---|
| 3094 | | - | throughitsboard,shallcomplywithchapter53,subchapter3ofthistitle, |
|---|
| 3095 | | - | regardingrecognitionoftherepresentativesofemployeesoftherespective |
|---|
| 3096 | | - | formingdistricts,astherepresentativesoftheemployeesofthenewunion |
|---|
| 3097 | | - | district,andshallcommencenegotiationspursuanttochapter57ofthistitle |
|---|
| 3098 | | - | forteachersand21V.S.A.chapter22forotheremployees.Intheabsenceof |
|---|
| 3099 | | - | newcollectivebargainingagreementsonJuly1,2027,thenewuniondistrict |
|---|
| 3100 | | - | shallcomplywiththepre-existingmasteragreementspursuanttochapter53, |
|---|
| 3101 | | - | subchapter3ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 3102 | | - | (c)(1)TheStateBoard: |
|---|
| 3103 | | - | (A)shallconsiderthestudycommittee’sreportandproposedarticles |
|---|
| 3104 | | - | ofagreementandtheSecretary’srecommendations; |
|---|
| 3105 | | - | (B)shallprovidethestudycommitteeanopportunitytobeheard; |
|---|
| 3106 | | - | (C)mayasktheSecretaryorthestudycommittee,orboth,tomake |
|---|
| 3107 | | - | furtherinvestigationandmayconsideranyotherinformationtheStateBoard |
|---|
| 3108 | | - | deemstobepertinent;and |
|---|
| 3109 | | - | (D)mayrequestthatthestudycommitteeamendthereportorthe |
|---|
| 3110 | | - | proposedarticlesofagreement,orboth. |
|---|
| 3111 | | - | (2)IftheStateBoardfindsthatformationoftheproposedunionschool |
|---|
| 3112 | | - | districtisinthebestinterestsoftheState,thestudents,andtheschooldistricts, |
|---|
| 3113 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3114 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3115 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3133 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3134 | | - | 2025 Page75of415 |
|---|
| 3135 | | - | andalignswiththepolicysetforthinsection701ofthistitle,thenitshall |
|---|
| 3136 | | - | approvethestudycommittee’sreportandproposedarticlesofagreement, |
|---|
| 3137 | | - | togetherwithanyamendments,asthefinalreportandproposedarticlesof |
|---|
| 3138 | | - | agreement,andshallgivenoticeofitsactiontothestudycommittee.Thenew |
|---|
| 3139 | | - | uniondistrictshallhonorallindividualemploymentcontractsthatareinplace |
|---|
| 3140 | | - | intheformingdistrictsonJune30,2027untiltheirrespectivetermination |
|---|
| 3141 | | - | dates;provided,however,thatifaformingdistrictentersintothecontracton |
|---|
| 3142 | | - | orafterMay1,2025,thenthissubsectionshallapplyonlyifthecontract |
|---|
| 3143 | | - | expiresonorbeforeJuly1,2029. |
|---|
| 3144 | | - | (d)Thechairofthestudycommitteeshallfileacopyoftheapprovedfinal |
|---|
| 3145 | | - | reportandproposedarticlesofagreementwiththeclerkofeachschooldistrict |
|---|
| 3146 | | - | identifiedas“necessary”or“advisable”atleast30dayspriortothevoteofthe |
|---|
| 3147 | | - | electorateonwhethertoformtheunionschooldistrict.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 3148 | | - | §710.VOTETOFORMUNIONSCHOOLDISTRICTTRANSITIONAL |
|---|
| 3149 | | - | BOARD |
|---|
| 3150 | | - | Subjecttotheprovisionsofsubsections706(c)(proposaltoformstudy |
|---|
| 3151 | | - | committee;existingunionschooldistricts)and708(b)(studycommittee; |
|---|
| 3152 | | - | necessaryandadvisabledistricts)ofthischapter,thevotersofeachschool |
|---|
| 3153 | | - | districtidentifiedas“necessary”or“advisable”shallvotewhethertoformthe |
|---|
| 3154 | | - | proposedunionschooldistrict,asfollows: |
|---|
| 3155 | | - | (1)Thevoteshallbeheldonthedatespecifiedinthefinalreport. |
|---|
| 3156 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3157 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3158 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3176 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3177 | | - | 2025 Page76of415 |
|---|
| 3178 | | - | (2)ThevoteshallbebyAustralianballot. |
|---|
| 3179 | | - | (3)Thevoteshallbeatseparateschooldistrictmeetingsheldonthe |
|---|
| 3180 | | - | sameday. |
|---|
| 3181 | | - | (4)Theopportunityforearlyandabsenteevotingpursuantto17V.S.A. |
|---|
| 3182 | | - | §§2531–2550shallbeprovided. |
|---|
| 3183 | | - | (5)Theboardofeachschooldistrictvotingontheproposalshallwarnthe |
|---|
| 3184 | | - | voteeitherasaspecialmeetingoftheschooldistrictoraspartofitsannual |
|---|
| 3185 | | - | meeting. |
|---|
| 3186 | | - | (a)Creationoftransitionalboard;termofexistence.Untilthevotersofthe |
|---|
| 3187 | | - | newuniondistrictelectthemembersoftheinitialboardofdirectorsasset |
|---|
| 3188 | | - | forthinsection711ofthistitle,andthosemembersaresworninandassume |
|---|
| 3189 | | - | theirduties,theindividualsservingonDecember15,2025ontheboardsofthe |
|---|
| 3190 | | - | formingdistrictsidentifiedinsection2ofthistitle,includingtheboardofany |
|---|
| 3191 | | - | formingdistrictthatisaunionschooldistrictonthatdate,shalldesignateone |
|---|
| 3192 | | - | oftheirmemberstoserveonatransitionalboardofdirectorsforthenewunion |
|---|
| 3193 | | - | district(transitionalboard).Thetransitionalboardshallbecomprisedofthe |
|---|
| 3194 | | - | designeefromeachformingdistrict. |
|---|
| 3195 | | - | (b)Initialmeetingoftransitionalboard.Thesuperintendentofthe |
|---|
| 3196 | | - | supervisoryunionofwhichamajorityoftheformingdistrictsaremembers |
|---|
| 3197 | | - | shallconvenethefirstmeetingofthetransitionalboardtooccurnolaterthan |
|---|
| 3198 | | - | January10,2026.Theagendaforthisfirstmeetingofthetransitionalboard |
|---|
| 3199 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3200 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3201 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3214 | | - | 16 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3217 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3218 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 3219 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3220 | | - | 2025 Page77of415 |
|---|
| 3221 | | - | shallincludetheelectionbythetransitionalboardmembersofoneoftheir |
|---|
| 3222 | | - | memberstoserveaschairofthetransitionalboardandoneoftheirmembers |
|---|
| 3223 | | - | toserveasclerkofthetransitionalboard. |
|---|
| 3224 | | - | (c)Purposeandauthorityoftransitionalboard.Duringtheperiodofits |
|---|
| 3225 | | - | existence,thetransitionalboardshallserveasthenewuniondistrict’sschool |
|---|
| 3226 | | - | boardandshallperformallfunctionsrequiredofandhaveallauthoritygranted |
|---|
| 3227 | | - | tothetransitionalboardinthischapterandthenewuniondistrictboardinthis |
|---|
| 3228 | | - | titleandotherwisebylaw. |
|---|
| 3229 | | - | (d)Specificdutiesoftransitionalboard. |
|---|
| 3230 | | - | (1)Inadditiontoanyresponsibilitiesofthenewuniondistrictboard |
|---|
| 3231 | | - | thatcan,should,ormustbeperformedbeforetheinitialmembersofthatboard |
|---|
| 3232 | | - | areelectedandassumeoffice,thetransitionalboardshallperformthe |
|---|
| 3233 | | - | followingfunctions: |
|---|
| 3234 | | - | (A)prepareadraftoftheproposedfiscalyear2028budgetofthe |
|---|
| 3235 | | - | newuniondistrict,whichthetransitionalboardshallprovidetothenewunion |
|---|
| 3236 | | - | districtboardforconsiderationatthefirstmeetingofthenewuniondistrict |
|---|
| 3237 | | - | board;and |
|---|
| 3238 | | - | (B)prepareashortlistofsuperintendentcandidates. |
|---|
| 3239 | | - | (2)Withrespecttothetransitionalboard’sdutiesinthissection,the |
|---|
| 3240 | | - | transitionalboardshallhavetheassistanceoftheAgencyofEducation, |
|---|
| 3241 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3242 | | - | 2 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3258 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3259 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3260 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3261 | | - | 2025 Page78of415 |
|---|
| 3262 | | - | includingdedicatedresourcestobepaidbytransitionalfundssetasidebythe |
|---|
| 3263 | | - | Agencyforthesepurposes. |
|---|
| 3264 | | - | § 711.VOTETOELECTINITIALMEMBERSOFTHEUNIONSCHOOL |
|---|
| 3265 | | - | DISTRICTBOARD |
|---|
| 3266 | | - | (a)Electionofinitialmembersofunionschooldistrictboard.Atthe |
|---|
| 3267 | | - | meetingwarnedtovoteonformationofaunionschooldistrictundersection |
|---|
| 3268 | | - | 710ofthischapter,thevotersshallalsoelecttheinitialmemberswhowill |
|---|
| 3269 | | - | serveontheboardoftheunionschooldistrictifthevotersapprovethe |
|---|
| 3270 | | - | district’sformation. |
|---|
| 3271 | | - | (1)ThevotetoelecttheinitialmembersshallbebyAustralianballot. |
|---|
| 3272 | | - | (2)Theopportunityforearlyandabsenteevotingpursuantto17V.S.A. |
|---|
| 3273 | | - | §§2531–2550shallbeprovided.Representationonnewuniondistrictboard. |
|---|
| 3274 | | - | Thenewuniondistrictboardshallbecomposedoffiveindividualselected |
|---|
| 3275 | | - | fromthedistrict.Themembersshallbeelectedpursuanttoproportionate |
|---|
| 3276 | | - | votingdistricts.Petitionsforcandidatesforinitialschooldistrictboard |
|---|
| 3277 | | - | membershipshallbesubmittedonthesametimelineandinthesamemanner |
|---|
| 3278 | | - | ascandidatesfortheGeneralAssembly.Electionsforschoolboardshallbe |
|---|
| 3279 | | - | heldongeneralelectionday2026.Eachnewuniondistrictboardmember |
|---|
| 3280 | | - | shallserveforaperiodoffouryearsoruntilhisorhersuccessoriselectedand |
|---|
| 3281 | | - | qualified,asrequiredbyStatelaw. |
|---|
| 3282 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3283 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3284 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3285 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3286 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 3287 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 3288 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 3289 | | - | 8 |
|---|
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|---|
| 3301 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3302 | | - | 2025 Page79of415 |
|---|
| 3303 | | - | (b)Representationandtermlength.Initialmembershiponaunionschool |
|---|
| 3304 | | - | districtboardshallbepursuanttothemethodofrepresentationsetforthinthe |
|---|
| 3305 | | - | articlesofagreement,forthetermsspecifiedinthatdocument,andpursuantto |
|---|
| 3306 | | - | theprovisionsofthissectionandsubdivisions708(c)(9)and(10)(study |
|---|
| 3307 | | - | committee;proposedarticlesofagreement;apportionmentandterms)ofthis |
|---|
| 3308 | | - | chapter.Swearing-inandassumptionofduties.Within14daysafterthe |
|---|
| 3309 | | - | initialboardmembersareelected,thetransitionalboardshallprovidefora |
|---|
| 3310 | | - | meetingoftheinitialboardmembers.Priortothedateofthemeeting,newly |
|---|
| 3311 | | - | electedmembersshallbesworninbyatownclerkwithintheboundariesof |
|---|
| 3312 | | - | thedistrictandshallassumeofficeuponbeingswornin. |
|---|
| 3313 | | - | (c)Operationaldefinitions.Asusedinsubsections(d)and(e)ofthis |
|---|
| 3314 | | - | section,anytermnotdefinedinsection702ofthischaptershallhaveitsplain |
|---|
| 3315 | | - | meaning,exceptasprovidedinthissubsection. |
|---|
| 3316 | | - | (1)If,pursuanttosection425(othertownschooldistrictofficers)of |
|---|
| 3317 | | - | thistitle,thevotersofaschooldistricthaveelectedadistrictclerkwhoisnot |
|---|
| 3318 | | - | alsotheclerkofthetownservedbytheschooldistrict,then“townclerk” |
|---|
| 3319 | | - | meanstheelectedclerkofthatschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 3320 | | - | (2)Notwithstandingsubdivision(1)ofthissubsection,ifapotential |
|---|
| 3321 | | - | formingdistrictisanexistingunifiedunionschooldistrict,then: |
|---|
| 3322 | | - | (A)Referencetothevotersofthe“schooldistrict”meansthevoters |
|---|
| 3323 | | - | ofeachtownwithintheexistingunifiedunionschooldistrict,whoshallvoteat |
|---|
| 3324 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3325 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3326 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3327 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3328 | | - | 5 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3341 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3342 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3343 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 3344 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3345 | | - | 2025 Page80of415 |
|---|
| 3346 | | - | alocationintheirtownofresidencethatisidentifiedinthewarningissuedby |
|---|
| 3347 | | - | theexistingunifiedunionschooldistrict;provided,however,thatthetotalof |
|---|
| 3348 | | - | allvotescastinthetownsshalldeterminethemodifiedat-largeandat-large |
|---|
| 3349 | | - | electionofinitialboardmemberspursuanttosubdivisions(d)(2)(proposed |
|---|
| 3350 | | - | unifieduniondistrict;modifiedat-large),(d)(3)(proposeduniondistrict;at- |
|---|
| 3351 | | - | large),(e)(2)(proposedunionelementaryorunionhighschooldistrict; |
|---|
| 3352 | | - | modifiedat-large),and(e)(3)(proposedunionelementaryorunionhighschool |
|---|
| 3353 | | - | district;at-large)ofthissection,aswellaswhethertheexistingunifiedunion |
|---|
| 3354 | | - | schooldistrictapprovesformationofthenewunifiedunionschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 3355 | | - | (B)“Townclerk”meanstheclerkofeachtownwithintheexisting |
|---|
| 3356 | | - | unifiedunionschooldistrict;provided,however,thatthetownclerkofeach |
|---|
| 3357 | | - | townshalltransmitthenameofeachdulynominatedcandidatetotheclerkof |
|---|
| 3358 | | - | theexistingunifiedunionschooldistrict,whoshallpreparetheunifiedunion |
|---|
| 3359 | | - | schooldistrictballotforthattownandtransmittheballottothetownclerkto |
|---|
| 3360 | | - | makeavailabletothevoters. |
|---|
| 3361 | | - | (3)Notwithstandingsubdivision(1)(clerkofschooldistrict)ofthis |
|---|
| 3362 | | - | subsection,ifatownisamemberofbothaunionelementaryschooldistrict |
|---|
| 3363 | | - | andaunionhighschooldistrict,isnotindependentlyorganizedasadistrict |
|---|
| 3364 | | - | thatisresponsiblefortheeducationofstudentsinanygrade,anddoesnot |
|---|
| 3365 | | - | haveatownschooldistrictboard,then: |
|---|
| 3366 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3380 | | - | 15 |
|---|
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|---|
| 3382 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3383 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3384 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3385 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3386 | | - | 2025 Page81of415 |
|---|
| 3387 | | - | (A)referencetothevotersofthe“schooldistrict”meansthevoters |
|---|
| 3388 | | - | ofthetownthatisthememberofbothexistingunionschooldistricts,who |
|---|
| 3389 | | - | shallvoteatalocationintheirtownofresidencethatisidentifiedinthe |
|---|
| 3390 | | - | warningissuedby: |
|---|
| 3391 | | - | (i)theexistingunionelementaryschooldistrictifthevotersare |
|---|
| 3392 | | - | votingonaproposedunifiedunionschooldistrictoraproposedunion |
|---|
| 3393 | | - | elementaryschooldistrict;or |
|---|
| 3394 | | - | (ii)theexistingunionhighschooldistrictifthevotersarevoting |
|---|
| 3395 | | - | onaproposedunionhighschooldistrict;and |
|---|
| 3396 | | - | (B)“townclerk”meanstheclerkofthetownthatisamemberof |
|---|
| 3397 | | - | bothexistingunionschooldistricts;provided,however,thatthetownclerk |
|---|
| 3398 | | - | shalltransmitthenameofeachdulynominatedcandidatetotheclerkofthe |
|---|
| 3399 | | - | unionschooldistrictidentifiedinsubdivision(A)ofthissubdivision(3),who |
|---|
| 3400 | | - | shallpreparetheballotforthattownandtransmittheballottothetownclerk |
|---|
| 3401 | | - | tomakeavailabletothevoters.Firstmeeting.Atthefirstmeetingofinitial |
|---|
| 3402 | | - | membersofthenewuniondistrictboard: |
|---|
| 3403 | | - | (1)Themembersshallelectachairoftheboardandclerkoftheboard. |
|---|
| 3404 | | - | (2)Themembersoftheformertransitionalboardshallpresentthedraft |
|---|
| 3405 | | - | fiscalyear2028budgettothenewuniondistrictboardtogetherwithany |
|---|
| 3406 | | - | supportingdataorotherdocumentation. |
|---|
| 3407 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3408 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3409 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3410 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3411 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 3412 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 3413 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 3414 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 3415 | | - | 9 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3418 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 3419 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 3420 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 3421 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 3422 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 3423 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3424 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3425 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3426 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3427 | | - | 2025 Page82of415 |
|---|
| 3428 | | - | (3)Themembersoftheformertransitionalboardshallpresenta |
|---|
| 3429 | | - | summaryofhiringactionsandrecommendationsforthepositionof |
|---|
| 3430 | | - | superintendentforthedistrict. |
|---|
| 3431 | | - | (d)Proposedunifiedunionschooldistrict.Subjecttotheprovisionsof |
|---|
| 3432 | | - | subsections706(c)(existingunionschooldistricts)and708(b)(necessaryand |
|---|
| 3433 | | - | advisableschooldistricts)ofthischapter,thevotersofeachschooldistrict |
|---|
| 3434 | | - | identifiedas“necessary”or“advisable”shallvotewhethertoelectinitial |
|---|
| 3435 | | - | boardmembersofaproposedunifiedunionschooldistrict,asfollows: |
|---|
| 3436 | | - | (1)Proportionaltotownpopulation.Whenrepresentationontheboard |
|---|
| 3437 | | - | ofaproposedunifiedunionschooldistrictisapportionedtoeachpotential |
|---|
| 3438 | | - | townwithintheproposeddistrictinanumberthatiscloselyproportionalto |
|---|
| 3439 | | - | thetown’srelativepopulation: |
|---|
| 3440 | | - | (A)Votersofeachschooldistrictidentifiedaseither“necessary”or |
|---|
| 3441 | | - | “advisable”toformationoftheproposedunifiedunionschooldistrictshallfile |
|---|
| 3442 | | - | apetitionnominatingacandidatefortheofficeofunifiedunionschooldistrict |
|---|
| 3443 | | - | boardmemberbasedontownpopulation.Apetitionshallbevalidonlyif: |
|---|
| 3444 | | - | (i)thecandidateisacurrentvoterofthetown; |
|---|
| 3445 | | - | (ii)thepetitionidentifiesthetermofofficeforwhichthe |
|---|
| 3446 | | - | candidateisnominated; |
|---|
| 3447 | | - | (iii)thepetitionissignedbyatleast30votersresidinginthetown |
|---|
| 3448 | | - | oronepercentofthelegalvotersinthetown,whicheverisless; |
|---|
| 3449 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3450 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3451 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3452 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3453 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 3454 | | - | 6 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3460 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 3461 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 3462 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 3463 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 3464 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 3465 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3466 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3467 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3468 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 3469 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3470 | | - | 2025 Page83of415 |
|---|
| 3471 | | - | (iv)thevotersfilethepetitionwiththetownclerkofthetownin |
|---|
| 3472 | | - | whichthecandidateresidesnotlaterthan5:00p.m.onthesixthMonday |
|---|
| 3473 | | - | precedingthedayoftheelection;and |
|---|
| 3474 | | - | (v)thecandidatefileswiththetownclerkawrittenconsenttothe |
|---|
| 3475 | | - | printingofthecandidate’snameontheballot. |
|---|
| 3476 | | - | (B)Thetownclerkshallplacethenameofeachdulynominated |
|---|
| 3477 | | - | candidateontheballottobepresentedtothevotersoftheschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 3478 | | - | (C)Thevotersoftheschooldistrictforthetowninwhichthe |
|---|
| 3479 | | - | candidateresidesshallelectasmanyboardmemberstotheunifiedunion |
|---|
| 3480 | | - | schoolboardasareapportionedbasedonthetown’spopulation. |
|---|
| 3481 | | - | (2)Modifiedat-largemodel:allocationtotown;at-largerepresentation. |
|---|
| 3482 | | - | Whenrepresentationontheboardofaproposedunifiedunionschooldistrictis |
|---|
| 3483 | | - | allocatedtoeachpotentialtownwithintheproposeddistrict,buttheallocation |
|---|
| 3484 | | - | isnotcloselyproportionaltothetown’srelativepopulationandtheboard |
|---|
| 3485 | | - | memberiselectedat-large: |
|---|
| 3486 | | - | (A)Votersofeachschooldistrictidentifiedaseither“necessary”or |
|---|
| 3487 | | - | “advisable”toformationoftheproposedunifiedunionschooldistrictshallfile |
|---|
| 3488 | | - | apetitionnominatingacandidatefortheofficeofunifiedunionschooldistrict |
|---|
| 3489 | | - | boardmemberallocatedtothevoters’town.Apetitionshallbevalidonlyif: |
|---|
| 3490 | | - | (i)thecandidateisacurrentvoterofthetown; |
|---|
| 3491 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3492 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3493 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3494 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3495 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 3496 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 3497 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 3498 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 3499 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 3500 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 3501 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 3502 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 3503 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 3504 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 3505 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 3506 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 3507 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3508 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3509 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3510 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3511 | | - | 2025 Page84of415 |
|---|
| 3512 | | - | (ii)thepetitionidentifiesthetermofofficeforwhichthe |
|---|
| 3513 | | - | candidateisnominated; |
|---|
| 3514 | | - | (iii)thepetitionissignedbyatleast30votersresidinginthetown |
|---|
| 3515 | | - | oronepercentofthelegalvotersinthetown,whicheverisless; |
|---|
| 3516 | | - | (iv)thevotersfilethepetitionwiththetownclerkofthetownin |
|---|
| 3517 | | - | whichthecandidateresidesnotlaterthan5:00p.m.onthesixthMonday |
|---|
| 3518 | | - | precedingthedayoftheelection;and |
|---|
| 3519 | | - | (v)thecandidatefileswiththetownclerkawrittenconsenttothe |
|---|
| 3520 | | - | printingofthecandidate’snameontheballot. |
|---|
| 3521 | | - | (B)Uponreceiptofapetitionforaunifiedunionschooldistrict |
|---|
| 3522 | | - | boardmemberallocatedtoapotentialtownwithintheproposeddistrictbutto |
|---|
| 3523 | | - | beelectedat-largeunderthemodifiedat-largemodel,thetownclerkshall |
|---|
| 3524 | | - | placethenameofthedulynominatedcandidateontheballottobepresented |
|---|
| 3525 | | - | tothevotersoftheschooldistrictandshallnotifythetownclerkspreparing |
|---|
| 3526 | | - | theballotsforthevotersofeachoftheother“necessary”schooldistrictsand |
|---|
| 3527 | | - | ofeach“advisable”schooldistrictvotingonformationoftheproposedunified |
|---|
| 3528 | | - | unionschooldistricttoplacethecandidate’snameontheballotpresentedto |
|---|
| 3529 | | - | thevotersinthosedistricts.Alternatively,attheirdiscretion,thetownclerks |
|---|
| 3530 | | - | maymeetjointlytoprepareauniformballot. |
|---|
| 3531 | | - | (C)Thevotersofeach“necessary”schooldistrictandofeach |
|---|
| 3532 | | - | “advisable”schooldistrictvotingonformationoftheproposedunifiedunion |
|---|
| 3533 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3534 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3535 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3536 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3537 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 3538 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 3539 | | - | 7 |
|---|
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|---|
| 3541 | | - | 9 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3545 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 3546 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 3547 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 3548 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 3549 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3550 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3551 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3552 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 3553 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3554 | | - | 2025 Page85of415 |
|---|
| 3555 | | - | schooldistrictshallvotefortheboardmemberstobeelectedat-largeunderthe |
|---|
| 3556 | | - | modifiedat-largemodel;provided,however,thatballotsshallbeincludedin |
|---|
| 3557 | | - | thecalculationoftotalvotescastpursuanttotheprovisionsofsubdivision |
|---|
| 3558 | | - | 714(a)(2)(calculationofvotes)ofthischapter. |
|---|
| 3559 | | - | (3)At-largerepresentation.Whenrepresentationontheboardofa |
|---|
| 3560 | | - | proposedunifiedunionschooldistrictisnotapportionedorallocatedtothe |
|---|
| 3561 | | - | potentialtownswithintheproposeddistrictpursuanttosubdivision(1) |
|---|
| 3562 | | - | (proportionaltotownpopulation)or(2)(modifiedat-large)ofthissubsection |
|---|
| 3563 | | - | andtheboardmemberiselectedat-large: |
|---|
| 3564 | | - | (A)Thevotersofoneormoreschooldistrictsidentifiedas |
|---|
| 3565 | | - | “necessary”toformationoftheproposedunifiedunionschooldistrictshallfile |
|---|
| 3566 | | - | apetitionnominatingacandidatefortheofficeofunifiedunionschooldistrict |
|---|
| 3567 | | - | boardmemberat-large.Apetitionshallbevalidonlyif: |
|---|
| 3568 | | - | (i)thecandidateisacurrentvoterofaschooldistrictidentifiedas |
|---|
| 3569 | | - | “necessary”totheformationoftheproposedunionschooldistrict; |
|---|
| 3570 | | - | (ii)thepetitionidentifiesthetermofofficeforwhichthe |
|---|
| 3571 | | - | candidateisnominated; |
|---|
| 3572 | | - | (iii)thepetitionissignedbyatleast60votersresidinginoneor |
|---|
| 3573 | | - | moreschooldistrictsidentifiedas“necessary”totheformationoftheproposed |
|---|
| 3574 | | - | unifiedunionschooldistrictoronepercentofthelegalvotersresidinginthe |
|---|
| 3575 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3576 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3577 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3578 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3579 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 3580 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 3581 | | - | 7 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3585 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 3586 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 3587 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 3588 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 3589 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 3590 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 3591 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3592 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3593 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3594 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3595 | | - | 2025 Page86of415 |
|---|
| 3596 | | - | combined“necessary”schooldistrictsthatwouldformtheproposedunified |
|---|
| 3597 | | - | unionschooldistrict,whicheverisless; |
|---|
| 3598 | | - | (iv)thevotersfilethepetitionwiththetownclerkinthe |
|---|
| 3599 | | - | “necessary”schooldistrictinwhichthecandidateresidesnotlaterthan5:00 |
|---|
| 3600 | | - | p.m.onthesixthMondayprecedingthedayoftheelection;and |
|---|
| 3601 | | - | (v)thecandidatefileswiththetownclerkawrittenconsenttothe |
|---|
| 3602 | | - | printingofthecandidate’snameontheballot. |
|---|
| 3603 | | - | (B)Uponreceiptofapetitionforaunifiedunionschooldistrict |
|---|
| 3604 | | - | boardmemberelectedat-large,thetownclerkshallplacethenameoftheduly |
|---|
| 3605 | | - | nominatedcandidateontheballottobepresentedtothevotersoftheschool |
|---|
| 3606 | | - | districtandshallnotifythetownclerkspreparingtheballotsforthevotersof |
|---|
| 3607 | | - | eachoftheother“necessary”schooldistrictsandofeach“advisable”school |
|---|
| 3608 | | - | districtvotingonformationoftheproposedunifiedunionschooldistrictto |
|---|
| 3609 | | - | placethecandidate’snameontheballotpresentedtothevotersinthose |
|---|
| 3610 | | - | districts.Alternatively,attheirdiscretion,thetownclerksmaymeetjointlyto |
|---|
| 3611 | | - | prepareauniformballot. |
|---|
| 3612 | | - | (C)Thevotersofeach“necessary”schooldistrictandofeach |
|---|
| 3613 | | - | “advisable”schooldistrictvotingonformationoftheproposedunifiedunion |
|---|
| 3614 | | - | schooldistrictshallvoteforthememberstobeelectedat-large;provided, |
|---|
| 3615 | | - | however,thatballotsshallbeincludedinthecalculationoftotalvotescast |
|---|
| 3616 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3617 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3618 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3619 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3620 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 3621 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 3622 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 3623 | | - | 8 |
|---|
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|---|
| 3625 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 3626 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 3627 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 3628 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 3629 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 3630 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 3631 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 3632 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3633 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3634 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3635 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3636 | | - | 2025 Page87of415 |
|---|
| 3637 | | - | pursuanttotheprovisionsofsubdivision714(a)(2)(calculationofvotes)of |
|---|
| 3638 | | - | thischapter.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 3639 | | - | (e)Proposedunionelementaryorunionhighschooldistrict.Subjecttothe |
|---|
| 3640 | | - | provisionsofsubsections706(c)(existingunionschooldistricts)and708(b) |
|---|
| 3641 | | - | (necessaryandadvisableschooldistricts)ofthischapter,thevotersofeach |
|---|
| 3642 | | - | schooldistrictidentifiedas“necessary”or“advisable”shallvotewhetherto |
|---|
| 3643 | | - | electinitialboardmembersoftheproposedunionschooldistrict,asfollows: |
|---|
| 3644 | | - | (1)Proportionaltotownpopulation.Whenrepresentationontheboard |
|---|
| 3645 | | - | ofaproposedunionelementaryorunionhighschooldistrictisapportionedto |
|---|
| 3646 | | - | eachpotentialmemberdistrictoftheproposeddistrictinanumberthatis |
|---|
| 3647 | | - | closelyproportionaltothepotentialmemberdistrict’srelativepopulation: |
|---|
| 3648 | | - | (A)Votersofeachschooldistrictidentifiedaseither“necessary”or |
|---|
| 3649 | | - | “advisable”toformationoftheproposedunionschooldistrictshallfilea |
|---|
| 3650 | | - | petitionnominatingacandidatefortheofficeofunionschooldistrictboard |
|---|
| 3651 | | - | memberrepresentingthepotentialmemberdistrict.Apetitionshallbevalid |
|---|
| 3652 | | - | onlyif: |
|---|
| 3653 | | - | (i)thecandidateisacurrentvoterofthepotentialmember |
|---|
| 3654 | | - | district; |
|---|
| 3655 | | - | (ii)thepetitionidentifiesthetermofofficeforwhichthe |
|---|
| 3656 | | - | candidateisnominated; |
|---|
| 3657 | | - | 1 |
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| 3674 | | - | 18 |
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| 3675 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3676 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3677 | | - | 2025 Page88of415 |
|---|
| 3678 | | - | (iii)thepetitionissignedbyatleast30votersresidinginthe |
|---|
| 3679 | | - | potentialmemberdistrictoronepercentofthelegalvotersinthedistrict, |
|---|
| 3680 | | - | whicheverisless; |
|---|
| 3681 | | - | (iv)thepetitionisfiledwiththetownclerknotlaterthan5:00 |
|---|
| 3682 | | - | p.m.onthesixthMondayprecedingthedayoftheelection;and |
|---|
| 3683 | | - | (v)thecandidatefileswiththetownclerkawrittenconsenttothe |
|---|
| 3684 | | - | printingofthecandidate’snameontheballot. |
|---|
| 3685 | | - | (B)Thetownclerkshallplacethenameofeachdulynominated |
|---|
| 3686 | | - | candidateontheballottobepresentedtothevotersofthepotentialmember |
|---|
| 3687 | | - | district. |
|---|
| 3688 | | - | (C)Thevotersofthedistrictshallelectasmanyboardmembersas |
|---|
| 3689 | | - | areapportionedtothepotentialmemberdistrictbasedonpopulation. |
|---|
| 3690 | | - | (2)Modifiedat-largemodel:allocationtotown;at-largerepresentation. |
|---|
| 3691 | | - | Whenrepresentationontheboardofaproposedunionelementaryorunion |
|---|
| 3692 | | - | highschooldistrictisallocatedtoeachpotentialmemberdistrict,butthe |
|---|
| 3693 | | - | allocationisnotcloselyproportionaltothepotentialmemberdistrict’srelative |
|---|
| 3694 | | - | populationandtheboardmemberiselectedat-large: |
|---|
| 3695 | | - | (A)Votersofeachschooldistrictidentifiedaseither“necessary”or |
|---|
| 3696 | | - | “advisable”toformationoftheproposedunionschooldistrictshallfilea |
|---|
| 3697 | | - | petitionnominatingacandidatefortheofficeofunionschooldistrictboard |
|---|
| 3698 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3699 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3700 | | - | 3 |
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|---|
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| 3712 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 3713 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 3714 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3715 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3716 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3717 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3718 | | - | 2025 Page89of415 |
|---|
| 3719 | | - | memberallocatedtothepotentialmemberdistrict.Apetitionshallbevalid |
|---|
| 3720 | | - | onlyif: |
|---|
| 3721 | | - | (i)thecandidateisacurrentvoterofthepotentialmember |
|---|
| 3722 | | - | district; |
|---|
| 3723 | | - | (ii)thepetitionidentifiesthetermofofficeforwhichthe |
|---|
| 3724 | | - | candidateisnominated; |
|---|
| 3725 | | - | (iii)thepetitionissignedbyatleast30votersresidinginthe |
|---|
| 3726 | | - | potentialmemberdistrictoronepercentofthelegalvotersinthedistrict, |
|---|
| 3727 | | - | whicheverisless; |
|---|
| 3728 | | - | (iv)thepetitionisfiledwiththetownclerkoftheschooldistrict |
|---|
| 3729 | | - | inwhichthecandidateresidesnotlaterthan5:00p.m.onthesixthMonday |
|---|
| 3730 | | - | precedingthedayoftheelection;and |
|---|
| 3731 | | - | (v)thecandidatefileswiththetownclerkawrittenconsenttothe |
|---|
| 3732 | | - | printingofthecandidate’snameontheballot. |
|---|
| 3733 | | - | (B)Uponreceiptofapetitionforunionschooldistrictboardmember |
|---|
| 3734 | | - | allocatedtoapotentialmemberdistrictbuttobeelectedat-largeunderthe |
|---|
| 3735 | | - | modifiedat-largemode,thetownclerkshallplacethenameoftheduly |
|---|
| 3736 | | - | nominatedcandidateontheballottobepresentedtothevotersofthepotential |
|---|
| 3737 | | - | memberdistrictandshallnotifythetownclerkspreparingtheballotsforthe |
|---|
| 3738 | | - | votersofeachoftheother“necessary”schooldistrictsandofeach“advisable” |
|---|
| 3739 | | - | schooldistrictvotingonformationoftheproposedunionschooldistrictto |
|---|
| 3740 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3741 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3742 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3743 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3744 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 3745 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 3746 | | - | 7 |
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| 3747 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 3748 | | - | 9 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3751 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 3752 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 3753 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 3754 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 3755 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 3756 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3757 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3758 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3759 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 3760 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3761 | | - | 2025 Page90of415 |
|---|
| 3762 | | - | placethecandidate’snameontheballotpresentedtothevotersinthose |
|---|
| 3763 | | - | districts.Alternatively,attheirdiscretion,thetownclerksmaymeetjointlyto |
|---|
| 3764 | | - | prepareauniformballot. |
|---|
| 3765 | | - | (C)Thevotersofeach“necessary”schooldistrictandofeach |
|---|
| 3766 | | - | “advisable”schooldistrictvotingonformationoftheproposedunifiedunion |
|---|
| 3767 | | - | schooldistrictshallvotefortheboardmemberstobeelectedat-largeunderthe |
|---|
| 3768 | | - | modifiedat-largemodel;provided,however,thatballotsshallbeincludedin |
|---|
| 3769 | | - | thecalculationoftotalvotescastpursuanttotheprovisionsofsubdivision |
|---|
| 3770 | | - | 714(a)(2)(calculationofvotes)ofthischapter. |
|---|
| 3771 | | - | (3)At-largerepresentation.Whenrepresentationontheboardofa |
|---|
| 3772 | | - | proposedunionelementaryorunionhighschooldistrictboardisnot |
|---|
| 3773 | | - | apportionedorallocatedtothepotentialmemberdistrictspursuantto |
|---|
| 3774 | | - | subdivision(1)(proportionaltotownpopulation)or(2)(modifiedatlarge)of |
|---|
| 3775 | | - | thissubsectionandtheboardmemberiselectedat-large: |
|---|
| 3776 | | - | (A)Thevotersofoneormoreschooldistrictsidentifiedas |
|---|
| 3777 | | - | “necessary”totheformationoftheproposedunionschooldistrictshallfilea |
|---|
| 3778 | | - | petitionnominatingacandidatefortheofficeofunionschooldistrictboard |
|---|
| 3779 | | - | memberat-large.Apetitionshallbevalidonlyif: |
|---|
| 3780 | | - | (i)thecandidateisacurrentvoterofaschooldistrictidentifiedas |
|---|
| 3781 | | - | “necessary”totheformationoftheproposedunionschooldistrict; |
|---|
| 3782 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3783 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3784 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3795 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 3796 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 3797 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 3798 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3799 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3800 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3801 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3802 | | - | 2025 Page91of415 |
|---|
| 3803 | | - | (ii)thepetitionidentifiesthetermofofficeforwhichthe |
|---|
| 3804 | | - | candidateisnominated; |
|---|
| 3805 | | - | (iii)thepetitionissignedbyatleast60votersresidinginoneor |
|---|
| 3806 | | - | moreschooldistrictsidentifiedas“necessary”totheformationoftheproposed |
|---|
| 3807 | | - | unionschooldistrictoronepercentofthelegalvotersresidinginthe |
|---|
| 3808 | | - | combined“necessary”schooldistrictsthatwouldformtheproposedunion |
|---|
| 3809 | | - | schooldistrict,whicheverisless; |
|---|
| 3810 | | - | (iv)thepetitionisfiledwiththetownclerkinthe“necessary” |
|---|
| 3811 | | - | schooldistrictinwhichthecandidateresidesnotlaterthan5:00p.m.onthe |
|---|
| 3812 | | - | sixthMondayprecedingthedayoftheelection;and |
|---|
| 3813 | | - | (v)thecandidatefileswiththetownclerkawrittenconsenttothe |
|---|
| 3814 | | - | printingofthecandidate’snameontheballot. |
|---|
| 3815 | | - | (B)Uponreceiptofapetitionforaunionschooldistrictboard |
|---|
| 3816 | | - | membertobeelectedat-large,thetownclerkshallplacethenameoftheduly |
|---|
| 3817 | | - | nominatedcandidateontheballottobepresentedtothevotersoftheschool |
|---|
| 3818 | | - | districtandshallnotifythetownclerkspreparingtheballotsforthevotersof |
|---|
| 3819 | | - | eachoftheother“necessary”schooldistrictsandofeach“advisable”school |
|---|
| 3820 | | - | districtvotingonformationoftheproposedunionschooldistricttoplacethe |
|---|
| 3821 | | - | candidate’snameontheballotpresentedtothevotersinthosedistricts. |
|---|
| 3822 | | - | Alternatively,attheirdiscretion,thetownclerksmaymeetjointlytopreparea |
|---|
| 3823 | | - | uniformballot. |
|---|
| 3824 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3825 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3826 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3827 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3828 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 3829 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 3830 | | - | 7 |
|---|
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|---|
| 3832 | | - | 9 |
|---|
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|---|
| 3834 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 3835 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 3836 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 3837 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 3838 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 3839 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 3840 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3841 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3842 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3843 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 3844 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3845 | | - | 2025 Page92of415 |
|---|
| 3846 | | - | (C)Thevotersofeach“necessary”schooldistrictandofeach |
|---|
| 3847 | | - | “advisable”schooldistrictvotingonformationoftheproposedunionschool |
|---|
| 3848 | | - | districtshallvotefortheboardmemberstobeelectedat-large;provided, |
|---|
| 3849 | | - | however,thatballotsshallbeincludedinthecalculationoftotalvotescast |
|---|
| 3850 | | - | pursuanttotheprovisionsofsubdivision714(a)(2)(calculationofvotes)of |
|---|
| 3851 | | - | thischapter.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 3852 | | - | (f)Weightedvoting.Ifrepresentationonaunionschooldistrictboardis |
|---|
| 3853 | | - | apportionedbaseduponpopulationpursuanttosubdivision(d)(1)or(e)(1)of |
|---|
| 3854 | | - | thissection,thentheunionschooldistrictmayachieveproportionalitythrough |
|---|
| 3855 | | - | asystemofweightedvoting.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 3856 | | - | § 712.CONTENTSOFWARNINGONVOTESTOESTABLISHTHE |
|---|
| 3857 | | - | UNIONSCHOOLDISTRICTANDELECTTHEINITIAL |
|---|
| 3858 | | - | MEMBERSOFTHEUNIONSCHOOLDISTRICTBOARD |
|---|
| 3859 | | - | PREPARATIONANDPRESENTATIONOFPROPOSEDFISCAL |
|---|
| 3860 | | - | YEAR2028BUDGET |
|---|
| 3861 | | - | Thewarningforeachschooldistrictmeetingtovoteonformationofa |
|---|
| 3862 | | - | unionschooldistrictshallcontaintwoarticlesinsubstantiallythefollowing |
|---|
| 3863 | | - | form.ThelanguageusedinArticle1shallbethesameforeach“necessary” |
|---|
| 3864 | | - | and“advisable”districtvotingonformationofthenewdistrict.ArticleIIof |
|---|
| 3865 | | - | thewarningshallnotincludenamesofcandidatesfortheunionschooldistrict |
|---|
| 3866 | | - | board. |
|---|
| 3867 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3868 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3869 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3870 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3871 | | - | 5 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3874 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 3875 | | - | 9 |
|---|
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|---|
| 3877 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 3878 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 3879 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 3880 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 3881 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 3882 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 3883 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3884 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3885 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3886 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 3887 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3888 | | - | 2025 Page93of415 |
|---|
| 3889 | | - | WARNING |
|---|
| 3890 | | - | Thevotersofthe |
|---|
| 3891 | | - | _______________________________________________________________ |
|---|
| 3892 | | - | ________SchoolDistrictareherebynotifiedandwarnedtomeetat |
|---|
| 3893 | | - | _____________________onthe___________dayof |
|---|
| 3894 | | - | _____________________,20___________,tovotebyAustralianballot |
|---|
| 3895 | | - | betweenthehoursof_____________________,atwhichtimethepollswill |
|---|
| 3896 | | - | open,and_____________________,atwhichtimethepollswillclose,upon |
|---|
| 3897 | | - | thefollowingarticlesofbusiness: |
|---|
| 3898 | | - | ArticleI.FORMATIONOFUNIONSCHOOLDISTRICT |
|---|
| 3899 | | - | Shallthe |
|---|
| 3900 | | - | _______________________________________________________________ |
|---|
| 3901 | | - | ________SchoolDistrict,whichtheproposedarticlesofagreementhave |
|---|
| 3902 | | - | identifiedas[“necessary”or“advisable”]totheformationoftheproposed |
|---|
| 3903 | | - | unionschooldistrict,joinwiththeschooldistrict[s]of |
|---|
| 3904 | | - | _______________________________________and |
|---|
| 3905 | | - | _______________________________________,whichareidentifiedas |
|---|
| 3906 | | - | “necessary”toformation,andpotentiallytheschooldistrict[s]of |
|---|
| 3907 | | - | _______________________________________and |
|---|
| 3908 | | - | _______________________________________,whichareidentifiedas |
|---|
| 3909 | | - | “advisable”toformation,forthepurposeofformingaunionschooldistrict,as |
|---|
| 3910 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3911 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3912 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3913 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3914 | | - | 5 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3923 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 3924 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 3925 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 3926 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3927 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3928 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3929 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 3930 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3931 | | - | 2025 Page94of415 |
|---|
| 3932 | | - | providedinTitle16,VermontStatutesAnnotated,uponthefollowing |
|---|
| 3933 | | - | conditionsandagreements: |
|---|
| 3934 | | - | (a)Grades.Theunionschooldistrictshallbeorganizedtoprovideforthe |
|---|
| 3935 | | - | educationofresidentstudentsingrades___________through___________ |
|---|
| 3936 | | - | andshallassumefullandsoleresponsibilitythereforonJuly1, |
|---|
| 3937 | | - | 20___________. |
|---|
| 3938 | | - | (b)Operationofschools.Theunionschooldistrictshalloperateandmanage |
|---|
| 3939 | | - | oneormoreschoolsofferinginstructioningrades___________through |
|---|
| 3940 | | - | ___________.[Amendasnecessaryifthedistrictwillpaytuitionforanyorall |
|---|
| 3941 | | - | gradesforwhichitisorganized.] |
|---|
| 3942 | | - | (c)Unionschooldistrictboard.[Statemethodbywhichrepresentationofeach |
|---|
| 3943 | | - | memberoftheunionschoolboardistobedeterminedpursuanttosection711 |
|---|
| 3944 | | - | (votetoelectinitialmembers)ofthischapter.] |
|---|
| 3945 | | - | (d)Assumptionofdebtsandownershipofschoolproperty.Theunionschool |
|---|
| 3946 | | - | districtshallassumetheindebtednessofformingdistricts,acquiretheschool |
|---|
| 3947 | | - | propertiesoftheformingdistricts,andpayforthem,allasspecifiedinthe |
|---|
| 3948 | | - | finalreportandproposedarticlesofagreement. |
|---|
| 3949 | | - | (e)Finalreport.Theprovisionsofthefinalreportandproposedarticlesof |
|---|
| 3950 | | - | agreementapprovedbytheStateBoardofEducationonthe___________day |
|---|
| 3951 | | - | of_____________________,20___________,whichisonfileintheofficeof |
|---|
| 3952 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3953 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3954 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3955 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3956 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 3957 | | - | 6 |
|---|
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|---|
| 3959 | | - | 8 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 3962 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 3963 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 3964 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 3965 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 3966 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 3967 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 3968 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 3969 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 3970 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 3971 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 3972 | | - | 2025 Page95of415 |
|---|
| 3973 | | - | theclerkofeachschooldistrictnamedinthiswarning,shallgoverntheunion |
|---|
| 3974 | | - | schooldistrict. |
|---|
| 3975 | | - | ArticleII.ELECTIONOFINITIALMEMBERSOFTHEUNION |
|---|
| 3976 | | - | SCHOOLDISTRICTBOARD |
|---|
| 3977 | | - | Toelectatotalof_____________________(_)member(s)toserveasinitial |
|---|
| 3978 | | - | membersoftheproposedunionschooldistrictboardforthetermsestablished |
|---|
| 3979 | | - | inthefinalreportandproposedarticlesofagreement:[Amendasnecessaryto |
|---|
| 3980 | | - | reflectmethodfordeterminingschoolboardmembershippursuanttosection |
|---|
| 3981 | | - | 711(votetoelectinitialmembers)ofthischapter.] |
|---|
| 3982 | | - | (a)___________[Insertnumber]BoardMember[s]toserveuntilthesecond |
|---|
| 3983 | | - | annualmeetingoftheunionschooldistrict,in20___________. |
|---|
| 3984 | | - | (b)___________[Insertnumber]BoardMember[s]toserveuntilthethird |
|---|
| 3985 | | - | annualmeetingoftheunionschooldistrict,in20___________. |
|---|
| 3986 | | - | (c)___________[Insertnumber]BoardMember[s]toserveuntilthefourth |
|---|
| 3987 | | - | annualmeetingoftheunionschooldistrict,in20___________.Pursuantto |
|---|
| 3988 | | - | theprovisionsofchapter133ofthistitle,thenewuniondistrictboardshall |
|---|
| 3989 | | - | considerandadoptaproposedfiscalyear2028budgetto,basedonthe |
|---|
| 3990 | | - | anticipatedfundingforfiscalyear2028,providefortheoperationsofthe |
|---|
| 3991 | | - | district. |
|---|
| 3992 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 3993 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 3994 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 3995 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 3996 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 3997 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 3998 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 3999 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 4000 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 4001 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 4002 | | - | 11 |
|---|
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| 4011 | | - | 2025 Page96of415 |
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| 4012 | | - | § 713.CERTIFICATIONOFVOTES;DESIGNATIONOFDISTRICTAS |
|---|
| 4013 | | - | UNIONSCHOOLDISTRICT;RECORDINGBYSECRETARYOF |
|---|
| 4014 | | - | STATE |
|---|
| 4015 | | - | (a)Within45daysafterthevoteor15daysafteravotetoreconsiderthe |
|---|
| 4016 | | - | originalvoteunder17V.S.A.§ 2661,whicheverislater,theclerkofeach |
|---|
| 4017 | | - | schooldistrictvotingontheproposaltoformaunionschooldistrictshall |
|---|
| 4018 | | - | certifytheresultsofthatvotetotheSecretaryofEducation.Theclerkshall |
|---|
| 4019 | | - | submitthecertificationregardlessofwhetherthedistrictvotersapprovedthe |
|---|
| 4020 | | - | proposedformationofaunionschooldistrict.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 4021 | | - | (b)Ifthevotersvotingineachschooldistrictidentifiedas“necessary”to |
|---|
| 4022 | | - | formationoftheproposedunionschooldistrictvotetoformthedistrict,then |
|---|
| 4023 | | - | the“necessary”schooldistrictsconstituteaunionschooldistrict,togetherwith |
|---|
| 4024 | | - | anyschooldistrictdesignatedas“advisable”thatvotestoformtheproposed |
|---|
| 4025 | | - | unionschooldistrict.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 4026 | | - | (c)Ifthevotersapproveformationofaunionschooldistrictpursuantto |
|---|
| 4027 | | - | subsection(b)ofthissection,thenuponreceivingthecertificationofeach |
|---|
| 4028 | | - | clerkpursuanttosubsection(a)ofthissection,butnotsoonerthan30days |
|---|
| 4029 | | - | aftertheinitialvote,theNotlaterthanJuly1,2025,theSecretaryshall |
|---|
| 4030 | | - | designatethenewlyformeddistricteachofthenewuniondistrictsasaunion |
|---|
| 4031 | | - | schooldistrict.TheSecretaryshallcertifythatdesignationandsendthe |
|---|
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| 4051 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 4052 | | - | 2025 Page97of415 |
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| 4053 | | - | certificationtogetherwiththeclerks’certificationsacopyofthisActtothe |
|---|
| 4054 | | - | SecretaryofState,whoshallrecordthecertification. |
|---|
| 4055 | | - | (d)WhentheSecretaryofStaterecordsthecertificationoftheSecretaryof |
|---|
| 4056 | | - | Education,theunionschooldistrictshallbeabodypoliticandcorporatewith |
|---|
| 4057 | | - | thepowersincidenttoamunicipalcorporation,shallbeknownbythenameor |
|---|
| 4058 | | - | numbergivenintherecordedcertification,bythatnameornumbermaysue |
|---|
| 4059 | | - | andbesued,andmayholdandconveyrealandpersonalpropertyfortheuse |
|---|
| 4060 | | - | oftheunionschooldistrict.Therecordedcertificationshallbenoticetoall |
|---|
| 4061 | | - | partiesoftheformationoftheunionschooldistrictwithallthepowers |
|---|
| 4062 | | - | incidenttosuchadistrictasprovidedinthistitle. |
|---|
| 4063 | | - | (e)TheSecretaryofStateshallfileacertifiedcopyoftherecorded |
|---|
| 4064 | | - | certificationwiththeclerkofeachmemberdistrictofanewunionelementary |
|---|
| 4065 | | - | orunionhighschooldistrictandwiththetownclerkofeachtownwithina |
|---|
| 4066 | | - | newunifiedunionschooldistrict.TheSecretaryofStateshallfilethecertified |
|---|
| 4067 | | - | copiesnotlaterthan14daysafterthedateonwhichtheSecretaryof |
|---|
| 4068 | | - | EducationcertifiestheexistenceoftheunionschooldistricttotheSecretaryof |
|---|
| 4069 | | - | State.Filingacertifiedcopywitheachclerkshallbeprimafacieevidenceof |
|---|
| 4070 | | - | fullcompliancewiththerequirementsfortheformationofaunionschool |
|---|
| 4071 | | - | districtassetforthinthissubchapter. |
|---|
| 4072 | | - | *** |
|---|
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|---|
| 4092 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 4093 | | - | 2025 Page98of415 |
|---|
| 4094 | | - | § 715.ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING;NOTICE;BUSINESSTOBE |
|---|
| 4095 | | - | TRANSACTEDCOMMENCEMENT OFOPERATIONS |
|---|
| 4096 | | - | (a)Meeting.Theunionschooldistrictshallholdanorganizationalmeeting |
|---|
| 4097 | | - | within60daysaftertheSecretaryofStatefilesthecertifiedcopyofthe |
|---|
| 4098 | | - | recordedcertificationwitheachclerkpursuanttosubsection713(e)ofthis |
|---|
| 4099 | | - | chapter. |
|---|
| 4100 | | - | (b)Notice. |
|---|
| 4101 | | - | (1)TheSecretaryofEducationshallprepareandexecuteawarningfor |
|---|
| 4102 | | - | theorganizationalmeeting.Thewarningshallgivenoticeoftheday,hour, |
|---|
| 4103 | | - | andlocationofthemeetingandshallitemizethebusinesstobetransacted. |
|---|
| 4104 | | - | (2)TheSecretaryofEducationshalltransmitthesignedwarningtothe |
|---|
| 4105 | | - | superintendent,whoshallpostthewarninginatleastonepublicplaceineach |
|---|
| 4106 | | - | townwithintheunionschooldistrictandshallcausethewarningtobe |
|---|
| 4107 | | - | publishedonceinanewspaperofgeneralcirculationinthetownswithinthe |
|---|
| 4108 | | - | unionschooldistrict.Postingandpublicationshallbemadenotmorethan40 |
|---|
| 4109 | | - | daysnorlessthan30daysbeforethedateofthemeeting. |
|---|
| 4110 | | - | (3)Theunionschooldistrictshallbearthecostofpostingand |
|---|
| 4111 | | - | publishingthewarning. |
|---|
| 4112 | | - | (c)Businesstobetransacted. |
|---|
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|---|
| 4131 | | - | 19 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 4132 | | - | 2025 Page99of415 |
|---|
| 4133 | | - | (1)TheSecretaryorapersondesignatedbytheSecretaryshallcallthe |
|---|
| 4134 | | - | organizationalmeetingtoorderandtheregisteredvotersshallconsiderthe |
|---|
| 4135 | | - | followingitemsofbusiness: |
|---|
| 4136 | | - | (A)Electatemporarypresidingofficerandatemporaryclerkofthe |
|---|
| 4137 | | - | unionschooldistrictfromamongthevoterspresentattheorganizational |
|---|
| 4138 | | - | meeting. |
|---|
| 4139 | | - | (B)AdoptRobert’sorotherrulesoforder,whichshallgovernthe |
|---|
| 4140 | | - | parliamentaryproceduresoftheorganizationalmeetingandallsubsequent |
|---|
| 4141 | | - | meetingsoftheunionschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 4142 | | - | (C)Electamoderatoroftheunionschooldistrictfromamongthe |
|---|
| 4143 | | - | voters. |
|---|
| 4144 | | - | (D)Electaclerkoftheunionschooldistrictfromamongthevoters |
|---|
| 4145 | | - | orvotetoauthorizetheschoolboardtoappointaclerkoftheunionschool |
|---|
| 4146 | | - | districtfromamongthevoters. |
|---|
| 4147 | | - | (E)Electatreasureroftheunionschooldistrictorvotetoauthorize |
|---|
| 4148 | | - | theschoolboardtoappointatreasureroftheunionschooldistrict.The |
|---|
| 4149 | | - | treasurermayalsobethesupervisoryuniontreasurerandneednotbea |
|---|
| 4150 | | - | residentoftheunionschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 4151 | | - | (F)Determinethedateandlocationoftheunionschooldistrict’s |
|---|
| 4152 | | - | annualmeeting,whichshallbenotearlierthanFebruary1norlaterthanJune |
|---|
| 4153 | | - | 1,ifnotpreviouslydeterminedbythevoter-approvedarticlesofagreement. |
|---|
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| 4174 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4175 | | - | 2025 Page100of415 |
|---|
| 4176 | | - | (G)Determinewhethercompensationshallbepaidtothemoderator, |
|---|
| 4177 | | - | clerk,andtreasureroftheunionschooldistrictelectedattheorganizational |
|---|
| 4178 | | - | meetingandatsubsequentannualmeetingsoftheunionschooldistrictand,if |
|---|
| 4179 | | - | so,theamounttobepaidtothem. |
|---|
| 4180 | | - | (H)Determinewhethercompensationshallbepaidtomembersof |
|---|
| 4181 | | - | theunionschooldistrictboardand,ifso,theamounttobepaidtothem. |
|---|
| 4182 | | - | (I)Establishprovisionsforpaymentbytheunionschooldistrictof |
|---|
| 4183 | | - | anyexpenseincurredortobeincurredbyoronbehalfofthedistrictforthe |
|---|
| 4184 | | - | periodbetweenthedateonwhichthevotersapprovedformationoftheunion |
|---|
| 4185 | | - | schooldistrictandthefirstannualmeetingoftheuniondistrict. |
|---|
| 4186 | | - | (J)Determinewhethertoauthorizetheinitialboardoftheunion |
|---|
| 4187 | | - | schooldistricttoborrowmoneypendingreceiptofpaymentsfromthe |
|---|
| 4188 | | - | EducationFundbytheissuanceofitsnotepayablenotlaterthanoneyear |
|---|
| 4189 | | - | fromthedateofthenote.Regardlessofwhetherthevotersprovidethis |
|---|
| 4190 | | - | authorization,theinitialboardisauthorizedtoborrowsufficientfundstomeet |
|---|
| 4191 | | - | pendingobligationsuntilthevotersapproveabudgetfortheinitialyearof |
|---|
| 4192 | | - | operationpursuanttosubdivision716(b)(3)ofthischapter. |
|---|
| 4193 | | - | (K)Transactanyotherbusiness,thesubjectmatterofwhichhasbeen |
|---|
| 4194 | | - | includedinthewarning,thatthevotershavepowertotransactatanyannualor |
|---|
| 4195 | | - | specialmeetingandtransactanynonbindingbusinessthatmaylegallycome |
|---|
| 4196 | | - | beforethevoters. |
|---|
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| 4217 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 4218 | | - | 2025 Page101of415 |
|---|
| 4219 | | - | (2)Whenthereisonlyonenomineefortemporarypresidingofficer, |
|---|
| 4220 | | - | temporaryclerk,moderator,districtclerk,ordistricttreasurer,thevotersmay, |
|---|
| 4221 | | - | byacclamation,instructanofficertoelectthenomineebycastingoneballot, |
|---|
| 4222 | | - | andupontheballotbeingcast,thenomineeshallbelegallyelectedandshall |
|---|
| 4223 | | - | thereuponbesworn. |
|---|
| 4224 | | - | (3)Theelectedofficerslistedinsubdivisions(1)(A)(temporary |
|---|
| 4225 | | - | presidingofficerandtemporaryclerk),(C)(moderatoroftheunionschool |
|---|
| 4226 | | - | district),(D)(clerkoftheunionschooldistrict),and(E)(treasureroftheunion |
|---|
| 4227 | | - | schooldistrict)ofthissubsectionshallbesworninbeforeenteringuponthe |
|---|
| 4228 | | - | dutiesoftheirofficesandarecordmadebythedistrictclerk.Theyshall |
|---|
| 4229 | | - | assumeofficeuponbeingswornin.Theofficerslistedinsubdivisions(1)(C), |
|---|
| 4230 | | - | (D),and(E)ofthissubsectionshallservetermsassetforthinsection735 |
|---|
| 4231 | | - | (unifiedunionschooldistricts;officers)or753(unionelementaryandunion |
|---|
| 4232 | | - | highschooldistrict;officers)ofthischapterunlessthevotersextendtheterm |
|---|
| 4233 | | - | lengthuptothreeyears. |
|---|
| 4234 | | - | (4)Anymemberoftheunionschooldistrictboardnotsworninbeforethe |
|---|
| 4235 | | - | organizationalmeetingpursuanttosection714ofthischaptermaybeswornin |
|---|
| 4236 | | - | atoraftertheorganizationalmeeting.Thenewuniondistrict,throughits |
|---|
| 4237 | | - | board,hasandshallexercisealloftheauthoritythatisnecessaryforitto |
|---|
| 4238 | | - | prepareforfulleducationaloperationsbeginningonJuly1,2027.Onor |
|---|
| 4239 | | - | beforeJune30,2027,thenewuniondistrictboardshallperformallplanning, |
|---|
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|---|
| 4260 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4261 | | - | 2025 Page102of415 |
|---|
| 4262 | | - | transitional,andotherrelateddutiesnecessarytobeginoperationsofthenew |
|---|
| 4263 | | - | uniondistrictonJuly1,2027,includingpreparingforandnegotiating |
|---|
| 4264 | | - | contractualagreements,andtransactinganyotherlawfulbusinessthatcomes |
|---|
| 4265 | | - | beforetheboard,providedhowever,thattheexerciseofsuchauthoritybythe |
|---|
| 4266 | | - | newuniondistrictshallnotbeconstruedtolimitoraltertheauthorityor |
|---|
| 4267 | | - | responsibilitiesofeachformingdistrict,whichshallremainresponsiblefor |
|---|
| 4268 | | - | providingfortheeducationofitsresidentstudentsuntilJuly1,2027. |
|---|
| 4269 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 4270 | | - | § 724.WITHDRAWAL FROMORDISSOLUTIONOFAUNIFIED |
|---|
| 4271 | | - | UNIONSCHOOLDISTRICT |
|---|
| 4272 | | - | (a)Definition.Asusedinthissection,“petitioningtown”meansthetown |
|---|
| 4273 | | - | withinaunifiedunionschooldistrictthatseekstowithdrawfromtheunion |
|---|
| 4274 | | - | districtpursuanttotheprovisionsofthissection. |
|---|
| 4275 | | - | (b)Withdrawalstudycommittee. |
|---|
| 4276 | | - | (1)Toinitiatetheprocesssetforthinthissection,thevotersresidingin |
|---|
| 4277 | | - | thepetitioningtownshallsubmitpetitionstotheclerkoftheunifiedunion |
|---|
| 4278 | | - | schooldistrictindicatingthepetitioners’desiretowithdrawthepetitioning |
|---|
| 4279 | | - | townfromtheuniondistrict.Individualpetitionsshallbesignedbyatleast |
|---|
| 4280 | | - | fivepercentofthevotersresidingineachofthetownswithintheunionschool |
|---|
| 4281 | | - | district,witheachtownhavingitsownpetition.Thepetitionersshallsubmit |
|---|
| 4282 | | - | eachpetitiontothattown’stownclerkforverificationofthevoting |
|---|
| 4283 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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| 4303 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4304 | | - | 2025 Page103of415 |
|---|
| 4305 | | - | registrationstatusofthesignors.OnaformcreatedbytheSecretaryofState’s |
|---|
| 4306 | | - | Office,andappendedtoeachpetition,shallbethenamesofthreevoters |
|---|
| 4307 | | - | residinginthepetitioningtowntoserveonawithdrawalstudycommitteeand |
|---|
| 4308 | | - | asignedstatementbyeachofthethreenamedvotersconsentingtoserve. |
|---|
| 4309 | | - | Onceeachpetitionhasbeenverifiedbythesubjecttownclerk,thepetitioners |
|---|
| 4310 | | - | shallsubmitthepetitionstotheclerkoftheunifiedunionschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 4311 | | - | (2)Within30daysafterreceivingthepetition,theboardoftheunion |
|---|
| 4312 | | - | districtshallrecognizethecreationofthewithdrawalstudycommitteeand |
|---|
| 4313 | | - | shallappointaboardsubcommitteetoserveasaliaisonbetweentheboardand |
|---|
| 4314 | | - | thewithdrawalstudycommitteeandtorepresenttheinterestsoftheunion |
|---|
| 4315 | | - | district. |
|---|
| 4316 | | - | (3)Within30daysaftertheboard’sappointmentoftheliaison |
|---|
| 4317 | | - | subcommittee,thesuperintendentoftheuniondistrictshallconvenethefirst |
|---|
| 4318 | | - | formalmeetingofthewithdrawalstudycommittee.Thestudycommitteeshall |
|---|
| 4319 | | - | electonecommitteemembertoserveaschair. |
|---|
| 4320 | | - | (4)Beforebeginninganyanalysisundersubsection(c)ofthissectionor |
|---|
| 4321 | | - | seekingtechnicaloranalyticalservicesfromtheuniondistrictstaffor |
|---|
| 4322 | | - | supervisoryunionstaff,orboth,thewithdrawalstudycommitteeshallobtaina |
|---|
| 4323 | | - | letterofcommitmentfromasupervisoryunionboardtoexploretheprovision |
|---|
| 4324 | | - | ofsupervisoryunionservicesifwithdrawalisultimatelyapproved. |
|---|
| 4325 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 4344 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
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|---|
| 4346 | | - | (5)Thewithdrawalstudycommitteeisapublicbodypursuantto1 |
|---|
| 4347 | | - | V.S.A.§310(4)andissubjecttotherequirementsofchapter5,subchapter2 |
|---|
| 4348 | | - | ofthattitle. |
|---|
| 4349 | | - | (c)Analysis.Thewithdrawalstudycommitteeshallevaluatethestrengths |
|---|
| 4350 | | - | andchallengesofthecurrentuniondistrictstructureandconsiderthewaysin |
|---|
| 4351 | | - | whichtheuniondistrictpromotesorfailstopromotetheStatepolicysetforth |
|---|
| 4352 | | - | insection701ofthischapter.Ataminimum,thewithdrawalstudycommittee |
|---|
| 4353 | | - | shallevaluate: |
|---|
| 4354 | | - | (1)theeducationaladvantagesanddisadvantageslikelytoresultfrom |
|---|
| 4355 | | - | theproposedwithdrawalofthepetitioningtownfromtheuniondistrict: |
|---|
| 4356 | | - | (A)onthestudentsresidingintheproposednewschooldistrict;and |
|---|
| 4357 | | - | (B)onthestudentsremainingintheuniondistrictifwithdrawalis |
|---|
| 4358 | | - | approved; |
|---|
| 4359 | | - | (2)theeducationaladvantagesanddisadvantageslikelytoresultfrom |
|---|
| 4360 | | - | thecontinuedinclusionofthepetitioningtownasatownwithintheunion |
|---|
| 4361 | | - | district: |
|---|
| 4362 | | - | (A)onthestudentsresidinginthepetitioningtown;and |
|---|
| 4363 | | - | (B)onthestudentsresidingintheothertownswithintheunion |
|---|
| 4364 | | - | district; |
|---|
| 4365 | | - | (3)thefinancialadvantagesanddisadvantageslikelytoresultfromthe |
|---|
| 4366 | | - | proposedwithdrawalofthepetitioningtownfromtheuniondistrict: |
|---|
| 4367 | | - | 1 |
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| 4386 | | - | 20 |
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| 4387 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4388 | | - | 2025 Page105of415 |
|---|
| 4389 | | - | (A)onthetaxpayersresidingintheproposednewschooldistrict;and |
|---|
| 4390 | | - | (B)onthetaxpayersremainingintheuniondistrictifwithdrawalis |
|---|
| 4391 | | - | approved; |
|---|
| 4392 | | - | (4)thefinancialadvantagesanddisadvantageslikelytoresultfromthe |
|---|
| 4393 | | - | continuedinclusionofthepetitioningtownasatownwithintheuniondistrict: |
|---|
| 4394 | | - | (A)onthetaxpayersresidinginthepetitioningtown;and |
|---|
| 4395 | | - | (B)onthetaxpayersresidingintheothertownswithintheunion |
|---|
| 4396 | | - | district; |
|---|
| 4397 | | - | (5)thelikelyoperationalandfinancialviabilityandsustainabilityof: |
|---|
| 4398 | | - | (A)theproposednewschooldistrict;and |
|---|
| 4399 | | - | (B)theuniondistrictifwithdrawalisapproved; |
|---|
| 4400 | | - | (6)anyotheradvantagesanddisadvantagesofwithdrawal,including |
|---|
| 4401 | | - | anyadvantagesanddisadvantagestothestudentsandtaxpayersoftheregion |
|---|
| 4402 | | - | andtheState;and |
|---|
| 4403 | | - | (7)thepotentialsourceofsupervisoryunionservicesfortheproposed |
|---|
| 4404 | | - | newschooldistrict,includingdiscussionswiththeboardofanysupervisory |
|---|
| 4405 | | - | uniontowhichthereportofthewithdrawalstudycommitteemightpropose |
|---|
| 4406 | | - | assignment. |
|---|
| 4407 | | - | (d)Report,includingaplanforwithdrawal;decisionnottopreparereport. |
|---|
| 4408 | | - | (1)Reportsupportingwithdrawal. |
|---|
| 4409 | | - | 1 |
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| 4410 | | - | 2 |
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| 4425 | | - | 17 |
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| 4426 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 4427 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 4428 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4429 | | - | 2025 Page106of415 |
|---|
| 4430 | | - | (A)If,afterconductingtheanalysisrequiredbysubsection(c)ofthis |
|---|
| 4431 | | - | section,thewithdrawalstudycommitteevotestoadvancethewithdrawal |
|---|
| 4432 | | - | processasfurtheroutlinedinthissection,thenthecommitteeshallpreparea |
|---|
| 4433 | | - | report,whichitshalldeliverelectronicallytotheuniondistrictboardand |
|---|
| 4434 | | - | whichthesuperintendentshallpublishonthedistrict’swebsite. |
|---|
| 4435 | | - | (B)Ataminimum,thereportshallinclude: |
|---|
| 4436 | | - | (i)theanalysisconductedpursuanttosubsection(c)ofthis |
|---|
| 4437 | | - | section,describingthewaysinwhichthedataandanalysis: |
|---|
| 4438 | | - | (I)supportwithdrawal;and |
|---|
| 4439 | | - | (II)donotsupportthecontinuationoftheuniondistrictinits |
|---|
| 4440 | | - | currentconfiguration; |
|---|
| 4441 | | - | (ii)theproposedfinancialtermsofwithdrawal,includingthe |
|---|
| 4442 | | - | proposedownershipofbuildingsandotherassetsandtheproposed |
|---|
| 4443 | | - | responsibilityforfinancialandothercontractualobligations,includingdebts; |
|---|
| 4444 | | - | (iii)aplan,includingadetailedtimeline,fortheactionsthe |
|---|
| 4445 | | - | proposednewschooldistrictwouldtaketoensurethat,onaproposed |
|---|
| 4446 | | - | operationaldate,itcouldprovidefortheeducationofitsstudentsin |
|---|
| 4447 | | - | prekindergartenthroughgrade12byoperatingallgrades,tuitioningallgrades, |
|---|
| 4448 | | - | oroperatingsomegradesandtuitioningtheremainder,inamannerthatwill |
|---|
| 4449 | | - | meeteducationalqualitystandardsasrequiredbysection165ofthistitle,and |
|---|
| 4450 | | - | including,ifapplicable,theprocessbywhichtheproposednewschooldistrict |
|---|
| 4451 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 4452 | | - | 2 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 4465 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 4466 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 4467 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 4468 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 4469 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 4470 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 4471 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4472 | | - | 2025 Page107of415 |
|---|
| 4473 | | - | wouldexploreformationofanewunionschooldistrictwithoneormoreother |
|---|
| 4474 | | - | schooldistrictsintheregionandwouldintegrateorconditionanyvotesto |
|---|
| 4475 | | - | withdrawwithvotesonformationofanewuniondistrict;and |
|---|
| 4476 | | - | (iv)aproposal,includinganalysis,forthepotentialsourceof |
|---|
| 4477 | | - | supervisoryunionservicesfortheproposednewschooldistrict,including,if |
|---|
| 4478 | | - | applicabletotheproposal: |
|---|
| 4479 | | - | (I)arecommendationofoneormorepotentialsupervisory |
|---|
| 4480 | | - | unionstowhichtheStateBoardcouldassigntheproposednewschooldistrict; |
|---|
| 4481 | | - | and |
|---|
| 4482 | | - | (II)astatementfromtheboardofthepotentialsupervisory |
|---|
| 4483 | | - | unionorunionsregardingtheabilityandwillingnesstoaccepttheproposed |
|---|
| 4484 | | - | newschooldistrictasamemberdistrict. |
|---|
| 4485 | | - | (C)Within45daysfollowingreceiptofthewithdrawalstudy |
|---|
| 4486 | | - | committeereport,theuniondistrictboardshallinvitethemembersofthe |
|---|
| 4487 | | - | withdrawalstudycommitteetoattendaregularlyscheduledmeetingofthe |
|---|
| 4488 | | - | boardtopresentthecontentsofitsreportandtoansweranyquestionsposed |
|---|
| 4489 | | - | bytheboard.Theboardshallalsoinvitethemembersoftheliaison |
|---|
| 4490 | | - | subcommitteetoshareanyanalysisandconclusionsatthemeeting.The |
|---|
| 4491 | | - | withdrawalstudycommitteehassoleauthoritytodeterminethecontentsofits |
|---|
| 4492 | | - | report. |
|---|
| 4493 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 4494 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 4495 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 4496 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 4497 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 4498 | | - | 6 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 4509 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 4510 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 4511 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 4512 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4513 | | - | 2025 Page108of415 |
|---|
| 4514 | | - | (2)Decisionnottoproposewithdrawal.If,afterconductingthe |
|---|
| 4515 | | - | analysisrequiredbysubsection(c)ofthissection,thewithdrawalstudy |
|---|
| 4516 | | - | committeevotesnottoapproveadvancementofthewithdrawalprocess,then: |
|---|
| 4517 | | - | (A)thewithdrawalstudycommitteeshallprepareabriefwritten |
|---|
| 4518 | | - | statementexplainingthereasonsunderlyingthevotessupportingandnot |
|---|
| 4519 | | - | supportingadvancement,whichitshalldeliverelectronicallytotheunion |
|---|
| 4520 | | - | districtboardandwhichthesuperintendentshallpublishonthedistrict’s |
|---|
| 4521 | | - | website; |
|---|
| 4522 | | - | (B)within45daysfollowingreceiptofthewithdrawalstudy |
|---|
| 4523 | | - | committeereport,theuniondistrictboardshallinvitethemembersofthe |
|---|
| 4524 | | - | withdrawalstudycommitteetoattendaregularlyscheduledmeetingofthe |
|---|
| 4525 | | - | boardtopresentthecontentsofthewrittenstatementandtoanswerany |
|---|
| 4526 | | - | questionsposedbytheboard;and |
|---|
| 4527 | | - | (C)thewithdrawalstudycommitteeshallceasetoexistupon |
|---|
| 4528 | | - | adjournmentoftheuniondistrictboard’smeeting. |
|---|
| 4529 | | - | (e)SecretaryandStateBoard. |
|---|
| 4530 | | - | (1)Secretary.Ifthestudycommitteevotedtoproceedpursuantto |
|---|
| 4531 | | - | subdivision(d)(1)ofthissection,thenwithin30daysafterattendingtheunion |
|---|
| 4532 | | - | districtboardmeetingpursuanttosubdivision(d)(1)(C)ofthissection,itshall |
|---|
| 4533 | | - | deliveritsreportelectronicallytotheSecretaryforreview.Theliaison |
|---|
| 4534 | | - | subcommitteemayalsosubmitareportoutliningitsanalysisandconclusions. |
|---|
| 4535 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 4536 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 4537 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 4538 | | - | 4 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 4550 | | - | 16 |
|---|
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|---|
| 4552 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 4553 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 4554 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 4555 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4556 | | - | 2025 Page109of415 |
|---|
| 4557 | | - | TheSecretaryshallsubmitthereportorreports,withrecommendations,tothe |
|---|
| 4558 | | - | StateBoard. |
|---|
| 4559 | | - | (2)StateBoardreview.TheStateBoard: |
|---|
| 4560 | | - | (A)shallconsiderthereportorreportsandtheSecretary’s |
|---|
| 4561 | | - | recommendations; |
|---|
| 4562 | | - | (B)shallproviderepresentativesofthewithdrawalstudycommittee |
|---|
| 4563 | | - | andtheliaisonsubcommitteeanopportunitytobeheard; |
|---|
| 4564 | | - | (C)may,initsdiscretion,taketestimonyfromotherindividualsand |
|---|
| 4565 | | - | entities; |
|---|
| 4566 | | - | (D)mayasktheSecretary,thewithdrawalstudycommittee,orthe |
|---|
| 4567 | | - | liaisonsubcommitteetomakefurtherinvestigationandmayconsideranyother |
|---|
| 4568 | | - | informationtheStateBoarddeemstobepertinent;and |
|---|
| 4569 | | - | (E)mayrequestthemembersofthewithdrawalstudycommitteeto |
|---|
| 4570 | | - | amendthereport. |
|---|
| 4571 | | - | (3)StateBoardaction. |
|---|
| 4572 | | - | (A)Advisoryopinionwithpositiverecommendation.IftheState |
|---|
| 4573 | | - | Boardfindsthatthewithdrawalproposalcontainedinthereport,includingthe |
|---|
| 4574 | | - | mostfeasibleoptionsfortheprovisionofsupervisoryunionservicestothe |
|---|
| 4575 | | - | proposednewschooldistrict,isinthebestinterestsoftheState,theregion,the |
|---|
| 4576 | | - | students,andtheschooldistrictsandalignswiththepolicysetforthinsection |
|---|
| 4577 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 4578 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 4579 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 4590 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 4591 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 4592 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 4593 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 4594 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 4595 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 4596 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4597 | | - | 2025 Page110of415 |
|---|
| 4598 | | - | 701ofthistitle,thenwithin90daysafterreceivingthereportofthestudy |
|---|
| 4599 | | - | committeetheStateBoardshall: |
|---|
| 4600 | | - | (i)issueanopinionrecommendingapprovalofthewithdrawal |
|---|
| 4601 | | - | proposal; |
|---|
| 4602 | | - | (ii)provideapreliminaryassessmentofmostfeasibleoptionsfor |
|---|
| 4603 | | - | theprovisionofsupervisoryunionservicestotheproposednewschooldistrict |
|---|
| 4604 | | - | ifwithdrawalisapprovedbythevoters;and |
|---|
| 4605 | | - | (iii)makeanyotherfindingordeclaration,andapproveanyother |
|---|
| 4606 | | - | motion,relatedandnecessarytothewithdrawalproposal. |
|---|
| 4607 | | - | (B)Advisoryopinionwithnegativerecommendation.IftheState |
|---|
| 4608 | | - | Boardfindsthatthewithdrawalproposalcontainedinthereport,includingthe |
|---|
| 4609 | | - | mostfeasibleoptionsfortheprovisionofsupervisoryunionservicestothe |
|---|
| 4610 | | - | proposednewschooldistrict,isnotinthebestinterestsoftheState,the |
|---|
| 4611 | | - | region,thestudents,andtheschooldistrictsordoesnotalignwiththepolicy |
|---|
| 4612 | | - | setforthinsection701ofthistitle,orboth,thenwithin90daysafterreceiving |
|---|
| 4613 | | - | thereportofthestudycommitteetheStateBoardshall: |
|---|
| 4614 | | - | (i)issueanopinionrecommendingdisapprovalofthewithdrawal |
|---|
| 4615 | | - | proposal,includingawrittenstatementdetailingthereasonssupportingthis |
|---|
| 4616 | | - | conclusion; |
|---|
| 4617 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 4618 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 4619 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 4620 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 4621 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 4622 | | - | 6 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 4628 | | - | 12 |
|---|
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|---|
| 4630 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 4631 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 4632 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 4633 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 4634 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 4635 | | - | 19 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4636 | | - | 2025 Page111of415 |
|---|
| 4637 | | - | (ii)provideapreliminaryassessmentofmostfeasibleoptionsfor |
|---|
| 4638 | | - | theprovisionofsupervisoryunionservicestotheproposednewschooldistrict |
|---|
| 4639 | | - | ifwithdrawalisapprovedbythevoters;and |
|---|
| 4640 | | - | (iii)makeanyotherfindingordeclarationandapproveanyother |
|---|
| 4641 | | - | motionrelatedandnecessarytothewithdrawalproposal. |
|---|
| 4642 | | - | (f)Voteoftheelectorate. |
|---|
| 4643 | | - | (1)VotefollowingpositiverecommendationoftheStateBoard. |
|---|
| 4644 | | - | (A)Within30daysafterreceiptoftheStateBoard’swritten |
|---|
| 4645 | | - | recommendation,thesuperintendentshallfilethewithdrawalstudy |
|---|
| 4646 | | - | committee’sreport,theStateBoard’swrittenrecommendation,andanyreport |
|---|
| 4647 | | - | oftheliaisonsubcommitteewiththeclerkoftheuniondistrictandthetown |
|---|
| 4648 | | - | clerkofeachtownwithintheuniondistrict. |
|---|
| 4649 | | - | (B)Within90daysaftertheclerkoftheuniondistrictreceivingthe |
|---|
| 4650 | | - | reportsandrecommendationsdescribedinsubdivision(A)ofthissubsection, |
|---|
| 4651 | | - | thevotersoftheuniondistrict,includingthoseresidinginthepetitioning |
|---|
| 4652 | | - | town,shallvotewhethertoapprovewithdrawalassetforthinthereport.The |
|---|
| 4653 | | - | questionshallbedeterminedbyAustralianballotandshallproceedpursuantto |
|---|
| 4654 | | - | sections737(warningsofunifiedunionschooldistrictmeetings)and739–741 |
|---|
| 4655 | | - | (votebyAustralianballot)ofthischapter.Theballotsshallnotbe |
|---|
| 4656 | | - | commingled. |
|---|
| 4657 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 4658 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 4659 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 4671 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 4672 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 4673 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 4674 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 4675 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 4676 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4677 | | - | 2025 Page112of415 |
|---|
| 4678 | | - | (C)Withdrawalfromtheuniondistrictshalloccurifthequestionis |
|---|
| 4679 | | - | approvedbyamajorityvoteoftheuniondistrictvoterslivingineachtown |
|---|
| 4680 | | - | withinthedistrict,includingthepetitioningtown.Ifamajorityofthevoters |
|---|
| 4681 | | - | inoneormoretownswithintheuniondistrictdonotvoteinfavorof |
|---|
| 4682 | | - | withdrawal,thentheproposedwithdrawalshallnotoccur. |
|---|
| 4683 | | - | (D)Within45daysafterthevoteor15daysafteravoteto |
|---|
| 4684 | | - | reconsidertheoriginalvoteunder17V.S.A.§2661,whicheverislater,the |
|---|
| 4685 | | - | clerkofeachtownwithintheuniondistrictshallcertifytheresultsofthevote |
|---|
| 4686 | | - | totheSecretaryofEducation,andtheSecretaryshalladvisetheStateBoardof |
|---|
| 4687 | | - | thecertifiedresults.Eachclerkshallsubmitthecertificationregardlessof |
|---|
| 4688 | | - | whetherthevotersinthattownapprovedwithdrawal.Thewithdrawalstudy |
|---|
| 4689 | | - | committeeshallceasetoexistwheneachclerkhassubmittedacertificationto |
|---|
| 4690 | | - | theSecretary. |
|---|
| 4691 | | - | (2)VotefollowingnegativerecommendationoftheStateBoard. |
|---|
| 4692 | | - | (A)Thesuperintendentshallfilethewithdrawalstudycommittee’s |
|---|
| 4693 | | - | report,theStateBoard’swrittenrecommendation,andanyreportoftheliaison |
|---|
| 4694 | | - | subcommitteewiththeclerkoftheuniondistrictandwiththetownclerkof |
|---|
| 4695 | | - | eachtownwithintheuniondistrict. |
|---|
| 4696 | | - | (B)Theuniondistrictvotersresidinginthepetitioningtownshall |
|---|
| 4697 | | - | votewhethertowithdrawfromtheuniondistrictpursuanttothetermsset |
|---|
| 4698 | | - | forthinthereport. |
|---|
| 4699 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 4700 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 4701 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 4702 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 4703 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 4704 | | - | 6 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 4713 | | - | 15 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 4716 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 4717 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 4718 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 4719 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4720 | | - | 2025 Page113of415 |
|---|
| 4721 | | - | (i)ThequestionshallbedeterminedbyAustralianballotandshall |
|---|
| 4722 | | - | proceedpursuanttosections737(warningsofunifiedunionschooldistrict |
|---|
| 4723 | | - | meetings)and739–741(votebyAustralianballot)ofthischapter. |
|---|
| 4724 | | - | (ii)Thewithdrawalproposalshallproceedtoavoteineachofthe |
|---|
| 4725 | | - | othertownswithintheuniondistrictonlyifapprovedbyamajorityofthe |
|---|
| 4726 | | - | uniondistrictvotersresidinginthepetitioningtownpresentandvotingyesor |
|---|
| 4727 | | - | noonthewarnedquestion.Ifamajorityofthevotersinthepetitioningtown |
|---|
| 4728 | | - | donotvoteinfavorofwithdrawal,thentheproposedwithdrawalshallnot |
|---|
| 4729 | | - | occur. |
|---|
| 4730 | | - | (C)Within45daysafterthevoteinsubdivision(B)ofthis |
|---|
| 4731 | | - | subdivision(f)(2)or15daysafteravotetoreconsidertheoriginalvoteunder |
|---|
| 4732 | | - | 17V.S.A.§2661,whicheverislater,theclerkofthepetitioningtownshall |
|---|
| 4733 | | - | certifytheresultsofthevotetotheSecretaryofStatewhoshallrecordthe |
|---|
| 4734 | | - | certificateandgivenoticeofthevotetotheclerkoftheuniondistrict,the |
|---|
| 4735 | | - | clerksofeachoftheothertownswithintheuniondistrict,andtheSecretaryof |
|---|
| 4736 | | - | Education.Theclerkofthepetitioningtownshallsubmitthecertification |
|---|
| 4737 | | - | regardlessofwhetherthevotersinthepetitioningtownapprovedwithdrawal. |
|---|
| 4738 | | - | Thewithdrawalstudycommitteeshallceasetoexistuponsubmissionofthe |
|---|
| 4739 | | - | certification. |
|---|
| 4740 | | - | (D)Iftheuniondistrictvotersresidinginthepetitioningtown |
|---|
| 4741 | | - | approvethewithdrawalproposalpursuanttosubdivision(B)ofthis |
|---|
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| 4762 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 4764 | | - | subdivision(f)(2),then,within90daysafterreceivingnoticeofthe |
|---|
| 4765 | | - | certificationasrequiredinsubdivision(C)ofthissubdivision(f)(2),thevoters |
|---|
| 4766 | | - | oftheuniondistrictresidingineachoftheothertownsshallvoteonthesame |
|---|
| 4767 | | - | daywhethertoapprovewithdrawalofthepetitioningtownassetforthinthe |
|---|
| 4768 | | - | finalreport. |
|---|
| 4769 | | - | (i)ThequestionshallbedeterminedbyAustralianballotandshall |
|---|
| 4770 | | - | proceedpursuanttosections737(warningsofunifiedunionschooldistrict |
|---|
| 4771 | | - | meetings)and739–741(votebyAustralianballot)ofthischapter.Theballots |
|---|
| 4772 | | - | shallnotbecommingled. |
|---|
| 4773 | | - | (ii)Withdrawalfromtheuniondistrictshalloccurifthequestion |
|---|
| 4774 | | - | isapprovedbyamajorityvoteoftheuniondistrictvoterslivingineachofthe |
|---|
| 4775 | | - | othertownswithintheuniondistrict.Ifamajorityofthevotersinoneor |
|---|
| 4776 | | - | moretownswithintheuniondistrictdonotvoteinfavorofwithdrawal,then |
|---|
| 4777 | | - | theproposedwithdrawalshallnotoccur. |
|---|
| 4778 | | - | (E)Within45daysafterthevoteinsubdivision(D)ofthis |
|---|
| 4779 | | - | subdivision(f)(2)or15daysafteravotetoreconsidertheoriginalvoteunder |
|---|
| 4780 | | - | 17V.S.A.§2661,whicheverislater,theclerkofeachoftheothertowns |
|---|
| 4781 | | - | withintheuniondistrictshallcertifytheresultsofthevotetotheSecretaryof |
|---|
| 4782 | | - | Education,andtheSecretaryshalladvisetheStateBoardofthecertified |
|---|
| 4783 | | - | results.Eachclerkshallsubmitthecertificationregardlessofwhetherthe |
|---|
| 4784 | | - | votersinthattownapprovedwithdrawal.Thewithdrawalstudycommittee |
|---|
| 4785 | | - | 1 |
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| 4805 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 4807 | | - | shallceasetoexistwheneachclerkhassubmittedacertificationtothe |
|---|
| 4808 | | - | Secretary. |
|---|
| 4809 | | - | (g)Electionofpotentialboardmembers.Onthedayonwhichtheyvote |
|---|
| 4810 | | - | whethertoapprovewithdrawal,theuniondistrictvotersresidinginthe |
|---|
| 4811 | | - | petitioningtownshallalsovoteforthreeindividualregisteredvotersfromthe |
|---|
| 4812 | | - | petitioningtowntoserveastheinitialmembersoftheproposednewschool |
|---|
| 4813 | | - | district’sboardifwithdrawalisapproved.Thenominationandelectionofthe |
|---|
| 4814 | | - | initialmembersshallproceedpursuanttosubdivision730(a)(1)ofthischapter |
|---|
| 4815 | | - | (electionofboardmembersundertheproportionaltotownmodelby |
|---|
| 4816 | | - | Australianballot).Thetermofofficeforeachinitialmembershallbe |
|---|
| 4817 | | - | arrangedsothatonetermexpiresonthedayofthesecondannualmeetingof |
|---|
| 4818 | | - | theproposednewschooldistrict,onetermexpiresonthedayofthethird |
|---|
| 4819 | | - | annualmeeting,andonetermexpiresonthedayofthefourthannualmeeting. |
|---|
| 4820 | | - | (h)StateBoard’sdutiesifwithdrawalisapproved.Iftheuniondistrict |
|---|
| 4821 | | - | votersapprovewithdrawalpursuanttosubsection(f)ofthissection,thenupon |
|---|
| 4822 | | - | receivingnoticefromtheSecretarypursuanttosubdivision(f)(1)(D)or |
|---|
| 4823 | | - | (f)(2)(E)ofthissection,theStateBoardshall: |
|---|
| 4824 | | - | (1)DeclarethewithdrawalapprovedasofthedateoftheBoard’s |
|---|
| 4825 | | - | meeting;provided,however,thatwithdrawalshallnotbefinaluntilthedate |
|---|
| 4826 | | - | identifiedinthevoter-approvedproposalofwithdrawal. |
|---|
| 4827 | | - | 1 |
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| 4828 | | - | 2 |
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|---|
| 4846 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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|---|
| 4848 | | - | (2)Declarethecreationandexistenceofthenewschooldistrict, |
|---|
| 4849 | | - | effectiveonthedateoftheBoard’sdeclaration;provided,however,that: |
|---|
| 4850 | | - | (A)thenewschooldistrictshallassumefullandsoleresponsibility |
|---|
| 4851 | | - | fortheeducationofitsresidentstudentsonthedateidentifiedinthevoter- |
|---|
| 4852 | | - | approvedproposalofwithdrawal;and |
|---|
| 4853 | | - | (B)untiltheidentifiedoperationaldate,thenewschooldistrictshall |
|---|
| 4854 | | - | existforthesolepurposesof: |
|---|
| 4855 | | - | (i)conveninganorganizationalmeetingofthevotersofthenew |
|---|
| 4856 | | - | schooldistricttopreparethedistricttoassumeitsresponsibilities; |
|---|
| 4857 | | - | (ii)organizingtheschoolboardofthenewschooldistrict,which |
|---|
| 4858 | | - | shallberesponsibleforpreparingaproposedbudgetforthefiscalyear |
|---|
| 4859 | | - | beginningontheidentifiedoperationaldate; |
|---|
| 4860 | | - | (iii)approvingthebudgetofthenewschooldistrictforthefiscal |
|---|
| 4861 | | - | yearbeginningontheidentifiedoperationaldate;and |
|---|
| 4862 | | - | (iv)takinganyotheractionsnecessary,asdistrictvotersorasa |
|---|
| 4863 | | - | schoolboard,forthenewschooldistricttoassumefullresponsibilityfor |
|---|
| 4864 | | - | providingfortheeducationofthedistrict’sresidentstudentsinallgrades, |
|---|
| 4865 | | - | prekindergartenthroughgrade12,ontheidentifiedoperationaldate. |
|---|
| 4866 | | - | (3)Determineorsetaschedulefordeterminingthemannerinwhich |
|---|
| 4867 | | - | supervisoryunionserviceswillbeprovidedtothenewschooldistrict,tobe |
|---|
| 4868 | | - | effectiveonthedistrict’sidentifiedoperationaldate. |
|---|
| 4869 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 4889 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 4890 | | - | 2025 Page117of415 |
|---|
| 4891 | | - | (A)Inadditiontotheconsiderationssetforthinsection261ofthis |
|---|
| 4892 | | - | title,whentheStateBoardmakesitsdetermination,itshallconsiderthe |
|---|
| 4893 | | - | potentialpositiveandnegativeconsequencesonallaffecteddistrictsand |
|---|
| 4894 | | - | supervisoryunionsifsupervisoryunionserviceswereprovidedtothenew |
|---|
| 4895 | | - | schooldistrictinamannerthatrequired: |
|---|
| 4896 | | - | (i)auniondistrictservingasitsownsupervisorydistrictto |
|---|
| 4897 | | - | becomeamemberofamultidistrictsupervisoryunion;or |
|---|
| 4898 | | - | (ii)aneighboringsupervisoryuniontoacceptoneormore |
|---|
| 4899 | | - | additionaldistrictsthatthesupervisoryuniontestifiesitisnotableto |
|---|
| 4900 | | - | accommodate. |
|---|
| 4901 | | - | (B)Ifassignedtoamultidistrictsupervisoryunion,thentheboardof |
|---|
| 4902 | | - | thenewschooldistrictmayappointitsmemberstothesupervisoryunion |
|---|
| 4903 | | - | boardpursuanttosection266ofthistitle,wheretheymayparticipateas |
|---|
| 4904 | | - | nonvotingmembersofthatboarduntilthenewschooldistrict’soperational |
|---|
| 4905 | | - | date. |
|---|
| 4906 | | - | (i)Certification;SecretaryofState.IftheStateBoarddeclaresthecreation |
|---|
| 4907 | | - | andexistenceofanewschooldistrictpursuanttosubdivision(h)(2)ofthis |
|---|
| 4908 | | - | section,thenwithin30daysfollowingsuchactiontheSecretaryofEducation |
|---|
| 4909 | | - | shallcertifytheadjustmentofthetownswithintheuniondistricttothe |
|---|
| 4910 | | - | SecretaryofState.WhentheSecretaryofStaterecordsthecertificationofthe |
|---|
| 4911 | | - | SecretaryofEducation,thetownswithintheuniondistrictshallbeadjusted |
|---|
| 4912 | | - | 1 |
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 4932 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4933 | | - | 2025 Page118of415 |
|---|
| 4934 | | - | accordingly;provided,however,thatthevoter-approvedproposalof |
|---|
| 4935 | | - | withdrawalshallestablishthedateonwhichwithdrawalshallbefinal,thenew |
|---|
| 4936 | | - | schooldistrictshallassumefullandsoleresponsibilityfortheeducationofits |
|---|
| 4937 | | - | residentstudents,andtheunionschooldistrictshallnolongerhave |
|---|
| 4938 | | - | responsibilityfortheeducationofthosestudents.Notmorethan14daysafter |
|---|
| 4939 | | - | thedatetheSecretaryofEducationcertifiestheadjustment,theSecretaryof |
|---|
| 4940 | | - | Stateshallfileacertifiedcopyoftherecordedcertificationwiththeclerkof |
|---|
| 4941 | | - | theuniondistrictandtheclerkforthetowninwhichthenewschooldistrictis |
|---|
| 4942 | | - | located.Filingacertifiedcopywiththeclerksshallbeprimafacieevidenceof |
|---|
| 4943 | | - | fullcompliancewiththerequirementsforadjustingtheunionschooldistrictby |
|---|
| 4944 | | - | withdrawalassetforthinthissection. |
|---|
| 4945 | | - | (j)Timingofaction. |
|---|
| 4946 | | - | (1)Thevotersresidinginanytownwithinauniondistrictshallnot |
|---|
| 4947 | | - | initiatethewithdrawalprocesssetforthinthissectionwithinthefirstyear |
|---|
| 4948 | | - | afterthelatteroftheoperationaldateofanewlyformeduniondistrictor,if |
|---|
| 4949 | | - | applicable,theoperationaldateofauniondistrictadjustedpursuantto |
|---|
| 4950 | | - | subsection(i)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 4951 | | - | (2)Ifapetitioningtown’sactiontowithdrawfromaunionschool |
|---|
| 4952 | | - | districtisunsuccessful,thenthevotersresidinginthattownshallnotinitiatea |
|---|
| 4953 | | - | newwithdrawalactionunderthissectionuntiltwoyearsaftereithera |
|---|
| 4954 | | - | withdrawalstudycommitteevotesnottoapproveadvancementofthe |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 4975 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 4976 | | - | 2025 Page119of415 |
|---|
| 4977 | | - | withdrawalprocessorthevotebythevotersthatconcludedtheinitial |
|---|
| 4978 | | - | withdrawalaction.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 4979 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 4980 | | - | Sec.15.16V.S.A.§ 564isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 4981 | | - | § 564.SCHOOLADVISORYCOMMITTEES |
|---|
| 4982 | | - | (a)Eachschooldistrictshallestablishalocalschooladvisorycommittee |
|---|
| 4983 | | - | foreachschool.Thesecommitteesshallhavemembershipfromparents, |
|---|
| 4984 | | - | communitymembersandstudentstorepresentthegender,racial,and |
|---|
| 4985 | | - | socioeconomicdiversityoftheschoolcommunity,andshallserveinan |
|---|
| 4986 | | - | advisoryroletotheschooladministration. |
|---|
| 4987 | | - | (b)Buildinglevelprincipalswilladministertheapplicationand |
|---|
| 4988 | | - | membershipprocessfortheschooladvisorycommittees.Schooladvisory |
|---|
| 4989 | | - | committeesshallprovideinputtotheschoolboardonequitablebudgeting |
|---|
| 4990 | | - | parametersandfeedbackontheproposedschooldistrictbudgeteachyear. |
|---|
| 4991 | | - | (c)Aschooladvisorycommitteeshall,throughtheadministrationofthe |
|---|
| 4992 | | - | buildinglevelprincipal,directadesignatedportionofthefundingallocatedto |
|---|
| 4993 | | - | theschoolitrepresents.Annually,theschoolboardshalldeterminethe |
|---|
| 4994 | | - | amountthateachschooladvisorycommitteewillhaveauthoritytodirect, |
|---|
| 4995 | | - | whichshallbeequitablewithrespecttoschoolsizeorschoolbudgetsize. |
|---|
| 4996 | | - | Beforefundsareexpended,theschoolboardshallapprovetheproposedplan |
|---|
| 4997 | | - | developedbytheschooladvisorycommittee. |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 5018 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5019 | | - | 2025 Page120of415 |
|---|
| 5020 | | - | Sec.16.16V.S.A.§ 821isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 5021 | | - | § 821.SCHOOLDISTRICTTOMAINTAINPUBLICELEMENTARY |
|---|
| 5022 | | - | SCHOOLSORPAYTUITION |
|---|
| 5023 | | - | (a)Eachschooldistrictshallmaintainoneormoreapprovedschoolswithin |
|---|
| 5024 | | - | thedistrictinwhichelementaryeducationforitsresidentstudentsin |
|---|
| 5025 | | - | kindergartenthroughgradesixisprovidedunless: |
|---|
| 5026 | | - | (1)theelectorateauthorizestheschoolboardtoprovideforthe |
|---|
| 5027 | | - | elementaryeducationofthestudentsbypayingtuitioninaccordancewithlaw |
|---|
| 5028 | | - | tooneormorepublicelementaryschoolsinoneormoreschooldistricts; |
|---|
| 5029 | | - | (2)theschooldistrictisorganizedtoprovideonlyhighschooleducation |
|---|
| 5030 | | - | foritsstudents;or |
|---|
| 5031 | | - | (3)theGeneralAssemblyprovidesotherwise. |
|---|
| 5032 | | - | (b)Aschoolboardshalladoptapolicyonintra-districtgradeK–8choice |
|---|
| 5033 | | - | andupdatethepolicyasappropriate.Thepolicyshallstatewhetherandto |
|---|
| 5034 | | - | whatextentresidentstudentsinelementarygradescanchooseaschool |
|---|
| 5035 | | - | operatedbytheschooldistrictotherthantheschooldesignatedbythedistrict |
|---|
| 5036 | | - | forthestudent’stownofresidence. |
|---|
| 5037 | | - | (c)Notwithstandingsubsection(a)ofthissection,withoutprevious |
|---|
| 5038 | | - | authorizationbytheelectorate,aschoolboardinadistrictthatoperatesan |
|---|
| 5039 | | - | elementaryschoolmaypaytuitionforelementarystudentswhoresideneara |
|---|
| 5040 | | - | publicelementaryschoolinanadjacentdistrictuponrequestofthestudent’s |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 5061 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5062 | | - | 2025 Page121of415 |
|---|
| 5063 | | - | parentorguardian,ifintheboard’sjudgmentthestudent’seducationcanbe |
|---|
| 5064 | | - | moreconvenientlyfurnishedthereduetogeographicconsiderations.Within30 |
|---|
| 5065 | | - | daysoftheboard’sdecision,aparentorguardianwhoisdissatisfiedwiththe |
|---|
| 5066 | | - | decisionoftheboardunderthissubsectionmayrequestadeterminationbythe |
|---|
| 5067 | | - | Secretary,whoshallhaveauthoritytodirecttheschoolboardtopayall,some, |
|---|
| 5068 | | - | ornoneofthestudent’stuitionandwhosedecisionshallbefinal.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5069 | | - | (d)Notwithstandingsubdivision(a)(1)ofthissection,theelectorateofa |
|---|
| 5070 | | - | schooldistrictthatdoesnotmaintainanelementaryschoolmaygrantgeneral |
|---|
| 5071 | | - | authoritytotheschoolboardtopaytuitionforanelementarystudentatan |
|---|
| 5072 | | - | approvedindependentelementaryschooloranindependentschoolmeeting |
|---|
| 5073 | | - | educationqualitystandardspursuanttosections823and828ofthischapter |
|---|
| 5074 | | - | uponnoticegivenbythestudent’sparentorlegalguardianbeforeApril15for |
|---|
| 5075 | | - | thenextacademicyear.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5076 | | - | Sec.17.16V.S.A.§ 822isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 5077 | | - | § 822.SCHOOLDISTRICTTOMAINTAINPUBLICHIGHSCHOOLSOR |
|---|
| 5078 | | - | PAYTUITION;SCHOOLCHOICESCHOOLS |
|---|
| 5079 | | - | (a)Eachschooldistrictshallmaintainoneormoreapprovedhighschools |
|---|
| 5080 | | - | inwhichhighschooleducationisprovidedforitsresidentstudentsunless: |
|---|
| 5081 | | - | (1)theelectorateauthorizestheschoolboardtocloseanexistinghigh |
|---|
| 5082 | | - | schoolandtoprovideforthehighschooleducationofitsstudentsbypaying |
|---|
| 5083 | | - | tuitiontoapublichighschool,anapprovedindependenthighschool,oran |
|---|
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| 5104 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 5105 | | - | 2025 Page122of415 |
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| 5106 | | - | independentschoolmeetingeducationqualitystandards,tobeselectedbythe |
|---|
| 5107 | | - | parentsorguardiansofthestudent,withinoroutsidetheState;or |
|---|
| 5108 | | - | (2)theschooldistrictisorganizedtoprovideonlyelementaryeducation |
|---|
| 5109 | | - | foritsstudents. |
|---|
| 5110 | | - | (b)Forpurposesofthissection,aschooldistrictthatisorganizedto |
|---|
| 5111 | | - | providekindergartenthroughgrade12andmaintainsaprogramofeducation |
|---|
| 5112 | | - | foronlythefirsteightyearsofcompulsoryschoolattendanceshallbe |
|---|
| 5113 | | - | obligatedtopaytuitionforitsresidentstudentsforatleastfouradditional |
|---|
| 5114 | | - | years.Aschoolboardshalldesignateatleastonepublicorindependentschool |
|---|
| 5115 | | - | thatoperatesgradesninethrough12toreceiveincomingstudents.Thisschool |
|---|
| 5116 | | - | shallbeknownasaschoolchoiceschool.Theschoolboardisnotrequiredto |
|---|
| 5117 | | - | designateanindependentschoolifitinsteaddesignatesoneormorepublic |
|---|
| 5118 | | - | schools.Iftheschoolchoiceschooldesignatedbythedistrictisan |
|---|
| 5119 | | - | independentschool,itshallfirstbecertifiedbytheAgencyofEducationas |
|---|
| 5120 | | - | meetingtheschoolchoiceschoolrequirementsinsection166ofthistitle.Any |
|---|
| 5121 | | - | suchdesignationshallbeforaperiodoffiveyears. |
|---|
| 5122 | | - | (1)Afterreviewingtheportfolioofschooloptionsforgradesnine |
|---|
| 5123 | | - | through12inthedistrict,theschoolboardshalladoptapolicyongradenine |
|---|
| 5124 | | - | through12schoolchoiceandupdatethepolicyasappropriate.Thepolicy |
|---|
| 5125 | | - | shalltakeintoconsiderationhistoricpatternsofattendance,capacityof |
|---|
| 5126 | | - | schools,andattendanceandgeographicneedsofthedistrict,alongwith |
|---|
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| 5147 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 5148 | | - | 2025 Page123of415 |
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| 5149 | | - | studentinterestforspecializededucationalprogramming.Thepolicyshall |
|---|
| 5150 | | - | stateanumberofresidentstudentsingradesninethrough12thatcan |
|---|
| 5151 | | - | participateinschoolchoice,whichshallbenotlessthan10percentofthe |
|---|
| 5152 | | - | numberofresidentstudentsingradesninethrough12foragivenyear. |
|---|
| 5153 | | - | (2)Ifthedistrictwilloperateoneormoreofitspublicschoolsasa |
|---|
| 5154 | | - | schoolchoiceschool,thentheschoolboardshallannuallyannouncethe |
|---|
| 5155 | | - | capacityforincomingstudentstoattendeachsuchschoolorschools. |
|---|
| 5156 | | - | (c)(1)Aschooldistrictmaybothmaintainahighschoolandfurnishhigh |
|---|
| 5157 | | - | schooleducationbypayingtuition: |
|---|
| 5158 | | - | (A)toapublicschoolasinthejudgmentoftheschoolboardmay |
|---|
| 5159 | | - | bestservetheinterestsofthestudents;or |
|---|
| 5160 | | - | (B)toanapprovedindependentschooloranindependentschool |
|---|
| 5161 | | - | meetingeducationqualitystandardsiftheschoolboardjudgesthatastudent |
|---|
| 5162 | | - | hasuniqueeducationalneedsthatcannotbeservedwithinthedistrictorata |
|---|
| 5163 | | - | nearbypublicschoolSubjecttotheprovisionsofsubsection(a)(1)ofthis |
|---|
| 5164 | | - | section,ifmorethantheallowablenumberofstudentswishtoparticipatein |
|---|
| 5165 | | - | schoolchoice,thenthedistrictshalluseanondiscriminatorylotterysystemfor |
|---|
| 5166 | | - | determiningwhichstudentsmayparticipateinschoolchoice. |
|---|
| 5167 | | - | (2)Thejudgmentoftheboardshallbefinalinregardtotheinstitution |
|---|
| 5168 | | - | thestudentsmayattendatpubliccost.Subjecttotheprovisionsofsubdivision |
|---|
| 5169 | | - | (a)(2)ofthissection,ifmorethantheallowablenumberofstudentswishto |
|---|
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| 5190 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5191 | | - | 2025 Page124of415 |
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| 5192 | | - | transfertoaschoolchoiceschooloperatedbythedistrict,thenthedistrictshall |
|---|
| 5193 | | - | useanondiscriminatorylotterysystemfordeterminingwhichstudentsmay |
|---|
| 5194 | | - | transfertotheschoolchoiceschool. |
|---|
| 5195 | | - | (A)thedistrictshallgivepreferencetotheschoolchoicerequestofa |
|---|
| 5196 | | - | studentwhoserequesttoparticipateinschoolchoicewasdeniedinaprior |
|---|
| 5197 | | - | year; |
|---|
| 5198 | | - | (B)thedistrictshallgivepreferencetosiblingsofstudentswhoare |
|---|
| 5199 | | - | currentlyenrolledintheschoolchoiceschool; |
|---|
| 5200 | | - | (C)thedistrictshallgivepreferencetostudentswhoresidecloserto |
|---|
| 5201 | | - | theschoolchoiceschoolthanadifferentschooloperatedbythedistrict. |
|---|
| 5202 | | - | Sec.18.REPEALS |
|---|
| 5203 | | - | 16V.S.A.§ 822a(publichighschoolchoice)and16V.S.A.§ 823 |
|---|
| 5204 | | - | (elementarytuition)arerepealedonJuly1,2027. |
|---|
| 5205 | | - | Sec.19.16V.S.A.§ 824isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 5206 | | - | § 824.HIGHSCHOOLTUITIONPAYMENTTOSCHOOLCHOICE |
|---|
| 5207 | | - | SCHOOLS |
|---|
| 5208 | | - | (a)TuitionPaymentforhighschoolstudentsattendingaschoolchoice |
|---|
| 5209 | | - | schoolthatisanindependentschoolasdefinedinsection166ofthistitleshall |
|---|
| 5210 | | - | bepaidbytheschooldistrictinwhichthestudentisaresidentAgencyof |
|---|
| 5211 | | - | Educationinanamountequaltotheweightedbaseeducationamountper |
|---|
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| 5231 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 5232 | | - | 2025 Page125of415 |
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| 5233 | | - | studentasdescribedinsection4001ofthistitle.TheAgencyofEducation |
|---|
| 5234 | | - | shallestablishrulestogovernthescheduleandproceduresforsuchpayments. |
|---|
| 5235 | | - | (b)Exceptasotherwiseprovidedfortechnicalstudents,thedistrictshall |
|---|
| 5236 | | - | paythefulltuitionchargeditsstudentsattendingapublichighschoolin |
|---|
| 5237 | | - | Vermontoranadjoiningstateorapublicorapprovedindependentschoolin |
|---|
| 5238 | | - | Vermontfunctioningasanapprovedareacareertechnicalcenter,oran |
|---|
| 5239 | | - | independentschoolmeetingeducationqualitystandards;provided: |
|---|
| 5240 | | - | (1)Ifapaymentmadetoapublichighschooloranindependentschool |
|---|
| 5241 | | - | meetingeducationqualitystandardsisthreepercentmoreorlessthanthe |
|---|
| 5242 | | - | calculatednetcostpersecondarypupilinthereceivingschooldistrictor |
|---|
| 5243 | | - | independentschoolfortheyearofattendancethenthedistrictorschoolshall |
|---|
| 5244 | | - | bereimbursed,credited,orrefundedpursuanttosection836ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 5245 | | - | (2)Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofthissubsectionorofsubsection |
|---|
| 5246 | | - | 825(b)ofthistitle,theboardofthereceivingpublicschooldistrict,publicor |
|---|
| 5247 | | - | approvedindependentschoolfunctioningasanareacareertechnicalcenter,or |
|---|
| 5248 | | - | independentschoolmeetingeducationqualitystandardsmayenterintotuition |
|---|
| 5249 | | - | agreementswiththeboardsofsendingdistrictsthathavetermsdifferingfrom |
|---|
| 5250 | | - | theprovisionsofthosesubsections,providedthatthereceivingdistrictor |
|---|
| 5251 | | - | schoolmustofferidenticaltermstoallsendingdistricts,andfurtherprovided |
|---|
| 5252 | | - | thatthestatutoryprovisionsapplytoanysendingdistrictthatdeclinesthe |
|---|
| 5253 | | - | offeredterms.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5254 | | - | 1 |
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|---|
| 5274 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 5275 | | - | 2025 Page126of415 |
|---|
| 5276 | | - | (c)Thedistrictshallpayanamountnottoexceedtheaverageannounced |
|---|
| 5277 | | - | tuitionofVermontunionhighschoolsfortheyearofattendanceforits |
|---|
| 5278 | | - | studentsenrolledinanapprovedindependentschoolnotfunctioningasa |
|---|
| 5279 | | - | Vermontareacareertechnicalcenter,oranyhigheramountapprovedbythe |
|---|
| 5280 | | - | electorateatanannualorspecialmeetingwarnedforthatpurpose. |
|---|
| 5281 | | - | [Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5282 | | - | Sec.20.16V.S.A.§ 1071isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 5283 | | - | § 1071.SCHOOLYEARANDSCHOOLDAY |
|---|
| 5284 | | - | (a)Minimumnumberofdays.Exceptasprovidedinthissection,each |
|---|
| 5285 | | - | publicschoolshallbemaintainedandoperatedfor: |
|---|
| 5286 | | - | (1)Atleast175180studentattendancedaysineachschoolyear.For |
|---|
| 5287 | | - | purposesofthissection,amajorityofstudentsenrolledinaschoolmustbe |
|---|
| 5288 | | - | recordedontheschoolrollasinattendanceonanydaycountedasastudent |
|---|
| 5289 | | - | attendanceday. |
|---|
| 5290 | | - | (2)Atleastfiveteacherin-serviceeducationdays,duringwhichtime |
|---|
| 5291 | | - | activitiesshallbeconductedwithoutstudentspresentinordertoincreasethe |
|---|
| 5292 | | - | competencyofthestaff,improvethecurriculumoftheschool,enableteachers |
|---|
| 5293 | | - | toattendStateeducationalmeetings,ordisseminatestudentprogress |
|---|
| 5294 | | - | informationtoparentsorthecommunity. |
|---|
| 5295 | | - | 1 |
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|---|
| 5313 | | - | 19 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5314 | | - | 2025 Page127of415 |
|---|
| 5315 | | - | (b)Hoursofoperation.WithintheminimumsetbytheStateBoard |
|---|
| 5316 | | - | AgencyofEducation,theschoolboardshallfixthenumberofhoursthatshall |
|---|
| 5317 | | - | constituteaschoolday,subjecttochangeupontheorderoftheStateBoard. |
|---|
| 5318 | | - | (c)Unanticipatedclosings.Whenapublicschoolisclosedforcause |
|---|
| 5319 | | - | beyondthecontroloftheschoolboard,itmaypetitiontheStateBoardAgency |
|---|
| 5320 | | - | ofEducationforawaiveroftherequirementsofthissection.Thepetition |
|---|
| 5321 | | - | shallbefiledwiththeStateBoardwithin10daysofeachoccurrenceandnot |
|---|
| 5322 | | - | laterthanJune15oftheschoolyearinvolved;andtheStateBoardshallacton |
|---|
| 5323 | | - | thepetitionatitsnextmeetingAgencyonaformprovidedbytheAgency.If |
|---|
| 5324 | | - | thepetitionisapprovedandawaivergranted,theschooldistrictshallbe |
|---|
| 5325 | | - | deemedtohavesatisfiedtherequirementsofthissection.IftheStateBoard |
|---|
| 5326 | | - | failstoactatthatmeeting,thepetitionshallbedeemedtohavebeenapproved |
|---|
| 5327 | | - | andthewaivergranted. |
|---|
| 5328 | | - | (d)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5329 | | - | (e)Regionalcalendar.BeforeApril1ofeachyear,thesuperintendentsof |
|---|
| 5330 | | - | schoolsandtheheadmastersofpublicschoolsnotmanagedbyschoolboards |
|---|
| 5331 | | - | inanareashallmeet,andbymajorityvote,establishauniformcalendarwithin |
|---|
| 5332 | | - | thatareaforthefollowingschoolyear.TheSecretaryshallestablishasingle |
|---|
| 5333 | | - | statewidecalendar.ThecalendarshallbepublishedbeforeMay1ofeachyear |
|---|
| 5334 | | - | forthefollowingschoolyear.Thecalendarshallincludestudentattendance |
|---|
| 5335 | | - | days,periodsofvacation,holidays,andteacherin-serviceeducationdaysand |
|---|
| 5336 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 5356 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5357 | | - | 2025 Page128of415 |
|---|
| 5358 | | - | shallcomplywithsubsection(a)ofthissection.Unlesspermittedbythe |
|---|
| 5359 | | - | Secretary,noareaservedbyaregionalcareertechnicalcentershallbedivided |
|---|
| 5360 | | - | intotwoormorecalendarregions. |
|---|
| 5361 | | - | (f)Additionaldays.Nothinginthissectionprohibitsaschoolfrom |
|---|
| 5362 | | - | schedulingadditionaldaysforstudentattendanceorteacherin-service |
|---|
| 5363 | | - | education.However,thosedaysshallnotconflictwithanyapplicableschool |
|---|
| 5364 | | - | calendar. |
|---|
| 5365 | | - | (g)Uponapplicationofoneormoreschooldistricts,afterapprovalbythe |
|---|
| 5366 | | - | votersofeachsuchdistrict,theStateBoardAgencymaygrantawaiverofthe |
|---|
| 5367 | | - | requirementsofsubsection(a)ofthissectionifitissatisfiedthatequivalent |
|---|
| 5368 | | - | educationalprogrammingwillbemaintainedorimproved.Thewaivermaybe |
|---|
| 5369 | | - | grantedforanypurpose,includingtheconservationofenergy. |
|---|
| 5370 | | - | Sec.21.16V.S.A.§ 1121isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 5371 | | - | § 1121.ATTENDANCEBYCHILDRENOFSCHOOLAGEREQUIRED |
|---|
| 5372 | | - | Apersonhavingthecontrolofachildbetweentheagesofsixfiveand16 |
|---|
| 5373 | | - | yearsshallcausethechildtoattendapublicschool,anapprovedorrecognized |
|---|
| 5374 | | - | independentschool,anapprovededucationprogram,orahomestudyprogram |
|---|
| 5375 | | - | forthefullnumberofdaysforwhichthatschoolisheld,unlessthechild: |
|---|
| 5376 | | - | (1)ismentallyorphysicallyunablesotoattend;or |
|---|
| 5377 | | - | (2)hascompletedthetenthgrade;or |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 5397 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5398 | | - | 2025 Page129of415 |
|---|
| 5399 | | - | (3)isexcusedbythesuperintendentoramajorityoftheschooldirectors |
|---|
| 5400 | | - | asprovidedinthischapter;or |
|---|
| 5401 | | - | (4)isenrolledinandattendingapostsecondaryschool,asdefinedin |
|---|
| 5402 | | - | subdivision176(b)(1)ofthistitle,whichisapprovedoraccreditedinVermont |
|---|
| 5403 | | - | oranotherstate. |
|---|
| 5404 | | - | ***StateFundingofPublicEducation*** |
|---|
| 5405 | | - | Sec.22.TRANSITIONYEARONEFUNDING |
|---|
| 5406 | | - | Infiscalyear2026,eachschooldistrictshallreceivethefundingapproved |
|---|
| 5407 | | - | byitselectoratepursuantto16V.S.A.chapter133. |
|---|
| 5408 | | - | Sec.23.TRANSITIONYEARTWOFUNDING |
|---|
| 5409 | | - | Infiscalyear2027,eachschooldistrictshallreceiveanamountequaltothe |
|---|
| 5410 | | - | fundingreceivedinfiscalyear2026,multipliedbythreepercent.Payments |
|---|
| 5411 | | - | shallbemadeconsistentwith16V.S.A.§ 4011. |
|---|
| 5412 | | - | Sec.24.16V.S.A.chapter133isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 5413 | | - | CHAPTER133.STATEFUNDINGOFPUBLICEDUCATION |
|---|
| 5414 | | - | Subchapter1.GeneralProvisions |
|---|
| 5415 | | - | § 4000.STATEMENTOFPOLICY |
|---|
| 5416 | | - | (a)Theintentofthischapteristomakeeducationalopportunityavailable |
|---|
| 5417 | | - | toeachstudentineachtownonsubstantiallyequalterms,inaccordancewith |
|---|
| 5418 | | - | theVermontConstitutionandtheVermontSupremeCourtdecisionof |
|---|
| 5419 | | - | February5,1997,Brighamv.StateofVermont. |
|---|
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|---|
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| 5441 | | - | 2025 Page130of415 |
|---|
| 5442 | | - | (b)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5443 | | - | § 4001.DEFINITIONS |
|---|
| 5444 | | - | Asusedinthischapter: |
|---|
| 5445 | | - | (1)“Averagedailymembership”ofaschooldistrictor,ifneededin |
|---|
| 5446 | | - | ordertocalculatetheappropriatehomesteadtaxrate,ofthemunicipalityas |
|---|
| 5447 | | - | definedin32V.S.A.§ 5401(9),inanyyearmeans: |
|---|
| 5448 | | - | (A)Thefull-timeequivalentenrollmentofstudents,asdefinedby |
|---|
| 5449 | | - | theStateBoardAgencybyrule,whoarelegalresidentsofthedistrictor |
|---|
| 5450 | | - | municipalityattendingaschoolownedandoperatedbythedistrict,attendinga |
|---|
| 5451 | | - | publicschooloutsidethedistrictundersection822aofthistitle,orforwhom |
|---|
| 5452 | | - | thedistrictpaystuitiontooneormoreapprovedindependentschoolsorpublic |
|---|
| 5453 | | - | schoolsoutsidethedistrictduringtheannualcensusperiod.Thecensusperiod |
|---|
| 5454 | | - | consistsofthe11thdaythroughthe30thdayoftheschoolyearinwhich |
|---|
| 5455 | | - | schoolisactuallyinsession. |
|---|
| 5456 | | - | (B)Thefull-timeequivalentenrollmentintheyearbeforethelast |
|---|
| 5457 | | - | censusperiod,ofanyState-placedstudentsasdefinedinsubdivision11(a)(28) |
|---|
| 5458 | | - | ofthistitle.Aschooldistrictthatprovidesfortheeducationofitsstudentsby |
|---|
| 5459 | | - | payingtuitiontoanapprovedindependentschoolorpublicschooloutsidethe |
|---|
| 5460 | | - | districtshallnotcountaState-placedstudentforwhomitispayingtuitionfor |
|---|
| 5461 | | - | purposesofdeterminingaveragedailymembership.Aschooldistrictthatis |
|---|
| 5462 | | - | receivingthefullamount,asdefinedbytheStateBoardAgencybyrule,ofthe |
|---|
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|---|
| 5483 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5484 | | - | 2025 Page131of415 |
|---|
| 5485 | | - | student’seducationcostsundersubsection2950(a)ofthistitleshallnotcount |
|---|
| 5486 | | - | thestudentforpurposesofdeterminingaveragedailymembership.AState- |
|---|
| 5487 | | - | placedstudentwhoiscountedinaveragedailymembershipshallbecountedas |
|---|
| 5488 | | - | astudentforthepurposesofdeterminingweightedstudentcount. |
|---|
| 5489 | | - | (C)Thefull-timeequivalentenrollmentforeachprekindergarten |
|---|
| 5490 | | - | childasfollows:Ifachildisenrolledin10ormorehoursofprekindergarten |
|---|
| 5491 | | - | educationperweekorreceives10ormorehoursofessentialearlyeducation |
|---|
| 5492 | | - | servicesperweek,thechildshallbecountedasonefull-timeequivalentpupil. |
|---|
| 5493 | | - | Ifachildisenrolledinsixormorebutfewerthan10hoursofprekindergarten |
|---|
| 5494 | | - | educationperweekorifachildreceivesfewerthan10hoursofessentialearly |
|---|
| 5495 | | - | educationservicesperweek,thechildshallbecountedasapercentageofone |
|---|
| 5496 | | - | full-timeequivalentpupil,calculatedasonemultipliedbythenumberofhours |
|---|
| 5497 | | - | perweekdividedbyten.Achildenrolledinprekindergarteneducationfor |
|---|
| 5498 | | - | fewerthansixhoursperweekshallnotbeincludedinthedistrict’saverage |
|---|
| 5499 | | - | dailymembership.Thereisnolimitonthetotalnumberofchildrenwhomay |
|---|
| 5500 | | - | beenrolledinprekindergarteneducationorwhoreceiveessentialearly |
|---|
| 5501 | | - | educationservices. |
|---|
| 5502 | | - | (2)“Equalizedgrandlist”hasthesamemeaningthatequalized |
|---|
| 5503 | | - | educationpropertytaxgrandlisthasin32V.S.A.chapter135. |
|---|
| 5504 | | - | (3),(4),(5)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5505 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 5506 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 5507 | | - | 3 |
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| 5508 | | - | 4 |
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| 5522 | | - | 18 |
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| 5523 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 5524 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5525 | | - | 2025 Page132of415 |
|---|
| 5526 | | - | (6)“Educationspending”“meanstheamountoftheschooldistrict |
|---|
| 5527 | | - | budget,anyassessmentforajointcontractschool,careertechnicalcenter |
|---|
| 5528 | | - | paymentsmadeonbehalfofthedistrictundersubsection1561(b)ofthistitle, |
|---|
| 5529 | | - | andanyamountaddedtopayadeficitpursuantto24V.S.A.§ 1523(b)thatis |
|---|
| 5530 | | - | paidforbytheschooldistrict,butexcludinganyportionoftheschoolbudget |
|---|
| 5531 | | - | paidforfromanyothersourcessuchasendowments,parentalfundraising, |
|---|
| 5532 | | - | federalfunds,nongovernmentalgrants,orotherStatefundssuchasspecial |
|---|
| 5533 | | - | educationfundspaidunderchapter101ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 5534 | | - | (A)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5535 | | - | (B)ForallbondsapprovedbyvoterspriortoJuly1,2024,voter- |
|---|
| 5536 | | - | approvedbondpaymentstowardprincipalandinterestshallnotbeincludedin |
|---|
| 5537 | | - | “educationspending”forpurposesofcalculatingexcessspendingpursuantto |
|---|
| 5538 | | - | 32V.S.A.§ 5401(12).[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5539 | | - | (7)“Long-termmembership”ofaschooldistrictinanyschoolyear |
|---|
| 5540 | | - | meansthe: |
|---|
| 5541 | | - | (A)averageofthedistrict’saveragedailymembership,excluding |
|---|
| 5542 | | - | full-timeequivalentenrollmentofState-placedstudents,overtwoschool |
|---|
| 5543 | | - | years,thelatterofwhichisthecurrentschoolyear,plus |
|---|
| 5544 | | - | (B)full-timeequivalentenrollmentofState-placedstudentsforthe |
|---|
| 5545 | | - | mostrecentofthetwoyears. |
|---|
| 5546 | | - | (8)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5547 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 5548 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 5549 | | - | 3 |
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| 5550 | | - | 4 |
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 5566 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 5567 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5568 | | - | 2025 Page133of415 |
|---|
| 5569 | | - | (9)“Publicschool”meansanelementaryschoolorsecondaryschoolfor |
|---|
| 5570 | | - | whichthegoverningboardispubliclyelected.Apublicschoolmaymaintain |
|---|
| 5571 | | - | eveningorsummerschoolforitsstudentsanditshallbeconsideredapublic |
|---|
| 5572 | | - | school. |
|---|
| 5573 | | - | (10)“Schooldistrict”meansatownschooldistrict,cityschooldistrict, |
|---|
| 5574 | | - | incorporatedschooldistrict,thememberschooldistrictsofaninterstateschool |
|---|
| 5575 | | - | district,aunionschooldistrict,aunifieduniondistrict,oranunorganized |
|---|
| 5576 | | - | townorgore. |
|---|
| 5577 | | - | (11)“Schoolyear”meansayearbeginningonJuly1andendingonthe |
|---|
| 5578 | | - | followingJune30. |
|---|
| 5579 | | - | (12)“Weightedlong-termmembership”ofaschooldistrictinany |
|---|
| 5580 | | - | schoolyearmeansthelong-termmembershipadjustedpursuanttosection |
|---|
| 5581 | | - | 4010ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 5582 | | - | (13)“BaseeducationamountCategoricalbaseamount”meansanumber |
|---|
| 5583 | | - | usedtocalculatecategoricalgrantsawardedunderthistitlethatisequalto |
|---|
| 5584 | | - | $6,800.00perequalizedpupil,adjustedasrequiredundersection4011ofthis |
|---|
| 5585 | | - | title. |
|---|
| 5586 | | - | (14)“Perpupileducationspending”ofaschooldistrictinanyschool |
|---|
| 5587 | | - | yearmeanstheperpupileducationspendingofthatschooldistrictas |
|---|
| 5588 | | - | determinedundersubsection4010(f)ofthistitle.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5589 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 5590 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 5591 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 5592 | | - | 4 |
|---|
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|---|
| 5594 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 5595 | | - | 7 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 5607 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 5608 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5609 | | - | 2025 Page134of415 |
|---|
| 5610 | | - | (15)“Prekindergartenchild”meansathree-orfour-year-oldchildwho |
|---|
| 5611 | | - | isenrolledinaprekindergartenprogramofferedbyorthroughaschooldistrict |
|---|
| 5612 | | - | pursuanttorulesadoptedundersection829ofthistitleorwhoisreceiving |
|---|
| 5613 | | - | essentialearlyeducationservicesofferedpursuanttosection2956ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 5614 | | - | Prekindergartenchildalsomeansafive-year-oldchildwhootherwisemeets |
|---|
| 5615 | | - | thetermsofthisdefinitionifthatchildisnotyeteligiblefororenrolledin |
|---|
| 5616 | | - | kindergarten. |
|---|
| 5617 | | - | (16)“Baseamount”meansaperpupilamountof$13,200.00infiscal |
|---|
| 5618 | | - | year2025,whichshallbeadjustedforinflationannuallyonorbefore |
|---|
| 5619 | | - | November15bytheSecretaryofEducation.Asusedinthissubdivision, |
|---|
| 5620 | | - | “adjustedforinflation”meansadjustingthebasedollaramountbythemost |
|---|
| 5621 | | - | recentNewEnglandEconomicProjectcumulativepriceindex,asof |
|---|
| 5622 | | - | November15,forstateandlocalgovernmentpurchasesofgoodsandservices, |
|---|
| 5623 | | - | fromfiscalyear2025throughthefiscalyearforwhichtheamountisbeing |
|---|
| 5624 | | - | determined. |
|---|
| 5625 | | - | (17)“Foundationformulaamount”meansthebaseamountmultiplied |
|---|
| 5626 | | - | bytheschooldistrict’sweightedlong-termmembershipasdeterminedunder |
|---|
| 5627 | | - | 16V.S.A.§ 4010. |
|---|
| 5628 | | - | § 4002.PAYMENT;ALLOCATION |
|---|
| 5629 | | - | (a)Stateandfederalfundsappropriatedforservicesdeliveredbythe |
|---|
| 5630 | | - | supervisoryunionschooldistrictandpayablethroughtheAgencyshallbepaid |
|---|
| 5631 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 5632 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 5633 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 5648 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 5649 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 5650 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 5651 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5652 | | - | 2025 Page135of415 |
|---|
| 5653 | | - | totheorderofthesupervisoryunionschooldistrictandadministeredin |
|---|
| 5654 | | - | accordancewiththeplanadoptedundersubdivision261a(4)ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 5655 | | - | Fundingforspecialeducationservicesundersection2969ofthistitleshallbe |
|---|
| 5656 | | - | paidtothesupervisoryunionsschooldistrictsinaccordancewiththatsection. |
|---|
| 5657 | | - | (b)TheSecretaryshallnotifythesuperintendentorchiefexecutiveofficer |
|---|
| 5658 | | - | ofeachsupervisoryunionschooldistrictinwritingoffederalorStatefunds |
|---|
| 5659 | | - | disbursedtomemberschooldistricts. |
|---|
| 5660 | | - | § 4003.CONDITIONS |
|---|
| 5661 | | - | (a)Noschooldistrictshallreceiveanyaidunderthischapterunlessthat |
|---|
| 5662 | | - | schooldistrictcomplieswiththeprovisionsoflawrelativetoteachers’ |
|---|
| 5663 | | - | salaries,appointmentofsuperintendents,detailedfinancialreportstothe |
|---|
| 5664 | | - | Agency,andanyotherrequirementsoflaw. |
|---|
| 5665 | | - | (b)Aidtoanydistrictshallnotbedeniedunlessthedistrictunreasonably |
|---|
| 5666 | | - | refusestocomplywiththerequirementsoflaw.Anyschooldistrictdeniedaid |
|---|
| 5667 | | - | byreasonoftheprovisionsofthissectionshallhavetherightwithin60days |
|---|
| 5668 | | - | fromthedateofsuchdenialtoappealtotheSuperiorCourtinthecounty |
|---|
| 5669 | | - | wherethedistrictissituated. |
|---|
| 5670 | | - | Subchapter2.GeneralStateFundingofPublicEducation |
|---|
| 5671 | | - | § 4010.DETERMINATIONOFWEIGHTEDLONG-TERMMEMBERSHIP |
|---|
| 5672 | | - | ANDPERPUPILEDUCATIONSPENDING |
|---|
| 5673 | | - | (a)Definitions.Asusedinthissection: |
|---|
| 5674 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 5675 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 5676 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 5677 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 5678 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 5679 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 5680 | | - | 7 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 5687 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 5688 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 5689 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 5690 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 5691 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 5692 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 5693 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 5694 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5695 | | - | 2025 Page136of415 |
|---|
| 5696 | | - | (1)“ELpupils”meanspupilsdescribedundersection4013ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 5697 | | - | (2)“FPL”meanstheFederalPovertyLevel. |
|---|
| 5698 | | - | (3)“Weightingcategories”meansthecategorieslistedundersubsection |
|---|
| 5699 | | - | (b)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 5700 | | - | (b)Determinationofaveragedailymembershipandweightingcategories. |
|---|
| 5701 | | - | OnorbeforethefirstdayofDecemberduringeachschoolyear,theSecretary |
|---|
| 5702 | | - | shalldeterminetheaveragedailymembership,asdefinedinsubdivision |
|---|
| 5703 | | - | 4001(1)ofthistitle,ofeachschooldistrictforthecurrentschoolyearand |
|---|
| 5704 | | - | shallperformthefollowingtasks. |
|---|
| 5705 | | - | (1)Usingaveragedailymembership,listforeachschooldistrictthe |
|---|
| 5706 | | - | numberof: |
|---|
| 5707 | | - | (A)pupilsinprekindergarten; |
|---|
| 5708 | | - | (B)pupilsinkindergartenthroughgradefive; |
|---|
| 5709 | | - | (C)pupilsingradessixthrougheight; |
|---|
| 5710 | | - | (D)pupilsingradesninethrough12; |
|---|
| 5711 | | - | (E)pupilswhosefamiliesareatorbelow185percentofFPL,using |
|---|
| 5712 | | - | thehighestnumberofpupilsinthedistrict: |
|---|
| 5713 | | - | (i)thatmeetthisdefinitionundertheuniversalincomedeclaration |
|---|
| 5714 | | - | form;or |
|---|
| 5715 | | - | (ii)whoaredirectlycertifiedforfreeandreduced-pricedmeals; |
|---|
| 5716 | | - | and |
|---|
| 5717 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 5718 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 5719 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 5720 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 5721 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 5722 | | - | 6 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 5725 | | - | 9 |
|---|
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|---|
| 5727 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 5728 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 5729 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 5730 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 5731 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 5732 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 5733 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 5734 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 5735 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 5736 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 5737 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5738 | | - | 2025 Page137of415 |
|---|
| 5739 | | - | (F)ELpupils. |
|---|
| 5740 | | - | (2)(A)Identifyallschooldistrictsthathavelowpopulationdensity, |
|---|
| 5741 | | - | measuredbythenumberofpersonspersquaremileresidingwithintheland |
|---|
| 5742 | | - | areaofthegeographicboundariesofthedistrictasofJuly1oftheyearof |
|---|
| 5743 | | - | determination,equaling: |
|---|
| 5744 | | - | (i)fewerthan36personspersquaremile; |
|---|
| 5745 | | - | (ii)36ormorepersonspersquaremilebutfewerthan55persons |
|---|
| 5746 | | - | persquaremile;or |
|---|
| 5747 | | - | (iii)55ormorepersonspersquaremilebutfewerthan100 |
|---|
| 5748 | | - | personspersquaremile. |
|---|
| 5749 | | - | (B)PopulationdensitydatashallbebasedonthebestavailableU.S. |
|---|
| 5750 | | - | CensusdataasprovidedtotheAgencyofEducationbytheVermontCenterfor |
|---|
| 5751 | | - | GeographicInformation. |
|---|
| 5752 | | - | (C)Usingaveragedailymembership,listforeachschooldistrictthat |
|---|
| 5753 | | - | haslowpopulationdensitythenumberofpupilsineachofsubdivisions |
|---|
| 5754 | | - | (A)(i)–(iii)ofthissubdivision(2). |
|---|
| 5755 | | - | (3)(A)Identifyallschooldistrictsthathaveoneormoresmallschools, |
|---|
| 5756 | | - | whichareschoolsthathaveanaveragetwo-yearenrollmentof: |
|---|
| 5757 | | - | (i)fewerthan100pupils;or |
|---|
| 5758 | | - | (ii)100ormorepupilsbutfewerthan250pupilsForeachschool |
|---|
| 5759 | | - | district,identifyanyschoolwithfewerthan450students. |
|---|
| 5760 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 5761 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 5762 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 5763 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 5764 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 5765 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 5766 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 5767 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 5768 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 5769 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 5770 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 5771 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 5772 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 5773 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 5774 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 5775 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 5776 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 5777 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 5778 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 5779 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 5780 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5781 | | - | 2025 Page138of415 |
|---|
| 5782 | | - | (B)Asusedinsubdivision(A)ofthissubdivision(3),“averagetwo- |
|---|
| 5783 | | - | yearenrollment”meanstheaverageenrollmentofthetwomostrecently |
|---|
| 5784 | | - | completedschoolyears,and“enrollment”meansthenumberofpupilswhoare |
|---|
| 5785 | | - | enrolledinaschooloperatedbythedistrictonOctober1.Apupilshallbe |
|---|
| 5786 | | - | countedasonewhetherthepupilisenrolledasafull-timeorpart-timestudent. |
|---|
| 5787 | | - | [Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5788 | | - | (C)Usingaveragetwo-yearenrollment,listforeachschooldistrict |
|---|
| 5789 | | - | thathasasmallschoolthenumberofpupilsineachofsubdivisions(A)(i)–(ii) |
|---|
| 5790 | | - | ofthissubdivision(3).[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5791 | | - | (c)ReportingonweightingcategoriestotheAgencyofEducation.Each |
|---|
| 5792 | | - | schooldistrictshallannuallyreporttotheAgencyofEducationbyadate |
|---|
| 5793 | | - | establishedbytheAgencytheinformationneededinorderfortheAgencyto |
|---|
| 5794 | | - | computetheweightingcategoriesundersubsection(b)ofthissectionforthat |
|---|
| 5795 | | - | district.Inordertofulfillthisobligation,aschooldistrictthatpayspublic |
|---|
| 5796 | | - | tuitiononbehalfofaresidentstudent(sendingdistrict)toapublicschoolin |
|---|
| 5797 | | - | anotherschooldistrict,anapprovedindependentschool,oranout-of-state |
|---|
| 5798 | | - | school(eachareceivingschool)mayrequestthereceivingschooltocollect |
|---|
| 5799 | | - | thisinformationonthesendingdistrict’sresidentstudent,andifrequested,the |
|---|
| 5800 | | - | receivingschoolshallprovidethisinformationtothesendingdistrictina |
|---|
| 5801 | | - | timelymanner. |
|---|
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|---|
| 5820 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 5821 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5822 | | - | 2025 Page139of415 |
|---|
| 5823 | | - | (d)Determinationofweightedlong-termmembership.Foreachweighting |
|---|
| 5824 | | - | categoryexceptthesmallschoolsweightingcategoryundersubdivision(b)(3) |
|---|
| 5825 | | - | ofthissection,theSecretaryshallcomputetheweightingcountbyusingthe |
|---|
| 5826 | | - | long-termmembership,asdefinedinsubdivision4001(7)ofthistitle,inthat |
|---|
| 5827 | | - | category. |
|---|
| 5828 | | - | (1)TheSecretaryshallfirstapplygradelevelweights.Eachpupil |
|---|
| 5829 | | - | includedinlong-termmembershipshallcountasone,multipliedbythe |
|---|
| 5830 | | - | followingamounts: |
|---|
| 5831 | | - | (A)prekindergarten—negative0.54; |
|---|
| 5832 | | - | (B)gradessixthrougheight—0.36;and |
|---|
| 5833 | | - | (C)gradesninethrough12—0.39.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5834 | | - | (2)TheSecretaryshallnextapplyaweightforpupilswhosefamilyisat |
|---|
| 5835 | | - | orbelow185percentofFPL.Eachpupilincludedinlong-termmembership |
|---|
| 5836 | | - | whosefamilyisatorbelow185percentofFPLshallreceiveanadditional |
|---|
| 5837 | | - | weightingamountof1.030.75. |
|---|
| 5838 | | - | (3)TheSecretaryshallnextapplyaweightforELpupils.EachEL |
|---|
| 5839 | | - | pupilincludedinlong-termmembershipshallreceiveanadditionalweighting |
|---|
| 5840 | | - | amountof2.491.50. |
|---|
| 5841 | | - | (4)TheSecretaryshallthenapplyaweightforpupilslivinginlow |
|---|
| 5842 | | - | populationdensityschooldistricts.Eachpupilincludedinlong-term |
|---|
| 5843 | | - | membershipresidinginalowpopulationdensityschooldistrict,measuredby |
|---|
| 5844 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 5845 | | - | 2 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 5860 | | - | 17 |
|---|
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|---|
| 5862 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 5863 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 5864 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5865 | | - | 2025 Page140of415 |
|---|
| 5866 | | - | thenumberofpersonspersquaremileresidingwithinthelandareaofthe |
|---|
| 5867 | | - | geographicboundariesofthedistrictasofJuly1oftheyearofdetermination, |
|---|
| 5868 | | - | shallreceiveanadditionalweightingamountof: |
|---|
| 5869 | | - | (A)0.15,wherethenumberofpersonspersquaremileisfewerthan |
|---|
| 5870 | | - | 36persons; |
|---|
| 5871 | | - | (B)0.12,wherethenumberofpersonspersquaremileis36ormore |
|---|
| 5872 | | - | butfewerthan55persons;or |
|---|
| 5873 | | - | (C)0.07,wherethenumberofpersonspersquaremileis55ormore |
|---|
| 5874 | | - | butfewerthan100. |
|---|
| 5875 | | - | (5)TheSecretaryshalllastlyapplyaweightforpupilswhoattendaan |
|---|
| 5876 | | - | eligiblesmallschool.Ifthenumberofpersonspersquaremileresidingwithin |
|---|
| 5877 | | - | thelandareaofthegeographicboundariesofaschooldistrictasofJuly1of |
|---|
| 5878 | | - | theyearofdeterminationis55orfewer,then,forForeachpupillistedunder |
|---|
| 5879 | | - | subdivision(b)(3)(C)ofthissection(pupilswhoattendsmallschools): |
|---|
| 5880 | | - | (A)wheretheschoolhasfewerthan100pupilsinaveragetwo-year |
|---|
| 5881 | | - | enrollment,theschooldistrictshallreceiveanadditionalweightingamountof |
|---|
| 5882 | | - | 0.21foreachpupilincludedinthesmallschool’saveragetwo-year |
|---|
| 5883 | | - | enrollment;or |
|---|
| 5884 | | - | (B)wherethesmallschoolhas100ormorebutfewerthan250 |
|---|
| 5885 | | - | pupils,theschooldistrictshallreceiveanadditionalweightingamountof0.07 |
|---|
| 5886 | | - | foreachpupilincludedinthesmallschool’saveragetwo-yearenrollment, |
|---|
| 5887 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 5888 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 5889 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 5905 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 5906 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 5907 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5908 | | - | 2025 Page141of415 |
|---|
| 5909 | | - | eachstudentinaneligiblesmallschoolwillreceiveaweightedFTEthatisthe |
|---|
| 5910 | | - | resultofapplyingthefollowingformulatoeacheligiblesmallschool:(- |
|---|
| 5911 | | - | 0.158*naturallogof(schoolenrollment))+0.964withtheresultroundedto |
|---|
| 5912 | | - | twodecimalplaces. |
|---|
| 5913 | | - | (6)Aschooldistrict’sweightedlong-termmembershipshallequallong- |
|---|
| 5914 | | - | termmembershipplusthecumulationoftheweightsassignedbytheSecretary |
|---|
| 5915 | | - | underthissubsection. |
|---|
| 5916 | | - | (e)Holdharmless.Adistrict’sweightedlong-termmembershipshallinno |
|---|
| 5917 | | - | casebelessthan96andone-halfpercentofitsactualweightedlong-term |
|---|
| 5918 | | - | membershipthepreviousyearpriortomakinganyadjustmentunderthis |
|---|
| 5919 | | - | subsection.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5920 | | - | (f)Determinationofperpupileducationspending.Assoonasreasonably |
|---|
| 5921 | | - | possibleafteraschooldistrictbudgetisapprovedbyvoters,theSecretaryshall |
|---|
| 5922 | | - | determinetheperpupileducationspendingforthenextfiscalyearforthe |
|---|
| 5923 | | - | schooldistrict.Perpupileducationspendingshallequalaschooldistrict’s |
|---|
| 5924 | | - | educationspendingdividedbyitsweightedlong-termmembership. |
|---|
| 5925 | | - | [Repealed.] |
|---|
| 5926 | | - | (g)Guidelines.TheSecretaryshalldevelopguidelinestoenableclearand |
|---|
| 5927 | | - | consistentidentificationofpupilstobecountedunderthissection. |
|---|
| 5928 | | - | (h)Updatestoweights,baseeducationamountandtransportation |
|---|
| 5929 | | - | payments.OnorbeforeJanuary1,2027andonorbeforeJanuary1ofevery |
|---|
| 5930 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 5948 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 5949 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 5950 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5951 | | - | 2025 Page142of415 |
|---|
| 5952 | | - | fifthyearthereafter,theAgencyofEducationandtheJointFiscalOfficeshall |
|---|
| 5953 | | - | calculate,basedontheirconsensusview,updatestotheweightsandthebase |
|---|
| 5954 | | - | educationamounttoaccountforcostchangesunderlyingthoseweightsandthe |
|---|
| 5955 | | - | costofprovidingahighqualityeducationandshallissueawrittenreporton |
|---|
| 5956 | | - | theirworktotheHouseandSenateCommitteesonEducation,theHouse |
|---|
| 5957 | | - | CommitteeonWaysandMeans,andtheSenateCommitteeonFinance.The |
|---|
| 5958 | | - | GeneralAssemblyshallupdatetheweightsunderthissection,thebase |
|---|
| 5959 | | - | educationamount,andtransportationreimbursementcategoricalaidamounts |
|---|
| 5960 | | - | undersection4016ofthistitlenotlessthaneveryfiveyearsandthe |
|---|
| 5961 | | - | implementationdatefortheupdatedweightsandtransportationreimbursement |
|---|
| 5962 | | - | categoricalaidamountshallbedelayedbyayearinordertoprovideschool |
|---|
| 5963 | | - | districtswithtimetopreparetheirbudgets.Updatestotheweightsmay |
|---|
| 5964 | | - | includerecalibration,recalculation,addingoreliminatingweights,orany |
|---|
| 5965 | | - | combinationoftheseactions. |
|---|
| 5966 | | - | (i)OnorbeforeJuly1,2026theSecretaryshall,throughrule-making, |
|---|
| 5967 | | - | establisheligibilitycriteriaforstudentsthatmayreceivethesmallschool |
|---|
| 5968 | | - | adjustmentasdefinedinsubdivision(d)(5)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 5969 | | - | § 4011.EDUCATIONPAYMENTS |
|---|
| 5970 | | - | (a)Annually,theGeneralAssemblyshallappropriatefundstopayfor |
|---|
| 5971 | | - | statewideeducationspendingthefoundationformulaamountasdefinedunder |
|---|
| 5972 | | - | subdivision4001(17)ofthistitleandtheStateguaranteeasdefinedunder |
|---|
| 5973 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 5991 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 5992 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 5993 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 5994 | | - | 2025 Page143of415 |
|---|
| 5995 | | - | 32 V.S.A.§ 5401(19)andaportionofthebaseeducationcategoricalaid |
|---|
| 5996 | | - | amountforeachadulteducationandsecondarycredentialprogramstudentas |
|---|
| 5997 | | - | definedinsubsection(f)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 5998 | | - | (b)Foreachfiscalyear,thecategoricalaidbaseeducationamountshallbe |
|---|
| 5999 | | - | $6,800.00,increasedbythemostrecentNewEnglandEconomicProject |
|---|
| 6000 | | - | CumulativePriceIndex,asofNovember15,forstateandlocalgovernment |
|---|
| 6001 | | - | purchasesofgoodsandservicesfromfiscalyear2005throughthefiscalyear |
|---|
| 6002 | | - | forwhichtheamountisbeingdetermined,plusanadditionalone-tenthofone |
|---|
| 6003 | | - | percent. |
|---|
| 6004 | | - | (c)Annually,eachschooldistrictshallreceiveaneducationspending |
|---|
| 6005 | | - | paymentitsfoundationformulaamountasdefinedundersubdivision4001(17) |
|---|
| 6006 | | - | ofthistitleanditsStateguarantee,ifapplicabletothatschooldistrict,as |
|---|
| 6007 | | - | definedunder32V.S.A.§ 5401(19)forsupportofeducationcosts.An |
|---|
| 6008 | | - | unorganizedtownorgoreshallreceiveanamountequaltoitsperpupil |
|---|
| 6009 | | - | educationspendingforthatyearforeachstudent.Noschooldistrictshall |
|---|
| 6010 | | - | receivemorethanitseducationspendingtheamountunderthissubsection. |
|---|
| 6011 | | - | (d)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6012 | | - | (e)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6013 | | - | (f)Annually,theSecretaryshallpaytoalocaladulteducationandliteracy |
|---|
| 6014 | | - | provider,asdefinedinsection942ofthistitle,thatprovidesanadulteducation |
|---|
| 6015 | | - | andsecondarycredentialprogramanamountequalto26percentofthe |
|---|
| 6016 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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|---|
| 6018 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 6034 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6035 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6036 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6037 | | - | 2025 Page144of415 |
|---|
| 6038 | | - | categoricalaidamountforeachstudentwhocompletesthediagnosticportions |
|---|
| 6039 | | - | oftheprogram,basedonanaverageoftheprevioustwoyears;40percentof |
|---|
| 6040 | | - | thepaymentrequiredunderthissubsectionshallbefromStatefunds |
|---|
| 6041 | | - | appropriatedfromtheEducationFundand60percentofthepaymentrequired |
|---|
| 6042 | | - | underthissubsectionshallbefromStatefundsappropriatedfromtheGeneral |
|---|
| 6043 | | - | Fund. |
|---|
| 6044 | | - | (g)TheSecretaryshallpaytoaschooldistrictapercentageofthebase |
|---|
| 6045 | | - | educationamountforeachresidentstudentforwhomthedistrictispayinga |
|---|
| 6046 | | - | technicaltuitiontoaregionalcareertechnicalcenterbutwhoisnotenrolledin |
|---|
| 6047 | | - | thedistrictandthereforenotcountedintheaveragedailymembershipofthe |
|---|
| 6048 | | - | district.Thepercentageofthebaseeducationamounttobepaidshallbethe |
|---|
| 6049 | | - | percentageofthestudent’sfull-timeequivalentattendanceatthecareer |
|---|
| 6050 | | - | technicalcentermultipliedby87percent.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6051 | | - | (h)TheSecretaryshallmakeallpaymentsrequiredbysubchapter5of |
|---|
| 6052 | | - | chapter23ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 6053 | | - | (i)Annually,onorbeforeOctober1,theSecretaryshallsendtoschool |
|---|
| 6054 | | - | boardsforinclusionintownreportsandpublishontheAgencywebsitethe |
|---|
| 6055 | | - | followinginformation: |
|---|
| 6056 | | - | (1)thestatewideaveragedistrictperpupileducationspendingforthe |
|---|
| 6057 | | - | currentfiscalyear;and |
|---|
| 6058 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6059 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6060 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6061 | | - | 4 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 6073 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6074 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6075 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6076 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6077 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6078 | | - | 2025 Page145of415 |
|---|
| 6079 | | - | (2)astatewidecomparisonofstudent-teacherratiosamongschoolsthat |
|---|
| 6080 | | - | aresimilarinnumberofstudentsandnumberofgrades. |
|---|
| 6081 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 6082 | | - | § 4013.ENGLISHLEARNERSSERVICES;STATEAID |
|---|
| 6083 | | - | (a)Definitions.Asusedinthissection: |
|---|
| 6084 | | - | (1)“Applicablefederallaws”meantheEqualEducationOpportunities |
|---|
| 6085 | | - | Act(20U.S.C.§ 1703),TitleVIoftheCivilRightsActof1964(42U.S.C. |
|---|
| 6086 | | - | §§ 2000detseq.),andTitlesIandIIIoftheElementaryandSecondary |
|---|
| 6087 | | - | EducationActof1965(20U.S.C.§§ 6301etseq.and20U.S.C.§§ 6801et |
|---|
| 6088 | | - | seq.),eachasamended. |
|---|
| 6089 | | - | (2)“ELservices”meaninstructionalandsupportpersonnelandservices |
|---|
| 6090 | | - | thatarerequiredunderapplicablefederallawsforELstudentsandtheir |
|---|
| 6091 | | - | families. |
|---|
| 6092 | | - | (3)“ELstudents”or“ELpupils”meanstudentswhohavebeen |
|---|
| 6093 | | - | identifiedasEnglishlearnersthroughthescreeningprotocolsrequiredunder |
|---|
| 6094 | | - | 20U.S.C.§ 6823(b)(2). |
|---|
| 6095 | | - | (b)RequiredELservices.Eachschooldistrictshall: |
|---|
| 6096 | | - | (1)screenstudentstodeterminewhichstudentsareELstudentsand |
|---|
| 6097 | | - | thereforequalifyforELservices; |
|---|
| 6098 | | - | (2)assessandmonitortheprogressofELstudents; |
|---|
| 6099 | | - | (3)provideELservices; |
|---|
| 6100 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6101 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6102 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6103 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6104 | | - | 5 |
|---|
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|---|
| 6106 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6107 | | - | 8 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 6111 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6112 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6113 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6114 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6115 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6116 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6117 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6118 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6119 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6120 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6121 | | - | 2025 Page146of415 |
|---|
| 6122 | | - | (4)budgetsufficientresourcesthroughacombinationofStateand |
|---|
| 6123 | | - | federalcategoricalaidandlocaleducationspendingtoprovideELservices; |
|---|
| 6124 | | - | (5)reportexpendituresonELservicesannuallytotheAgencyof |
|---|
| 6125 | | - | EducationthroughthefinancialreportingsystemasrequiredbytheAgency; |
|---|
| 6126 | | - | and |
|---|
| 6127 | | - | (6)evaluatetheeffectivenessoftheirELprogramsandreport |
|---|
| 6128 | | - | educationaloutcomesofELstudentsasrequiredbytheAgencyandapplicable |
|---|
| 6129 | | - | federallaws. |
|---|
| 6130 | | - | (c)AgencyofEducationsupportandqualityassurance.TheAgencyof |
|---|
| 6131 | | - | Educationshall: |
|---|
| 6132 | | - | (1)provideguidanceandprogramsupporttoallschooldistrictswithEL |
|---|
| 6133 | | - | studentsasrequiredunderapplicablefederallaw,including: |
|---|
| 6134 | | - | (A)professionaldevelopmentresourcesforELteachersandsupport |
|---|
| 6135 | | - | personnel;and |
|---|
| 6136 | | - | (B)informationonbestpracticesandnationallyrecognizedlanguage |
|---|
| 6137 | | - | developmentstandards;and |
|---|
| 6138 | | - | (2)prescribe,collect,andanalyzefinancialandstudentoutcomedata |
|---|
| 6139 | | - | fromschooldistrictstoensurethatdistrictsareprovidinghigh-qualityEL |
|---|
| 6140 | | - | servicesandexpendingsufficientresourcestoprovidetheseservices. |
|---|
| 6141 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6142 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6143 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6144 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6145 | | - | 5 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 6154 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6155 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6156 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6157 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6158 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6159 | | - | 19 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6160 | | - | 2025 Page147of415 |
|---|
| 6161 | | - | (d)Categoricalaid.InadditiontotheELweightundersection4010ofthis |
|---|
| 6162 | | - | title,aschooldistrictthathas,asdeterminedannuallyonOctober1ofthe |
|---|
| 6163 | | - | year: |
|---|
| 6164 | | - | (1)onetofiveELstudentsenrolledshallreceiveStateaidof |
|---|
| 6165 | | - | $25,000.00forthatschoolyear;or |
|---|
| 6166 | | - | (2)sixto25ELstudentsenrolledshallreceiveStateaidof$50,000.00 |
|---|
| 6167 | | - | forthatschoolyear.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6168 | | - | (e)Annualappropriation.Annually,theGeneralAssemblyshallincludein |
|---|
| 6169 | | - | itsappropriationforstatewideeducationspendingundersubsection4011(a)of |
|---|
| 6170 | | - | thistitleanappropriationtoprovideaidtoschooldistrictsforELservices |
|---|
| 6171 | | - | underthissection.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6172 | | - | (f)Payment.OnorbeforeNovember1ofeachyear,theStateTreasurer |
|---|
| 6173 | | - | shallwithdrawfromtheEducationFund,basedonwarrantofthe |
|---|
| 6174 | | - | CommissionerofFinanceandManagement,andshallforwardtoeachschool |
|---|
| 6175 | | - | districttheaidamountitisowedunderthissection.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6176 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 6177 | | - | § 4015.MERGERSUPPORTFORMERGEDDISTRICTS |
|---|
| 6178 | | - | (a)Aschooldistrictthatwasvoluntarilyformedunder2010Actsand |
|---|
| 6179 | | - | ResolvesNo.153,2012ActsandResolvesNo.156,or2015Actsand |
|---|
| 6180 | | - | ResolvesNo.46,eachasamended,andreceivedamergersupportgrantshall |
|---|
| 6181 | | - | 1 |
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| 6182 | | - | 2 |
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| 6183 | | - | 3 |
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| 6198 | | - | 18 |
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| 6199 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6200 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6201 | | - | 2025 Page148of415 |
|---|
| 6202 | | - | continuetoreceivethatmergersupportgrant,subjecttotheprovisionsin |
|---|
| 6203 | | - | subsection(c)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 6204 | | - | (b)AschooldistrictthatwasinvoluntarilyformedundertheFinal |
|---|
| 6205 | | - | ReportofDecisionsandOrderonStatewideSchoolDistrictMergerDecisions |
|---|
| 6206 | | - | PursuanttoAct46,Secs.8(b)and10datedNovember28,2018andthat |
|---|
| 6207 | | - | receivedasmallschoolsgrantinfiscalyear2020shallreceiveanannual |
|---|
| 6208 | | - | mergersupportgrantinthatamount,subjecttotheprovisionsinsubsection(c) |
|---|
| 6209 | | - | ofthissection. |
|---|
| 6210 | | - | (c)(1)Paymentofamergersupportgrantunderthissectionshallnotbe |
|---|
| 6211 | | - | madeinanyyearthattheschooldistrictreceivesasmallschoolweightunder |
|---|
| 6212 | | - | section4010ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 6213 | | - | (2)Paymentofamergersupportgrantunderthissectionshallcontinue |
|---|
| 6214 | | - | annuallyunlessexplicitlyrepealedbytheGeneralAssembly;provided, |
|---|
| 6215 | | - | however,thattheSecretaryshalldiscontinuepaymentofthegrantinthefiscal |
|---|
| 6216 | | - | yearfollowingthecessationofoperationsoftheschoolthatmadethedistrict |
|---|
| 6217 | | - | originallyeligibleforthegrant,andfurtherprovidedthatifthebuildingthat |
|---|
| 6218 | | - | housestheschoolthatmadethedistrictoriginallyeligibleforthegrantis |
|---|
| 6219 | | - | consolidatedwithanotherschoolintoarenovatedornewschoolbuilding,then |
|---|
| 6220 | | - | theSecretaryshallcontinuetopaythegrantduringtherepaymenttermofany |
|---|
| 6221 | | - | bondedindebtednessincurredinconnectionwiththeconsolidation-related |
|---|
| 6222 | | - | renovationorconstruction.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6223 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6224 | | - | 2 |
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| 6225 | | - | 3 |
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| 6236 | | - | 14 |
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| 6241 | | - | 19 |
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| 6242 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6243 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6244 | | - | 2025 Page149of415 |
|---|
| 6245 | | - | § 4016.REIMBURSEMENT FORTRANSPORTATIONEXPENDITURES |
|---|
| 6246 | | - | (a)Aschooldistrictorsupervisoryunionthatincursallowable |
|---|
| 6247 | | - | transportationexpendituresshallreceiveatransportationreimbursementgrant |
|---|
| 6248 | | - | eachyear.Thegrantshallbeequalto50100percentofallowable |
|---|
| 6249 | | - | transportationexpenditures;provided,however,thatinanyyearthetotal |
|---|
| 6250 | | - | amountofgrantsunderthissubsectionshallnotexceedthetotalamountof |
|---|
| 6251 | | - | adjustedbaseyeartransportationgrantexpenditures.Thetotalamountofbase |
|---|
| 6252 | | - | yeartransportationgrantexpendituresshallbe$10,000,000.00forfiscalyear |
|---|
| 6253 | | - | 1997,increasedeachyearthereafterbytheannualpriceindexforstateand |
|---|
| 6254 | | - | localgovernmentpurchasesofgoodsandservices.Ifinanyyearthetotal |
|---|
| 6255 | | - | amountofthegrantsunderthissubsectionexceedtheadjustedbaseyear |
|---|
| 6256 | | - | transportationgrantexpenditures,theamountofeachgrantawardedshallbe |
|---|
| 6257 | | - | reducedproportionately.Transportationgrantspaidunderthissectionshallbe |
|---|
| 6258 | | - | paidfromtheEducationFundandshallbeaddedtoeducationspending |
|---|
| 6259 | | - | paymentreceiptspaidundersection4011ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 6260 | | - | (b)InAsusedinthissection,“allowabletransportationexpenditures” |
|---|
| 6261 | | - | meansthecostsoftransportingstudentstoandfromschoolforregular |
|---|
| 6262 | | - | classroomservicesandshallnotincludeexpendituresfortransportingstudents |
|---|
| 6263 | | - | participatingincurricularactivitiesthattakeplaceofftheschoolgroundsor |
|---|
| 6264 | | - | fortransportingstudentsparticipatingincocurricularactivities.TheState |
|---|
| 6265 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6266 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6267 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6268 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6269 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6270 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6271 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6272 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6273 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6274 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6275 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6276 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6277 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6278 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6279 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6280 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6281 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6282 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6283 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6284 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6285 | | - | 2025 Page150of415 |
|---|
| 6286 | | - | BoardAgencyofEducation,throughrulemaking,shallfurtherdefine |
|---|
| 6287 | | - | allowabletransportationexpendituresbyrule. |
|---|
| 6288 | | - | (c)AdistrictorsupervisoryunionmayapplyandtheSecretarymaypay |
|---|
| 6289 | | - | forextraordinarytransportationexpendituresincurredduetogeographicor |
|---|
| 6290 | | - | otherconditionssuchastheneedtotransportstudentsoutoftheschooldistrict |
|---|
| 6291 | | - | toattendanotherschoolbecausethedistrictdoesnotmaintainapublicschool. |
|---|
| 6292 | | - | TheStateBoardAgencyofEducationshalldefineextraordinarytransportation |
|---|
| 6293 | | - | expendituresbyrule.Thetotalamountofbaseyearextraordinary |
|---|
| 6294 | | - | transportationgrantexpendituresshallbe$250,000.00forfiscalyear1997, |
|---|
| 6295 | | - | increasedeachyearthereafterbytheannualpriceindexforstateandlocal |
|---|
| 6296 | | - | governmentpurchasesofgoodsandservices.Extraordinarytransportation |
|---|
| 6297 | | - | expendituresshallnotbepaidoutofthefundsappropriatedundersubsection |
|---|
| 6298 | | - | (b)ofthissectionforothertransportationexpenditures.Grantspaidunderthis |
|---|
| 6299 | | - | sectionshallbepaidfromtheEducationFundandshallbeaddedtoeducation |
|---|
| 6300 | | - | spendingpaymentreceiptspaidundersection4011ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 6301 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 6302 | | - | § 4025.EDUCATIONFUND |
|---|
| 6303 | | - | (a)TheEducationFundisestablishedtocomprisethefollowing: |
|---|
| 6304 | | - | (1)allrevenuepaidtotheStatefromthestatewideeducationtaxon |
|---|
| 6305 | | - | nonhomesteadandhomesteadpropertyunder32V.S.A.chapter135,which |
|---|
| 6306 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6307 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6308 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6309 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6310 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6311 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6312 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6313 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6314 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6315 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6316 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6317 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6318 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6319 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6320 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6321 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6322 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6323 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6324 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6325 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6326 | | - | 2025 Page151of415 |
|---|
| 6327 | | - | shallnotincludeanyrevenueraisedfromtheschooldistrictspendingtax |
|---|
| 6328 | | - | under32V.S.A.§ 5402(f); |
|---|
| 6329 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 6330 | | - | (b)MoniesintheEducationFundshallbeusedforthefollowing: |
|---|
| 6331 | | - | (1)Tomakepaymentstoschooldistrictsandsupervisoryunionsforthe |
|---|
| 6332 | | - | supportofeducationinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofsection4028ofthis |
|---|
| 6333 | | - | title,otherprovisionsofthischapter,theprovisionsof32V.S.A.chapter135, |
|---|
| 6334 | | - | andtheFlexiblePathwaysInitiativeestablishedbysection941ofthistitle,but |
|---|
| 6335 | | - | excludingadulteducationandliteracyprogramsundersection945ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 6336 | | - | (2)Tocoverthecostoffundauditing,accounting,revenuecollection, |
|---|
| 6337 | | - | andofshort-termborrowingtomeetfundcashflowrequirements. |
|---|
| 6338 | | - | (3)Tomakepaymentsrequiredunder32V.S.A.§ 6066(a)(1)andonly |
|---|
| 6339 | | - | thatportionattributabletoeducationtaxes,asdeterminedbythe |
|---|
| 6340 | | - | CommissionerofTaxes,ofpaymentsrequiredunder32V.S.A.§ 6066(a)(3). |
|---|
| 6341 | | - | TheStateTreasurershallwithdrawfundsfromtheEducationFundupon |
|---|
| 6342 | | - | warrantsissuedbytheCommissionerofFinanceandManagementbasedon |
|---|
| 6343 | | - | informationsuppliedbytheCommissionerofTaxes.TheCommissionerof |
|---|
| 6344 | | - | FinanceandManagementmaydrawwarrantsfordisbursementsfromtheFund |
|---|
| 6345 | | - | inanticipationofreceipts.AllbalancesintheFundattheendofanyfiscal |
|---|
| 6346 | | - | yearshallbecarriedforwardandremainapartoftheFund.Interestaccruing |
|---|
| 6347 | | - | fromtheFundshallremainintheFund.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6348 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6349 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6350 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6351 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6352 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6353 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6354 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6355 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6356 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6357 | | - | 10 |
|---|
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|---|
| 6359 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6360 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6361 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6362 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6363 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6364 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6365 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6366 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6367 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6368 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6369 | | - | 2025 Page152of415 |
|---|
| 6370 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 6371 | | - | § 4026.EDUCATIONFUNDBUDGETSTABILIZATIONRESERVE; |
|---|
| 6372 | | - | CREATIONANDPURPOSE |
|---|
| 6373 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 6374 | | - | (e)TheenactmentofthischapterandotherprovisionsoftheEqual |
|---|
| 6375 | | - | EducationalOpportunityActofwhichitisaparthavebeenpremisedupon |
|---|
| 6376 | | - | estimatesofbalancesofrevenuestoberaisedandexpenditurestobemade |
|---|
| 6377 | | - | undertheactforsuchpurposesaseducationspendingpayments,categorical |
|---|
| 6378 | | - | Statesupportgrants,provisionsforpropertytaxincomesensitivity,payments |
|---|
| 6379 | | - | inlieuoftaxes,currentusevalueappraisals,taxstabilizationagreements,the |
|---|
| 6380 | | - | stabilizationreserveestablishedbythissection,andforotherpurposes.Ifthe |
|---|
| 6381 | | - | stabilizationreserveestablishedunderthissectionshouldinanyfiscalyearbe |
|---|
| 6382 | | - | lessthan5.0percentofthepriorfiscalyear’sappropriationsfromthe |
|---|
| 6383 | | - | EducationFund,asdefinedinsubsection(b)ofthissection,theJointFiscal |
|---|
| 6384 | | - | Committeeshallreviewtheinformationprovidedpursuantto32V.S.A. |
|---|
| 6385 | | - | § 5402bandprovidetheGeneralAssemblyitsrecommendationsforchange |
|---|
| 6386 | | - | necessarytorestorethestabilizationreservetothestatutorylevelprovidedin |
|---|
| 6387 | | - | subsection(b)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 6388 | | - | § 4027.EDUCATIONFUNDTRANSFERAMOUNTS |
|---|
| 6389 | | - | (a)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6390 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6391 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6392 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6393 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6394 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6395 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6396 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6397 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6398 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6399 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6400 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6401 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6402 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6403 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6404 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6405 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6406 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6407 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6408 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6409 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6410 | | - | 2025 Page153of415 |
|---|
| 6411 | | - | (b)Annually,onorbeforeJune1,eachsuperintendentshallreporttothe |
|---|
| 6412 | | - | Agency,onaformprescribedbytheSecretary,eacheducationbudgetthatwas |
|---|
| 6413 | | - | adoptedbyMay1forthefollowingfiscalyearbythememberdistrictsofthe |
|---|
| 6414 | | - | supervisoryunionandforwhichnopetitionforreconsiderationhasbeenfiled. |
|---|
| 6415 | | - | AsuperintendentshallreportabudgetadoptedfollowingMay1,tothe |
|---|
| 6416 | | - | Agency,between30to40daysfollowingadoptionor,ifapetitionfor |
|---|
| 6417 | | - | reconsiderationhasbeenfiled,within10daysoffinaladoptionofthebudget |
|---|
| 6418 | | - | thefinaladoptedbudgetapprovedbythedistrictschoolboard. |
|---|
| 6419 | | - | § 4028.FUNDPAYMENTSTOSCHOOLDISTRICTS |
|---|
| 6420 | | - | (a)OnorbeforeSeptember10,December10,andApril30ofeachschool |
|---|
| 6421 | | - | year,one-thirdoftheeducationspendingpaymentundersection4011ofthis |
|---|
| 6422 | | - | titlebaseamountasdeterminedundersubdivision4001(17)ofthistitleand |
|---|
| 6423 | | - | anyStateguaranteeasdefinedunder32V.S.A.§ 5401(19)shallbecomedue |
|---|
| 6424 | | - | toschooldistricts,exceptthatdistrictsthathavenotadoptedabudgetby30 |
|---|
| 6425 | | - | daysbeforethedateofpaymentunderthissubsectionshallreceiveone-quarter |
|---|
| 6426 | | - | ofthebaseeducationamountanduponadoptionofabudgetshallreceive |
|---|
| 6427 | | - | additionalamountsdueunderthissubsection. |
|---|
| 6428 | | - | (b)Paymentsmadeforspecialeducationunderchapter101ofthistitle,for |
|---|
| 6429 | | - | careertechnicaleducationunderchapter37ofthistitle,andforotheraidand |
|---|
| 6430 | | - | categoricalgrantspaidforsupportofeducationshallalsobefromthe |
|---|
| 6431 | | - | EducationFund. |
|---|
| 6432 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6433 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6434 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6435 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6436 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6437 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6438 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6439 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6440 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6441 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6442 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6443 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6444 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6445 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6446 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6447 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6448 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6449 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6450 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6451 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6452 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6453 | | - | 2025 Page154of415 |
|---|
| 6454 | | - | (c)(1)Anydistrictthathasadoptedaschoolbudgetthatincludeshigh |
|---|
| 6455 | | - | spending,asdefinedin32V.S.A.§ 5401(12),shall,upontimelynotice,be |
|---|
| 6456 | | - | authorizedtouseaportionofitshighspendingpenaltytoreducefuture |
|---|
| 6457 | | - | educationspending: |
|---|
| 6458 | | - | (A)byenteringintoacontractwithanoperationalefficiency |
|---|
| 6459 | | - | consultantorafinancialsystemsconsultanttoexamineissuessuchas |
|---|
| 6460 | | - | transportationarrangements,administrativecosts,staffingpatterns,andthe |
|---|
| 6461 | | - | potentialforcollaborationwithotherdistricts; |
|---|
| 6462 | | - | (B)byenteringintoacontractwithanenergyorfacilities |
|---|
| 6463 | | - | managementconsultant;or |
|---|
| 6464 | | - | (C)byengagingindiscussionswithotherschooldistrictsabout |
|---|
| 6465 | | - | reorganizationorconsolidationforbetterservicedeliveryatalowercost. |
|---|
| 6466 | | - | (2)TotheextentapprovedbytheSecretary,theAgencyshallpaythe |
|---|
| 6467 | | - | districtfromthepropertytaxrevenuetobegeneratedbythehighspending |
|---|
| 6468 | | - | increasetothedistrict’sspendingadjustmentasestimatedbytheSecretary,up |
|---|
| 6469 | | - | toamaximumof$5,000.00.Forthepurposesofthissubsection,“timely |
|---|
| 6470 | | - | notice”meanswrittennoticefromthedistricttotheSecretarybySeptember |
|---|
| 6471 | | - | 30ofthebudgetyear.Ifthedistrictentersintoacontractwithaconsultant |
|---|
| 6472 | | - | pursuanttothissubsection,theconsultantshallnotbeanemployeeofthe |
|---|
| 6473 | | - | districtoroftheAgency.Acopyoftheconsultant’sfinalrecommendationsor |
|---|
| 6474 | | - | acopyofthedistrict’srecommendationsregardingreorganization,as |
|---|
| 6475 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6476 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6477 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6478 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6479 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6480 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6481 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6482 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6483 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6484 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6485 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6486 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6487 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6488 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6489 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6490 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6491 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6492 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6493 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6494 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6495 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6496 | | - | 2025 Page155of415 |
|---|
| 6497 | | - | appropriate,shallbesubmittedtotheSecretary,andeachaffectedtownshall |
|---|
| 6498 | | - | includeinitsnexttownreportanexecutivesummaryoftheconsultant’sor |
|---|
| 6499 | | - | district’sfinalrecommendationsandnoticeofwhereacompletecopyis |
|---|
| 6500 | | - | available.Nodistrictisauthorizedtoobtainfundsunderthissectionmorethan |
|---|
| 6501 | | - | onetimeineveryfiveyears.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6502 | | - | (d)TheJointFiscalOfficeshallprepareafiscalnoteforanylegislation |
|---|
| 6503 | | - | thatrequiresasupervisoryunionorschooldistricttoperformanyactionwith |
|---|
| 6504 | | - | anassociatedcost,butdoesnotprovidemoneyorafundingmechanismfor |
|---|
| 6505 | | - | fulfillingthatobligation.Anyfiscalnotepreparedunderthissubsectionshall |
|---|
| 6506 | | - | becompletednotlaterthanthedatethatthelegislationisconsideredforavote |
|---|
| 6507 | | - | inthefirstcommitteetowhichitisreferred. |
|---|
| 6508 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 6509 | | - | § 4030.DATASUBMISSION;CORRECTIONS |
|---|
| 6510 | | - | (a)UpondiscoveringanerrororchangeindatasubmittedtotheSecretary |
|---|
| 6511 | | - | forthepurposeofdeterminingpaymentstoorfromtheEducationFund,a |
|---|
| 6512 | | - | schooldistrictshallreporttheerrororchangetotheSecretaryassoonas |
|---|
| 6513 | | - | possible.Anybudgetdeficitorsurplusduetotheerrororchangeshallbe |
|---|
| 6514 | | - | carriedforwardtothefollowingyear. |
|---|
| 6515 | | - | (b)TheSecretaryshallusedatasubmittedonorbeforeJanuary15priorto |
|---|
| 6516 | | - | thefiscalyearthatbeginsthefollowingJuly1inordertocalculatethe |
|---|
| 6517 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6518 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6519 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6520 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6521 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6522 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6523 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6524 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6525 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6526 | | - | 10 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 6532 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6533 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6534 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6535 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6536 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6537 | | - | 2025 Page156of415 |
|---|
| 6538 | | - | amountsdueeachschooldistrictforanyfiscalyearfortransportationaiddue |
|---|
| 6539 | | - | undersection4016ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 6540 | | - | (c)TheSecretaryshallusedatacorrectionsregardingapproveddistrict |
|---|
| 6541 | | - | budgetamountssubmittedonorbeforeJune15priortothefiscalyearthat |
|---|
| 6542 | | - | beginsthefollowingJuly1,inordertocalculatetheeducationpaymentsdue |
|---|
| 6543 | | - | undersection4011ofthistitle.However,theSecretarymayusedata |
|---|
| 6544 | | - | submittedafterJune15andpriortoJuly15duetounusualorexceptional |
|---|
| 6545 | | - | circumstancesasdeterminedbytheSecretary. |
|---|
| 6546 | | - | (d)TheSecretaryshallnotusedatacorrectedduetoanerrorsubmitted |
|---|
| 6547 | | - | followingthedeadlinestorecalculateweightedlong-termmembershipunder |
|---|
| 6548 | | - | section4010ofthistitle.TheSecretaryshallnotadjustaveragedaily |
|---|
| 6549 | | - | membershipcountsifanerrororchangeisreportedmorethanthreefiscal |
|---|
| 6550 | | - | yearsfollowingthedatethattheoriginaldatawasdue. |
|---|
| 6551 | | - | (e)TheStateBoardAgencyofEducationmayadoptrulesasnecessaryto |
|---|
| 6552 | | - | implementtheprovisionsofthissection. |
|---|
| 6553 | | - | § 4031.UNORGANIZED TOWNSANDGORES |
|---|
| 6554 | | - | (a)Foramunicipalitythat,asofJanuary1,2004,isanunorganizedtown |
|---|
| 6555 | | - | orgore,itseducationpropertytaxspendingadjustmentunder32V.S.A. |
|---|
| 6556 | | - | § 5401(13)shallbeoneforpurposesofdeterminingthetaxrateunder32 |
|---|
| 6557 | | - | V.S.A.§ 5402(a)(2). |
|---|
| 6558 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6559 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6560 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6561 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6562 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6563 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6564 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6565 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6566 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6567 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6568 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6569 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6570 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6571 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6572 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6573 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6574 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6575 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6576 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6577 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6578 | | - | 2025 Page157of415 |
|---|
| 6579 | | - | (b)Forpurposesofaclaimforpropertytaxcreditunder32V.S.A.chapter |
|---|
| 6580 | | - | 154byataxpayerinamunicipalityaffectedunderthissection,theapplicable |
|---|
| 6581 | | - | percentageshallnotbemultipliedbyaspendingadjustmentunder32V.S.A. |
|---|
| 6582 | | - | § 5401(13).[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6583 | | - | ***EducationPropertyTaxRateFormula*** |
|---|
| 6584 | | - | Sec.25.32V.S.A.§5401isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 6585 | | - | §5401.DEFINITIONS |
|---|
| 6586 | | - | Asusedinthischapter: |
|---|
| 6587 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 6588 | | - | (7)“Homestead”: |
|---|
| 6589 | | - | (A)“Homestead”meanstheprincipaldwellingandparcelofland |
|---|
| 6590 | | - | surroundingthedwelling,ownedandoccupiedbyaresidentindividualasthe |
|---|
| 6591 | | - | individual’sdomicileorownedandfullyleasedonApril1,providedthe |
|---|
| 6592 | | - | propertyisnotleasedformorethan182daysoutofthecalendaryearor,for |
|---|
| 6593 | | - | purposesoftherentercreditundersubsection6066(b)ofthistitle,isrented |
|---|
| 6594 | | - | andoccupiedbyaresidentindividualastheindividual’sdomicile. |
|---|
| 6595 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 6596 | | - | (8)“Educationspending”means“educationspending”asdefinedin16 |
|---|
| 6597 | | - | V.S.A.§4001(6). |
|---|
| 6598 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 6599 | | - | (12)“Excessspending”means: |
|---|
| 6600 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6601 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6602 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6603 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6604 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6605 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6606 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6607 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6608 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6609 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6610 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6611 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6612 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6613 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6614 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6615 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6616 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6617 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6618 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6619 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6620 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6621 | | - | 2025 Page158of415 |
|---|
| 6622 | | - | (A)Theperpupilspendingamountofthedistrict’seducation |
|---|
| 6623 | | - | spending,asdefinedin16V.S.A.§4001(6),plusanyamountrequiredtobe |
|---|
| 6624 | | - | addedfromacapitalconstructionreservefundunder24V.S.A.§2804(b). |
|---|
| 6625 | | - | (B)Inexcessof118percentofthestatewideaveragedistrictper |
|---|
| 6626 | | - | pupileducationspendingincreasedbyinflation,asdeterminedbythe |
|---|
| 6627 | | - | SecretaryofEducationonorbeforeNovember15ofeachyearbasedonthe |
|---|
| 6628 | | - | passedbudgetstodate.Asusedinthissubdivision,“increasedbyinflation” |
|---|
| 6629 | | - | meansincreasingthestatewideaveragedistrictperpupileducationspending |
|---|
| 6630 | | - | forfiscalyear2025bythemostrecentNewEnglandEconomicProject |
|---|
| 6631 | | - | cumulativepriceindex,asofNovember15,forstateandlocalgovernment |
|---|
| 6632 | | - | purchasesofgoodsandservices,fromfiscalyear2025throughthefiscalyear |
|---|
| 6633 | | - | forwhichtheamountisbeingdetermined.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6634 | | - | (13)(A)“Educationpropertytaxspendingadjustment”meansthe |
|---|
| 6635 | | - | greaterofoneorafractioninwhich: |
|---|
| 6636 | | - | (i)(A)thenumeratoristhedistrict’sperpupileducation |
|---|
| 6637 | | - | spendingplusexcessspendingfortheschoolyear,and |
|---|
| 6638 | | - | (ii)(B)thedenominatoristhepropertydollarequivalentyieldfor |
|---|
| 6639 | | - | theschoolyear,asdefinedinsubdivision(15)ofthissection,multipliedbythe |
|---|
| 6640 | | - | statewideadjustment. |
|---|
| 6641 | | - | (B)“Educationincometaxspendingadjustment”meansthegreater |
|---|
| 6642 | | - | ofoneorafractioninwhichthenumeratoristhedistrict’sperpupileducation |
|---|
| 6643 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6644 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6645 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6646 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6647 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6648 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6649 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6650 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6651 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6652 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6653 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6654 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6655 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6656 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6657 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6658 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6659 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6660 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6661 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6662 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6663 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6664 | | - | 2025 Page159of415 |
|---|
| 6665 | | - | spendingplusexcessspendingfortheschoolyear,andthedenominatoristhe |
|---|
| 6666 | | - | incomedollarequivalentyieldfortheschoolyear,asdefinedinsubdivision |
|---|
| 6667 | | - | (16)ofthissection.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6668 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 6669 | | - | (15)“Propertydollarequivalentyield”meanstheamountofperpupil |
|---|
| 6670 | | - | educationspendingthatwouldresultinadistricthavingahomesteadtaxrate |
|---|
| 6671 | | - | of$1.00per$100.00ofequalizededucationpropertyvalue.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6672 | | - | (16)“Incomedollarequivalentyield”meanstheamountofperpupil |
|---|
| 6673 | | - | educationspendingthatwouldresultinadistricthavinganincomepercentage |
|---|
| 6674 | | - | insubdivision6066(a)(2)ofthistitleof2.0percent.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6675 | | - | (17)“Statewideadjustment”meanstheratiooftheaggregateeducation |
|---|
| 6676 | | - | propertytaxgrandlistofallmunicipalitiestotheaggregatevalueofthe |
|---|
| 6677 | | - | equalizededucationpropertytaxgrandlistofallmunicipalities.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6678 | | - | (18)“Schooldistrict-approvedspending”meansthespendingthata |
|---|
| 6679 | | - | schooldistrictapprovesinexcessofthefoundationformulaamountasdefined |
|---|
| 6680 | | - | in16V.S.A.§4001(17)forthefiscalyearandforwhichnoexistingrevenue |
|---|
| 6681 | | - | sourceisavailable,providedthatnoschooldistrictshallapprovespendingin |
|---|
| 6682 | | - | excessofacertainpercentage,tobedeterminedannually,oftheschool |
|---|
| 6683 | | - | district’sfoundationformulaamountforthefiscalyear. |
|---|
| 6684 | | - | (19)“Stateguarantee”meansanamountequaltotheschooldistrict’s |
|---|
| 6685 | | - | Stateguaranteeratemultipliedbytheschooldistrict’sapprovedspending. |
|---|
| 6686 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6687 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6688 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6689 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6690 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6691 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6692 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6693 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6694 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6695 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6696 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6697 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6698 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6699 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6700 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6701 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6702 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6703 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6704 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6705 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6706 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6707 | | - | 2025 Page160of415 |
|---|
| 6708 | | - | (20)“Stateguaranteerate”meansoneminustheratiooftheanticipated |
|---|
| 6709 | | - | aggregateequalizededucationpropertytaxgrandlistofthemunicipal |
|---|
| 6710 | | - | membersofaschooldistrictpertheaveragedailymembershipasdefined |
|---|
| 6711 | | - | under16V.S.A.§4001(1)ofthatschooldistrictinthefollowingfiscalyearto |
|---|
| 6712 | | - | theanticipatedaggregateequalizededucationpropertytaxgrandlistofthe |
|---|
| 6713 | | - | municipalmembersofaschooldistrictpertheaveragedailymembershipas |
|---|
| 6714 | | - | definedunder16V.S.A.§4001(1)ofthatschooldistrictthatisthemedianin |
|---|
| 6715 | | - | theStateinthefollowingfiscalyear,providedthatnoschooldistrict’sState |
|---|
| 6716 | | - | guaranteerateunderthissubdivisionshallbelessthanzero. |
|---|
| 6717 | | - | Sec.26.32V.S.A.§5402isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 6718 | | - | §5402.EDUCATIONPROPERTYTAXLIABILITY |
|---|
| 6719 | | - | (a)Astatewideeducationtaxisimposedonallnonhomesteadand |
|---|
| 6720 | | - | homesteadpropertyatthefollowingrates: |
|---|
| 6721 | | - | (1)Thetaxratefornonhomesteadpropertyshallbe$1.59per$100.00 |
|---|
| 6722 | | - | dividedbythestatewideadjustment. |
|---|
| 6723 | | - | (2)Thetaxrateforhomesteadpropertyshallbe$1.00multipliedbythe |
|---|
| 6724 | | - | educationpropertytaxspendingadjustmentforthemunicipalityper$100.00 |
|---|
| 6725 | | - | ofequalizededucationpropertyvalueasmostrecentlydeterminedunder |
|---|
| 6726 | | - | section5405ofthistitle.Thehomesteadpropertytaxrateforeach |
|---|
| 6727 | | - | municipalitythatisamemberofaunionorunifiedunionschooldistrictshall |
|---|
| 6728 | | - | becalculatedasrequiredundersubsection(e)ofthissectionaratesufficientto |
|---|
| 6729 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6730 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6731 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6732 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6733 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6734 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6735 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6736 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6737 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6738 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6739 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6740 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6741 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6742 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6743 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6744 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6745 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6746 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6747 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6748 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6749 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6750 | | - | 2025 Page161of415 |
|---|
| 6751 | | - | raisethefoundationformulaamountfortheschooldistrictforthefiscalyear |
|---|
| 6752 | | - | afteraccountingfortheforecastedavailablerevenuesandtheStateguarantee. |
|---|
| 6753 | | - | ItistheintentionoftheGeneralAssemblythatthestatewideeducationtaxrate |
|---|
| 6754 | | - | underthissectionshallbeadoptedforeachfiscalyearbyactoftheGeneral |
|---|
| 6755 | | - | Assembly. |
|---|
| 6756 | | - | (b)Thestatewideeducationtaxshallbecalculatedasfollows: |
|---|
| 6757 | | - | (1)TheCommissionerofTaxesshalldetermineforeachmunicipality |
|---|
| 6758 | | - | theeducationtaxratesrateundersubsection(a)ofthissectiondividedbythe |
|---|
| 6759 | | - | numberresultingfromdividingthemunicipality’smostrecentcommonlevel |
|---|
| 6760 | | - | ofappraisalbythestatewideadjustment.Thelegislativebodyineach |
|---|
| 6761 | | - | municipalityshallthenbilleachpropertytaxpayeratthehomesteador |
|---|
| 6762 | | - | nonhomesteadratedeterminedbytheCommissionerunderthissubdivision, |
|---|
| 6763 | | - | multipliedbytheeducationpropertytaxgrandlistvalueoftheproperty, |
|---|
| 6764 | | - | properlyclassifiedashomesteadornonhomesteadpropertyandwithoutregard |
|---|
| 6765 | | - | toanyothertaxclassificationoftheproperty.Statewideeducationpropertytax |
|---|
| 6766 | | - | billsshallshowthetaxdueandthecalculationoftheratedeterminedunder |
|---|
| 6767 | | - | subsection(a)ofthissection,dividedbythenumberresultingfromdividing |
|---|
| 6768 | | - | themunicipality’smostrecentcommonlevelofappraisalbythestatewide |
|---|
| 6769 | | - | adjustment,multipliedbythecurrentgrandlistvalueofthepropertytobe |
|---|
| 6770 | | - | taxed.Statewideeducationpropertytaxbillsshallalsoincludelanguage |
|---|
| 6771 | | - | providedbytheCommissionerpursuanttosubsection5405(g)ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 6772 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6773 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6774 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6775 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6776 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6777 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6778 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6779 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6780 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6781 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6782 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6783 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6784 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6785 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6786 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6787 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6788 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6789 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6790 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6791 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6792 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6793 | | - | 2025 Page162of415 |
|---|
| 6794 | | - | (2)Taxesassessedunderthissectionshallbeassessedandcollectedin |
|---|
| 6795 | | - | thesamemannerastaxesassessedunderchapter133ofthistitlewithnotax |
|---|
| 6796 | | - | classificationotherthanashomesteadornonhomesteadproperty;provided, |
|---|
| 6797 | | - | however,thatthetaxleviedunderthischaptershallbebilledtoeachtaxpayer |
|---|
| 6798 | | - | bythemunicipalityinamannerthatclearlyindicatesthetaxisseparatefrom |
|---|
| 6799 | | - | anyothertaxassessedandcollectedunderchapter133,includingan |
|---|
| 6800 | | - | itemizationoftheseparatetaxesdue.Thebillmaybeonasinglesheetof |
|---|
| 6801 | | - | paperwiththestatewideeducationtaxandothertaxespresentedseparatelyand |
|---|
| 6802 | | - | sidebyside. |
|---|
| 6803 | | - | (3)IfadistricthasnotvotedabudgetbyJune30,aninterimhomestead |
|---|
| 6804 | | - | educationtaxshallbeimposedatthebaseratedeterminedundersubdivision |
|---|
| 6805 | | - | (a)(2)subsection(a)ofthissection,dividedbythenumberresultingfrom |
|---|
| 6806 | | - | dividingthemunicipality’smostrecentcommonlevelofappraisalbythe |
|---|
| 6807 | | - | statewideadjustment,butwithoutregardtoanyspendingadjustmentunder |
|---|
| 6808 | | - | subdivision5401(13)ofthistitle.Within30daysafterabudgetisadopted |
|---|
| 6809 | | - | andthedeadlineforreconsiderationhaspassed,theCommissionershall |
|---|
| 6810 | | - | determinethemunicipality’shomesteadtaxrateasrequiredundersubdivision |
|---|
| 6811 | | - | (1)ofthissubsection. |
|---|
| 6812 | | - | (c)(1)ThetreasurerofeachmunicipalityshallbyDecember1oftheyear |
|---|
| 6813 | | - | inwhichthetaxisleviedandonJune1ofthefollowingyearpaytotheState |
|---|
| 6814 | | - | TreasurerfordepositintheEducationFundone-halfofthemunicipality’s |
|---|
| 6815 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6816 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6817 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6818 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6819 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6820 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6821 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6822 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6823 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6824 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6825 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6826 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6827 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6828 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6829 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6830 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6831 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6832 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6833 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6834 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6835 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6836 | | - | 2025 Page163of415 |
|---|
| 6837 | | - | statewidenonhomesteadtaxandone-halfofthemunicipality’shomestead |
|---|
| 6838 | | - | educationtax,asdeterminedundersubdivision(b)(1)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 6839 | | - | (2)TheSecretaryofEducationshalldetermineeachmunicipality’snet |
|---|
| 6840 | | - | nonhomesteadeducationtaxpaymentanditsnethomesteadeducationtax |
|---|
| 6841 | | - | paymenttotheStatebasedongrandlistinformationreceivedbytheSecretary |
|---|
| 6842 | | - | notlaterthantheMarch15priortotheJune1netpayment.Paymentshallbe |
|---|
| 6843 | | - | accompaniedbyareturnprescribedbytheSecretaryofEducation.Each |
|---|
| 6844 | | - | municipalitymayretain0.225ofonepercentofthetotaleducationtax |
|---|
| 6845 | | - | collected,onlyupontimelyremittanceofnetpaymenttotheStateTreasureror |
|---|
| 6846 | | - | totheapplicableschooldistrictordistricts.Eachmunicipalitymayalsoretain |
|---|
| 6847 | | - | $15.00foreachlatepropertytaxcreditclaimfiledafterApril15andbefore |
|---|
| 6848 | | - | September2,asnotifiedbytheDepartmentofTaxes,forthecostofissuinga |
|---|
| 6849 | | - | newpropertytaxbill. |
|---|
| 6850 | | - | (d)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6851 | | - | (e)TheCommissionerofTaxesshalldetermineahomesteadeducationtax |
|---|
| 6852 | | - | rateforeachmunicipalitythatisamemberofaunionorunifiedunionschool |
|---|
| 6853 | | - | districtasfollows: |
|---|
| 6854 | | - | (1)Foramunicipalitythatisamemberofaunifiedunionschool |
|---|
| 6855 | | - | district,usethebaseratedeterminedundersubdivision(a)(2)ofthissection |
|---|
| 6856 | | - | andaspendingadjustmentundersubdivision5401(13)ofthistitlebasedupon |
|---|
| 6857 | | - | theperpupileducationspendingoftheunifiedunion. |
|---|
| 6858 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6859 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6860 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6861 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6862 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6863 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6864 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6865 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6866 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6867 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6868 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6869 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6870 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6871 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6872 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6873 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6874 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6875 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6876 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6877 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6878 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6879 | | - | 2025 Page164of415 |
|---|
| 6880 | | - | (2)Foramunicipalitythatisamemberofaunionschooldistrict: |
|---|
| 6881 | | - | (A)Determinethemunicipaldistricthomesteadtaxrateusingthe |
|---|
| 6882 | | - | baseratedeterminedundersubdivision(a)(2)ofthissectionandaspending |
|---|
| 6883 | | - | adjustmentundersubdivision5401(13)ofthistitlebasedontheperpupil |
|---|
| 6884 | | - | educationspendinginthemunicipalitywhoattendsaschoolotherthanthe |
|---|
| 6885 | | - | unionschool. |
|---|
| 6886 | | - | (B)Determinetheuniondistricthomesteadtaxrateusingthebase |
|---|
| 6887 | | - | ratedeterminedundersubdivision(a)(2)ofthissectionandaspending |
|---|
| 6888 | | - | adjustmentundersubdivision5401(13)ofthistitlebasedontheperpupil |
|---|
| 6889 | | - | educationspendingoftheunionschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 6890 | | - | (C)Determineacombinedhomesteadtaxratebycalculatingthe |
|---|
| 6891 | | - | weightedaverageoftheratesdeterminedundersubdivisions(A)and(B)of |
|---|
| 6892 | | - | thissubdivision(2),withweightingbasedupontheratioofunionschoollong- |
|---|
| 6893 | | - | termmembership,asdefinedin16V.S.A.§4001(7),fromthemember |
|---|
| 6894 | | - | municipalitytototallong-termmembershipofthemembermunicipality;and |
|---|
| 6895 | | - | theratiooflong-termmembershipattendingaschoolotherthantheunion |
|---|
| 6896 | | - | schooltototallong-termmembershipofthemembermunicipality.Totallong- |
|---|
| 6897 | | - | termmembershipofthemembermunicipalityisbasedonthenumberofpupils |
|---|
| 6898 | | - | whoarelegalresidentsofthemunicipalityandattendingschoolatpublic |
|---|
| 6899 | | - | expense.Ifnecessary,theCommissionermayadoptaruletoclarifyand |
|---|
| 6900 | | - | facilitateimplementationofthissubsection(e).[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 6901 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6902 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6903 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6904 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6905 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6906 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6907 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6908 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6909 | | - | 9 |
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| 6910 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6911 | | - | 11 |
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| 6912 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6913 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6914 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6915 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6916 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6917 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6918 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6919 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6920 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6921 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 6922 | | - | 2025 Page165of415 |
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| 6923 | | - | (f)(1)Aschooldistrictspendingtaxisimposedonallhomesteadand |
|---|
| 6924 | | - | nonhomesteadpropertyineachmembermunicipalityofaschooldistrictthat |
|---|
| 6925 | | - | approvesspendingpursuanttosubdivision5401(18)ofthischapter.The |
|---|
| 6926 | | - | CommissionerofTaxesshalldeterminetheschooldistrictspendingtaxratefor |
|---|
| 6927 | | - | eachschooldistrictataratesufficienttoraisetheamountoftheschool |
|---|
| 6928 | | - | district’sapprovedspendingascertifiedbytheSecretaryofEducationafter |
|---|
| 6929 | | - | accountingforanyStateguaranteeduetotheschooldistrict.Thelegislative |
|---|
| 6930 | | - | bodyineachmembermunicipalityshallthenbilleachpropertytaxpayeratthe |
|---|
| 6931 | | - | ratedeterminedbytheCommissionerunderthissubsectionmultipliedbythe |
|---|
| 6932 | | - | currentgrandlistvalueofthepropertytobetaxed.Thebillshallshowthetax |
|---|
| 6933 | | - | dueandthecalculationoftherate. |
|---|
| 6934 | | - | (2)Theschooldistrictspendingtaxassessedunderthissubsectionshall |
|---|
| 6935 | | - | beassessedandcollectedinthesamemannerastaxesassessedunderchapter |
|---|
| 6936 | | - | 133ofthistitlewithnotaxclassificationotherthanashomesteador |
|---|
| 6937 | | - | nonhomesteadproperty;provided,however,thatthetaxleviedunderthis |
|---|
| 6938 | | - | chaptershallbebilledtoeachtaxpayerbythemunicipalityinamannerthat |
|---|
| 6939 | | - | clearlyindicatesthetaxisseparatefromanyothertaxassessedandcollected |
|---|
| 6940 | | - | underchapter133andthestatewideeducationpropertytaxunderthissection, |
|---|
| 6941 | | - | includinganitemizationoftheseparatetaxesdue.Thebillmaybeonasingle |
|---|
| 6942 | | - | sheetofpaperwiththeschooldistrictspendingtax,thestatewideeducation |
|---|
| 6943 | | - | tax,andothertaxespresentedseparatelyandsidebyside. |
|---|
| 6944 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6945 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6946 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6947 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6948 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6949 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6950 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6951 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6952 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6953 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6954 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6955 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6956 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 6957 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 6958 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 6959 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 6960 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 6961 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 6962 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 6963 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 6964 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 6965 | | - | 2025 Page166of415 |
|---|
| 6966 | | - | (3)Thetreasurerofeachmunicipalityshallpayallrevenueraisedfrom |
|---|
| 6967 | | - | theschooldistrictspendingtaximposedunderthissubsectiontoitsschool |
|---|
| 6968 | | - | districtpursuantto16V.S.A.§426. |
|---|
| 6969 | | - | Sec.27.32V.S.A.§5402bisamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 6970 | | - | §5402b.BASEAMOUNT;STATEWIDEEDUCATIONTAXYIELDS |
|---|
| 6971 | | - | RATE;RECOMMENDATION OFTHECOMMISSIONER |
|---|
| 6972 | | - | (a)Annually,notlaterthanDecember1,theCommissionerofTaxes,after |
|---|
| 6973 | | - | consultationwiththeSecretaryofEducation,theSecretaryofAdministration, |
|---|
| 6974 | | - | andtheJointFiscalOffice,shallestimatethebaseamountasdefinedin32 |
|---|
| 6975 | | - | V.S.A.§4001(16)forthefollowingfiscalyearandcalculateandrecommenda |
|---|
| 6976 | | - | propertydollarequivalentyield,anincomedollarequivalentyield,anda |
|---|
| 6977 | | - | nonhomesteadpropertytaxratestatewideeducationpropertytaxratepursuant |
|---|
| 6978 | | - | tosubdivision5402(a)(1)ofthischapterforthefollowingfiscalyear.In |
|---|
| 6979 | | - | makingthesecalculations,theCommissionershallassumethestatutory |
|---|
| 6980 | | - | reservesaremaintainedatfivepercentpursuantto16V.S.A.§4026: |
|---|
| 6981 | | - | (1)thehomesteadbasetaxrateinsubdivision5402(a)(2)ofthistitleis |
|---|
| 6982 | | - | $1.00per$100.00ofequalizededucationpropertyvalue; |
|---|
| 6983 | | - | (2)theapplicablepercentageinsubdivision6066(a)(2)ofthistitleis |
|---|
| 6984 | | - | 2.0; |
|---|
| 6985 | | - | (3)thestatutoryreservesunder16V.S.A.§4026andthissectionwere |
|---|
| 6986 | | - | maintainedatfivepercent; |
|---|
| 6987 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 6988 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 6989 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 6990 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 6991 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 6992 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 6993 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 6994 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 6995 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 6996 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 6997 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 6998 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 6999 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7000 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7001 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7002 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7003 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7004 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7005 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7006 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7007 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7008 | | - | 2025 Page167of415 |
|---|
| 7009 | | - | (4)thepercentagechangeintheaverageeducationtaxbillappliedto |
|---|
| 7010 | | - | nonhomesteadpropertyandthepercentagechangeintheaverageeducationtax |
|---|
| 7011 | | - | billofhomesteadpropertyandthepercentagechangeintheaverageeducation |
|---|
| 7012 | | - | taxbillfortaxpayerswhoclaimacreditundersubsection6066(a)ofthistitle |
|---|
| 7013 | | - | areequal; |
|---|
| 7014 | | - | (5)theequalizededucationgrandlistismultipliedbythestatewide |
|---|
| 7015 | | - | adjustmentincalculatingthepropertydollarequivalentyield;and |
|---|
| 7016 | | - | (6)thenonhomesteadrateisdividedbythestatewideadjustment. |
|---|
| 7017 | | - | (b)Foreachfiscalyear,thepropertydollarequivalentyieldandthe |
|---|
| 7018 | | - | incomedollarequivalentyieldshallbethesameasinthepriorfiscalyear, |
|---|
| 7019 | | - | unlesssetotherwisebytheGeneralAssembly.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 7020 | | - | (c)Annually,onorbeforeDecember1,theJointFiscalOfficeshall |
|---|
| 7021 | | - | prepareandpublishanofficial,annotatedcopyoftheEducationFund |
|---|
| 7022 | | - | Outlook.TheEmergencyBoardshallreviewtheOutlookatitsmeetings.As |
|---|
| 7023 | | - | usedinthissection,“EducationFundOutlook”meanstheprojectedrevenues |
|---|
| 7024 | | - | andexpensesassociatedwiththeEducationFundforthefollowingfiscalyear, |
|---|
| 7025 | | - | includingprojectionsofdifferentcategoriesofeducationalexpensesandcosts. |
|---|
| 7026 | | - | (d)Alongwiththerecommendationsmadeunderthissection,the |
|---|
| 7027 | | - | Commissionershallincludetherangeofperpupilschooldistrict-approved |
|---|
| 7028 | | - | spendingbetweenalldistrictsintheStateforthepreviousyear. |
|---|
| 7029 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 7030 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7031 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7032 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7033 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7034 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7035 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7036 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7037 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7038 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7039 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7040 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7041 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7042 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7043 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7044 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7045 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7046 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7047 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7048 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7049 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7050 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7051 | | - | 2025 Page168of415 |
|---|
| 7052 | | - | ***ConformingRevisions;StatewidePropertyTaxRate*** |
|---|
| 7053 | | - | Sec.28.32V.S.A.§5404a(b)(1)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 7054 | | - | (b)(1)Anagreementaffectingtheeducationpropertytaxgrandlist |
|---|
| 7055 | | - | definedundersubsection(a)ofthissectionshallreducethemunicipality’s |
|---|
| 7056 | | - | educationpropertytaxliabilityunderthischapterforthedurationofthe |
|---|
| 7057 | | - | agreementorexemptionwithoutextensionorrenewal,andforamaximumof |
|---|
| 7058 | | - | 10years.Amunicipality’spropertytaxliabilityunderthischaptershallbe |
|---|
| 7059 | | - | reducedbyanydifferencebetweentheamountoftheeducationpropertytaxes |
|---|
| 7060 | | - | collectedonthesubjectpropertyandtheamountofeducationpropertytaxes |
|---|
| 7061 | | - | thatwouldhavebeencollectedonsuchpropertyifitsfairmarketvaluewere |
|---|
| 7062 | | - | taxedattheequalizednonhomesteadrateforthetaxyear. |
|---|
| 7063 | | - | Sec.29.32V.S.A.§5405(g)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 7064 | | - | (g)TheCommissionershallprovidetomunicipalitiesforthefrontof |
|---|
| 7065 | | - | propertytaxbillsthedistricthomesteadpropertytaxratebeforeequalization, |
|---|
| 7066 | | - | thenonresidentialtaxratebeforeequalization,andthecalculationprocessthat |
|---|
| 7067 | | - | createstheequalizedhomesteadandnonhomesteadtaxratesrate.The |
|---|
| 7068 | | - | Commissionershallfurtherprovidetomunicipalitiesforthebackofproperty |
|---|
| 7069 | | - | taxbillsanexplanationofthecommonlevelofappraisal,includingitsorigin |
|---|
| 7070 | | - | andpurpose. |
|---|
| 7071 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7072 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7073 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7074 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7075 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7076 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7077 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7078 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7079 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7080 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7081 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7082 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7083 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7084 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7085 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7086 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7087 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7088 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7089 | | - | 19 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7090 | | - | 2025 Page169of415 |
|---|
| 7091 | | - | Sec.30.32V.S.A.§5410(g)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 7092 | | - | (g)Ifthepropertyidentifiedinadeclarationundersubsection(b)ofthis |
|---|
| 7093 | | - | sectionisnotthetaxpayer’shomesteadoriftheownerofahomesteadfailsto |
|---|
| 7094 | | - | declareahomesteadasrequiredunderthissection,theCommissionershall |
|---|
| 7095 | | - | notifythemunicipality,andthemunicipalityshallissueacorrectedtaxbillthat |
|---|
| 7096 | | - | may,asdeterminedbythegoverningbodyofthemunicipality,includea |
|---|
| 7097 | | - | penaltyofuptothreepercentoftheeducationtaxontheproperty.However,if |
|---|
| 7098 | | - | thepropertyincorrectlydeclaredasahomesteadislocatedinamunicipality |
|---|
| 7099 | | - | thathasalowerhomesteadtaxratethanthenonhomesteadtaxrateorifan |
|---|
| 7100 | | - | undeclaredhomesteadislocatedinamunicipalitythathasalower |
|---|
| 7101 | | - | nonhomesteadtaxratethanthehomesteadtaxrate,thenthegoverningbodyof |
|---|
| 7102 | | - | themunicipalitymayincludeapenaltyofuptoeightpercentoftheeducation |
|---|
| 7103 | | - | taxliabilityontheproperty.IftheCommissionerdeterminesthatthe |
|---|
| 7104 | | - | declarationorfailuretodeclarewaswithfraudulentintent,thenthe |
|---|
| 7105 | | - | municipalityshallassessthetaxpayerapenaltyinanamountequalto100 |
|---|
| 7106 | | - | percentoftheeducationtaxontheproperty,plusanyinterestandlate-payment |
|---|
| 7107 | | - | feeorcommissionthatmaybedue.Anypenaltyimposedunderthissection |
|---|
| 7108 | | - | andanyadditionalpropertytaxinterestandlate-paymentfeeorcommission |
|---|
| 7109 | | - | shallbeassessedandcollectedbythemunicipalityinthesamemannerasa |
|---|
| 7110 | | - | propertytaxunderchapter133ofthistitle.Notwithstandingsection4772of |
|---|
| 7111 | | - | thistitle,issuanceofacorrectedbillissuedunderthissectiondoesnotextend |
|---|
| 7112 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7113 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7114 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7115 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7116 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7117 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7118 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7119 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7120 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7121 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7122 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7123 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7124 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7125 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7126 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7127 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7128 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7129 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7130 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7131 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7132 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7133 | | - | 2025 Page170of415 |
|---|
| 7134 | | - | thetimeforpaymentoftheoriginalbillnorrelievethetaxpayerofanyinterest |
|---|
| 7135 | | - | orpenaltiesassociatedwiththeoriginalbill.Ifthecorrectedbillislessthan |
|---|
| 7136 | | - | theoriginalbillandtherearealsonounpaidcurrentyeartaxes,interest,or |
|---|
| 7137 | | - | penaltiesandnopastyeardelinquenttaxesorpenaltiesandinterestcharges, |
|---|
| 7138 | | - | anyoverpaymentshallbereflectedonthecorrectedtaxbillandrefundedto |
|---|
| 7139 | | - | thetaxpayer.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 7140 | | - | ***StatewidePropertyTaxCreditRepeal;HomesteadExemption |
|---|
| 7141 | | - | Created*** |
|---|
| 7142 | | - | Sec.31.32V.S.A.§5400isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 7143 | | - | §5400.STATUTORYPURPOSES |
|---|
| 7144 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 7145 | | - | (c)Thestatutorypurposeoftheexemptionforqualifiedhousingin |
|---|
| 7146 | | - | subdivision5404a(a)(6)ofthistitleistoensurethattaxesonthisrent- |
|---|
| 7147 | | - | restrictedhousingprovidedtoVermontersoflowandmoderateincomeare |
|---|
| 7148 | | - | moreequivalenttopropertytaxedusingtheStateasahomesteadrateproperty |
|---|
| 7149 | | - | andtoadjustthecostsofinvestmentinrent-restrictedhousingtoreflectmore |
|---|
| 7150 | | - | accuratelytherevenuepotentialofsuchproperty. |
|---|
| 7151 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 7152 | | - | (j)Thestatutorypurposeofthehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionin |
|---|
| 7153 | | - | subdivision6066(a)(1)ofthistitleistoreducethepropertytaxliabilityfor |
|---|
| 7154 | | - | Vermonthouseholdswithlowandmoderatehouseholdincome. |
|---|
| 7155 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7156 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7157 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7158 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7159 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7160 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7161 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7162 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7163 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7164 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7165 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7166 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7167 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7168 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7169 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7170 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7171 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7172 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7173 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7174 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7175 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7176 | | - | 2025 Page171of415 |
|---|
| 7177 | | - | Sec.32.32V.S.A.chapter154isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 7178 | | - | CHAPTER154.HOMESTEADPROPERTYTAXEXEMPTION, |
|---|
| 7179 | | - | MUNICIPALPROPERTYTAXCREDIT,ANDRENTERCREDIT |
|---|
| 7180 | | - | §6061.DEFINITIONS |
|---|
| 7181 | | - | Asusedinthischapterunlessthecontextrequiresotherwise: |
|---|
| 7182 | | - | (1)“PropertyMunicipalpropertytaxcredit”meansacreditoftheprior |
|---|
| 7183 | | - | taxyear’sstatewideormunicipalpropertytaxliabilityorahomesteadowner |
|---|
| 7184 | | - | credit,asauthorizedundersectionsubdivision6066(a)(2)ofthistitle,asthe |
|---|
| 7185 | | - | contextrequireschapter. |
|---|
| 7186 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 7187 | | - | (8)“Annualtaxlevy”meansthepropertytaxesleviedonproperty |
|---|
| 7188 | | - | taxableonApril1andwithoutregardtotheyearinwhichthosetaxesaredue |
|---|
| 7189 | | - | orpaid.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 7190 | | - | (9)“Taxableyear”meansthecalendaryearprecedingtheyearinwhich |
|---|
| 7191 | | - | theclaimisfiled. |
|---|
| 7192 | | - | (10)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 7193 | | - | (11)“Housesite”meansthatportionofahomestead,asdefinedunder |
|---|
| 7194 | | - | subdivision5401(7)ofthistitlebutnotundersubdivision5401(7)(G)ofthis |
|---|
| 7195 | | - | title,thatincludesasmuchofthelandownedbytheclaimantsurroundingthe |
|---|
| 7196 | | - | dwellingasisreasonablynecessaryforuseofthedwellingasahome,butin |
|---|
| 7197 | | - | noeventmorethantwoacresperdwellingunit,and,inthecaseofmultiple |
|---|
| 7198 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7199 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7200 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7201 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7202 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7203 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7204 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7205 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7206 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7207 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7208 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7209 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7210 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7211 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7212 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7213 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7214 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7215 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7216 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7217 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7218 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7219 | | - | 2025 Page172of415 |
|---|
| 7220 | | - | dwellingunits,notmorethantwoacresperdwellingunituptoamaximumof |
|---|
| 7221 | | - | 10acresperparcel. |
|---|
| 7222 | | - | (12)“Claimyear”meanstheyearinwhichaclaimisfiledunderthis |
|---|
| 7223 | | - | chapter. |
|---|
| 7224 | | - | (13)“Homestead”meansahomesteadasdefinedundersubdivision |
|---|
| 7225 | | - | 5401(7)ofthistitle,butnotundersubdivision5401(7)(G)ofthistitle,and |
|---|
| 7226 | | - | declaredonorbeforeOctober15inaccordancewithsection5410ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 7227 | | - | (14)“Statewideeducationtaxrate”meansthehomesteadeducation |
|---|
| 7228 | | - | propertytaxratemultipliedbythemunicipality’seducationspending |
|---|
| 7229 | | - | adjustmentundersubdivision5402(a)(2)ofthistitleandusedtocalculate |
|---|
| 7230 | | - | taxesassessedinthemunicipalfiscalyearthatbeganinthetaxableyear. |
|---|
| 7231 | | - | [Repealed.] |
|---|
| 7232 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 7233 | | - | (21)“Homesteadpropertytaxexemption”meansareductioninthe |
|---|
| 7234 | | - | amountofhousesitevaluesubjecttothestatewideeducationtaxandtheschool |
|---|
| 7235 | | - | districtspendingtaxintheclaimyearasauthorizedundersections6066and |
|---|
| 7236 | | - | 6066aofthischapter. |
|---|
| 7237 | | - | §6062.NUMBERANDIDENTITYOFCLAIMANTS;APPORTIONMENT |
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| 7238 | | - | *** |
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| 7239 | | - | (d)Wheneverahousesiteisanintegralpartofalargerunitsuchasafarm |
|---|
| 7240 | | - | oramulti-purposeormulti-dwellingbuilding,propertytaxespaidshallbethat |
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| 7241 | | - | 1 |
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| 7242 | | - | 2 |
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| 7243 | | - | 3 |
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| 7255 | | - | 15 |
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| 7256 | | - | 16 |
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| 7257 | | - | 17 |
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| 7258 | | - | 18 |
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| 7259 | | - | 19 |
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| 7260 | | - | 20 |
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| 7261 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 7262 | | - | 2025 Page173of415 |
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| 7263 | | - | percentageofthetotalpropertytaxasthevalueofthehousesiteistothetotal |
|---|
| 7264 | | - | value.Uponaclaimant’srequest,thelistersshallcertifytotheclaimantthe |
|---|
| 7265 | | - | valueofhisorhertheclaimant’shomesteadandhousesite. |
|---|
| 7266 | | - | *** |
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| 7267 | | - | §6063.CLAIMASPERSONAL;CREDITANDEXEMPTIONAMOUNT |
|---|
| 7268 | | - | ATTIMEOFTRANSFER |
|---|
| 7269 | | - | (a)Therighttofileaclaimunderthischapterispersonaltotheclaimant |
|---|
| 7270 | | - | andshallnotsurvivehisorhertheclaimant’sdeath,buttherightmaybe |
|---|
| 7271 | | - | exercisedonbehalfofaclaimantbyhisorhertheclaimant’slegalguardianor |
|---|
| 7272 | | - | attorney-in-fact.Whenaclaimantdiesafterhavingfiledatimelyclaim,the |
|---|
| 7273 | | - | municipalpropertytaxcreditandthehomesteadexemptionamountshallbe |
|---|
| 7274 | | - | creditedappliedtothehomesteadpropertytaxliabilityoftheclaimant’sestate |
|---|
| 7275 | | - | asprovidedinsection6066aofthistitle. |
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| 7276 | | - | (b)Incaseofsaleortransferofaresidence,afterApril1oftheclaimyear: |
|---|
| 7277 | | - | (1)anymunicipalpropertytaxcreditamountsamountrelatedtothat |
|---|
| 7278 | | - | residenceshallbeallocatedtothesellertransferoratclosingunlesstheparties |
|---|
| 7279 | | - | otherwiseagree; |
|---|
| 7280 | | - | (2)anyhomesteadpropertytaxexemptionrelatedtothatresidence |
|---|
| 7281 | | - | basedonthetransferor’sageandhouseholdincomeundersubdivision |
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| 7282 | | - | 6066(a)(1)ofthischaptershallceasetobeineffectupontransfer;and |
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| 7283 | | - | 1 |
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| 7284 | | - | 2 |
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| 7285 | | - | 3 |
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| 7286 | | - | 4 |
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| 7287 | | - | 5 |
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| 7288 | | - | 6 |
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| 7289 | | - | 7 |
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| 7290 | | - | 8 |
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| 7291 | | - | 9 |
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| 7292 | | - | 10 |
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| 7293 | | - | 11 |
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| 7294 | | - | 12 |
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| 7295 | | - | 13 |
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| 7296 | | - | 14 |
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| 7297 | | - | 15 |
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| 7298 | | - | 16 |
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| 7299 | | - | 17 |
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| 7300 | | - | 18 |
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| 7301 | | - | 19 |
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| 7302 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 7303 | | - | 2025 Page174of415 |
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| 7304 | | - | (3)atransfereewhoiseligibletodeclaretheresidenceasahomestead |
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| 7305 | | - | butfortherequirementtoowntheresidenceonApril1oftheclaimyearshall, |
|---|
| 7306 | | - | notwithstandingsubdivision5401(7)andsubsection5410(b)ofthistitle,be |
|---|
| 7307 | | - | eligibletoapplyforahomesteadpropertytaxexemptionintheclaimyear |
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| 7308 | | - | whenthetransferoccursbyfilingwiththeCommissionerofTaxesa |
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| 7309 | | - | homesteaddeclarationpursuanttosection5410ofthistitleandaclaimfor |
|---|
| 7310 | | - | exemptiononorbeforetheduedateprescribedundersection6068ofthis |
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| 7311 | | - | chapter. |
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| 7312 | | - | *** |
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| 7313 | | - | §6065.FORMS;TABLES;NOTICES |
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| 7314 | | - | (a)Inadministeringthischapter,theCommissionershallprovidesuitable |
|---|
| 7315 | | - | claimformswithtablesofallowableclaims,instructions,andworksheetsfor |
|---|
| 7316 | | - | claimingahomesteadpropertytaxexemptionandmunicipalpropertytax |
|---|
| 7317 | | - | credit. |
|---|
| 7318 | | - | (b)PriortoJune1,theCommissionershallalsoprepareandsupplytoeach |
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| 7319 | | - | townintheStatenoticesdescribingthehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionand |
|---|
| 7320 | | - | municipalpropertytaxcreditforinclusioninpropertytaxbills.Thenotice |
|---|
| 7321 | | - | shallbeinsimple,plainlanguageandshallexplainhowtofileforahomestead |
|---|
| 7322 | | - | propertytaxexemptionandamunicipalpropertytaxcredit,wheretofind |
|---|
| 7323 | | - | assistancefilingforacreditoranexemption,orboth,andanyotherrelated |
|---|
| 7324 | | - | informationasdeterminedbytheCommissioner.Thenoticeshalldirect |
|---|
| 7325 | | - | 1 |
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| 7326 | | - | 2 |
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| 7327 | | - | 3 |
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| 7328 | | - | 4 |
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| 7329 | | - | 5 |
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| 7330 | | - | 6 |
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| 7331 | | - | 7 |
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| 7332 | | - | 8 |
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| 7333 | | - | 9 |
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| 7334 | | - | 10 |
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| 7335 | | - | 11 |
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| 7336 | | - | 12 |
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| 7337 | | - | 13 |
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| 7338 | | - | 14 |
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| 7339 | | - | 15 |
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| 7340 | | - | 16 |
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| 7341 | | - | 17 |
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| 7342 | | - | 18 |
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| 7343 | | - | 19 |
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| 7344 | | - | 20 |
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| 7345 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 7346 | | - | 2025 Page175of415 |
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| 7347 | | - | taxpayerstoaresourcewheretheycanfindversionsofthenoticetranslated |
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| 7348 | | - | intothefivemostcommonnon-EnglishlanguagesintheState.Atownshall |
|---|
| 7349 | | - | includesuchnoticeineachtaxbillandnoticeofdelinquenttaxesthatitmails |
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| 7350 | | - | totaxpayerswhoowninthattownaresidentialproperty,withoutregardfor |
|---|
| 7351 | | - | whetherthepropertywasdeclaredahomesteadpursuanttosubdivision |
|---|
| 7352 | | - | 5401(7)ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 7353 | | - | (c)Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofsubsection(b)ofthissection,towns |
|---|
| 7354 | | - | thatuseenvelopesormailersnotabletoaccommodatenoticesdescribingthe |
|---|
| 7355 | | - | homesteadpropertytaxexemptionandmunicipalpropertytaxcreditmay |
|---|
| 7356 | | - | distributesuchnoticesinanalternativemanner. |
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| 7357 | | - | §6066.COMPUTATIONOFHOMESTEADPROPERTYTAX |
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| 7358 | | - | EXEMPTION,MUNICIPALPROPERTYTAXCREDIT,AND |
|---|
| 7359 | | - | RENTERCREDIT |
|---|
| 7360 | | - | (a)AneligibleclaimantwhoownedthehomesteadonApril1oftheyear |
|---|
| 7361 | | - | inwhichtheclaimisfiledshallbeentitledtoacreditfortheprioryear’s |
|---|
| 7362 | | - | homesteadpropertytaxliabilityamountdeterminedasfollows: |
|---|
| 7363 | | - | (1)(A)Foraclaimantwithhouseholdincomeof$90,000.00ormore: |
|---|
| 7364 | | - | (i)thestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbytheequalized |
|---|
| 7365 | | - | valueofthehousesiteinthetaxableyear; |
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| 7366 | | - | (ii)minus(ifless)thesumof: |
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| 7367 | | - | 1 |
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| 7368 | | - | 2 |
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| 7369 | | - | 3 |
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| 7370 | | - | 4 |
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| 7371 | | - | 5 |
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| 7372 | | - | 6 |
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| 7373 | | - | 7 |
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| 7374 | | - | 8 |
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| 7375 | | - | 9 |
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| 7376 | | - | 10 |
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| 7377 | | - | 11 |
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| 7378 | | - | 12 |
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| 7379 | | - | 13 |
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| 7380 | | - | 14 |
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| 7381 | | - | 15 |
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| 7382 | | - | 16 |
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| 7383 | | - | 17 |
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| 7384 | | - | 18 |
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| 7385 | | - | 19 |
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| 7386 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 7387 | | - | 2025 Page176of415 |
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| 7388 | | - | (I)theincomepercentageofhouseholdincomeforthetaxable |
|---|
| 7389 | | - | year;plus |
|---|
| 7390 | | - | (II)thestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbytheequalized |
|---|
| 7391 | | - | valueofthehousesiteinthetaxableyearinexcessof$225,000.00. |
|---|
| 7392 | | - | (B)Foraclaimantwithhouseholdincomeoflessthan$90,000.00 |
|---|
| 7393 | | - | butmorethan$47,000.00,thestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbythe |
|---|
| 7394 | | - | equalizedvalueofthehousesiteinthetaxableyear,minus(ifless)thesumof: |
|---|
| 7395 | | - | (i)theincomepercentageofhouseholdincomeforthetaxable |
|---|
| 7396 | | - | year;plus |
|---|
| 7397 | | - | (ii)thestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbytheequalized |
|---|
| 7398 | | - | valueofthehousesiteinthetaxableyearinexcessof$400,000.00. |
|---|
| 7399 | | - | (C)Foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomedoesnotexceed |
|---|
| 7400 | | - | $47,000.00,thestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbytheequalizedvalue |
|---|
| 7401 | | - | ofthehousesiteinthetaxableyear,minusthelesserof: |
|---|
| 7402 | | - | (i)thesumoftheincomepercentageofhouseholdincomeforthe |
|---|
| 7403 | | - | taxableyearplusthestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbytheequalized |
|---|
| 7404 | | - | valueofthehousesiteinthetaxableyearinexcessof$400,000.00;or |
|---|
| 7405 | | - | (ii)thestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbytheequalized |
|---|
| 7406 | | - | valueofthehousesiteinthetaxableyearreducedby$15,000.00. |
|---|
| 7407 | | - | (2)“Incomepercentage”inthissectionmeanstwopercent,multiplied |
|---|
| 7408 | | - | bytheeducationincometaxspendingadjustmentundersubdivision |
|---|
| 7409 | | - | 1 |
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| 7410 | | - | 2 |
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| 7411 | | - | 3 |
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| 7412 | | - | 4 |
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| 7413 | | - | 5 |
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| 7414 | | - | 6 |
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| 7415 | | - | 7 |
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| 7416 | | - | 8 |
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| 7417 | | - | 9 |
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| 7418 | | - | 10 |
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| 7419 | | - | 11 |
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| 7420 | | - | 12 |
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| 7421 | | - | 13 |
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| 7422 | | - | 14 |
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| 7423 | | - | 15 |
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| 7424 | | - | 16 |
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| 7425 | | - | 17 |
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| 7426 | | - | 18 |
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| 7427 | | - | 19 |
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| 7428 | | - | 20 |
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| 7429 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 7430 | | - | 2025 Page177of415 |
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| 7431 | | - | 5401(13)(B)ofthistitleforthepropertytaxyearthatbeginsintheclaimyear |
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| 7432 | | - | forthemunicipalityinwhichthehomesteadresidenceislocated |
|---|
| 7433 | | - | (1)AneligibleclaimantwhoownedthehomesteadonApril1ofthe |
|---|
| 7434 | | - | claimyearshallbeentitledtoahomesteadpropertytaxexemptionintheclaim |
|---|
| 7435 | | - | yearinanamountdeterminedasfollows: |
|---|
| 7436 | | - | (A)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisequaltoorlessthan |
|---|
| 7437 | | - | $47,000.00andwhois65yearsofageormoreasofDecember31oftheyear |
|---|
| 7438 | | - | inwhichtheclaimant’shouseholdincomeistakenintoaccount,theexemption |
|---|
| 7439 | | - | shallbe70percentoftheclaimant’shousesitevalue,providedtheexempt |
|---|
| 7440 | | - | amountofhousesitevalueshallnotexceed$200,000.00; |
|---|
| 7441 | | - | (B)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisequaltoorlessthan |
|---|
| 7442 | | - | $47,000.00andwhoislessthan65yearsofageasofDecember31oftheyear |
|---|
| 7443 | | - | inwhichtheclaimant’shouseholdincomeistakenintoaccount,theexemption |
|---|
| 7444 | | - | shallbe60percentoftheclaimant’shousesitevalue,providedtheexempt |
|---|
| 7445 | | - | amountofhousesitevalueshallnotexceed$200,000.00; |
|---|
| 7446 | | - | (C)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisgreaterthan |
|---|
| 7447 | | - | $47,000.00butequaltoorlessthan$90,000.00,theexemptionshallbe50 |
|---|
| 7448 | | - | percentoftheclaimant’shousesitevalue,providedtheexemptamountof |
|---|
| 7449 | | - | housesitevalueshallnotexceed$200,000.00; |
|---|
| 7450 | | - | (D)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisgreaterthan |
|---|
| 7451 | | - | $90,000.00butequaltoorlessthan$125,000.00,theexemptionshallbe10 |
|---|
| 7452 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7453 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7454 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7455 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7456 | | - | 5 |
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| 7457 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7458 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7459 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7460 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7461 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7462 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7463 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7464 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7465 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7466 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7467 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7468 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7469 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7470 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7471 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7472 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 7473 | | - | 2025 Page178of415 |
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| 7474 | | - | percentoftheclaimant’shousesitevalue,providedtheexemptamountof |
|---|
| 7475 | | - | housesitevalueshallnotexceed$50,000.00;and |
|---|
| 7476 | | - | (E)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisgreaterthan |
|---|
| 7477 | | - | $125,000.00,noamountofhousesitevalueshallbeexemptunderthissection. |
|---|
| 7478 | | - | (3)(2)AAneligibleclaimantwhoownedthehomesteadonApril1of |
|---|
| 7479 | | - | theclaimyearandwhosehouseholdincomedoesnotexceed$47,000.00shall |
|---|
| 7480 | | - | alsobeentitledtoanadditionalacreditamountfromagainsttheclaimant’s |
|---|
| 7481 | | - | municipaltaxesfortheupcomingfiscalyearthatisequaltotheamountby |
|---|
| 7482 | | - | whichthemunicipalpropertytaxesforthemunicipalfiscalyearthatbeganin |
|---|
| 7483 | | - | thetaxableyearupontheclaimant’shousesiteexceedsapercentageofthe |
|---|
| 7484 | | - | claimant’shouseholdincomeforthetaxableyearasfollows: |
|---|
| 7485 | | - | Ifhouseholdincome(rounded thenthetaxpayerisentitledto |
|---|
| 7486 | | - | tothenearestdollar)is: creditforthe |
|---|
| 7487 | | - | reducedpropertytaxinexcessof |
|---|
| 7488 | | - | thispercent |
|---|
| 7489 | | - | ofthatincome: |
|---|
| 7490 | | - | $0.00—9,999.00 1.50 |
|---|
| 7491 | | - | $10,000.00—47,000.00 3.00 |
|---|
| 7492 | | - | (4)Aclaimantwhosehouseholdincomedoesnotexceed$47,000.00 |
|---|
| 7493 | | - | shallalsobeentitledtoanadditionalcreditamountfromtheclaimant’s |
|---|
| 7494 | | - | statewideeducationtaxfortheupcomingfiscalyearthatisequaltothe |
|---|
| 7495 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7496 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7497 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7498 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7499 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7500 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7501 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7502 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7503 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7504 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7505 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7506 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7507 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7508 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7509 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7510 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7511 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7512 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7513 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7514 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7515 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7516 | | - | 2025 Page179of415 |
|---|
| 7517 | | - | amountbywhichtheeducationpropertytaxforthemunicipalfiscalyearthat |
|---|
| 7518 | | - | beganinthetaxableyearupontheclaimant’shousesite,reducedbythecredit |
|---|
| 7519 | | - | amountdeterminedundersubdivisions(1)and(2)ofthissubsection,exceedsa |
|---|
| 7520 | | - | percentageoftheclaimant’shouseholdincomeforthetaxableyearasfollows: |
|---|
| 7521 | | - | Ifhouseholdincome(rounded thenthetaxpayerisentitledto |
|---|
| 7522 | | - | tothenearestdollar)is: creditforthereducedpropertytax |
|---|
| 7523 | | - | inexcessofthispercentofthat |
|---|
| 7524 | | - | income: |
|---|
| 7525 | | - | $0.00—9,999.00 0.5 |
|---|
| 7526 | | - | $10,000.00—24,999.00 1.5 |
|---|
| 7527 | | - | $25,000.00—47,000.00 2.0 |
|---|
| 7528 | | - | (5)(3)Innoeventshallthehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionprovided |
|---|
| 7529 | | - | forinsubdivision(1)ofthissubsectionreducethehousesitevaluebelowzero. |
|---|
| 7530 | | - | Innoeventshallthemunicipalpropertytaxcreditprovidedforinsubdivision |
|---|
| 7531 | | - | (3)or(4)(2)ofthissubsectionexceedtheamountofthereducedmunicipal |
|---|
| 7532 | | - | propertytax.Thecreditsundersubdivision(4)ofthissubsectionshallbe |
|---|
| 7533 | | - | calculatedconsideringonlythetaxdueonthefirst$400,000.00inequalized |
|---|
| 7534 | | - | housesitevalue. |
|---|
| 7535 | | - | (b)(1)Aneligibleclaimantwhorentedthehomesteadshallbeentitled |
|---|
| 7536 | | - | toacreditforthetaxableyearinanamountnottoexceed$2,500.00,tobe |
|---|
| 7537 | | - | calculatedasfollows: |
|---|
| 7538 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7539 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7540 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7541 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7542 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7543 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7544 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7545 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7546 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7547 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7548 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7549 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7550 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7551 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7552 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7553 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7554 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7555 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7556 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7557 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7558 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7559 | | - | 2025 Page180of415 |
|---|
| 7560 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 7561 | | - | (c)tobeeligibleforanadjustmentexemptionorcreditunderthischapter, |
|---|
| 7562 | | - | theclaimant: |
|---|
| 7563 | | - | (1)musthavebeendomiciledinthisStateduringtheentiretaxable |
|---|
| 7564 | | - | year; |
|---|
| 7565 | | - | (2)maynotbeapersonclaimedasadependentbyanytaxpayerunder |
|---|
| 7566 | | - | thefederalInternalRevenueCodeduringthetaxableyear;and |
|---|
| 7567 | | - | (3)inthecaseofarenter,shallhaverentedpropertyforatleastsix |
|---|
| 7568 | | - | calendarmonths,whichneednotbeconsecutive,duringthetaxableyear. |
|---|
| 7569 | | - | (d)Theownerofamobilehomethatissitedonalotnotownedbythe |
|---|
| 7570 | | - | homeownermayincludeanamountdeterminedundersubdivision6061(7)of |
|---|
| 7571 | | - | thistitleasallocablerentpaidonthelotwiththeamountofpropertytaxes |
|---|
| 7572 | | - | paidbythehomeowneronthehomeforthepurposeofcomputationofcredits |
|---|
| 7573 | | - | themunicipalpropertytaxcreditundersubdivision(a)(3)(2)ofthissection, |
|---|
| 7574 | | - | unlessthehomeownerhasincludedintheclaimanamountofpropertytaxon |
|---|
| 7575 | | - | commonlandundertheprovisionsofsubsection(e)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 7576 | | - | (e)Propertytaxespaidbyacooperative,notincludingamobilehomepark |
|---|
| 7577 | | - | cooperative,allocabletopropertyusedasahomesteadshallbeattributableto |
|---|
| 7578 | | - | theco-opmemberforthepurposeofcomputingthecreditofpropertytax |
|---|
| 7579 | | - | liabilityoftheco-opmemberunderthissection.Propertyownedbya |
|---|
| 7580 | | - | cooperativedeclaredasahomesteadmayonlyincludethehomesteadanda |
|---|
| 7581 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7582 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7583 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7584 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7585 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7586 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7587 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7588 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7589 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7590 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7591 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7592 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7593 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7594 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7595 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7596 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7597 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7598 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7599 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7600 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7601 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7602 | | - | 2025 Page181of415 |
|---|
| 7603 | | - | proratashareofanycommonlandownedorleasedbythecooperative,notto |
|---|
| 7604 | | - | exceedthetwo-acrehousesitelimitation.Theshareofthecooperative’s |
|---|
| 7605 | | - | assessedvalueattributabletothehousesiteshallbedeterminedbythe |
|---|
| 7606 | | - | cooperativeandspecifiedannuallyinanoticetotheco-opmember.Property |
|---|
| 7607 | | - | taxespaidbyamobilehomeparkcooperative,allocabletopropertyusedasa |
|---|
| 7608 | | - | housesite,shallbeattributedtotheownerofthehousesiteforthepurposeof |
|---|
| 7609 | | - | computingthecreditofpropertytaxliabilityofthehousesiteownerunderthis |
|---|
| 7610 | | - | section.Propertyownedbythemobilehomeparkcooperativeanddeclaredas |
|---|
| 7611 | | - | ahousesitemayonlyincludecommonpropertyofthecooperativecontiguous |
|---|
| 7612 | | - | withatleastonemobilehomelotinthepark,nottoexceedthetwo-acre |
|---|
| 7613 | | - | housesitelimitation.Theshareattributabletoanymobilehomelotshallbe |
|---|
| 7614 | | - | determinedbythecooperativeandspecifiedinthecooperativeagreement.A |
|---|
| 7615 | | - | co-opmemberwhoisthehousesiteownershallbeentitledtoapropertytax |
|---|
| 7616 | | - | creditinanamountdeterminedbymultiplyingthepropertytaxesallocated |
|---|
| 7617 | | - | underthissubsectionbythepercentageoftheexemptionforwhichthe |
|---|
| 7618 | | - | housesiteowner’shouseholdincomequalifiesundersubdivision(a)(1)ofthis |
|---|
| 7619 | | - | section. |
|---|
| 7620 | | - | (f)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 7621 | | - | (g)Notwithstandingsubsection(d)ofthissection,ifthelandsurroundinga |
|---|
| 7622 | | - | homesteadisownedbyanonprofitcorporationorcommunitylandtrustwith |
|---|
| 7623 | | - | taxexemptstatusunder26U.S.C.§501(c)(3),thehomeownermayincludean |
|---|
| 7624 | | - | 1 |
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| 7625 | | - | 2 |
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| 7626 | | - | 3 |
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| 7627 | | - | 4 |
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| 7628 | | - | 5 |
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| 7629 | | - | 6 |
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| 7631 | | - | 8 |
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| 7632 | | - | 9 |
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| 7634 | | - | 11 |
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| 7635 | | - | 12 |
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| 7636 | | - | 13 |
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| 7637 | | - | 14 |
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| 7638 | | - | 15 |
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| 7639 | | - | 16 |
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| 7640 | | - | 17 |
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| 7641 | | - | 18 |
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| 7642 | | - | 19 |
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| 7643 | | - | 20 |
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| 7644 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7645 | | - | 2025 Page182of415 |
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| 7646 | | - | allocatedamountaspropertytaxpaidonthelandwiththeamountofproperty |
|---|
| 7647 | | - | taxespaidbythehomeowneronthehomeforthepurposesofcomputationof |
|---|
| 7648 | | - | thecreditpropertytaxliabilityunderthissection.Theallocatedamountshall |
|---|
| 7649 | | - | bedeterminedbythenonprofitcorporationorcommunitylandtrustona |
|---|
| 7650 | | - | proportionalbasis.Thenonprofitcorporationorcommunitylandtrustshall |
|---|
| 7651 | | - | providetothathomeowner,byJanuary31,acertificatespecifyingthe |
|---|
| 7652 | | - | allocatedamount.Thecertificateshallindicatetheproportionoftotalproperty |
|---|
| 7653 | | - | taxontheparcelthatwasassessedformunicipalpropertytaxandforstatewide |
|---|
| 7654 | | - | propertytaxandtheproportionoftotalvalueoftheparcel.Ahomeowner |
|---|
| 7655 | | - | underthissubsectionshallbeentitledtoapropertytaxcreditinanamount |
|---|
| 7656 | | - | determinedbymultiplyingthepropertytaxesallocatedunderthissubsection |
|---|
| 7657 | | - | bythepercentageoftheexemptionforwhichthehomeowner’shousehold |
|---|
| 7658 | | - | incomequalifiesundersubdivision(a)(1)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 7659 | | - | (h)Ahomesteadownershallbeentitledtoanadditionalpropertytaxcredit |
|---|
| 7660 | | - | equaltoonepercentoftheamountofincometaxrefundthattheclaimant |
|---|
| 7661 | | - | electstoallocatetopaymentofhomesteadstatewideeducationpropertytax |
|---|
| 7662 | | - | undersection6068ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 7663 | | - | (i)AdjustmentsThehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionandthemunicipal |
|---|
| 7664 | | - | propertytaxcreditundersubsection(a)ofthissectionshallbecalculated |
|---|
| 7665 | | - | withoutregardtoanyexemptionundersubdivision3802(11)ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 7666 | | - | 1 |
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| 7667 | | - | 2 |
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| 7668 | | - | 3 |
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| 7669 | | - | 4 |
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| 7670 | | - | 5 |
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| 7671 | | - | 6 |
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| 7673 | | - | 8 |
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| 7679 | | - | 14 |
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| 7680 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7681 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7682 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7683 | | - | 18 |
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| 7684 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7685 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7686 | | - | 2025 Page183of415 |
|---|
| 7687 | | - | §6066a.DETERMINATIONOFHOMESTEADPROPERTYTAX |
|---|
| 7688 | | - | EXEMPTIONANDMUNICIPALPROPERTYTAXCREDIT |
|---|
| 7689 | | - | (a)Annually,theCommissionershalldeterminethehomesteadpropertytax |
|---|
| 7690 | | - | exemptionandthemunicipalpropertytaxcreditamountundersection6066of |
|---|
| 7691 | | - | thistitle,relatedtoahomesteadownedbytheclaimant,basedontheprior |
|---|
| 7692 | | - | taxableyear’sincomeandforthemunicipalpropertytaxcredit,crediting |
|---|
| 7693 | | - | propertytaxespaidintheprioryear,andforthehomesteadpropertytax |
|---|
| 7694 | | - | exemption,exemptingthehousesitevalueintheclaimyear.The |
|---|
| 7695 | | - | Commissionershallnotifythemunicipalityinwhichthehousesiteislocatedof |
|---|
| 7696 | | - | theamountofthehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionandmunicipalproperty |
|---|
| 7697 | | - | taxcreditfortheclaimantforhomesteadpropertytaxliabilitiesonamonthly |
|---|
| 7698 | | - | basis.Themunicipalpropertytaxcreditofaclaimantwhowasassessed |
|---|
| 7699 | | - | propertytaxbyatownthatrevisedthedatesofitsfiscalyear,however,isthe |
|---|
| 7700 | | - | excessofthepropertytaxthatwasassessedinthelast12monthsoftherevised |
|---|
| 7701 | | - | fiscalyear,overtheadjustedpropertytaxoftheclaimantfortherevisedfiscal |
|---|
| 7702 | | - | year,asdeterminedundersection6066ofthistitle,relatedtoahomestead |
|---|
| 7703 | | - | ownedbytheclaimant. |
|---|
| 7704 | | - | (b)TheCommissionershallincludeinthetotalhomesteadpropertytax |
|---|
| 7705 | | - | exemptionandmunicipalpropertytaxcreditamountdeterminedunder |
|---|
| 7706 | | - | subsection(a)ofthissection,forcredittothetaxpayerforhomestead |
|---|
| 7707 | | - | statewideeducationpropertytaxandschooldistrictspendingtaxliabilities, |
|---|
| 7708 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7709 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7710 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7711 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7712 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7713 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7714 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7715 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7716 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7717 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7718 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7719 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7720 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7721 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7722 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7723 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7724 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7725 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7726 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7727 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7728 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7729 | | - | 2025 Page184of415 |
|---|
| 7730 | | - | anyincometaxoverpaymentremainingafterallocationundersection3112of |
|---|
| 7731 | | - | thistitleandsetoffundersection5934ofthistitle,whichthetaxpayerhas |
|---|
| 7732 | | - | directedtobeusedforpaymentofpropertytaxes. |
|---|
| 7733 | | - | (c)TheCommissionershallnotifythemunicipalityofanyclaimand |
|---|
| 7734 | | - | refundamountsunresolvedbyNovember1atthetimeoffinalresolution, |
|---|
| 7735 | | - | includingadjudication,ifany;provided,however,thattownswillnotbe |
|---|
| 7736 | | - | notifiedofanyadditionalcreditamountsafterNovember1oftheclaimyear, |
|---|
| 7737 | | - | andsuchamountsshallbepaidtotheclaimantbytheCommissioner. |
|---|
| 7738 | | - | (d)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 7739 | | - | (e)Atthetimeofnoticetothemunicipality,theCommissionershallnotify |
|---|
| 7740 | | - | thetaxpayerofthehomesteadpropertytaxcreditexemptionamount |
|---|
| 7741 | | - | determinedundersubdivision6066(a)(1)ofthistitle,theamountdetermined |
|---|
| 7742 | | - | undersubdivision6066(a)(3)ofthistitle,;anyadditionalmunicipalproperty |
|---|
| 7743 | | - | creditamountsamountduethehomesteadownerundersectionsubdivision |
|---|
| 7744 | | - | 6066(a)(2)ofthistitle,;theamountofincometaxrefund,ifany,allocatedto |
|---|
| 7745 | | - | paymentofhomesteadstatewideeducationpropertytaxliabilities,;andany |
|---|
| 7746 | | - | late-claimreductionamount. |
|---|
| 7747 | | - | (f)(1)Fortaxpayersandamountsstatedinthenoticetotownsonorbefore |
|---|
| 7748 | | - | July1,municipalitiesshallcreateandsendtotaxpayersahomesteadproperty |
|---|
| 7749 | | - | taxbill,insteadofthebillrequiredundersubdivision5402(b)(1)ofthistitle, |
|---|
| 7750 | | - | providingthetotalamountallocatedtopaymentofhomesteadstatewide |
|---|
| 7751 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7752 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7753 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7754 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7755 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7756 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7757 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7758 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7759 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7760 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7761 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7762 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7763 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7764 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7765 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7766 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7767 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7768 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7769 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7770 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7771 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7772 | | - | 2025 Page185of415 |
|---|
| 7773 | | - | educationpropertytaxliabilitiesandnoticeofthebalancedue.Municipalities |
|---|
| 7774 | | - | shallapplytheamountofthehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionallocated |
|---|
| 7775 | | - | underthischaptertocurrentyearpropertytaxesinequalamountstoeachof |
|---|
| 7776 | | - | thetaxpayers’propertytaxinstallmentsthatincludeeducationtaxesandthe |
|---|
| 7777 | | - | amountofthemunicipalpropertytaxcreditallocatedunderthischapterto |
|---|
| 7778 | | - | currentyearmunicipalpropertytaxesinequalamountstoeachofthe |
|---|
| 7779 | | - | taxpayers’propertytaxinstallmentsthatincludemunicipaltaxes. |
|---|
| 7780 | | - | Notwithstandingsection4772ofthistitle,ifatownissuesacorrectedbillasa |
|---|
| 7781 | | - | resultofthenoticesentbytheCommissionerundersubsection(a)ofthis |
|---|
| 7782 | | - | section,issuanceofthecorrectednewbilldoesnotextendthetimefor |
|---|
| 7783 | | - | paymentoftheoriginalbillnorrelievethetaxpayerofanyinterestorpenalties |
|---|
| 7784 | | - | associatedwiththeoriginalbill.Ifthecorrectedbillislessthantheoriginal |
|---|
| 7785 | | - | bill,andtherearealsonounpaidcurrentyeartaxes,interest,orpenalties,and |
|---|
| 7786 | | - | nopastyeardelinquenttaxesorpenaltiesandinterestcharges,any |
|---|
| 7787 | | - | overpaymentshallbereflectedonthecorrectedtaxbillandrefundedtothe |
|---|
| 7788 | | - | taxpayer. |
|---|
| 7789 | | - | (2)Forhomesteadpropertytaxexemptionandmunicipalpropertytax |
|---|
| 7790 | | - | creditamountsforwhichmunicipalitiesreceivenoticeafterNovember1, |
|---|
| 7791 | | - | municipalitiesshallissueanewhomesteadpropertytaxbillwithnoticetothe |
|---|
| 7792 | | - | taxpayerofthetotalamountallocatedtopaymentofhomesteadpropertytax |
|---|
| 7793 | | - | liabilitiesandnoticeofthebalancedue. |
|---|
| 7794 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7795 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7796 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7797 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7798 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7799 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7800 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7801 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7802 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7803 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7804 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7805 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7806 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7807 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7808 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7809 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7810 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7811 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7812 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7813 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7814 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7815 | | - | 2025 Page186of415 |
|---|
| 7816 | | - | (3)Thehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionandmunicipalpropertytax |
|---|
| 7817 | | - | creditamountdeterminedforthetaxpayershallbeallocatedfirsttocurrent |
|---|
| 7818 | | - | yearhousesitevalueandpropertytaxonthehomesteadparcel,nexttocurrent- |
|---|
| 7819 | | - | yearhomesteadparcelpenaltiesandinterest,nexttoanyprioryearhomestead |
|---|
| 7820 | | - | parcelpenaltiesandinterest,andlasttoanyprioryearhousesitevalueand |
|---|
| 7821 | | - | propertytaxonthehomesteadparcel.Nohomesteadpropertytaxexemption |
|---|
| 7822 | | - | ormunicipalcreditshallbeallocatedtoahousesitevalueorpropertytax |
|---|
| 7823 | | - | liabilityforanyyearaftertheyearforwhichtheclaimorrefundallocation |
|---|
| 7824 | | - | wasfiled.Nomunicipaltax-reductionincentiveforearlypaymentoftaxes |
|---|
| 7825 | | - | shallapplytoanyamountallocatedtothepropertytaxbillunderthischapter. |
|---|
| 7826 | | - | (4)Ifthehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionorthemunicipalproperty |
|---|
| 7827 | | - | taxcreditamountasdescribedinsubsection(e)ofthissectionexceedsthe |
|---|
| 7828 | | - | propertytax,penalties,andinterestdueforthecurrentandallprioryears,the |
|---|
| 7829 | | - | municipalityshallrefundtheexcesstothetaxpayer,withoutinterest,within20 |
|---|
| 7830 | | - | daysofthefirstdateuponwhichtaxesbecomedueandpayableor20days |
|---|
| 7831 | | - | afternotificationoftheexemptionorcreditamountbytheCommissionerof |
|---|
| 7832 | | - | Taxes,whicheverislater. |
|---|
| 7833 | | - | (g)TheCommissionerofTaxesshallpaymonthlytoeachmunicipalitythe |
|---|
| 7834 | | - | amountofmunicipalpropertytaxcreditofwhichthemunicipalitywaslast |
|---|
| 7835 | | - | notifiedrelatedtomunicipalpropertytaxonhomesteadswithinthat |
|---|
| 7836 | | - | municipality,asdeterminedbytheCommissionerofTaxes. |
|---|
| 7837 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7838 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7839 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7840 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7841 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7842 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7843 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7844 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7845 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7846 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7847 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7848 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7849 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7850 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7851 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7852 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7853 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7854 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7855 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7856 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7857 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7858 | | - | 2025 Page187of415 |
|---|
| 7859 | | - | §6067.CREDITCLAIMLIMITATIONS |
|---|
| 7860 | | - | (a)Claimant.Onlyoneindividualperhouseholdpertaxableyearshallbe |
|---|
| 7861 | | - | entitledtoaahomesteadexemptionclaimorpropertytaxcreditclaim,orboth, |
|---|
| 7862 | | - | underthischapter. |
|---|
| 7863 | | - | (b)Otherstates.Anindividualwhoreceivedahomesteadexemptionor |
|---|
| 7864 | | - | creditwithrespecttopropertytaxesassessedbyanotherstateforthetaxable |
|---|
| 7865 | | - | yearshallnotbeentitledtoreceiveacreditunderthischapter. |
|---|
| 7866 | | - | (c)Dollaramount.Notaxpayerclaimantshallreceivearentercreditunder |
|---|
| 7867 | | - | subsection6066(b)ofthistitleinexcessof$2,500.00.Notaxpayerclaimant |
|---|
| 7868 | | - | shallreceiveamunicipalpropertytaxcreditundersubdivision6066(a)(3)(2) |
|---|
| 7869 | | - | ofthistitlegreaterthan$2,400.00orcumulativecreditundersubdivisions |
|---|
| 7870 | | - | 6066(a)(1)-(2)and(4)ofthistitlegreaterthan$5,600.00. |
|---|
| 7871 | | - | §6068.APPLICATIONANDTIMEFORFILING |
|---|
| 7872 | | - | (a)Ahomesteadpropertytaxexemptionormunicipalpropertytaxcredit |
|---|
| 7873 | | - | claimorrequestforallocationofanincometaxrefundtohomesteadstatewide |
|---|
| 7874 | | - | educationpropertytaxpaymentshallbefiledwiththeCommissioneronor |
|---|
| 7875 | | - | beforetheduedateforfilingtheVermontincometaxreturn,without |
|---|
| 7876 | | - | extension,andshalldescribetheschooldistrictinwhichthehomestead |
|---|
| 7877 | | - | propertyislocatedandshallparticularlydescribethehomesteadpropertyfor |
|---|
| 7878 | | - | whichtheexemptionorcreditorallocationissought,includingtheschool |
|---|
| 7879 | | - | parcelaccountnumberprescribedinsubsection5404(b)ofthistitle.Arenter |
|---|
| 7880 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7881 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7882 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7883 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7884 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7885 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7886 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7887 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7888 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7889 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7890 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7891 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7892 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7893 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7894 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7895 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7896 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7897 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7898 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 7899 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 7900 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7901 | | - | 2025 Page188of415 |
|---|
| 7902 | | - | creditclaimshallbefiledwiththeCommissioneronorbeforetheduedatefor |
|---|
| 7903 | | - | filingtheVermontincometaxreturn,withoutextension. |
|---|
| 7904 | | - | (b)(1)Iftheaclaimantfilesamunicipalpropertytaxcreditclaimafter |
|---|
| 7905 | | - | October15butonorbeforeMarch15ofthefollowingcalendaryear,the |
|---|
| 7906 | | - | municipalpropertytaxcreditunderthischapter: |
|---|
| 7907 | | - | (1)(A)shallbereducedinamountby$150.00,butnotbelow$0.00; |
|---|
| 7908 | | - | (2)(B)shallbeissueddirectlytotheclaimant;and |
|---|
| 7909 | | - | (3)(C)shallnotrequirethemunicipalitywheretheclaimant’sproperty |
|---|
| 7910 | | - | islocatedtoissueanadjustedhomesteadpropertytaxbill. |
|---|
| 7911 | | - | (2)Ifaclaimantfilesahomesteadpropertytaxexemptionclaimunder |
|---|
| 7912 | | - | thischapterafterOctober15butonorbeforeMarch15ofthefollowing |
|---|
| 7913 | | - | calendaryear,theclaimantshallpayapenaltyof$150.00andthemunicipality |
|---|
| 7914 | | - | wheretheclaimant’spropertyislocatedshallnotberequiredtoissuean |
|---|
| 7915 | | - | adjustedpropertytaxbill. |
|---|
| 7916 | | - | (c)Norequestforallocationofanincometaxrefundorforarentercredit |
|---|
| 7917 | | - | claimmaybemadeafterOctober15.Nohomesteadpropertytaxexemption |
|---|
| 7918 | | - | ormunicipalpropertytaxcreditclaimmaybemadeafterMarch15ofthe |
|---|
| 7919 | | - | calendaryearfollowingtheduedateundersubsection(a)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 7920 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 7921 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 7922 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 7923 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 7924 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 7925 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 7926 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 7927 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 7928 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 7929 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 7930 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 7931 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 7932 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 7933 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 7934 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 7935 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 7936 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 7937 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 7938 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 7939 | | - | 19 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 7940 | | - | 2025 Page189of415 |
|---|
| 7941 | | - | §6070.DISALLOWEDCLAIMS |
|---|
| 7942 | | - | Aclaimshallbedisallowediftheclaimantreceivedtitletohisorherthe |
|---|
| 7943 | | - | claimant’shomesteadprimarilyforthepurposeofreceivingbenefitsunderthis |
|---|
| 7944 | | - | chapter. |
|---|
| 7945 | | - | §6071.EXCESSIVEANDFRAUDULENTCLAIMS |
|---|
| 7946 | | - | (a)Inanycaseinwhichitisdeterminedundertheprovisionsofthistitle |
|---|
| 7947 | | - | thataclaimisorwasexcessiveandwasfiledwithfraudulentintent,theclaim |
|---|
| 7948 | | - | shallbedisallowedinfullandtheCommissionermayimposeapenaltyequal |
|---|
| 7949 | | - | totheamountclaimed.Adisallowedclaimmayberecoveredbyassessment |
|---|
| 7950 | | - | asincometaxesareassessed.Theassessment,includingassessmentof |
|---|
| 7951 | | - | penalty,shallbearinterestfromthedatetheclaimwascreditedagainst |
|---|
| 7952 | | - | propertytaxorincometaxorpaidbytheStateuntilrepaidbytheclaimantat |
|---|
| 7953 | | - | therateperannumestablishedfromtimetotimebytheCommissioner |
|---|
| 7954 | | - | pursuanttosection3108ofthistitle.Theclaimantinthatcase,andany |
|---|
| 7955 | | - | personwhoassistedinthepreparationoffilingofsuchexcessiveclaimor |
|---|
| 7956 | | - | suppliedinformationuponwhichtheexcessiveclaimwasprepared,with |
|---|
| 7957 | | - | fraudulentintent,shallbefinednotmorethan$1,000.00orbeimprisonednot |
|---|
| 7958 | | - | morethanoneyear,orboth. |
|---|
| 7959 | | - | (b)Inanycaseinwhichitisdeterminedthataclaimisorwasexcessive, |
|---|
| 7960 | | - | theCommissionermayimposea10percentpenaltyonsuchexcess,andifthe |
|---|
| 7961 | | - | claimhasbeenpaidorcreditedagainstpropertytaxorincometaxotherwise |
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| 7983 | | - | 2025 Page190of415 |
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| 7984 | | - | payable,themunicipalpropertytaxcreditorhomesteadexemptionshallbe |
|---|
| 7985 | | - | reducedorcanceledandtheproperportionofanyamountpaidshallbe |
|---|
| 7986 | | - | similarlyrecoveredbyassessmentasincometaxesareassessed,andsuch |
|---|
| 7987 | | - | assessmentshallbearinterestattherateperannumestablishedfromtimeto |
|---|
| 7988 | | - | timebytheCommissionerpursuanttosection3108ofthistitlefromthedate |
|---|
| 7989 | | - | ofpaymentor,inthecaseofcreditofamunicipalpropertytaxbillunder |
|---|
| 7990 | | - | section6066aofthistitle,fromDecember1oftheyearinwhichtheclaimis |
|---|
| 7991 | | - | fileduntilrefundedorpaid. |
|---|
| 7992 | | - | (c)Inanycaseinwhichahomesteadisrentedbyapersonfromanother |
|---|
| 7993 | | - | personundercircumstancesdeemedbytheCommissionertobenotatarms- |
|---|
| 7994 | | - | length,theCommissionermaydeterminetherentconstitutingpropertytaxfor |
|---|
| 7995 | | - | purposesofthischapter.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 7996 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 7997 | | - | §6073.REGULATIONSRULESOFTHECOMMISSIONER |
|---|
| 7998 | | - | TheCommissionermay,fromtimetotime,issueadopt,amend,and |
|---|
| 7999 | | - | withdrawregulationsrulesinterpretingandimplementingthischapter. |
|---|
| 8000 | | - | §6074.AMENDMENT OFCERTAINCLAIMS |
|---|
| 8001 | | - | Atanytimewithinthreeyearsafterthedateforfilingclaimsunder |
|---|
| 8002 | | - | subsection6068(a)ofthischapter,aclaimantwhofiledaclaimbyOctober15 |
|---|
| 8003 | | - | mayfiletoamendthatclaimwithregardtohousesitevalue,housesite |
|---|
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| 8023 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 8024 | | - | 2025 Page191of415 |
|---|
| 8025 | | - | educationtax,housesitemunicipaltax,andownershippercentageortocorrect |
|---|
| 8026 | | - | theamountofhouseholdincomereportedonthatclaim. |
|---|
| 8027 | | - | ***ConformingRevisions;PropertyTaxCreditRepeal*** |
|---|
| 8028 | | - | Sec.33.11V.S.A.§1608isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 8029 | | - | §1608.ELIGIBILITYFORPROPERTYTAXRELIEF |
|---|
| 8030 | | - | Membersofcooperativehousingcorporationsshallbeeligibletoapplyfor |
|---|
| 8031 | | - | andreceiveahomesteadpropertytaxadjustmentexemptionandmunicipal |
|---|
| 8032 | | - | propertytaxcreditunder32V.S.A.§6066,subjecttotheconditionsof |
|---|
| 8033 | | - | eligibilitysetforththerein. |
|---|
| 8034 | | - | Sec.34.32V.S.A.§3102(j)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 8035 | | - | (j)Taxbillspreparedbyamunicipalityundersubdivision5402(b)(1)of |
|---|
| 8036 | | - | thistitleshowingonlytheamountoftotaltaxdueshallnotbeconsidered |
|---|
| 8037 | | - | confidentialreturninformationunderthissection.Forthepurposesof |
|---|
| 8038 | | - | calculatingcreditsthehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionandthemunicipal |
|---|
| 8039 | | - | propertytaxcreditunderchapter154ofthistitle,informationprovidedbythe |
|---|
| 8040 | | - | Commissionertoamunicipalityundersubsection6066a(a)ofthistitleand |
|---|
| 8041 | | - | informationprovidedbythemunicipalitytoataxpayerundersubsection |
|---|
| 8042 | | - | 6066a(f)shallbeconsideredconfidentialreturninformationunderthissection. |
|---|
| 8043 | | - | Sec.35.32V.S.A.§3206(b)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 8044 | | - | (b)Asusedinthissection,“extraordinaryrelief”meansaremedythatis |
|---|
| 8045 | | - | withinthepoweroftheCommissionertograntunderthistitle,aremedythat |
|---|
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| 8066 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 8067 | | - | 2025 Page192of415 |
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| 8068 | | - | compensatesfortheresultofinaccurateclassificationofpropertyas |
|---|
| 8069 | | - | homesteadornonhomesteadpursuanttosection5410ofthistitlethroughno |
|---|
| 8070 | | - | faultofthetaxpayer,oraremedythatmakeschangestoataxpayer’s |
|---|
| 8071 | | - | homesteadpropertytaxexemption,municipalpropertytaxcredit,orrenter |
|---|
| 8072 | | - | creditclaimnecessarytoremedytheproblemidentifiedbytheTaxpayer |
|---|
| 8073 | | - | Advocate. |
|---|
| 8074 | | - | ***EducationFundAdvisoryCommittee*** |
|---|
| 8075 | | - | Sec.36.REPEAL;EDUCATIONFUNDADVISORYCOMMITTEE |
|---|
| 8076 | | - | ThefollowingarerepealedonJuly1,2025: |
|---|
| 8077 | | - | (1)32V.S.A.§5414(Creation;EducationFundAdvisoryCommittee). |
|---|
| 8078 | | - | (2)2024ActsandResolvesNo.183,Sec.12(EducationFund |
|---|
| 8079 | | - | AdvisoryCommitteesunset). |
|---|
| 8080 | | - | ***EffectiveDates*** |
|---|
| 8081 | | - | Sec.37.EFFECTIVEDATES |
|---|
| 8082 | | - | (a)Thefollowingsectionsshalltakeeffectonpassage: |
|---|
| 8083 | | - | (1)Sec.1(findingsandintent); |
|---|
| 8084 | | - | (2)Sec.2(16V.S.A.§ 43); |
|---|
| 8085 | | - | (3)Sec.3(16V.S.A.§ 212); |
|---|
| 8086 | | - | (4)Sec.4(16V.S.A.§ 164); |
|---|
| 8087 | | - | (5)Sec.5(16V.S.A.§ 165); |
|---|
| 8088 | | - | (6)Sec.7(therapeuticschoolsandsalaryschedulereport); |
|---|
| 8089 | | - | 1 |
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| 8090 | | - | 2 |
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| 8091 | | - | 3 |
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| 8109 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8110 | | - | 2025 Page193of415 |
|---|
| 8111 | | - | (7)Sec.10(repealof16V.S.A. chapter7); |
|---|
| 8112 | | - | (8)Sec.11(newunionschooldistricts); |
|---|
| 8113 | | - | (9)Sec.12(16V.S.A.§ 2); |
|---|
| 8114 | | - | (10)Sec.14(16V.S.A.chapter11); |
|---|
| 8115 | | - | (11)Sec.18(repealsof16V.S.A.§§ 822aand823); |
|---|
| 8116 | | - | (12)Sec.22(transitionyearonefunding); |
|---|
| 8117 | | - | (13)Sec.23(transitionyeartwofunding); |
|---|
| 8118 | | - | (14)Sec.36(EducationFundAdvisoryCommittee);and |
|---|
| 8119 | | - | (15)Sec.37(effectivedates). |
|---|
| 8120 | | - | (b)ThefollowingsectionsshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2027: |
|---|
| 8121 | | - | (1)Sec.6(16V.S.A.§ 166); |
|---|
| 8122 | | - | (2)Sec.8(16V.S.A.§ 241); |
|---|
| 8123 | | - | (3)Sec.9(16V.S.A.§ 242); |
|---|
| 8124 | | - | (4)Sec.13(16V.S.A.§ 563); |
|---|
| 8125 | | - | (5)Sec.15(16V.S.A.§ 564); |
|---|
| 8126 | | - | (6)Sec.16(16V.S.A.§ 821); |
|---|
| 8127 | | - | (7)Sec.17(16V.S.A.§ 822); |
|---|
| 8128 | | - | (8)Sec.19(16V.S.A.§ 824); |
|---|
| 8129 | | - | (9)Sec.20(16V.S.A.§ 1071); |
|---|
| 8130 | | - | (10)Sec.21(16V.S.A.§ 1121); |
|---|
| 8131 | | - | (11)Sec.24(16V.S.A.chapter133); |
|---|
| 8132 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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|---|
| 8134 | | - | 3 |
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|---|
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|---|
| 8152 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8153 | | - | 2025 Page194of415 |
|---|
| 8154 | | - | (12)Sec.25(32V.S.A.§ 5401); |
|---|
| 8155 | | - | (13)Sec.26(32V.S.A.§ 5402); |
|---|
| 8156 | | - | (14)Sec.27(32V.S.A.§ 5402b); |
|---|
| 8157 | | - | (15)Sec.28(32V.S.A.§ 5404a); |
|---|
| 8158 | | - | (16)Sec.29(32V.S.A.§ 5405); |
|---|
| 8159 | | - | (17)Sec.30(32V.S.A.§ 5410); |
|---|
| 8160 | | - | (18)Sec.31(32V.S.A.§ 5400); |
|---|
| 8161 | | - | (19)Sec.32(32V.S.A.chapter154); |
|---|
| 8162 | | - | (20)Sec.33(11V.S.A.§ 1608); |
|---|
| 8163 | | - | (21)Sec.34(32V.S.A.§ 3102);and |
|---|
| 8164 | | - | (22)Sec.35(32V.S.A.§ 3206). |
|---|
| 8165 | | - | ***FindingsandIntent*** |
|---|
| 8166 | | - | Sec.1.FINDINGS;INTENT;PLAN |
|---|
| 8167 | | - | (a)TheGeneralAssemblyfindsthat: |
|---|
| 8168 | | - | (1)In1997,thefirstpieceoflawtheGeneralAssemblyenactedin |
|---|
| 8169 | | - | responsetotheBrighamdecisionstated,“[t]herighttopubliceducationis |
|---|
| 8170 | | - | integraltoVermont’sconstitutionalformofgovernmentanditsguaranteesof |
|---|
| 8171 | | - | politicalandcivilrights…[and]fundamentalforthesuccessofVermont’s |
|---|
| 8172 | | - | childreninarapidly-changingsocietyandglobalmarketplaceaswellasthe |
|---|
| 8173 | | - | State’sowneconomicandsocialprosperity.”16V.S.A.§ 1. |
|---|
| 8174 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 8175 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 8176 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 8177 | | - | 4 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 8183 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 8184 | | - | 11 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8185 | | - | 2025 Page195of415 |
|---|
| 8186 | | - | (2)Fromtheveryfirstattemptatcreatingabasicframeofgovernment, |
|---|
| 8187 | | - | Vermont’sfounderschosetoincludearighttopubliceducation,theonly |
|---|
| 8188 | | - | governmentalserviceincludedinVermont’sfirstConstitutionof1777. |
|---|
| 8189 | | - | (3)AstheU.S.SupremeCourtstatedinBrownv.BoardofEducation, |
|---|
| 8190 | | - | 347U.S.483(1954),“educationisperhapsthemostimportantfunctionof |
|---|
| 8191 | | - | stateandlocalgovernments…[i]tisrequiredintheperformanceofourmost |
|---|
| 8192 | | - | basicpublicresponsibilities…[i]tistheveryfoundationofgoodcitizenship.” |
|---|
| 8193 | | - | (5)ThemostenduringlegacyofBrighamv.State,166Vt.246(1997)is |
|---|
| 8194 | | - | theState’sresponsibilitytoensuresubstantiallyequaleducational |
|---|
| 8195 | | - | opportunitiesforallVermontstudents. |
|---|
| 8196 | | - | (6)Theeducationsystemisstillreelingfromtheeffectsofaglobal |
|---|
| 8197 | | - | pandemic,yetthesamechallengesthathavefacedVermont’seducationsystem |
|---|
| 8198 | | - | remain.Thirtyto40yearsago,Vermonteducatedmorethan110,000students |
|---|
| 8199 | | - | eachyear.Today,thereareapproximately84,000studentsinthepublic |
|---|
| 8200 | | - | educationsystem.Manyschoolshavelostasignificantnumberofstudents |
|---|
| 8201 | | - | and,withthem,theabilitytoofferrobustservicesandprogramsatevery |
|---|
| 8202 | | - | school.Vermont’syouthneedtobepreparedforarapidlyevolvingfuture. |
|---|
| 8203 | | - | (7)Vermontersdeserveanexceptionaleducationalsystemthatisstable |
|---|
| 8204 | | - | andpredictableandwhereastudent’shomeaddressdoesnotdictatethe |
|---|
| 8205 | | - | qualityofeducationtheyreceive.Schooldistrictsizeandboundaries,school |
|---|
| 8206 | | - | size,andclasssizeareallinfluentialfactorsinshapingthequalityof BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8207 | | - | 2025 Page196of415 |
|---|
| 8208 | | - | instructionandoverallstudentoutcomes.Theeffectivenessofourschools |
|---|
| 8209 | | - | dependsonteacherquality,resourceavailability,andtheuniquestrengthsof |
|---|
| 8210 | | - | localcommunities.Changeinoureducationalsystemisneeded.Systemsare |
|---|
| 8211 | | - | madeofpeople,sochangemustcomecarefullyandthoughtfully,with |
|---|
| 8212 | | - | meaningfulengagementbyallVermonters. |
|---|
| 8213 | | - | (b)Intent;plan. |
|---|
| 8214 | | - | (1)Toensureeachstudentisprovidedsubstantiallyequaleducational |
|---|
| 8215 | | - | opportunitiesthatwillpreparethemtothriveina21st-centuryworld,itisthe |
|---|
| 8216 | | - | intentoftheGeneralAssemblytoworkstrategically,intentionally,and |
|---|
| 8217 | | - | thoughtfullytoensurethateachincrementalchangemadetoVermont’spublic |
|---|
| 8218 | | - | educationsystemprovidesstrengthandsupporttoitsonlyconstitutionally |
|---|
| 8219 | | - | requiredgovernmentalservice. |
|---|
| 8220 | | - | (2)ItisfurthertheintentoftheGeneralAssemblyto: |
|---|
| 8221 | | - | (A)inthe2026session,enactnew,largerschooldistrictboundaries |
|---|
| 8222 | | - | andbegintheprocesstocreatevotingwardswithineachschooldistrictto |
|---|
| 8223 | | - | ensureschoolboardmembershipisapportionedinsuchamannerasto |
|---|
| 8224 | | - | achievesubstantiallyequalweightingofthevotesofallvotersintheelection |
|---|
| 8225 | | - | ofschoolboardmembers; |
|---|
| 8226 | | - | (B)provideorenabletheprovisionofthenecessarystaffing, |
|---|
| 8227 | | - | resources,andsupporttotheAgencyofEducation,theSecretaryofState’s |
|---|
| 8228 | | - | Office,townclerks,andotherintegralpartiestotheelectionsystemtoholdthe BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8229 | | - | 2025 Page197of415 |
|---|
| 8230 | | - | firstschoolboardmemberelectionswithinthenewlycreatedschooldistrictsin |
|---|
| 8231 | | - | November2028;and |
|---|
| 8232 | | - | (C)provideorenabletheprovisionofthenecessarystaffing, |
|---|
| 8233 | | - | resources,andsupporttotheAgencyofEducation,StateBoardofEducation, |
|---|
| 8234 | | - | andotherintegralpartiestoensurethatthenecessaryguidanceandfundingis |
|---|
| 8235 | | - | inplacetoallowforasmoothandsuccessfultransitionbetweentheoperation |
|---|
| 8236 | | - | ofVermont’scurrent119schooldistrictstothenew,largerschooldistricts, |
|---|
| 8237 | | - | withnewschooldistrictsassumingresponsibilityfortheeducationofall |
|---|
| 8238 | | - | residentstudentsonJuly1,2029. |
|---|
| 8239 | | - | ***CommissionontheFutureofPublicEducation*** |
|---|
| 8240 | | - | Sec.2.2024ActsandResolvesNo.183,Sec.1isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 8241 | | - | Sec.1.THECOMMISSIONONTHEFUTUREOFPUBLIC |
|---|
| 8242 | | - | EDUCATION;REPORTS |
|---|
| 8243 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereisherebycreatedtheCommissionontheFutureof |
|---|
| 8244 | | - | PublicEducationinVermont.Therighttoeducationisfundamentalforthe |
|---|
| 8245 | | - | successofVermont’schildreninarapidlychangingsocietyandglobal |
|---|
| 8246 | | - | marketplaceaswellasfortheState’sowneconomicandsocialprosperity. |
|---|
| 8247 | | - | TheCommissionshallstudytheprovisionofeducationinVermontandmake |
|---|
| 8248 | | - | recommendationsforastatewidevisionforVermont’spubliceducationsystem |
|---|
| 8249 | | - | toensurethatallstudentsareaffordedsubstantiallyequaleducational |
|---|
| 8250 | | - | opportunitiesinanefficient,sustainable,andstableeducationsystem.The BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8251 | | - | 2025 Page198of415 |
|---|
| 8252 | | - | Commissionshallalsomakerecommendationsforthestrategicpolicychanges |
|---|
| 8253 | | - | necessarytomakeVermont’seducationalvisionarealityforallVermont |
|---|
| 8254 | | - | students. |
|---|
| 8255 | | - | (b)Membership.TheCommissionshallbecomposedofthefollowing |
|---|
| 8256 | | - | membersand,totheextentpossible,themembersshallrepresenttheState’s |
|---|
| 8257 | | - | geographic,gender,racial,andethnicdiversity: |
|---|
| 8258 | | - | (1)Votingmembers.Thefollowingmembersshallbevotingmembersof |
|---|
| 8259 | | - | theCommission: |
|---|
| 8260 | | - | (A)theSecretaryofEducationordesignee; |
|---|
| 8261 | | - | (2)(B)theChairoftheStateBoardofEducationordesignee; |
|---|
| 8262 | | - | (3)(C)theTaxCommissionerordesignee; |
|---|
| 8263 | | - | (4)(D)onecurrentmemberoftheHouseofRepresentatives,appointed |
|---|
| 8264 | | - | bytheSpeakeroftheHouse; |
|---|
| 8265 | | - | (5)(E)onecurrentmemberoftheSenate,appointedbytheCommittee |
|---|
| 8266 | | - | onCommittees; |
|---|
| 8267 | | - | (6)(F)onerepresentativefromtheVermontSchoolBoardsAssociation |
|---|
| 8268 | | - | (VSBA),appointedbytheVSBAExecutiveDirector; |
|---|
| 8269 | | - | (7)(G)onerepresentativefromtheVermontPrincipals’Association |
|---|
| 8270 | | - | (VPA),appointedbytheVPAExecutiveDirector; |
|---|
| 8271 | | - | (8)(H)onerepresentativefromtheVermontSuperintendentsAssociation |
|---|
| 8272 | | - | (VSA),appointedbytheVSAExecutiveDirector; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8273 | | - | 2025 Page199of415 |
|---|
| 8274 | | - | (9)(I)onerepresentativefromtheVermontNationalEducation |
|---|
| 8275 | | - | Association(VTNEA),appointedbytheVTNEAExecutiveDirector; |
|---|
| 8276 | | - | (10)(J)onerepresentativefromtheVermontAssociationofSchool |
|---|
| 8277 | | - | BusinessOfficials(VASBO)withexperienceinschoolconstructionprojects, |
|---|
| 8278 | | - | appointedbythePresidentofVASBO; |
|---|
| 8279 | | - | (11)(K)theChairoftheCensus-BasedFundingAdvisoryGroup, |
|---|
| 8280 | | - | createdunder2018ActsandResolvesNo.173; |
|---|
| 8281 | | - | (12)(L)theExecutiveDirectoroftheVermontRuralEducation |
|---|
| 8282 | | - | Collaborative;and |
|---|
| 8283 | | - | (13)(M)onerepresentativefromtheVermontIndependentSchools |
|---|
| 8284 | | - | Association(VISA),appointedbythePresidentofVISA. |
|---|
| 8285 | | - | (2)Nonvotingmembers.Thefollowingmembersshallbenonvoting |
|---|
| 8286 | | - | membersoftheCommissionwhoshallbeappointedonorbeforeJuly15,2025 |
|---|
| 8287 | | - | andallofwhomshallhaveextensiveexperienceworkingwithintheVermont |
|---|
| 8288 | | - | publiceducationsystem.Appointingauthoritiesshallcoordinatetoensure |
|---|
| 8289 | | - | that,totheextentpossible,eachofthefivenonvotingmembersrepresentsa |
|---|
| 8290 | | - | differentgeographicregionoftheState. |
|---|
| 8291 | | - | (A)TwomembersshallbeappointedbytheSpeakeroftheHouse, |
|---|
| 8292 | | - | oneofwhomshallbearetiredorformerVermontsuperintendentofa |
|---|
| 8293 | | - | supervisoryunionwithmultiplememberschooldistrictsandoneofwhomshall BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8294 | | - | 2025 Page200of415 |
|---|
| 8295 | | - | beeitheraretiredorformerVermontschoolbusinessmanageroraretiredor |
|---|
| 8296 | | - | formerschoolboardmember. |
|---|
| 8297 | | - | (B)TwomembersshallbeappointedbytheCommitteeon |
|---|
| 8298 | | - | Committees,oneofwhomshallbearetiredorformerVermontsuperintendent |
|---|
| 8299 | | - | andoneofwhomshallbearetiredorformerVermontschoolbusiness |
|---|
| 8300 | | - | manager. |
|---|
| 8301 | | - | (C)OnemembershallbeappointedbytheGovernorandshallbea |
|---|
| 8302 | | - | retiredorformerVermontsuperintendent. |
|---|
| 8303 | | - | (c)Steeringgroup.OnorbeforeJuly1,2024,theSpeakeroftheHouse |
|---|
| 8304 | | - | shallappointtwomembersoftheCommission,theCommitteeonCommittees |
|---|
| 8305 | | - | shallappointtwomembersoftheCommission,andtheGovernorshallappoint |
|---|
| 8306 | | - | twomembersoftheCommissiontoserveasmembersofasteeringgroup.The |
|---|
| 8307 | | - | steeringgroupshallprovideleadershiptotheCommissionandshallworkwith |
|---|
| 8308 | | - | aconsultantorconsultantstoanalyzetheissues,challenges,andopportunities |
|---|
| 8309 | | - | facingVermont’spubliceducationsystem,aswellasdevelopandproposea |
|---|
| 8310 | | - | workplantoformalizetheprocessthroughwhichtheCommissionshallseekto |
|---|
| 8311 | | - | achieveitsfinalrecommendations.Theformalworkplanshallbeapprovedby |
|---|
| 8312 | | - | amajorityoftheCommissionmembers.Thesteeringgroupshallforma |
|---|
| 8313 | | - | subcommitteeoftheCommissiontoaddresseducationfinancetopicsingreater |
|---|
| 8314 | | - | depthandmayformoneormoreadditionalsubcommitteesoftheCommission |
|---|
| 8315 | | - | toaddressotherkeytopicsingreaterdepth,asnecessary.Thesteeringgroup BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8316 | | - | 2025 Page201of415 |
|---|
| 8317 | | - | mayappointnon-Commissionmemberstotheeducationfinancesubcommittee. |
|---|
| 8318 | | - | AllothersubcommitteesshallbecomposedsolelyofCommissionmembers. |
|---|
| 8319 | | - | (d)Collaborationandinformationreview. |
|---|
| 8320 | | - | (1)TheCommissionshallmayseekinputfromandcollaboratewithkey |
|---|
| 8321 | | - | stakeholders,asdirectedbythesteeringgroup.Ataminimum,the |
|---|
| 8322 | | - | Commissionshallconsultwith: |
|---|
| 8323 | | - | (A)theDepartmentofMentalHealth; |
|---|
| 8324 | | - | (B)theDepartmentofLabor; |
|---|
| 8325 | | - | (C)thePresidentoftheUniversityofVermontordesignee; |
|---|
| 8326 | | - | (D)theChancelloroftheVermontStateCollegesCorporationor |
|---|
| 8327 | | - | designee; |
|---|
| 8328 | | - | (E)arepresentativefromthePrekindergartenEducation |
|---|
| 8329 | | - | ImplementationCommittee; |
|---|
| 8330 | | - | (F)theOfficeofRacialEquity; |
|---|
| 8331 | | - | (G)arepresentativewithexpertiseintheCommunitySchoolsmodel |
|---|
| 8332 | | - | inVermont; |
|---|
| 8333 | | - | (H)theVermontYouthCouncil; |
|---|
| 8334 | | - | (I)theCommissiononPublicSchoolEmployeeHealthBenefits;and |
|---|
| 8335 | | - | (J)anorganizationcommittedtoensuringequalrepresentationand |
|---|
| 8336 | | - | educationalequity. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8337 | | - | 2025 Page202of415 |
|---|
| 8338 | | - | (2)TheCommissionshallalsoreviewandtakeintoconsideration |
|---|
| 8339 | | - | existingeducationallawsandpolicy,includinglegislativereportsthe |
|---|
| 8340 | | - | Commissiondeemsrelevanttoitsworkand,ataminimum,2015Actsand |
|---|
| 8341 | | - | ResolvesNo.46,2018ActsandResolvesNo.173,2022ActsandResolvesNo. |
|---|
| 8342 | | - | 127,and2023ActsandResolvesNo.76. |
|---|
| 8343 | | - | (e)DutiesoftheCommission.TheCommissionshallstudyVermont’s |
|---|
| 8344 | | - | publiceducationsystemandmakerecommendationstoensureallstudentsare |
|---|
| 8345 | | - | affordedqualityeducationalopportunitiesinanefficient,sustainable,and |
|---|
| 8346 | | - | equitableeducationsystemthatwillenablestudentstoachievethehighest |
|---|
| 8347 | | - | academicoutcomes.TheresultoftheCommission’sworkshallbea |
|---|
| 8348 | | - | recommendationforastatewidevisionforVermont’spubliceducationsystem, |
|---|
| 8349 | | - | withrecommendationsforthepolicychangesnecessarytomakeVermont’s |
|---|
| 8350 | | - | educationalvisionarealityrecommendationsfortheState-leveleducation |
|---|
| 8351 | | - | governancesystem,includingtherolesandresponsibilitiesoftheAgencyof |
|---|
| 8352 | | - | EducationandtheStateBoardofEducation.Increatingandmakingits |
|---|
| 8353 | | - | recommendations,theCommissionshallengageinthefollowing: |
|---|
| 8354 | | - | (1)Publicengagement.TheCommissionshallconductnotfewerthan |
|---|
| 8355 | | - | 14publicmeetingstoinformtheworkrequiredunderthissection.Atleastone |
|---|
| 8356 | | - | meetingoftheCommissionasawholeorasubcommitteeoftheCommission |
|---|
| 8357 | | - | shallbeheldineachcounty.TheCommissionshallpublishadraftofitsfinal |
|---|
| 8358 | | - | recommendationsonorbeforeOctober1,2025,solicitpublicfeedback,and BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8359 | | - | 2025 Page203of415 |
|---|
| 8360 | | - | incorporatesuchfeedbackintoitsfinalrecommendations.Whensubmittingits |
|---|
| 8361 | | - | finalrecommendationstotheGeneralAssembly,theCommissionshallinclude |
|---|
| 8362 | | - | allpublicfeedbackreceivedasanaddendumtoitsfinalreport.Thepublic |
|---|
| 8363 | | - | feedbackprocessshallinclude: |
|---|
| 8364 | | - | (A)aminimum30-daypubliccommentperiod,duringwhichtimethe |
|---|
| 8365 | | - | Commissionshallacceptwrittencommentsfromthepublicandstakeholders; |
|---|
| 8366 | | - | and |
|---|
| 8367 | | - | (B)apublicoutreachplanthatmaximizespublicengagementand |
|---|
| 8368 | | - | includesnoticeoftheavailabilityoflanguageassistanceserviceswhen |
|---|
| 8369 | | - | requested. |
|---|
| 8370 | | - | (2)Policyconsiderations.Indevelopingitsrecommendations,the |
|---|
| 8371 | | - | Commissionshallconsiderandprioritizethefollowingtopics: |
|---|
| 8372 | | - | (A)Governance,resources,andadministration.TheCommission |
|---|
| 8373 | | - | shallstudyandmakerecommendationsregardingeducationgovernanceatthe |
|---|
| 8374 | | - | Statelevel,includingtheroleoftheAgencyofEducationintheprovisionof |
|---|
| 8375 | | - | servicesandsupportfortheeducationsystem.Recommendationsunderthis |
|---|
| 8376 | | - | subdivision(A)shallinclude,ataminimum,thefollowing: |
|---|
| 8377 | | - | (i)whetherchangesneedtobemadetothestructureofthe |
|---|
| 8378 | | - | AgencyofEducation,includingwhetheritbetterservestherecommended |
|---|
| 8379 | | - | educationvisionoftheStateasanagencyoradepartment; |
|---|
| 8380 | | - | (ii)whatarethestaffingneedsoftheAgencyofEducation; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8381 | | - | 2025 Page204of415 |
|---|
| 8382 | | - | (iii)whetherchangesneedtobemadetothecomposition,role, |
|---|
| 8383 | | - | andfunctionoftheStateBoardofEducationtobetterservetherecommended |
|---|
| 8384 | | - | educationvisionoftheState;and |
|---|
| 8385 | | - | (iv)whatroles,functions,ordecisionsshouldbeafunctionof |
|---|
| 8386 | | - | localcontrolandwhatroles,functions,ordecisionsshouldbeafunctionof |
|---|
| 8387 | | - | controlattheStatelevel;and |
|---|
| 8388 | | - | (v)theeffectiveintegrationofcareerandtechnicaleducationin |
|---|
| 8389 | | - | therecommendededucationvisionoftheState. |
|---|
| 8390 | | - | (B)Physicalsizeandfootprintoftheeducationsystem.The |
|---|
| 8391 | | - | Commissionshallstudyandmakerecommendationsregardinghowtheunique |
|---|
| 8392 | | - | geographicalandsocioeconomicneedsofdifferentcommunitiesshouldfactor |
|---|
| 8393 | | - | intotheprovisionofeducationinVermont,takingintoaccountandbuilding |
|---|
| 8394 | | - | upontherecommendationsoftheStateAidtoSchoolConstructionWorking |
|---|
| 8395 | | - | Group.Recommendationsunderthissubdivision(B)shallinclude,ata |
|---|
| 8396 | | - | minimum,thefollowing: |
|---|
| 8397 | | - | (i)ananalysisandrecommendationforthemostefficientand |
|---|
| 8398 | | - | effectivenumberandlocationofschoolbuildings,schooldistricts,and |
|---|
| 8399 | | - | supervisoryunionsneededtoachieveVermont’svisionforeducation,provided |
|---|
| 8400 | | - | thatifthereisarecommendationforanychange,therecommendationshall |
|---|
| 8401 | | - | includeanimplementationplan; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8402 | | - | 2025 Page205of415 |
|---|
| 8403 | | - | (ii)ananalysisofthecapacityandabilitytostaffallpublic |
|---|
| 8404 | | - | schoolswithaqualifiedworkforce,drivenbydataonclass-size |
|---|
| 8405 | | - | recommendations; |
|---|
| 8406 | | - | (iii)analysisofwhether,andifso,how,collaborationwith |
|---|
| 8407 | | - | Vermont’spostsecondaryschoolsmaysupportthedevelopmentandretention |
|---|
| 8408 | | - | ofaqualifiededucatorworkforce; |
|---|
| 8409 | | - | (iv)ananalysisofthecurrenttowntuitionprogramandwhether, |
|---|
| 8410 | | - | andifso,what,changesarenecessarytomeetVermont’svisionforeducation, |
|---|
| 8411 | | - | includingthelegalandfinancialimpactoffundingindependentschoolsand |
|---|
| 8412 | | - | otherprivateinstitutions,includingconsiderationofthefollowing: |
|---|
| 8413 | | - | (I)theroledesignation,under16V.S.A.§ 827,shouldplayin |
|---|
| 8414 | | - | thedeliveryofpubliceducation;and |
|---|
| 8415 | | - | (II)thefinancialimpacttotheEducationFundofpublic |
|---|
| 8416 | | - | dollarsbeingusedinschoolslocatedoutsideVermont;and |
|---|
| 8417 | | - | (v)ananalysisofthecurrentuseofprivatetherapeuticschoolsin |
|---|
| 8418 | | - | theprovisionofspecialeducationservicesandwhether,andifso,what, |
|---|
| 8419 | | - | changesarenecessarytomeetVermont’sspecialeducationneeds,including |
|---|
| 8420 | | - | thelegalandfinancialimpactoffundingprivatetherapeuticschools. |
|---|
| 8421 | | - | [Repealed.] |
|---|
| 8422 | | - | (C)Theroleofpublicschools.TheCommissionshallstudyand |
|---|
| 8423 | | - | makerecommendationsregardingtherolepublicschoolsshouldplayinboth BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8424 | | - | 2025 Page206of415 |
|---|
| 8425 | | - | theprovisionofeducationandthesocialandemotionalwell-beingofstudents. |
|---|
| 8426 | | - | Recommendationsunderthissubdivision(C)shallinclude,ataminimum,the |
|---|
| 8427 | | - | following: |
|---|
| 8428 | | - | (i)howpubliceducationinVermontshouldbedelivered; |
|---|
| 8429 | | - | (ii)whetherVermont’svisionforpubliceducationshallinclude |
|---|
| 8430 | | - | theprovisionofwraparoundsupportsandcollocationofservices; |
|---|
| 8431 | | - | (iii)whether,andifso,how,collaborationwithVermont’s |
|---|
| 8432 | | - | postsecondaryschoolsmaysupportandstrengthenthedeliveryofpublic |
|---|
| 8433 | | - | education;and |
|---|
| 8434 | | - | (iv)whattheconsequencesarefortheCommission’s |
|---|
| 8435 | | - | recommendationsregardingtheroleofpublicschoolsandotherservice |
|---|
| 8436 | | - | providers,includingwhattheroleofpublicschoolsmeansforstaffing, |
|---|
| 8437 | | - | funding,andanyotheraffectedsystem,withthegoalofmostefficiently |
|---|
| 8438 | | - | utilizingStatefundsandservicesandmaximizingfederalfunding.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 8439 | | - | (D)Educationfinancesystem.TheCommissionshallexplorethe |
|---|
| 8440 | | - | efficacyandpotentialequitygainsofchangestotheeducationfinancesystem, |
|---|
| 8441 | | - | includingweightededucationalopportunitypaymentsasamethodtofund |
|---|
| 8442 | | - | publiceducation.TheCommission’srecommendationsshallbeintendedto |
|---|
| 8443 | | - | resultinaneducationfundingsystemdesignedtoaffordsubstantiallyequal |
|---|
| 8444 | | - | accesstoaqualitybasiceducationforallVermontstudentsinaccordancewith BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8445 | | - | 2025 Page207of415 |
|---|
| 8446 | | - | Statev.Brigham,166Vt.246(1997).Recommendationsunderthis |
|---|
| 8447 | | - | subdivision(D)shallinclude,ataminimum,thefollowing: |
|---|
| 8448 | | - | (i)allowableusesfortheEducationFundthatshallensure |
|---|
| 8449 | | - | sustainableandequitableuseofStatefunds; |
|---|
| 8450 | | - | (ii)themethodforsettingtaxratestosustainallowableusesof |
|---|
| 8451 | | - | theEducationFund; |
|---|
| 8452 | | - | (iii)whether,andifso,what,alternativefundingmodelswould |
|---|
| 8453 | | - | createamoreaffordable,sustainable,andequitableeducationfinancesystem |
|---|
| 8454 | | - | inVermont,includingtheconsiderationofastatutory,formalbaseamountof |
|---|
| 8455 | | - | perpupileducationspendingandwhetherschooldistrictsshouldbeallowed |
|---|
| 8456 | | - | tospendabovethebaseamount; |
|---|
| 8457 | | - | (iv)adjustmentstotheexcessspendingthreshold,including |
|---|
| 8458 | | - | recommendationsthattargetspecifictypesofspending; |
|---|
| 8459 | | - | (v)theimplementationofeducationspendingcapsondifferent |
|---|
| 8460 | | - | services,includingadministrativeandsupportservicesandcategoricalaid; |
|---|
| 8461 | | - | (vi)howtostrengthentheunderstandingandconnectionbetween |
|---|
| 8462 | | - | schoolbudgetvotesandpropertytaxbills; |
|---|
| 8463 | | - | (vii)adjustmentstothepropertytaxcreditthresholdstobetter |
|---|
| 8464 | | - | matchneedtothebenefit; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8465 | | - | 2025 Page208of415 |
|---|
| 8466 | | - | (viii)asystemforongoingmonitoringoftheEducationFundand |
|---|
| 8467 | | - | Vermont’seducationfinancesystem,toincludeconsiderationofastanding |
|---|
| 8468 | | - | EducationFundadvisorycommittee; |
|---|
| 8469 | | - | (ix)ananalysisoftheimpactofhealthcarehealthcarecostson |
|---|
| 8470 | | - | theEducationFund,includingrecommendationsforwhether,andifso,what, |
|---|
| 8471 | | - | changesneedtobemadetocontaincosts;and |
|---|
| 8472 | | - | (x)implementationdetailsforanyrecommendedchangestothe |
|---|
| 8473 | | - | educationfundingsystem.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 8474 | | - | (E)Additionalconsiderations.TheCommissionmayconsiderany |
|---|
| 8475 | | - | othertopic,factor,orissuethatitdeemsrelevanttoitsworkand |
|---|
| 8476 | | - | recommendations. |
|---|
| 8477 | | - | (f)Reports.TheCommissionshallprepareandsubmittotheGeneral |
|---|
| 8478 | | - | Assemblythefollowing: |
|---|
| 8479 | | - | (1)aformal,writtenworkplan,whichshallincludeacommunication |
|---|
| 8480 | | - | plantomaximizepublicengagement,onorbeforeSeptember15,2024; |
|---|
| 8481 | | - | (2)awrittenreportcontainingitspreliminaryfindingsand |
|---|
| 8482 | | - | recommendations,includingshort-termcostcontainmentconsiderationsfor |
|---|
| 8483 | | - | the2025legislativesession,onorbeforeDecember15,2024;and |
|---|
| 8484 | | - | (3)awrittenreportcontainingitsfinalfindingsandrecommendations |
|---|
| 8485 | | - | forastatewidevisionforVermont’spubliceducationsystemandthepolicy |
|---|
| 8486 | | - | changesnecessarytomakethateducationalvisionarealitybasedonits BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8487 | | - | 2025 Page209of415 |
|---|
| 8488 | | - | analysisoftheState-levelgovernancetopicscontainedinsubdivision(e)(2)(A) |
|---|
| 8489 | | - | ofthissection,onorbeforeDecember1,2025;and |
|---|
| 8490 | | - | (4)proposedlegislativelanguagetoadvanceanyrecommendationsfor |
|---|
| 8491 | | - | theeducationfundingsystemonorbeforeDecember15,2025. |
|---|
| 8492 | | - | (g)Assistance.TheAgencyofEducationshallcontractwithoneormore |
|---|
| 8493 | | - | independentconsultantsorfacilitatorstoprovidetechnicalandlegal |
|---|
| 8494 | | - | assistancetotheCommissionfortheworkrequiredunderthissection.Forthe |
|---|
| 8495 | | - | purposesofschedulingmeetingsandprovidingadministrativeassistance,the |
|---|
| 8496 | | - | CommissionshallhavetheassistanceoftheAgencyofEducation.TheAgency |
|---|
| 8497 | | - | shallalsoprovidetheeducationalandfinancialdatanecessarytofacilitatethe |
|---|
| 8498 | | - | workoftheCommission.Schooldistrictsshallcomplywithrequestsfromthe |
|---|
| 8499 | | - | Agencytoassistindatacollections. |
|---|
| 8500 | | - | (h)Meetings. |
|---|
| 8501 | | - | (1)TheSecretaryofEducationshallcallthefirstmeetingofthe |
|---|
| 8502 | | - | CommissiontooccuronorbeforeJuly15,2024. |
|---|
| 8503 | | - | (2)TheSpeakeroftheHouseandthePresidentProTemporeshall |
|---|
| 8504 | | - | jointlyselectaCommissionchair. |
|---|
| 8505 | | - | (3)Amajorityofthemembershipshallconstituteaquorum. |
|---|
| 8506 | | - | (4)MeetingsshallbeconductedinaccordancewithVermont’sOpen |
|---|
| 8507 | | - | MeetingLawpursuantto1V.S.A.chapter5,subchapter2. |
|---|
| 8508 | | - | (5)TheCommissionshallceasetoexistonDecember31,2025. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8509 | | - | 2025 Page210of415 |
|---|
| 8510 | | - | (i)Compensationandreimbursement.MembersoftheCommissionshall |
|---|
| 8511 | | - | beentitledtoperdiemcompensationandreimbursementofexpensesas |
|---|
| 8512 | | - | permittedunder32 V.S.A.§ 1010fornotmorethan30meetings,including |
|---|
| 8513 | | - | subcommitteemeetings.Thesepaymentsshallbemadefrommonies |
|---|
| 8514 | | - | appropriatedtotheAgencyofEducation. |
|---|
| 8515 | | - | (j)Schooldistrictboundarysubcommittee.Thereiscreateda |
|---|
| 8516 | | - | subcommitteeoftheCommissiontobecomposedofthefivenonvoting |
|---|
| 8517 | | - | membersoftheCommissionthatshalldeterminethemostefficientnumberof |
|---|
| 8518 | | - | schooldistrictsandproposedboundarylines,basedoneducationalresearch; |
|---|
| 8519 | | - | Vermont’sgeographicandculturallandscape;historicattendancepatterns; |
|---|
| 8520 | | - | andacomprehensiveanalysisofschoollocations,conditions,andcapacity. |
|---|
| 8521 | | - | (1)Dutiesofthedistrictboundariessubcommittee. |
|---|
| 8522 | | - | (A)Thesubcommitteeshallrecommendnotmorethanthreeschool |
|---|
| 8523 | | - | districtboundaryproposalstotheGeneralAssembly.Theproposedschool |
|---|
| 8524 | | - | districtboundariesshall: |
|---|
| 8525 | | - | (i)increaseequitableaccesstoeducationalopportunity; |
|---|
| 8526 | | - | (ii)maximizeopportunitiesformodern,regionalmiddleandhigh |
|---|
| 8527 | | - | schools,withtheleastdisruptiontostudents; |
|---|
| 8528 | | - | (iii)provideaccesstoeducationfortheirresidentstudentsin |
|---|
| 8529 | | - | gradeskindergartenthrough12; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8530 | | - | 2025 Page211of415 |
|---|
| 8531 | | - | (iv)provideaccesstocareerandtechnicaleducation(CTE)forall |
|---|
| 8532 | | - | eligiblestudents; |
|---|
| 8533 | | - | (v)totheextentpractical,notseparatetownswithinschool |
|---|
| 8534 | | - | districtsasthoseboundariesexistonJuly1,2025; |
|---|
| 8535 | | - | (vi)totheextentpractical,considertheavailabilityofregional |
|---|
| 8536 | | - | servicesforstudents,suchasdesignatedagencies,andhowthoseservices |
|---|
| 8537 | | - | wouldintegrateintothenewproposedschooldistrictboundaries; |
|---|
| 8538 | | - | (vii)totheextentpractical,resultinschooldistrictswitha |
|---|
| 8539 | | - | minimumaveragedailymembershipofapproximately4,000students;and |
|---|
| 8540 | | - | (viii)totheextentpractical,considerhistoricattendancepatterns |
|---|
| 8541 | | - | ingeographicareasthatdonotoperatepublicschoolsatallgradelevelsfrom |
|---|
| 8542 | | - | kindergartenthroughgrade12. |
|---|
| 8543 | | - | (B)Thesubcommitteemayconsiderandmakerecommendationsfor |
|---|
| 8544 | | - | theoptimallocationofschools,includingCTEprograms,tomeetthe |
|---|
| 8545 | | - | requirementscontainedinsubdivision(A)ofthissubdivision(1). |
|---|
| 8546 | | - | (C)Thesubcommitteeshallprovideregularupdatestothe |
|---|
| 8547 | | - | Commissionregardingitswork. |
|---|
| 8548 | | - | (D)Thesubcommitteeshallhavethesoleauthoritytodeterminethe |
|---|
| 8549 | | - | contentsofthereportandmapsrequiredundersubdivision(4)ofthis |
|---|
| 8550 | | - | subsection(j).TheCommissionmayprovideitsowncommentstothe BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8551 | | - | 2025 Page212of415 |
|---|
| 8552 | | - | subcommitteeandtherelevantcommitteesofjurisdiction,eitherasan |
|---|
| 8553 | | - | addendumtothereportofthesubcommitteeorasaseparatereport. |
|---|
| 8554 | | - | (2)Publicengagement.Thedistrictboundarysubcommitteeshall |
|---|
| 8555 | | - | engageandcoordinatewiththeCommission’spublicengagement |
|---|
| 8556 | | - | subcommitteeandthepublicengagementconsultanttomaximizepublicinput |
|---|
| 8557 | | - | andfeedbackregardingthedevelopmentoftheproposednewschooldistrict |
|---|
| 8558 | | - | boundaries. |
|---|
| 8559 | | - | (3)Assistance.Thedistrictboundarysubcommitteeshallhavethe |
|---|
| 8560 | | - | assistanceoftheAgencyofDigitalServices,VermontCenterforGeographic |
|---|
| 8561 | | - | Information,whichmayalsoretaintheservicesofoneormoreindependent |
|---|
| 8562 | | - | thirdpartiestoprovidefacilitationandmediationservicestothe |
|---|
| 8563 | | - | subcommittee. |
|---|
| 8564 | | - | (4)Reportandmaps.OnorbeforeDecember1,2025,thedistrict |
|---|
| 8565 | | - | boundarysubcommitteeshallsubmitthefollowingtotheHouseandSenate |
|---|
| 8566 | | - | CommitteesonEducation,theHouseCommitteeonGovernmentOperations |
|---|
| 8567 | | - | andMilitaryAffairs,theSenateCommitteeonGovernmentOperation,the |
|---|
| 8568 | | - | HouseCommitteeonWaysandMeans,andtheSenateCommitteeonFinance: |
|---|
| 8569 | | - | (A)Report.Thedistrictboundarysubcommitteeshallsubmita |
|---|
| 8570 | | - | writtenreportwiththesubcommittee’sproposednewschooldistrict |
|---|
| 8571 | | - | boundaries.Thereportshalldetailhoweachproposedoptionmeetsthe |
|---|
| 8572 | | - | requirementsofsubdivision(1)(A)ofthissubsection(j). BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8573 | | - | 2025 Page213of415 |
|---|
| 8574 | | - | (B)Maps.Thesubcommitteeshallalsosubmitdetailedmapsfor |
|---|
| 8575 | | - | eachschooldistrictboundaryproposal,which,inadditiontotheschool |
|---|
| 8576 | | - | districtboundariesthemselves,shallinclude: |
|---|
| 8577 | | - | (i)averagedailymembershipforeachproposedschooldistrictfor |
|---|
| 8578 | | - | the2023–2024schoolyear; |
|---|
| 8579 | | - | (ii)themembertownsforeachschooldistrict; |
|---|
| 8580 | | - | (iii)thelocationofpublicschoolsandnontherapeuticapproved |
|---|
| 8581 | | - | independentschoolsthatareeligibletoreceivepublictuitionasofJuly1, |
|---|
| 8582 | | - | 2025,andthegradesoperatedbyeachofthoseschools; |
|---|
| 8583 | | - | (iv)thefive-yearfacilityconditionindexscoreforeachschool; |
|---|
| 8584 | | - | (v)PCBtestingscoreforeachschool;and |
|---|
| 8585 | | - | (vi)10-yearchangeinenrollmentbetween2013and2023for |
|---|
| 8586 | | - | eachschool. |
|---|
| 8587 | | - | ***Scale*** |
|---|
| 8588 | | - | Sec.3.SCALE;INTENT |
|---|
| 8589 | | - | ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblytotransformeducationinVermont |
|---|
| 8590 | | - | byleveragingattainableandresearch-basedscaletoincreaseequityof |
|---|
| 8591 | | - | opportunityandpromoteefficiencyandaffordability. |
|---|
| 8592 | | - | Sec.4.16V.S.A.§ 165isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 8593 | | - | §165.EDUCATIONQUALITYSTANDARDS;EQUALEDUCATIONAL |
|---|
| 8594 | | - | OPPORTUNITIES;INDEPENDENTSCHOOLMEETING BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8595 | | - | 2025 Page214of415 |
|---|
| 8596 | | - | EDUCATIONQUALITYSTANDARDS |
|---|
| 8597 | | - | (a)InordertocarryoutVermont’spolicythatallVermontchildrenwillbe |
|---|
| 8598 | | - | affordededucationalopportunitiesthataresubstantiallyequalinquality,each |
|---|
| 8599 | | - | Vermontpublicschool,includingeachcareertechnicalcenter,shallmeetthe |
|---|
| 8600 | | - | followingeducationqualitystandards: |
|---|
| 8601 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 8602 | | - | (9)Theschoolcomplieswithaverageclasssizeminimumstandards; |
|---|
| 8603 | | - | provided,however,thatwhenclasssizeminimumsapplytocontentareas,an |
|---|
| 8604 | | - | individualclassmaybesmallerthantheminimumaverage.Asusedinthis |
|---|
| 8605 | | - | subdivision,“contentarea”meansagroupofcourseswithinaspecific |
|---|
| 8606 | | - | licensingendorsementarea. |
|---|
| 8607 | | - | (A)Classsizestandards. |
|---|
| 8608 | | - | (i)Theaverageclasssizeminimumforkindergartenclassesshall |
|---|
| 8609 | | - | be12students. |
|---|
| 8610 | | - | (ii)Theaverageclasssizeminimumforgradesonethroughfour |
|---|
| 8611 | | - | shallbe15students. |
|---|
| 8612 | | - | (iii)Theaverageclasssizeminimumforgradesfivethrough12in |
|---|
| 8613 | | - | allrequiredcontentareaclassesshallbe18students. |
|---|
| 8614 | | - | (iv)Multiageclassroomsforgradeskindergartenthrougheight |
|---|
| 8615 | | - | shallbelimitedtotwogradelevelsperclassroom. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8616 | | - | 2025 Page215of415 |
|---|
| 8617 | | - | (v)Careerandtechnicaleducation,flexiblepathways,terminal |
|---|
| 8618 | | - | courses,advancedplacementcourses,coursesthatrequirespecialized |
|---|
| 8619 | | - | equipment,anddriver’seducationclassesshallbeexcludedfromtheclasssize |
|---|
| 8620 | | - | minimumrequirementsinthissubdivision(9).Smallgroupservicesforthe |
|---|
| 8621 | | - | purposeofprovidingspecialeducation,supplementalortargetedacademic |
|---|
| 8622 | | - | intervention,orEnglishlearnerinstructionshallalsobeexcludedfromthe |
|---|
| 8623 | | - | classsizeminimumrequirementsinthissubdivision(9). |
|---|
| 8624 | | - | (vi)Classsizesshallnotexceedthemaximumoccupancylimits |
|---|
| 8625 | | - | establishedbylocalandStatefirecodes,includingegressandsafety |
|---|
| 8626 | | - | requirements. |
|---|
| 8627 | | - | (B)Waivers.Ifaschoolboarddeterminesthatitoperatesaschool |
|---|
| 8628 | | - | thatisunabletocomplywiththeclasssizeminimumstandardsdueto |
|---|
| 8629 | | - | geographicisolation,oraschoolhasdevelopedanimplementationplanto |
|---|
| 8630 | | - | meetthestandardscontainedinthissubdivision(9)thatmayinclude |
|---|
| 8631 | | - | consolidationormerger,theschoolboardmayasktheStateBoardof |
|---|
| 8632 | | - | Educationtograntitwaiverfromthissubdivision(9).TheStateBoardshall |
|---|
| 8633 | | - | definewhatqualifiesasgeographicisolationinitsrulesadoptedpursuantto |
|---|
| 8634 | | - | subdivision(a)(3)ofthissection.TheStateBoard’sdecisionshallbefinal. |
|---|
| 8635 | | - | (C)StateBoardaction.IftheSecretarydeterminesthataschoolis |
|---|
| 8636 | | - | notmeetingtheclasssizeminimumstandardssetforthinthissubdivision(9) |
|---|
| 8637 | | - | overthecourseoftwoconsecutiveschoolyears,theSecretaryshall BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8638 | | - | 2025 Page216of415 |
|---|
| 8639 | | - | recommendtotheStateBoardoneormoreoftheactionslistedinsubsection |
|---|
| 8640 | | - | (b)ofthissection,regardlessofwhethertheschoolismeetingallother |
|---|
| 8641 | | - | educationqualitystandards.TheStateBoardshallthenfollowtheprocedure |
|---|
| 8642 | | - | ofsubsection(c)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 8643 | | - | (b)Annually,theSecretaryshalldeterminewhetherstudentsineach |
|---|
| 8644 | | - | Vermontpublicschoolareprovidededucationalopportunitiessubstantially |
|---|
| 8645 | | - | equaltothoseprovidedinotherpublicschools.IftheSecretarydetermines |
|---|
| 8646 | | - | thataschoolisnotmeetingtheeducationqualitystandardslistedin |
|---|
| 8647 | | - | subsection(a)ofthissectionorthattheschoolismakinginsufficientprogress |
|---|
| 8648 | | - | inimprovingstudentperformanceinrelationtothestandardsforstudent |
|---|
| 8649 | | - | performancesetforthinsubdivision164(9)ofthistitle,heorshetheSecretary |
|---|
| 8650 | | - | shalldescribeinwritingactionsthatadistrictmusttakeinordertomeet |
|---|
| 8651 | | - | eitherorbothsetsofstandardsandshallprovidetechnicalassistancetothe |
|---|
| 8652 | | - | school.Iftheschoolfailstomeetthestandardsormakesufficientprogress |
|---|
| 8653 | | - | withintwoyearsoffollowingthedetermination,theSecretaryshall |
|---|
| 8654 | | - | recommendtotheStateBoardoneormoreofthefollowingactions: |
|---|
| 8655 | | - | (1)theAgencycontinuetoprovidetechnicalassistanceforonemore |
|---|
| 8656 | | - | cycleofreview; |
|---|
| 8657 | | - | (2)theStateBoardadjustsupervisoryunionboundariesor |
|---|
| 8658 | | - | responsibilitiesofthesuperintendencypursuanttosection261ofthistitle; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8659 | | - | 2025 Page217of415 |
|---|
| 8660 | | - | (3)theSecretaryassumeadministrativecontrolofanindividualschool, |
|---|
| 8661 | | - | schooldistrict,orsupervisoryunion,includingbudgetarycontroltoensure |
|---|
| 8662 | | - | soundfinancialpractices,onlytotheextentnecessarytocorrectdeficiencies; |
|---|
| 8663 | | - | (4)theStateBoardcloseanindividualschoolorschoolsandrequire |
|---|
| 8664 | | - | thattheschooldistrictpaytuitiontoanotherpublicschooloranapproved |
|---|
| 8665 | | - | independentschoolpursuanttochapter21ofthistitle;or |
|---|
| 8666 | | - | (5)theStateBoardrequiretwoormoreschooldistrictstoconsolidate |
|---|
| 8667 | | - | theirgovernancestructures. |
|---|
| 8668 | | - | (c)TheStateBoard,afterofferingtheschoolboardanopportunityfora |
|---|
| 8669 | | - | hearing,shalleitherdismisstheSecretary’srecommendationororderthatone |
|---|
| 8670 | | - | ormoreoftheactionslistedinsubsection(b)ofthissectionbetaken.The |
|---|
| 8671 | | - | actionorderedbytheStateBoardshallbetheleastintrusiveconsistentwith |
|---|
| 8672 | | - | theneedtoprovidestudentsattendingtheschoolsubstantiallyequal |
|---|
| 8673 | | - | educationalopportunities.AschoolboardaggrievedbyanorderoftheState |
|---|
| 8674 | | - | BoardmayappealtheorderinaccordancewiththeRulesofCivilProcedure. |
|---|
| 8675 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 8676 | | - | (e)IftheSecretarydeterminesatanytimethatthefailureofaschoolto |
|---|
| 8677 | | - | meettheeducationqualitystandardslistedinsubsection(a)ofthissectionis |
|---|
| 8678 | | - | severeorpervasive,potentiallyresultsinphysicaloremotionalharmto |
|---|
| 8679 | | - | studentsorsignificantdeprivationofequaleducationopportunities,andthe |
|---|
| 8680 | | - | schoolhaseitherunreasonablyrefusedtoremedytheproblemoritsefforts BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8681 | | - | 2025 Page218of415 |
|---|
| 8682 | | - | haveprovedineffective,heorshetheSecretarymayrecommendtotheState |
|---|
| 8683 | | - | Boardoneormoreoftheactionslistedinsubsection(b)ofthissection.The |
|---|
| 8684 | | - | StateBoardshallthenfollowtheprocedureofsubsection(c)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 8685 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 8686 | | - | (g)Inadditiontotheeducationqualitystandardsprovidedinsubsection |
|---|
| 8687 | | - | (a)ofthissection,eachVermontschooldistrictshallmeettheschooldistrict |
|---|
| 8688 | | - | qualitystandardsadoptedbyruleoftheAgencyofEducationregardingthe |
|---|
| 8689 | | - | business,facilitiesmanagement,andgovernancepracticesofschooldistricts. |
|---|
| 8690 | | - | Thesestandardsshallincludeaprocessforschooldistrictqualityreviewstobe |
|---|
| 8691 | | - | conductedbytheAgencyofEducation.Annually,theSecretaryshallpublish |
|---|
| 8692 | | - | metricsregardingtheoutcomesofschooldistrictqualityreviews. |
|---|
| 8693 | | - | Sec.5.FAILURETOCOMPLYWITHEDUCATIONQUALITY |
|---|
| 8694 | | - | STANDARDS;STATEBOARDACTION |
|---|
| 8695 | | - | Notwithstanding16V.S.A.§ 165(b)(4)and(5)andanyotherprovisionof |
|---|
| 8696 | | - | lawtothecontrary,theStateBoardshallbeprohibitedfromorderingschool |
|---|
| 8697 | | - | districtconsolidationorschoolconsolidationifaschoolfailstocomplywith |
|---|
| 8698 | | - | classsizeminimumeducationqualitystandardsandtheresultingconsolidation |
|---|
| 8699 | | - | wouldresultinschoolconstructioncostsinexcessoftheapplicabledistrict’s |
|---|
| 8700 | | - | capitalreserveaccountuntiltheGeneralAssemblyestablishesnewschool |
|---|
| 8701 | | - | districtboundariesandtakesfurtheractionregardingtheconsequencesfor |
|---|
| 8702 | | - | failuretomeeteducationqualitystandards. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8703 | | - | 2025 Page219of415 |
|---|
| 8704 | | - | Sec.6.STATEBOARDOFEDUCATION;RULES;REPORT |
|---|
| 8705 | | - | (a)Rules. |
|---|
| 8706 | | - | (1)TheStateBoardofEducationshallinitiaterulemakingtoamendthe |
|---|
| 8707 | | - | EducationQualityStandardsrule2000series,AgencyofEducation, |
|---|
| 8708 | | - | EducationQualityStandards(22-000-003),pursuantto3V.S.A.chapter25: |
|---|
| 8709 | | - | (A)onorbeforeAugust1,2026,toensurecompliancewiththeclass |
|---|
| 8710 | | - | sizeminimumstandardssetpursuantto16V.S.A.§ 165(a)(9);and |
|---|
| 8711 | | - | (B)OnorbeforeJuly1,2027,toadoptstandardsforstatewide |
|---|
| 8712 | | - | proficiency-basedgraduationrequirementsbasedonstandardsadoptedbythe |
|---|
| 8713 | | - | StateBoardandrecommendationsfromtheAgencyofEducation. |
|---|
| 8714 | | - | (2)OnorbeforeAugust1,2026,theStateBoardofEducationshall |
|---|
| 8715 | | - | initiaterulemakingtoamendtheapprovedindependentschoolrule2200 |
|---|
| 8716 | | - | series,AgencyofEducation,IndependentSchoolProgramApproval(22-000- |
|---|
| 8717 | | - | 004),pursuantto3V.S.A.chapter25,torequireapprovedindependentschools |
|---|
| 8718 | | - | thatintendtoacceptpublictuitiontocomplywiththeclasssizeminimum |
|---|
| 8719 | | - | standardssetpursuantto16V.S.A.§ 165(a)(9).Theamendmentsshallalso |
|---|
| 8720 | | - | createaprocessforreviewbytheStateBoardforfailuretomeettheclasssize |
|---|
| 8721 | | - | minimumrequirementsandthecorrespondingactionstheBoardmaytakefor |
|---|
| 8722 | | - | suchnoncompliance;provided,however,thattheBoardshallprovidean |
|---|
| 8723 | | - | approvedindependentschoolasubstantiallysimilaropportunitytocomeinto BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8724 | | - | 2025 Page220of415 |
|---|
| 8725 | | - | compliancewithclasssizeminimumstandardsthatitwouldprovidetoa |
|---|
| 8726 | | - | publicschool. |
|---|
| 8727 | | - | (b)Report.OnorbeforeDecember1,2025,theStateBoardofEducation |
|---|
| 8728 | | - | shallsubmitawrittenreporttotheHouseandSenateCommitteeson |
|---|
| 8729 | | - | Educationwithproposedstandardsforschoolstobedeemed“smallby |
|---|
| 8730 | | - | necessity.” |
|---|
| 8731 | | - | Sec.7.SCHOOLSIZE;INTENT |
|---|
| 8732 | | - | (a)ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblytoencouragetheefficientuseof |
|---|
| 8733 | | - | publicfundstomodernizeschoolinfrastructuretodeliveridentified21st |
|---|
| 8734 | | - | centuryeducationalgoals. |
|---|
| 8735 | | - | (b)ItisfurthertheintentoftheGeneralAssemblythateachpublicschool |
|---|
| 8736 | | - | operatinggradessixthrough12,orsomesubsetofthosegrades,shallhavea |
|---|
| 8737 | | - | minimumaveragedailymembershipofatleast450students,atleastinpartby |
|---|
| 8738 | | - | providingarobustStateaidforschoolconstructionprogramthatisdrivenby |
|---|
| 8739 | | - | standardsforqualityforpublicschools,geographicaccessibility,statewide |
|---|
| 8740 | | - | enrollmenttrends,andcapacityandscalethatsupportsubstantiallyequal |
|---|
| 8741 | | - | educationalopportunitiesforallVermontstudents. |
|---|
| 8742 | | - | Sec.8.PROHIBITIONONSCHOOLCLOSUREANDTRANSITIONTO |
|---|
| 8743 | | - | PAYINGTUITION |
|---|
| 8744 | | - | Notwithstandinganyprovisionoflawtothecontrary,aschooldistrictshall |
|---|
| 8745 | | - | beprohibitedfromclosinganexistingpublicschoolandthenprovidingforthe BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8746 | | - | 2025 Page221of415 |
|---|
| 8747 | | - | educationofitsresidentstudentsbypayingtuitionforitsstudentstoattenda |
|---|
| 8748 | | - | publicorapprovedindependentschoolchosenbytheparentsofthedistrict’s |
|---|
| 8749 | | - | students.Ifaschooldistrictthatclosesanexistingpublicschoolisunableto |
|---|
| 8750 | | - | providefortheeducationofitsaffectedresidentstudentsinadifferentschool |
|---|
| 8751 | | - | orschoolsoperatedbythedistrict,theschooldistrictshallprovideforthe |
|---|
| 8752 | | - | educationofitsresidentstudentsbydesignatingthreeorfewerpublicschools |
|---|
| 8753 | | - | toserveasthepublicschoolorschoolsofthedistrict,inaccordancewiththe |
|---|
| 8754 | | - | processcontainedin16V.S.A.§ 827. |
|---|
| 8755 | | - | Sec.9.16V.S.A.§ 3440isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 8756 | | - | § 3440.STATEMENTOFPOLICY |
|---|
| 8757 | | - | Itistheintentofthischaptertoencouragetheefficientuseofpublicfunds |
|---|
| 8758 | | - | tomodernizeschoolinfrastructureinalignmentwithcurrenteducational |
|---|
| 8759 | | - | needs.Schoolconstructionprojectssupportedbythischaptershouldbe |
|---|
| 8760 | | - | developedtakingconsiderationofstandardsofqualityforpublicschoolsunder |
|---|
| 8761 | | - | section165ofthistitleandprioritizingcost,geographicaccessibility,21st |
|---|
| 8762 | | - | centuryeducationfacilitiesstandards,statewideenrollmenttrends,and |
|---|
| 8763 | | - | capacityandscalethatsupportbesteducationalpractices.Further,itisthe |
|---|
| 8764 | | - | intentofthischaptertoencouragetheuseofexistinginfrastructuretomeetthe |
|---|
| 8765 | | - | needsofVermontstudents.Jointconstructionprojectsbetweentwoormore |
|---|
| 8766 | | - | schooldistrictsandconsolidationofbuildingswithinadistrictwherefeasible |
|---|
| 8767 | | - | andeducationallyappropriateareencouraged. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8768 | | - | 2025 Page222of415 |
|---|
| 8769 | | - | Sec.10.16V.S.A.§ 3442isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 8770 | | - | § 3442.STATEAIDFORSCHOOLCONSTRUCTIONPROGRAM |
|---|
| 8771 | | - | TheAgencyofEducationshallberesponsibleforimplementingtheState |
|---|
| 8772 | | - | AidforSchoolConstructionProgramaccordingtotheprovisionsofthis |
|---|
| 8773 | | - | chapter.TheAgencyshallberesponsiblefor: |
|---|
| 8774 | | - | (1)reviewingallpreliminaryapplicationsforStateschoolconstruction |
|---|
| 8775 | | - | aidandissuinganapprovalordenialinaccordancewithsection3445ofthis |
|---|
| 8776 | | - | chapter; |
|---|
| 8777 | | - | (2)adoptingrulespursuantto3V.S.A.chapter25pertainingtoschool |
|---|
| 8778 | | - | constructionandcapitaloutlay,includingrulestospecifyapointprioritization |
|---|
| 8779 | | - | methodologyandabonusincentivestructurealignedwiththelegislativeintent |
|---|
| 8780 | | - | expressedinsection3440ofthistitle; |
|---|
| 8781 | | - | (3)includingaspartofitsbudgetsubmittedtotheGovernorpursuantto |
|---|
| 8782 | | - | subdivision212(21)ofthistitleitsannualschoolconstructionfundingrequest; |
|---|
| 8783 | | - | (4)developingaprequalificationandreviewprocessforprojectdelivery |
|---|
| 8784 | | - | consultantsandarchitectureandengineeringfirmsspecializingin |
|---|
| 8785 | | - | prekindergartenthroughgrade12schooldesign,renovation,orconstruction |
|---|
| 8786 | | - | andmaintainingalistofsuchprequalifiedfirmsandconsultants; |
|---|
| 8787 | | - | (5)providingtechnicalassistanceandguidancetoschooldistrictsand |
|---|
| 8788 | | - | supervisoryunionsonallphasesofschoolcapitalprojects; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8789 | | - | 2025 Page223of415 |
|---|
| 8790 | | - | (6)providingtechnicaladviceandassistance,training,andeducation |
|---|
| 8791 | | - | toschooldistricts,supervisoryunions,generalcontractors,subcontractors, |
|---|
| 8792 | | - | constructionorprojectmanagers,designers,andothervendorsinthe |
|---|
| 8793 | | - | planning,maintenance,andestablishmentofschoolfacilityspace; |
|---|
| 8794 | | - | (7)maintainingacurrentlistofschoolconstructionprojectsthathave |
|---|
| 8795 | | - | receivedpreliminaryapproval,projectsthathavereceivedfinalapproval,and |
|---|
| 8796 | | - | theprioritypointsawardedtoeachproject; |
|---|
| 8797 | | - | (8)collecting,maintaining,andmakingpubliclyavailablequarterly |
|---|
| 8798 | | - | progressreportsofallongoingschoolconstructionprojectsthatshallinclude, |
|---|
| 8799 | | - | ataminimum,thecostsoftheprojectandthetimescheduleoftheproject; |
|---|
| 8800 | | - | (9)recommendingpoliciesandproceduresdesignedtoreduce |
|---|
| 8801 | | - | borrowingforschoolconstructionprogramsatbothStateandlocallevels; |
|---|
| 8802 | | - | (10)conductinganeedssurveyatleasteveryfiveyearstoascertainthe |
|---|
| 8803 | | - | capitalconstruction,reconstruction,maintenance,andothercapitalneedsfor |
|---|
| 8804 | | - | allpublicschoolsandmaintainingsuchdatainapubliclyaccessibleformat; |
|---|
| 8805 | | - | (11)developingaformalenrollmentprojectionmodelorusing |
|---|
| 8806 | | - | projectionmodelsalreadyavailable; |
|---|
| 8807 | | - | (12)encouragingschooldistrictsandsupervisoryunionstoinvestigate |
|---|
| 8808 | | - | opportunitiesforthemaximumutilizationofspaceinandaroundthedistrict |
|---|
| 8809 | | - | orsupervisoryunion; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8810 | | - | 2025 Page224of415 |
|---|
| 8811 | | - | (13)collectingandmaintainingaclearinghouseofprototypicalschool |
|---|
| 8812 | | - | plans,asappropriate,thatmaybeconsultedbyeligibleapplicants; |
|---|
| 8813 | | - | (14)retainingtheservicesofconsultants,asnecessary,toeffectuatethe |
|---|
| 8814 | | - | rolesandresponsibilitieslistedwithinthissection;and |
|---|
| 8815 | | - | (15)notwithstanding2V.S.A.§ 20(d),annuallyonorbeforeDecember |
|---|
| 8816 | | - | 15,submittingawrittenreporttotheGeneralAssemblyregardingthestatus |
|---|
| 8817 | | - | andimplementationoftheStateAidforSchoolConstructionProgram, |
|---|
| 8818 | | - | includingthedatarequiredtobecollectedpursuanttothissection. |
|---|
| 8819 | | - | Sec.11.16V.S.A.§ 3443isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 8820 | | - | § 3443.STATEAIDFORSCHOOLCONSTRUCTIONADVISORY |
|---|
| 8821 | | - | BOARD |
|---|
| 8822 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereisherebycreatedtheStateAidforSchoolConstruction |
|---|
| 8823 | | - | AdvisoryBoard,whichshalladvisetheAgencyontheimplementationofthe |
|---|
| 8824 | | - | StateAidforSchoolConstructionPrograminaccordancewiththeprovisions |
|---|
| 8825 | | - | ofthischapter,includingtheadoptionofrules,settingofstatewidepriorities, |
|---|
| 8826 | | - | criteriaforprojectapproval,andrecommendationsforprojectapprovaland |
|---|
| 8827 | | - | prioritization. |
|---|
| 8828 | | - | (b)Membership. |
|---|
| 8829 | | - | (1)Composition.TheBoardshallbecomposedofthefollowingeight |
|---|
| 8830 | | - | members: |
|---|
| 8831 | | - | (A)fourmemberswhoshallserveasexofficiomembers: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8832 | | - | 2025 Page225of415 |
|---|
| 8833 | | - | (i)theStateTreasurerordesignee; |
|---|
| 8834 | | - | (ii)theCommissionerofBuildingsandGeneralServicesor |
|---|
| 8835 | | - | designee; |
|---|
| 8836 | | - | (iii)theExecutiveDirectoroftheVermontBondBankor |
|---|
| 8837 | | - | designee;and |
|---|
| 8838 | | - | (iv)theChairoftheStateBoardofEducationordesignee;and |
|---|
| 8839 | | - | (B)fourmembers,noneofwhomshallbeacurrentmemberofthe |
|---|
| 8840 | | - | GeneralAssembly,whoshallservefour-yeartermsasfollows: |
|---|
| 8841 | | - | (i)twomembers,appointedbytheSpeakeroftheHouse,eachof |
|---|
| 8842 | | - | whomshallhaveexpertiseineducationorconstruction,realestate,orfinance |
|---|
| 8843 | | - | andoneofwhomshallrepresentasupervisoryunion;and |
|---|
| 8844 | | - | (ii)twomembers,appointedbytheCommitteeonCommittees, |
|---|
| 8845 | | - | eachofwhomshallhaveexpertiseineducationorconstruction,realestate,or |
|---|
| 8846 | | - | financeandoneofwhomshallbeaneducator. |
|---|
| 8847 | | - | (2)Memberswithfour-yearterms. |
|---|
| 8848 | | - | (A)Amemberwithatermlimitshallserveatermoffouryearsand |
|---|
| 8849 | | - | untilasuccessorisappointed.AtermshallbeginonJanuary1oftheyearof |
|---|
| 8850 | | - | appointmentandrunthroughDecember31ofthelastyearoftheterm.Terms |
|---|
| 8851 | | - | ofthesemembersshallbestaggeredsothatnotalltermsexpireatthesame |
|---|
| 8852 | | - | time. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8853 | | - | 2025 Page226of415 |
|---|
| 8854 | | - | (B)Avacancycreatedbeforetheexpirationofatermshallbefilled |
|---|
| 8855 | | - | inthesamemannerastheoriginalappointmentfortheunexpiredportionof |
|---|
| 8856 | | - | theterm. |
|---|
| 8857 | | - | (C)Amemberwithatermlimitshallnotservemorethantwo |
|---|
| 8858 | | - | consecutiveterms.Amemberappointedtofillavacancycreatedbeforethe |
|---|
| 8859 | | - | expirationofatermshallnotbedeemedtohaveservedatermforthepurpose |
|---|
| 8860 | | - | ofthissubdivision(C). |
|---|
| 8861 | | - | (c)Duties.TheBoardshalladvisetheAgencyontheimplementationof |
|---|
| 8862 | | - | theStateAidforSchoolConstructionPrograminaccordancewiththe |
|---|
| 8863 | | - | provisionsofthischapter,including: |
|---|
| 8864 | | - | (1)rulespertainingtoschoolconstructionandcapitaloutlay; |
|---|
| 8865 | | - | (2)projectpriorities; |
|---|
| 8866 | | - | (3)proposedlegislationtheBoarddeemsdesirableornecessaryrelated |
|---|
| 8867 | | - | totheStateAidforSchoolConstructionProgram,theprovisionsofthis |
|---|
| 8868 | | - | chapter,andanyrelatedlaws; |
|---|
| 8869 | | - | (4)policiesandproceduresdesignedtoreduceborrowingforschool |
|---|
| 8870 | | - | constructionprogramsatbothStateandlocallevels; |
|---|
| 8871 | | - | (5)developmentofaformalenrollmentprojectionmodelorthe |
|---|
| 8872 | | - | considerationofusingprojectionmodelsalreadyavailable; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8873 | | - | 2025 Page227of415 |
|---|
| 8874 | | - | (6)processesandproceduresnecessarytoapplyfor,receive,administer, |
|---|
| 8875 | | - | andcomplywiththeconditionsandrequirementsofanygrant,gift, |
|---|
| 8876 | | - | appropriationofproperty,services,ormonies; |
|---|
| 8877 | | - | (7)thecollectionandmaintenanceofaclearinghouseofprototypical |
|---|
| 8878 | | - | schoolplansthatmaybeconsultedbyeligibleapplicantsandrecommended |
|---|
| 8879 | | - | incentivestoutilizesuchprototypes; |
|---|
| 8880 | | - | (8)thedeterminationofeligiblecostcomponentsofprojectsforfunding |
|---|
| 8881 | | - | orreimbursement,includingpartialorfulleligibilityforprojectcomponents |
|---|
| 8882 | | - | forwhichthebenefitissharedbetweentheschoolandothermunicipaland |
|---|
| 8883 | | - | communityentities; |
|---|
| 8884 | | - | (9)developmentofalong-termvisionforastatewidecapitalplanin |
|---|
| 8885 | | - | accordancewithneedsandprojectedfunding; |
|---|
| 8886 | | - | (10)collectionandmaintenanceofdataonallpublicschoolfacilitiesin |
|---|
| 8887 | | - | theState,includinginformationonsize,usage,enrollment,availablefacility |
|---|
| 8888 | | - | space,andmaintenance; |
|---|
| 8889 | | - | (11)advisingdistrictsontheuseofaneedssurveytoascertainthe |
|---|
| 8890 | | - | capitalconstruction,reconstruction,maintenance,andothercapitalneedsfor |
|---|
| 8891 | | - | schoolsacrosstheState;and |
|---|
| 8892 | | - | (12)encouragingschooldistrictsandsupervisoryunionstoinvestigate |
|---|
| 8893 | | - | opportunitiesforthemaximumutilizationofspaceinandaroundthedistrict |
|---|
| 8894 | | - | orsupervisoryunion. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8895 | | - | 2025 Page228of415 |
|---|
| 8896 | | - | (d)Meetings. |
|---|
| 8897 | | - | (1)TheStateTreasurershallcallthefirstmeetingoftheBoardtooccur |
|---|
| 8898 | | - | onorbeforeJanuary1,2026. |
|---|
| 8899 | | - | (2)TheBoardshallselectachairfromamongitsmembers. |
|---|
| 8900 | | - | (3)Amajorityofthemembershipshallconstituteaquorum. |
|---|
| 8901 | | - | (4)TheBoardshallmeetnotmorethansixtimesperyear. |
|---|
| 8902 | | - | (e)Assistance.TheBoardshallhavetheadministrative,technical,and |
|---|
| 8903 | | - | legalassistanceoftheAgencyofEducation. |
|---|
| 8904 | | - | (f)Compensationandreimbursement.MembersoftheBoardshallbe |
|---|
| 8905 | | - | entitledtoperdiemcompensationandreimbursementofexpensesaspermitted |
|---|
| 8906 | | - | under32V.S.A.§ 1010fornotmorethansixmeetingsperyear. |
|---|
| 8907 | | - | Sec.12.PROSPECTIVEREPEALOFSTATEAIDFORSCHOOL |
|---|
| 8908 | | - | CONSTRUCTIONADVISORYBOARD |
|---|
| 8909 | | - | 16V.S.A.§ 3443(StateAidforSchoolConstructionAdvisoryBoard)is |
|---|
| 8910 | | - | repealedonJuly1,2035. |
|---|
| 8911 | | - | Sec.13.16V.S.A.§ 3444isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 8912 | | - | § 3444.SCHOOLCONSTRUCTIONAIDSPECIALFUND |
|---|
| 8913 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereiscreatedtheSchoolConstructionAidSpecialFund, |
|---|
| 8914 | | - | tobeadministeredbytheAgencyofEducation.MoniesintheFundshallbe |
|---|
| 8915 | | - | usedforthepurposesof: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8916 | | - | 2025 Page229of415 |
|---|
| 8917 | | - | (1)awardingaidtoschoolconstructionprojectsundersection3445of |
|---|
| 8918 | | - | thistitle; |
|---|
| 8919 | | - | (2)awardinggrantsthroughtheFacilitiesMasterPlanGrantProgram |
|---|
| 8920 | | - | establishedinsection3441ofthistitle; |
|---|
| 8921 | | - | (3)fundingadministrativecostsoftheStateAidforSchoolConstruction |
|---|
| 8922 | | - | Program;and |
|---|
| 8923 | | - | (4)awardingemergencyaidundersection3445ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 8924 | | - | (b)Funds.TheFundshallconsistof: |
|---|
| 8925 | | - | (1)anyamountstransferredorappropriatedtoitbytheGeneral |
|---|
| 8926 | | - | Assembly;and |
|---|
| 8927 | | - | (2)anyinterestearnedbytheFund. |
|---|
| 8928 | | - | Sec.14.16V.S.A.§ 3445isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 8929 | | - | § 3445.APPROVALANDFUNDINGOFSCHOOLCONSTRUCTION |
|---|
| 8930 | | - | PROJECTS |
|---|
| 8931 | | - | (a)Constructionaid. |
|---|
| 8932 | | - | (1)Preliminaryapplicationforconstructionaid.Aschooldistrict |
|---|
| 8933 | | - | eligibleforassistanceundersection3447ofthistitlethatintendstoconstruct |
|---|
| 8934 | | - | orpurchaseanewschool,ormakeextensiveadditionsoralterationstoits |
|---|
| 8935 | | - | existingschool,anddesirestoavailitselfofStateschoolconstructionaidshall |
|---|
| 8936 | | - | submitawrittenpreliminaryapplicationtotheSecretary.Apreliminary BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8937 | | - | 2025 Page230of415 |
|---|
| 8938 | | - | applicationshallincludeinformationrequiredbytheAgencybyruleandshall |
|---|
| 8939 | | - | specifytheneedforandpurposeoftheproject. |
|---|
| 8940 | | - | (2)Approvalofpreliminaryapplication. |
|---|
| 8941 | | - | (A)Whenreviewingapreliminaryapplicationforapproval,the |
|---|
| 8942 | | - | Secretaryshallconsider: |
|---|
| 8943 | | - | (i)regionaleducationalopportunitiesandneeds,includingschool |
|---|
| 8944 | | - | buildingcapacitiesacrossschooldistrictboundaries,andavailable |
|---|
| 8945 | | - | infrastructureinneighboringcommunities; |
|---|
| 8946 | | - | (ii)economicefficiencies; |
|---|
| 8947 | | - | (iii)thesuitabilityofanexistingschoolbuildingtocontinueto |
|---|
| 8948 | | - | meeteducationalneeds;and |
|---|
| 8949 | | - | (iv)statewideeducationalinitiatives. |
|---|
| 8950 | | - | (B)TheSecretarymayapproveapreliminaryapplicationif: |
|---|
| 8951 | | - | (i)(I)theprojectorpartoftheprojectfulfillsaneedoccasioned |
|---|
| 8952 | | - | by: |
|---|
| 8953 | | - | (aa)conditionsthatthreatenthehealthorsafetyofstudents |
|---|
| 8954 | | - | oremployees; |
|---|
| 8955 | | - | (bb)facilitiesthatareinadequatetoprovideprograms |
|---|
| 8956 | | - | requiredbyStateorfederallaworregulation; |
|---|
| 8957 | | - | (cc)excessiveenergyuseresultingfromthedesignofa |
|---|
| 8958 | | - | buildingorrelianceonfossilfuelsorelectricspaceheat;or BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8959 | | - | 2025 Page231of415 |
|---|
| 8960 | | - | (dd)deteriorationofanexistingbuilding;or |
|---|
| 8961 | | - | (II)theprojectresultsinconsolidationoftwoormoreschool |
|---|
| 8962 | | - | buildingsandwillservetheeducationalneedsofstudentsinamorecost- |
|---|
| 8963 | | - | effectiveandeducationallyappropriatemannerascomparedtoindividual |
|---|
| 8964 | | - | projectsconstructedseparately; |
|---|
| 8965 | | - | (ii)theneedaddressedbytheprojectcannotreasonablybemetby |
|---|
| 8966 | | - | anothermeans; |
|---|
| 8967 | | - | (iii)theproposedtype,kind,quality,size,andestimatedcostof |
|---|
| 8968 | | - | theprojectaresuitablefortheproposedcurriculumandmeetalllegal |
|---|
| 8969 | | - | standards; |
|---|
| 8970 | | - | (iv)theapplicantachievesthelevelof“proficiency”intheschool |
|---|
| 8971 | | - | districtqualitystandardsregardingfacilitiesmanagementadoptedbyruleby |
|---|
| 8972 | | - | theAgency;and |
|---|
| 8973 | | - | (v)theapplicanthascompletedafacilitiesmasterplanning |
|---|
| 8974 | | - | processthat: |
|---|
| 8975 | | - | (I)engagesrobustcommunityinvolvement; |
|---|
| 8976 | | - | (II)considersregionalsolutions; |
|---|
| 8977 | | - | (III)evaluatesenvironmentalcontaminants;and |
|---|
| 8978 | | - | (IV)producesafacilitiesmasterplanthatunitesthe |
|---|
| 8979 | | - | applicant’svisionstatement,educationalneeds,enrollmentprojections, |
|---|
| 8980 | | - | renovationneeds,andconstructionprojects. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 8981 | | - | 2025 Page232of415 |
|---|
| 8982 | | - | (3)Priorities.Followingapprovalofapreliminaryapplicationand |
|---|
| 8983 | | - | providedthatthedistricthasvotedfundsorauthorizedabondforthetotal |
|---|
| 8984 | | - | estimatedcostofaproject,theAgency,withtheadviceoftheStateAidfor |
|---|
| 8985 | | - | SchoolConstructionAdvisoryBoard,shallassignpointstotheprojectas |
|---|
| 8986 | | - | prescribedbyruleoftheAgencysothattheprojectcanbeplacedonapriority |
|---|
| 8987 | | - | listbasedonthenumberofpointsreceived. |
|---|
| 8988 | | - | (4)Requestforlegislativeappropriation.TheAgencyshallsubmitits |
|---|
| 8989 | | - | annualschoolconstructionfundingrequesttotheGovernoraspartofits |
|---|
| 8990 | | - | budgetpursuanttosubdivision212(21)ofthistitle.Followingsubmissionof |
|---|
| 8991 | | - | theGovernor’srecommendedbudgettotheGeneralAssemblypursuantto |
|---|
| 8992 | | - | 32 V.S.A.§ 306,theHouseCommitteeonEducationandtheSenateCommittee |
|---|
| 8993 | | - | onEducationshallrecommendatotalschoolconstructionappropriationfor |
|---|
| 8994 | | - | thenextfiscalyeartotheGeneralAssembly. |
|---|
| 8995 | | - | (5)Finalapprovalforconstructionaid. |
|---|
| 8996 | | - | (A)UnlessapprovedbytheSecretaryforgoodcauseinadvanceof |
|---|
| 8997 | | - | commencementofconstruction,aschooldistrictshallnotbeginconstruction |
|---|
| 8998 | | - | beforetheSecretaryapprovesafinalapplication.Aschooldistrictmaysubmit |
|---|
| 8999 | | - | awrittenfinalapplicationtotheSecretaryatanytimefollowingapprovalofa |
|---|
| 9000 | | - | preliminaryapplication. |
|---|
| 9001 | | - | (B)TheSecretarymayapproveafinalapplicationforaproject |
|---|
| 9002 | | - | providedthat: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9003 | | - | 2025 Page233of415 |
|---|
| 9004 | | - | (i)theprojecthasreceivedpreliminaryapproval; |
|---|
| 9005 | | - | (ii)thedistricthasvotedfundsorauthorizedabondforthetotal |
|---|
| 9006 | | - | estimatedcostoftheproject; |
|---|
| 9007 | | - | (iii)thedistricthasmadearrangementsforprojectconstruction |
|---|
| 9008 | | - | supervisionbypersonscompetentinthebuildingtrades; |
|---|
| 9009 | | - | (iv)thedistricthasprovidedforconstructionfinancingofthe |
|---|
| 9010 | | - | projectduringaperiodprescribedbytheAgency; |
|---|
| 9011 | | - | (v)theprojecthasotherwisemettherequirementsofthischapter; |
|---|
| 9012 | | - | (vi)iftheproposedprojectincludesaplayground,theproject |
|---|
| 9013 | | - | includesarequirementthatthedesignandconstructionofplayground |
|---|
| 9014 | | - | equipmentfollowtheguidelinessetforthintheU.S.ConsumerProductSafety |
|---|
| 9015 | | - | CommissionHandbookforPublicPlaygroundSafety;and |
|---|
| 9016 | | - | (vii)ifthetotalestimatedcostoftheproposedprojectislessthan |
|---|
| 9017 | | - | $50,000.00,noperformancebondorirrevocableletterofcreditshallbe |
|---|
| 9018 | | - | required. |
|---|
| 9019 | | - | (C)TheSecretarymayprovidethatagrantforahighschoolproject |
|---|
| 9020 | | - | isconditionedupontheagreementoftherecipienttoprovidehighschool |
|---|
| 9021 | | - | instructionforanyhighschoolpupillivinginanareaprescribedbythe |
|---|
| 9022 | | - | Agencywhomayelecttoattendtheschool. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9023 | | - | 2025 Page234of415 |
|---|
| 9024 | | - | (D)Adistrictmaybeginconstructionuponreceiptoffinalapproval. |
|---|
| 9025 | | - | However,adistrictshallnotbereimbursedfordebtincurredduetoborrowing |
|---|
| 9026 | | - | offundsinanticipationofaidunderthissection. |
|---|
| 9027 | | - | (6)Awardofconstructionaid. |
|---|
| 9028 | | - | (A)Thebaseamountofanawardshallbe20percentoftheeligible |
|---|
| 9029 | | - | debtservicecostofaproject.Projectsareeligibleforadditionalbonus |
|---|
| 9030 | | - | incentivesasspecifiedinruleforuptoanadditional20percentoftheeligible |
|---|
| 9031 | | - | debtservicecost. |
|---|
| 9032 | | - | (B)Asusedinsubdivision(A)ofthissubdivision(6),“eligibledebt |
|---|
| 9033 | | - | servicecost”ofaprojectmeanstheproductofthelifetimecostofthebond |
|---|
| 9034 | | - | authorizedfortheprojectandtheratiooftheapprovedcostofaprojecttothe |
|---|
| 9035 | | - | totalcostoftheproject. |
|---|
| 9036 | | - | (b)Emergencyaid.Notwithstandinganyotherprovisionofthissection, |
|---|
| 9037 | | - | theSecretarymaygrantaidforaprojecttheSecretarydeemstobean |
|---|
| 9038 | | - | emergencyintheamountof30percentofeligibleprojectcosts,uptoa |
|---|
| 9039 | | - | maximumeligibletotalprojectcostof$300,000.00. |
|---|
| 9040 | | - | Sec.15.16V.S.A.§ 3446isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 9041 | | - | § 3446.APPEAL |
|---|
| 9042 | | - | Anymunicipalcorporationasdefinedinsection3447ofthistitleaggrieved |
|---|
| 9043 | | - | byanorder,allocation,orawardoftheAgencyofEducationmay,within30 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9044 | | - | 2025 Page235of415 |
|---|
| 9045 | | - | days,appealtotheSuperiorCourtinthecountyinwhichtheprojectis |
|---|
| 9046 | | - | located. |
|---|
| 9047 | | - | Sec.16.TRANSFEROFRULEMAKINGAUTHORITY;TRANSFEROF |
|---|
| 9048 | | - | RULES |
|---|
| 9049 | | - | (a)ThestatutoryauthoritytoadoptrulesbytheStateBoardofEducation |
|---|
| 9050 | | - | pertainingtoschoolconstructionandcapitaloutlayadoptedunder16V.S.A. |
|---|
| 9051 | | - | § 3448(e)and3V.S.A.chapter25istransferredfromtheStateBoardof |
|---|
| 9052 | | - | EducationtotheAgencyofEducation. |
|---|
| 9053 | | - | (b)Allrulespertainingtoschoolconstructionandcapitaloutlayadopted |
|---|
| 9054 | | - | bytheStateBoardofEducationunder3V.S.A.chapter25priortoJuly1, |
|---|
| 9055 | | - | 2026shallbedeemedtherulesoftheAgencyofEducationandremainin |
|---|
| 9056 | | - | effectuntilamendedorrepealedbytheAgencyofEducationpursuantto3 |
|---|
| 9057 | | - | V.S.A.chapter25. |
|---|
| 9058 | | - | (c)TheAgencyofEducationshallprovidenoticeofthetransfertothe |
|---|
| 9059 | | - | SecretaryofStateandtheLegislativeCommitteeonAdministrativeRulesin |
|---|
| 9060 | | - | accordancewith3V.S.A.§ 848(d)(2). |
|---|
| 9061 | | - | Sec.17.REPEALS |
|---|
| 9062 | | - | (a)16V.S.A.§ 3448(approvaloffundingofschoolconstructionprojects; |
|---|
| 9063 | | - | renewableenergy)isrepealedonJuly12026. |
|---|
| 9064 | | - | (b)16V.S.A.§ 3448a(appeal)isrepealedonJuly1,2026. |
|---|
| 9065 | | - | Sec.18.16V.S.A.§ 828isamendedtoread: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9066 | | - | 2025 Page236of415 |
|---|
| 9067 | | - | §828.TUITIONTOAPPROVEDSCHOOLS;AGE;APPEAL |
|---|
| 9068 | | - | (a)Aschooldistrictshallnotpaythetuitionofastudentexceptto: |
|---|
| 9069 | | - | (1)apublicschool,locatedinVermont; |
|---|
| 9070 | | - | (2)anapprovedindependentschool,that: |
|---|
| 9071 | | - | (A)islocatedinVermont; |
|---|
| 9072 | | - | (B)isapprovedundersection166ofthistitleonorbeforeJuly1, |
|---|
| 9073 | | - | 2025; |
|---|
| 9074 | | - | (C)hasatleast51percentofitsstudentenrollmentcomposedof |
|---|
| 9075 | | - | studentsattendingonadistrict-fundedtuitionbasispursuanttochapter21of |
|---|
| 9076 | | - | thistitleasofJuly1,2025;and |
|---|
| 9077 | | - | (D)complieswiththeminimumclasssizerequirementscontainedin |
|---|
| 9078 | | - | subdivision165(a)(9)ofthistitleandStateBoardrule;provided,however,that |
|---|
| 9079 | | - | ifaschoolisunabletocomplywiththeclasssizeminimumstandardsdueto |
|---|
| 9080 | | - | geographicisolationoraschoolhasdevelopedanimplementationplanto |
|---|
| 9081 | | - | meettheclasssizeminimumrequirements,theschoolmayasktheStateBoard |
|---|
| 9082 | | - | tograntitawaiverfromthissubdivision(D),whichdecisionshallbefinal; |
|---|
| 9083 | | - | (3)anindependentschoolmeetingeducationqualitystandards,; |
|---|
| 9084 | | - | (4)atutorialprogramapprovedbytheStateBoard,; |
|---|
| 9085 | | - | (5)anapprovededucationprogram,or; |
|---|
| 9086 | | - | (6)anindependentschoolinanotherstateorcountryapprovedunder |
|---|
| 9087 | | - | thelawsofthatstateorcountry,thatcomplieswiththereportingrequirement BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9088 | | - | 2025 Page237of415 |
|---|
| 9089 | | - | undersubsection4010(c)ofthistitle,apublicschoollocatedinanotherstate; |
|---|
| 9090 | | - | or |
|---|
| 9091 | | - | (7)atherapeuticapprovedindependentschoollocatedinVermontor |
|---|
| 9092 | | - | anotherstateorcountrythatisapprovedunderthelawsofthatstateor |
|---|
| 9093 | | - | country. |
|---|
| 9094 | | - | (b)norshallpaymentPaymentoftuitiononbehalfofapersonshallnotbe |
|---|
| 9095 | | - | deniedonaccountofage. |
|---|
| 9096 | | - | (c)Unlessotherwiseprovided,apersonwhoisaggrievedbyadecisionof |
|---|
| 9097 | | - | aschoolboardrelatingtoeligibilityfortuitionpayments,theamountoftuition |
|---|
| 9098 | | - | payable,ortheschoolthepersonmayattend,mayappealtotheStateBoard |
|---|
| 9099 | | - | anditsdecisionshallbefinal. |
|---|
| 9100 | | - | (d)Asusedinthissection,“therapeuticapprovedindependentschool” |
|---|
| 9101 | | - | meansanapprovedindependentschoolthatlimitsenrollmentforpublicly |
|---|
| 9102 | | - | fundedstudentsresidinginVermonttostudentswhoareonanindividualized |
|---|
| 9103 | | - | educationprogramorplanunderSection504oftheRehabilitationActof |
|---|
| 9104 | | - | 1973,29U.S.C.§ 794,orwhoareenrolledpursuanttoawrittenagreement |
|---|
| 9105 | | - | betweenalocaleducationagencyandtheschoolorpursuanttoacourtorder. |
|---|
| 9106 | | - | Sec.19.TUITIONTRANSITION |
|---|
| 9107 | | - | Aschooldistrictthatpaystuitionpursuanttotheprovisionsof16V.S.A. |
|---|
| 9108 | | - | chapter21ineffectonJune30,2025shallcontinuetopaytuitiononbehalfof |
|---|
| 9109 | | - | aresidentstudentenrolledforthe2024–2025schoolyearinorwhohasbeen BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9110 | | - | 2025 Page238of415 |
|---|
| 9111 | | - | acceptedforenrollmentforthe2025–2026schoolyearbyanapproved |
|---|
| 9112 | | - | independentschoolsubjecttotheprovisionsof16V.S.A.§ 828ineffecton |
|---|
| 9113 | | - | June30,2025,untilsuchtimeasthestudentgraduatesfromthatschool. |
|---|
| 9114 | | - | ***StatewideCohesion*** |
|---|
| 9115 | | - | Sec.20.STATEWIDECOHESION;INTENT |
|---|
| 9116 | | - | ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblytoconsolidatestructuresand |
|---|
| 9117 | | - | systemsthatarefoundationaltotheadministrationofeducation. |
|---|
| 9118 | | - | Sec.21.AGENCYOFEDUCATION;SCHOOLCALENDAR; |
|---|
| 9119 | | - | GRADUATIONREQUIREMENTS;REPORT |
|---|
| 9120 | | - | (a)Statewidegraduationrequirements.OnorbeforeJanuary1,2026,the |
|---|
| 9121 | | - | AgencyofEducationshallrecommendtotheStateBoardofEducation |
|---|
| 9122 | | - | standardsforstatewideproficiency-basedgraduationrequirementsbasedon |
|---|
| 9123 | | - | standardsadoptedbytheStateBoard. |
|---|
| 9124 | | - | (b)Statewideschoolcalendar. |
|---|
| 9125 | | - | (1)OnorbeforeJanuary15,2027,theSecretaryofEducationshall |
|---|
| 9126 | | - | developandpublishastatewidecalendarforthepublicschoolsoftheState, |
|---|
| 9127 | | - | includingcareerandtechnicalcenters,thatshallbeineffectinthe |
|---|
| 9128 | | - | 2028–2029academicyearandafter. |
|---|
| 9129 | | - | (2)OnorbeforeJanuary15,2027,theSecretaryshallpresenttothe |
|---|
| 9130 | | - | HouseandSenateCommitteesonEducationalistofthestatutoryamendments |
|---|
| 9131 | | - | necessarytoeffecttheintentofthissubsection. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9132 | | - | 2025 Page239of415 |
|---|
| 9133 | | - | (c)Report.OnorbeforeDecember1,2025,theAgencyofEducationshall |
|---|
| 9134 | | - | submitawrittenreportandrecommendedlegislativelanguage,asapplicable, |
|---|
| 9135 | | - | totheHouseandSenateCommitteesonEducationwiththefollowing: |
|---|
| 9136 | | - | (1)Inconsultationwitheducatorsandadministrators,aproposed |
|---|
| 9137 | | - | implementationplanforstatewidefinancialdataandstudentinformation |
|---|
| 9138 | | - | systems. |
|---|
| 9139 | | - | (2)Recommendationsforaschoolconstructiondivisionwithinthe |
|---|
| 9140 | | - | AgencyofEducation,includingpositiondescriptionsandjobdutiesforeach |
|---|
| 9141 | | - | positionwithinthedivision,adetaileddescriptionoftheassistancethe |
|---|
| 9142 | | - | divisionwouldprovidetothefield,andtheoverallroletheAgencywouldplay |
|---|
| 9143 | | - | withinaStateaidtoschoolconstructionprogram. |
|---|
| 9144 | | - | (3)Aprogressreportregardingthedevelopmentofclear,unambiguous |
|---|
| 9145 | | - | guidancethatwouldbeprovidedtoschoolofficialsandschoolboardmembers |
|---|
| 9146 | | - | regardingthebusinessprocessesandtransactionsthatwouldneedtooccurto |
|---|
| 9147 | | - | facilitateschooldistrictmergersintolarger,consolidatedschooldistricts, |
|---|
| 9148 | | - | includingthemergingofdatasystems,assetandliabilitytransfers,andhowto |
|---|
| 9149 | | - | addresscollectivebargainingagreementsforbotheducatorsandstaff.The |
|---|
| 9150 | | - | reportshallincludeadetaileddescriptionofhowtheAgencywillprovide |
|---|
| 9151 | | - | supportandconsolidationassistancetothefieldineachoftheseareasandan |
|---|
| 9152 | | - | estimateofthecostsassociatedwithsuchwork. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9153 | | - | 2025 Page240of415 |
|---|
| 9154 | | - | (4)Inconsultationwithsuperintendents,directorsoftherapeutic |
|---|
| 9155 | | - | independentschools,specialeducationdirectors,and,intheopinionofthe |
|---|
| 9156 | | - | Agency,otherexperts,recommendationsfortheneedforcooperativeeducation |
|---|
| 9157 | | - | servicesandtheoversightoftherapeuticschoolswithintheschoolgovernance |
|---|
| 9158 | | - | frameworkbothatastateandlocallevel. |
|---|
| 9159 | | - | ***State-LevelGovernance*** |
|---|
| 9160 | | - | Sec.22.STATE-LEVELGOVERNANCE;INTENT |
|---|
| 9161 | | - | ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblytoensurethattheStateBoardof |
|---|
| 9162 | | - | Educationistheindependent,transparent,andpublicfacingbodyforpublic |
|---|
| 9163 | | - | educationandtoensuretheBoardmaintainsitsabilityprovideanimportant |
|---|
| 9164 | | - | outletforthepublictoengageintherulemakingprocessandregularlyprovide |
|---|
| 9165 | | - | publiccommentregardingthestateofVermont’seducationsystem. |
|---|
| 9166 | | - | Sec.23.16V.S.A.§ 161isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 9167 | | - | §161.STATEBOARDOFEDUCATION;APPOINTMENTOF |
|---|
| 9168 | | - | MEMBERS;TERM;VACANCY |
|---|
| 9169 | | - | TheStateBoardshallconsistoften10members.Twoofthemembersshall |
|---|
| 9170 | | - | besecondarystudents,oneofwhomshallbeafullmemberandtheotherof |
|---|
| 9171 | | - | whomshallbeajuniormemberwhomaynotvote.AllEightmembersshallbe |
|---|
| 9172 | | - | appointedbytheGovernorwiththeadviceandconsentoftheSenate.One |
|---|
| 9173 | | - | membershallbeappointedbytheSpeakeroftheHouseandonemembershall |
|---|
| 9174 | | - | beappointedbytheSenateCommitteeonCommittees.Intheappointmentof BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9175 | | - | 2025 Page241of415 |
|---|
| 9176 | | - | thenonstudentmembers,priorityshallbegiventotheselectionofpersonswith |
|---|
| 9177 | | - | ademonstratedcommitmenttoensuringqualityeducationforVermont |
|---|
| 9178 | | - | students.Totheextentpossible,themembersshallrepresenttheState’s |
|---|
| 9179 | | - | geographic,gender,racial,andethnicdiversity.TheSecretaryshallserveon |
|---|
| 9180 | | - | theStateBoardasanonvotingmember. |
|---|
| 9181 | | - | (1)Upontheexpirationoftherespectivetermsofthosemembersofthe |
|---|
| 9182 | | - | Boardpreviouslyappointed,excludingthestudentmembers,theGovernor |
|---|
| 9183 | | - | appointingauthoritythatmadetheinitialappointmenttotheexpiredterm |
|---|
| 9184 | | - | shall,bienniallyinthemonthofFebruarywiththeadviceandconsentofthe |
|---|
| 9185 | | - | Senate,asapplicable,appointmembersfortermsofsixyears.Thetermsshall |
|---|
| 9186 | | - | beginMarch1oftheyearinwhichtheappointmentsaremade.Amember |
|---|
| 9187 | | - | servingatermofsixyearsshallnotbeeligibleforreappointmentfor |
|---|
| 9188 | | - | successiveterms. |
|---|
| 9189 | | - | (2)Intheeventofanyvacancyoccurringinthemembershipofthe |
|---|
| 9190 | | - | Board,theGovernorappointingauthoritythatmadetheinitialappointmentto |
|---|
| 9191 | | - | thevacatedtermshallfillthevacancywithaqualifiedpersonwhose |
|---|
| 9192 | | - | appointmentshallbefortheunexpiredportionoftheterm. |
|---|
| 9193 | | - | (3)Biennially,theBoardshallchooseamemberoftheBoardtobeits |
|---|
| 9194 | | - | chair. |
|---|
| 9195 | | - | (4)Annually,usinganapplicationprocessthatisopenandaccessibleto |
|---|
| 9196 | | - | alleligiblestudents,theGovernorshallappointaVermontsecondaryschool BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9197 | | - | 2025 Page242of415 |
|---|
| 9198 | | - | studentwhowillcontinuetobeasecondarystudentforatleasttwoyears |
|---|
| 9199 | | - | followingtakingoffice,toserveontheStateBoardfortwoyears,beginningon |
|---|
| 9200 | | - | July1oftheyearofappointment.Thestudentmembershallnotvoteduring |
|---|
| 9201 | | - | thefirstyearandshallbeafullandvotingmemberduringthesecondyearof |
|---|
| 9202 | | - | hisorherthestudent’sterm. |
|---|
| 9203 | | - | Sec.24.TRANSITIONPERIODAPPOINTMENTS;STATEBOARDOF |
|---|
| 9204 | | - | EDUCATION |
|---|
| 9205 | | - | (a)MemberscurrentlyservingontheStateBoardofEducationmay |
|---|
| 9206 | | - | continuetoserveforthedurationofthetermtowhichtheywereappointed. |
|---|
| 9207 | | - | (b)BeginningonJuly1,2025,astermsofcurrentlyservingmembers |
|---|
| 9208 | | - | expire,appointmentsofsuccessorsshallbemadeinaccordancewiththe |
|---|
| 9209 | | - | considerationsandappointmentauthoritycontainedin16V.S.A.§ 161. |
|---|
| 9210 | | - | (1)TheSpeakeroftheHouseshallmakethefirstappointmenttoa |
|---|
| 9211 | | - | vacantorexpiredseatthatoccursafterJuly1,2025andshallmakeany |
|---|
| 9212 | | - | subsequentappointmentstofillthevacatedorexpiredtermforthatsameseat |
|---|
| 9213 | | - | aftertheinitialtransitionperiodappointment. |
|---|
| 9214 | | - | (2)TheSenateCommitteeonCommitteesshallmakethesecond |
|---|
| 9215 | | - | appointmenttoavacantorexpiredseatthatoccursafterJuly1,2025and |
|---|
| 9216 | | - | shallmakeanysubsequentappointmentstofillthevacatedorexpiredtermfor |
|---|
| 9217 | | - | thatsameseataftertheinitialtransitionperiodappointment. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9218 | | - | 2025 Page243of415 |
|---|
| 9219 | | - | (3)TheGovernorshallmakethethirdappointment,withtheadviceand |
|---|
| 9220 | | - | consentoftheSenate,toavacantorexpiredseatthatoccursafterJuly1,2025 |
|---|
| 9221 | | - | andshallmakeanysubsequentappointmentstofillthevacatedorexpiredterm |
|---|
| 9222 | | - | forthatsameseataftertheinitialtransitionperiodappointment. |
|---|
| 9223 | | - | (c)OncethefirstthreeappointmentsafterJuly1,2025aremadein |
|---|
| 9224 | | - | accordancewithsubsection(b)ofthissection,theGovernorshallmakeall |
|---|
| 9225 | | - | subsequentappointmentsfortheremainingfivenon-studentseats,withthe |
|---|
| 9226 | | - | adviceandconsentoftheSenate,inaccordancewith16V.S.A.§ 161. |
|---|
| 9227 | | - | Sec.25.16V.S.A.§ 162isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 9228 | | - | §162.REMOVALOFBOARDMEMBERS |
|---|
| 9229 | | - | Afternoticeandhearing,theGovernormayremoveamemberoftheState |
|---|
| 9230 | | - | Boardforincompetency,failuretodischargehisorherthemember’sduties, |
|---|
| 9231 | | - | malfeasance,illegalacts,orothercauseinimicaltothewelfareofthepublic |
|---|
| 9232 | | - | schools;andincaseofsuchremoval,heorshetheappointingauthoritythat |
|---|
| 9233 | | - | madetheinitialappointmentshallappointapersontofilltheunexpiredterm. |
|---|
| 9234 | | - | Sec.26.STATEBOARDOFEDUCATION;REVIEWOFRULES; |
|---|
| 9235 | | - | APPROPRIATION |
|---|
| 9236 | | - | (a)TheStateBoardofEducationshallrevieweachruleseriestheState |
|---|
| 9237 | | - | Boardisresponsibleforandmakeadeterminationastothecontinuingneed |
|---|
| 9238 | | - | for,appropriatenessof,orneedforupdatingofsaidrules.Onorbefore |
|---|
| 9239 | | - | December1,2026,theStateBoardofEducationshallsubmitawrittenreport BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9240 | | - | 2025 Page244of415 |
|---|
| 9241 | | - | totheHouseandSenateCommitteesonEducationwithitsrecommendation |
|---|
| 9242 | | - | forrulesthatarenolongerneededandaplantoupdaterulesthatarestill |
|---|
| 9243 | | - | necessary,includingtheorderinwhichtheBoardproposestoupdatetherules |
|---|
| 9244 | | - | andanyassociatedcostsorstaffingneeds. |
|---|
| 9245 | | - | (b)Thesumof$200,000.00isappropriatedfromtheGeneralFundtothe |
|---|
| 9246 | | - | AgencyofEducationinfiscalyear2026toprovidetheStateBoardof |
|---|
| 9247 | | - | Educationwiththestaffingandresourcesnecessarytoreviewandupdatethe |
|---|
| 9248 | | - | Board’srules. |
|---|
| 9249 | | - | ***EffectiveDates*** |
|---|
| 9250 | | - | Sec.27.EFFECTIVEDATES |
|---|
| 9251 | | - | (a)ThissectionandSecs.1(findings;intent;plan)and2(Commissionon |
|---|
| 9252 | | - | theFutureofPublicEducation)shalltakeeffectonpassage. |
|---|
| 9253 | | - | (b)Secs.3(scale;intent),6(SBErules;report),7(schoolsize;intent),8 |
|---|
| 9254 | | - | (schoolclosure),11(16V.S.A.§ 3443),12(schoolconstructionadvisoryboard |
|---|
| 9255 | | - | sunset),18(18V.S.A.§ 828),19(tuitiontransition),20(statewidecohesion; |
|---|
| 9256 | | - | intent),21(AOEreport;schoolcalendar;graduationrequirements),22(state- |
|---|
| 9257 | | - | levelgovernance;intent),23(16V.S.A.§ 161),24(SBEappointments |
|---|
| 9258 | | - | transition),25(16V.S.A.§ 162),and26(SBErulereview;appropriation) |
|---|
| 9259 | | - | shalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025. |
|---|
| 9260 | | - | (c)Secs.4(classsizeminimums),5(failuretocomplywithclasssize |
|---|
| 9261 | | - | minimums),9(schoolconstructionpolicy),10(16V.S.A.§ 3442),13(16 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9262 | | - | 2025 Page245of415 |
|---|
| 9263 | | - | V.S.A.§ 3444),14(16V.S.A.§ 3445),15(16V.S.A.§ 3446),16(transferof |
|---|
| 9264 | | - | rulemakingauthority),and17(repeals)shalltakeeffectonJuly1,2026. |
|---|
| 9265 | | - | ***FindingsandIntent*** |
|---|
| 9266 | | - | Sec.1.FINDINGS;INTENT;PLAN |
|---|
| 9267 | | - | (a)TheGeneralAssemblyfindsthat: |
|---|
| 9268 | | - | (1)In1997,thefirstpieceoflawtheGeneralAssemblyenactedin |
|---|
| 9269 | | - | responsetotheBrighamdecisionstated,“[t]herighttopubliceducationis |
|---|
| 9270 | | - | integraltoVermont’sconstitutionalformofgovernmentanditsguaranteesof |
|---|
| 9271 | | - | politicalandcivilrights…[and]fundamentalforthesuccessofVermont’s |
|---|
| 9272 | | - | childreninarapidly-changingsocietyandglobalmarketplaceaswellasthe |
|---|
| 9273 | | - | State’sowneconomicandsocialprosperity.”16V.S.A.§ 1. |
|---|
| 9274 | | - | (2)Fromtheveryfirstattemptatcreatingabasicframeofgovernment, |
|---|
| 9275 | | - | Vermont’sfounderschosetoincludearighttopubliceducation,theonly |
|---|
| 9276 | | - | governmentalserviceincludedinVermont’sfirstConstitutionof1777. |
|---|
| 9277 | | - | (3)AstheU.S.SupremeCourtstatedinBrownv.BoardofEducation, |
|---|
| 9278 | | - | 347U.S.483(1954),“educationisperhapsthemostimportantfunctionof |
|---|
| 9279 | | - | stateandlocalgovernments…[i]tisrequiredintheperformanceofourmost |
|---|
| 9280 | | - | basicpublicresponsibilities…[i]tistheveryfoundationofgoodcitizenship.” |
|---|
| 9281 | | - | (4)ThemostenduringlegacyofBrighamv.State,166Vt.246(1997)is |
|---|
| 9282 | | - | theState’sresponsibilitytoensuresubstantiallyequaleducational |
|---|
| 9283 | | - | opportunitiesforallVermontstudents. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9284 | | - | 2025 Page246of415 |
|---|
| 9285 | | - | (5)Theeducationsystemisstillreelingfromtheeffectsofaglobal |
|---|
| 9286 | | - | pandemic,yetthesamechallengesthathavefacedVermont’seducationsystem |
|---|
| 9287 | | - | remain.Thirtyto40yearsago,Vermonteducatedmorethan110,000students |
|---|
| 9288 | | - | eachyear.Today,thereareapproximately84,000studentsinthepublic |
|---|
| 9289 | | - | educationsystem.Manyschoolshavelostasignificantnumberofstudents |
|---|
| 9290 | | - | and,withthem,theabilitytoofferrobustservicesandprogramsatevery |
|---|
| 9291 | | - | school.Vermont’syouthneedtobepreparedforarapidlyevolvingfuture. |
|---|
| 9292 | | - | (6)Vermontersdeserveanexceptionaleducationalsystemthatisstable |
|---|
| 9293 | | - | andpredictableandwhereastudent’shomeaddressdoesnotdictatethe |
|---|
| 9294 | | - | qualityofeducationtheyreceive.Schooldistrictsizeandboundaries,school |
|---|
| 9295 | | - | size,andclasssizeareallinfluentialfactorsinshapingthequalityof |
|---|
| 9296 | | - | instructionandoverallstudentoutcomes.Theeffectivenessofourschools |
|---|
| 9297 | | - | dependsonteacherquality,resourceavailability,andtheuniquestrengthsof |
|---|
| 9298 | | - | localcommunities.Changeinoureducationalsystemisneeded.Systemsare |
|---|
| 9299 | | - | madeofpeople,sochangemustcomecarefullyandthoughtfully,with |
|---|
| 9300 | | - | meaningfulengagementbyallVermonters. |
|---|
| 9301 | | - | (b)Intent;plan. |
|---|
| 9302 | | - | (1)Toensureeachstudentisprovidedsubstantiallyequaleducational |
|---|
| 9303 | | - | opportunitiesthatwillpreparethemtothriveina21st-centuryworld,itisthe |
|---|
| 9304 | | - | intentoftheGeneralAssemblytoworkstrategically,intentionally,and |
|---|
| 9305 | | - | thoughtfullytoensurethateachincrementalchangemadetoVermont’spublic BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9306 | | - | 2025 Page247of415 |
|---|
| 9307 | | - | educationsystemprovidesstrengthandsupporttoitsonlyconstitutionally |
|---|
| 9308 | | - | requiredgovernmentalservice. |
|---|
| 9309 | | - | (2)ItisfurthertheintentoftheGeneralAssemblyto: |
|---|
| 9310 | | - | (A)inthe2026session: |
|---|
| 9311 | | - | (i)enactnew,largerschooldistrictboundariesthatwouldbe |
|---|
| 9312 | | - | effectiveJuly1,2027; |
|---|
| 9313 | | - | (ii)enactupdatestocareerandtechnicaleducationgovernance |
|---|
| 9314 | | - | systems,bothatthelocalandstatewidelevels,thatarereflectiveofthelarger |
|---|
| 9315 | | - | publiceducationgovernancetransformationtonew,largerschooldistricts; |
|---|
| 9316 | | - | (iii)createacoordinatedandcoherentstatewidestrategyfor |
|---|
| 9317 | | - | careerandtechnicaleducationthatisresponsivetostudentsandtheState’s |
|---|
| 9318 | | - | workforceneedsandthatprovidesopportunitiesformoreintegrationbetween |
|---|
| 9319 | | - | careerandtechnicaleducationandtraditionalhighschoolwork; |
|---|
| 9320 | | - | (iv)enactstudent-centeredupdatestocareerandtechnical |
|---|
| 9321 | | - | educationfundingwithinafoundationformulathatdoesnotcreate |
|---|
| 9322 | | - | competitionbetweensendingschoolsandcareerandtechnicaleducation |
|---|
| 9323 | | - | programsforavailablefunds;and |
|---|
| 9324 | | - | (v)begintheprocesstocreatevotingwardswithineachschool |
|---|
| 9325 | | - | districttoensureschoolboardmembershipisapportionedinsuchamanneras |
|---|
| 9326 | | - | toachievesubstantiallyequalweightingofthevotesofallvotersinthe |
|---|
| 9327 | | - | electionofschoolboardmembers; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9328 | | - | 2025 Page248of415 |
|---|
| 9329 | | - | (B)provideorenabletheprovisionofthenecessarystaffing, |
|---|
| 9330 | | - | resources,andsupporttotheAgencyofEducation,theSecretaryofState’s |
|---|
| 9331 | | - | Office,townclerks,andotherintegralpartiestotheelectionsystemtoholdthe |
|---|
| 9332 | | - | firstschoolboardmemberelectionswithinthenewlycreatedschooldistrictsin |
|---|
| 9333 | | - | aspecialelectioninMarch2028;and |
|---|
| 9334 | | - | (C)provideorenabletheprovisionofthenecessarystaffing, |
|---|
| 9335 | | - | resources,andsupporttotheAgencyofEducation,StateBoardofEducation, |
|---|
| 9336 | | - | andotherintegralpartiestoensurethatthenecessaryguidanceandfundingis |
|---|
| 9337 | | - | inplacetoallowforasmoothandsuccessfultransitionbetweentheoperation |
|---|
| 9338 | | - | ofVermont’scurrent119schooldistrictstothenew,largerschooldistricts, |
|---|
| 9339 | | - | withnewschooldistrictsassumingresponsibilityfortheeducationofall |
|---|
| 9340 | | - | residentstudentsonJuly1,2029. |
|---|
| 9341 | | - | ***CommissionontheFutureofPublicEducation*** |
|---|
| 9342 | | - | Sec.2.2024ActsandResolvesNo.183,Sec.1isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 9343 | | - | Sec.1.THECOMMISSIONONTHEFUTUREOFPUBLIC |
|---|
| 9344 | | - | EDUCATION;REPORTS |
|---|
| 9345 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereisherebycreatedtheCommissionontheFutureof |
|---|
| 9346 | | - | PublicEducationinVermont.Therighttoeducationisfundamentalforthe |
|---|
| 9347 | | - | successofVermont’schildreninarapidlychangingsocietyandglobal |
|---|
| 9348 | | - | marketplaceaswellasfortheState’sowneconomicandsocialprosperity. |
|---|
| 9349 | | - | TheCommissionshallstudytheprovisionofeducationinVermontandmake BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9350 | | - | 2025 Page249of415 |
|---|
| 9351 | | - | recommendationsforastatewidevisionforVermont’spubliceducationsystem |
|---|
| 9352 | | - | toensurethatallstudentsareaffordedsubstantiallyequaleducational |
|---|
| 9353 | | - | opportunitiesinanefficient,sustainable,andstableeducationsystem.The |
|---|
| 9354 | | - | Commissionshallalsomakerecommendationsforthestrategicpolicychanges |
|---|
| 9355 | | - | necessarytomakeVermont’seducationalvisionarealityforallVermont |
|---|
| 9356 | | - | students. |
|---|
| 9357 | | - | (b)Membership.TheCommissionshallbecomposedofthefollowing |
|---|
| 9358 | | - | membersand,totheextentpossible,themembersshallrepresenttheState’s |
|---|
| 9359 | | - | geographic,gender,racial,andethnicdiversity: |
|---|
| 9360 | | - | (1)Votingmembers.Thefollowingmembersshallbevotingmembersof |
|---|
| 9361 | | - | theCommission: |
|---|
| 9362 | | - | (A)theSecretaryofEducationordesignee; |
|---|
| 9363 | | - | (2)(B)theChairoftheStateBoardofEducationordesignee; |
|---|
| 9364 | | - | (3)(C)theTaxCommissionerordesignee; |
|---|
| 9365 | | - | (4)(D)onecurrentmemberoftheHouseofRepresentatives,appointed |
|---|
| 9366 | | - | bytheSpeakeroftheHouse; |
|---|
| 9367 | | - | (5)(E)onecurrentmemberoftheSenate,appointedbytheCommittee |
|---|
| 9368 | | - | onCommittees; |
|---|
| 9369 | | - | (6)(F)onerepresentativefromtheVermontSchoolBoardsAssociation |
|---|
| 9370 | | - | (VSBA),appointedbytheVSBAExecutiveDirector; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9371 | | - | 2025 Page250of415 |
|---|
| 9372 | | - | (7)(G)onerepresentativefromtheVermontPrincipals’Association |
|---|
| 9373 | | - | (VPA),appointedbytheVPAExecutiveDirector; |
|---|
| 9374 | | - | (8)(H)onerepresentativefromtheVermontSuperintendentsAssociation |
|---|
| 9375 | | - | (VSA),appointedbytheVSAExecutiveDirector; |
|---|
| 9376 | | - | (9)(I)onerepresentativefromtheVermontNationalEducation |
|---|
| 9377 | | - | Association(VTNEA),appointedbytheVTNEAExecutiveDirector; |
|---|
| 9378 | | - | (10)(J)onerepresentativefromtheVermontAssociationofSchool |
|---|
| 9379 | | - | BusinessOfficials(VASBO)withexperienceinschoolconstructionprojects, |
|---|
| 9380 | | - | appointedbythePresidentofVASBO; |
|---|
| 9381 | | - | (11)(K)theChairoftheCensus-BasedFundingAdvisoryGroup, |
|---|
| 9382 | | - | createdunder2018ActsandResolvesNo.173; |
|---|
| 9383 | | - | (12)(L)theExecutiveDirectoroftheVermontRuralEducation |
|---|
| 9384 | | - | Collaborative;and |
|---|
| 9385 | | - | (13)(M)onerepresentativefromtheVermontIndependentSchools |
|---|
| 9386 | | - | Association(VISA),appointedbythePresidentofVISA. |
|---|
| 9387 | | - | (2)Nonvotingmembers.Thefollowingmembersshallbenonvoting |
|---|
| 9388 | | - | membersoftheCommissionwhoshallbeappointedonorbeforeJuly15,2025 |
|---|
| 9389 | | - | andallofwhomshallhaveextensiveexperienceworkingwithintheVermont |
|---|
| 9390 | | - | publiceducationsystem.Appointingauthoritiesshallcoordinatetoensure |
|---|
| 9391 | | - | that,totheextentpossible,eachofthefivenonvotingmembersrepresentsa |
|---|
| 9392 | | - | differentgeographicregionoftheState. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9393 | | - | 2025 Page251of415 |
|---|
| 9394 | | - | (A)TwomembersshallbeappointedbytheSpeakeroftheHouse, |
|---|
| 9395 | | - | oneofwhomshallbearetiredorformerVermontsuperintendentofa |
|---|
| 9396 | | - | supervisoryunionwithmultiplememberschooldistrictsandoneofwhomshall |
|---|
| 9397 | | - | beeitheraretiredorformerVermontschoolbusinessmanageroraretiredor |
|---|
| 9398 | | - | formerschoolboardmember. |
|---|
| 9399 | | - | (B)TwomembersshallbeappointedbytheCommitteeon |
|---|
| 9400 | | - | Committees,oneofwhomshallbearetiredorformerVermontsuperintendent |
|---|
| 9401 | | - | andoneofwhomshallbearetiredorformerVermontschoolbusiness |
|---|
| 9402 | | - | manager. |
|---|
| 9403 | | - | (C)OnemembershallbeappointedbytheGovernorandshallbea |
|---|
| 9404 | | - | retiredorformerVermontsuperintendent. |
|---|
| 9405 | | - | (2)Nonvotingmembers.Thefollowingninemembersshallbe |
|---|
| 9406 | | - | nonvotingmembersoftheCommissionwhoshallbeappointedonorbefore |
|---|
| 9407 | | - | July15,2025: |
|---|
| 9408 | | - | (A)Nonlegislativemembers.Thereshallbefivenonlegislative, |
|---|
| 9409 | | - | nonvotingmembers,allofwhomshallhaveextensiveexperienceworking |
|---|
| 9410 | | - | withintheVermontpubliceducationsystem.Appointingauthoritiesshall |
|---|
| 9411 | | - | coordinatetoensurethat,totheextentpossible,eachofthefivenonvoting |
|---|
| 9412 | | - | membersrepresentsadifferentgeographicregionoftheState. |
|---|
| 9413 | | - | (i)Twomembers,appointedbytheSpeakeroftheHouse,oneof |
|---|
| 9414 | | - | whomshallbearetiredorformerVermontsuperintendentofasupervisory BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9415 | | - | 2025 Page252of415 |
|---|
| 9416 | | - | unionwithmultiplememberschooldistrictsandoneofwhomshallbeeithera |
|---|
| 9417 | | - | retiredorformerVermontschoolbusinessmanageroraretiredorformer |
|---|
| 9418 | | - | schoolboardmember. |
|---|
| 9419 | | - | (ii)Twomembers,appointedbytheCommitteeonCommittees, |
|---|
| 9420 | | - | oneofwhomshallbearetiredorformerVermontsuperintendentandoneof |
|---|
| 9421 | | - | whomshallbearetiredorformerVermontschoolbusinessmanager. |
|---|
| 9422 | | - | (iii)Onemember,appointedbytheGovernor,whoshallbea |
|---|
| 9423 | | - | retiredorformerVermontsuperintendent. |
|---|
| 9424 | | - | (B)Legislativemembers.Thereshallbefourlegislative,nonvoting |
|---|
| 9425 | | - | members. |
|---|
| 9426 | | - | (i)TwocurrentmembersoftheHouseofRepresentatives,notall |
|---|
| 9427 | | - | fromthesamepoliticalpartyorsameschooldistrict,whoshallbeappointed |
|---|
| 9428 | | - | bytheSpeakeroftheHouse. |
|---|
| 9429 | | - | (ii)TwocurrentmembersoftheSenate,notallfromthesame |
|---|
| 9430 | | - | politicalpartyorsameschooldistrict,whoshallbeappointedbythe |
|---|
| 9431 | | - | CommitteeonCommittees. |
|---|
| 9432 | | - | (c)Steeringgroup.OnorbeforeJuly1,2024,theSpeakeroftheHouse |
|---|
| 9433 | | - | shallappointtwomembersoftheCommission,theCommitteeonCommittees |
|---|
| 9434 | | - | shallappointtwomembersoftheCommission,andtheGovernorshallappoint |
|---|
| 9435 | | - | twomembersoftheCommissiontoserveasmembersofasteeringgroup.The |
|---|
| 9436 | | - | steeringgroupshallprovideleadershiptotheCommissionandshallworkwith BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9437 | | - | 2025 Page253of415 |
|---|
| 9438 | | - | aconsultantorconsultantstoanalyzetheissues,challenges,andopportunities |
|---|
| 9439 | | - | facingVermont’spubliceducationsystem,aswellasdevelopandproposea |
|---|
| 9440 | | - | workplantoformalizetheprocessthroughwhichtheCommissionshallseekto |
|---|
| 9441 | | - | achieveitsfinalrecommendations.Theformalworkplanshallbeapprovedby |
|---|
| 9442 | | - | amajorityoftheCommissionmembers.Thesteeringgroupshallforma |
|---|
| 9443 | | - | subcommitteeoftheCommissiontoaddresseducationfinancetopicsingreater |
|---|
| 9444 | | - | depthandmayformoneormoreadditionalsubcommitteesoftheCommission |
|---|
| 9445 | | - | toaddressotherkeytopicsingreaterdepth,asnecessary.Thesteeringgroup |
|---|
| 9446 | | - | mayappointnon-Commissionmemberstotheeducationfinancesubcommittee. |
|---|
| 9447 | | - | AllothersubcommitteesshallbecomposedsolelyofCommissionmembers. |
|---|
| 9448 | | - | (d)Collaborationandinformationreview. |
|---|
| 9449 | | - | (1)TheCommissionshallmayseekinputfromandcollaboratewithkey |
|---|
| 9450 | | - | stakeholders,asdirectedbythesteeringgroup.Ataminimum,the |
|---|
| 9451 | | - | Commissionshallconsultwith: |
|---|
| 9452 | | - | (A)theDepartmentofMentalHealth; |
|---|
| 9453 | | - | (B)theDepartmentofLabor; |
|---|
| 9454 | | - | (C)thePresidentoftheUniversityofVermontordesignee; |
|---|
| 9455 | | - | (D)theChancelloroftheVermontStateCollegesCorporationor |
|---|
| 9456 | | - | designee; |
|---|
| 9457 | | - | (E)arepresentativefromthePrekindergartenEducation |
|---|
| 9458 | | - | ImplementationCommittee; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9459 | | - | 2025 Page254of415 |
|---|
| 9460 | | - | (F)theOfficeofRacialEquity; |
|---|
| 9461 | | - | (G)arepresentativewithexpertiseintheCommunitySchoolsmodel |
|---|
| 9462 | | - | inVermont; |
|---|
| 9463 | | - | (H)theVermontYouthCouncil; |
|---|
| 9464 | | - | (I)theCommissiononPublicSchoolEmployeeHealthBenefits;and |
|---|
| 9465 | | - | (J)anorganizationcommittedtoensuringequalrepresentationand |
|---|
| 9466 | | - | educationalequity. |
|---|
| 9467 | | - | (2)TheCommissionshallalsoreviewandtakeintoconsideration |
|---|
| 9468 | | - | existingeducationallawsandpolicy,includinglegislativereportsthe |
|---|
| 9469 | | - | Commissiondeemsrelevanttoitsworkand,ataminimum,2015Actsand |
|---|
| 9470 | | - | ResolvesNo.46,2018ActsandResolvesNo.173,2022ActsandResolvesNo. |
|---|
| 9471 | | - | 127,and2023ActsandResolvesNo.76. |
|---|
| 9472 | | - | (e)DutiesoftheCommission.TheCommissionshallstudyVermont’s |
|---|
| 9473 | | - | publiceducationsystemandmakerecommendationstoensureallstudentsare |
|---|
| 9474 | | - | affordedqualityeducationalopportunitiesinanefficient,sustainable,and |
|---|
| 9475 | | - | equitableeducationsystemthatwillenablestudentstoachievethehighest |
|---|
| 9476 | | - | academicoutcomes.TheresultoftheCommission’sworkshallbea |
|---|
| 9477 | | - | recommendationforastatewidevisionforVermont’spubliceducationsystem, |
|---|
| 9478 | | - | withrecommendationsforthepolicychangesnecessarytomakeVermont’s |
|---|
| 9479 | | - | educationalvisionarealityrecommendationsfortheState-leveleducation |
|---|
| 9480 | | - | governancesystem,includingtherolesandresponsibilitiesoftheAgencyof BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9481 | | - | 2025 Page255of415 |
|---|
| 9482 | | - | EducationandtheStateBoardofEducation.Increatingandmakingits |
|---|
| 9483 | | - | recommendations,theCommissionshallengageinthefollowing: |
|---|
| 9484 | | - | (1)Publicengagement.TheCommissionshallconductnotfewerthan |
|---|
| 9485 | | - | 14publicmeetingstoinformtheworkrequiredunderthissection.Atleastone |
|---|
| 9486 | | - | meetingoftheCommissionasawholeorasubcommitteeoftheCommission |
|---|
| 9487 | | - | shallbeheldineachcounty.TheCommissionshallpublishadraftofitsfinal |
|---|
| 9488 | | - | recommendationsonorbeforeOctober1,2025,solicitpublicfeedback,and |
|---|
| 9489 | | - | incorporatesuchfeedbackintoitsfinalrecommendations.Whensubmittingits |
|---|
| 9490 | | - | finalrecommendationstotheGeneralAssembly,theCommissionshallinclude |
|---|
| 9491 | | - | allpublicfeedbackreceivedasanaddendumtoitsfinalreport.Thepublic |
|---|
| 9492 | | - | feedbackprocessshallinclude: |
|---|
| 9493 | | - | (A)aminimum30-daypubliccommentperiod,duringwhichtimethe |
|---|
| 9494 | | - | Commissionshallacceptwrittencommentsfromthepublicandstakeholders; |
|---|
| 9495 | | - | and |
|---|
| 9496 | | - | (B)apublicoutreachplanthatmaximizespublicengagementand |
|---|
| 9497 | | - | includesnoticeoftheavailabilityoflanguageassistanceserviceswhen |
|---|
| 9498 | | - | requested. |
|---|
| 9499 | | - | (2)Policyconsiderations.Indevelopingitsrecommendations,the |
|---|
| 9500 | | - | Commissionshallconsiderandprioritizethefollowingtopics: |
|---|
| 9501 | | - | (A)Governance,resources,andadministration.TheCommission |
|---|
| 9502 | | - | shallstudyandmakerecommendationsregardingeducationgovernanceatthe BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9503 | | - | 2025 Page256of415 |
|---|
| 9504 | | - | Statelevel,includingtheroleoftheAgencyofEducationintheprovisionof |
|---|
| 9505 | | - | servicesandsupportfortheeducationsystem.Recommendationsunderthis |
|---|
| 9506 | | - | subdivision(A)shallinclude,ataminimum,thefollowing: |
|---|
| 9507 | | - | (i)whetherchangesneedtobemadetothestructureofthe |
|---|
| 9508 | | - | AgencyofEducation,includingwhetheritbetterservestherecommended |
|---|
| 9509 | | - | educationvisionoftheStateasanagencyoradepartment; |
|---|
| 9510 | | - | (ii)whatarethestaffingneedsoftheAgencyofEducation; |
|---|
| 9511 | | - | (iii)whetherchangesneedtobemadetothecomposition,role, |
|---|
| 9512 | | - | andfunctionoftheStateBoardofEducationtobetterservetherecommended |
|---|
| 9513 | | - | educationvisionoftheState;and |
|---|
| 9514 | | - | (iv)whatroles,functions,ordecisionsshouldbeafunctionof |
|---|
| 9515 | | - | localcontrolandwhatroles,functions,ordecisionsshouldbeafunctionof |
|---|
| 9516 | | - | controlattheStatelevel;and,includingwhetherthereshouldbeaprocessfor |
|---|
| 9517 | | - | thecommunityservedbyanelementaryschooltohaveavoiceindecisions |
|---|
| 9518 | | - | regardingschoolclosuresand,ifso,recommendationsforwhatthatprocess |
|---|
| 9519 | | - | shallentail |
|---|
| 9520 | | - | (v)theeffectiveintegrationofcareerandtechnicaleducationin |
|---|
| 9521 | | - | therecommendededucationvisionoftheState. |
|---|
| 9522 | | - | (B)Physicalsizeandfootprintoftheeducationsystem.The |
|---|
| 9523 | | - | Commissionshallstudyandmakerecommendationsregardinghowtheunique |
|---|
| 9524 | | - | geographicalandsocioeconomicneedsofdifferentcommunitiesshouldfactor BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9525 | | - | 2025 Page257of415 |
|---|
| 9526 | | - | intotheprovisionofeducationinVermont,takingintoaccountandbuilding |
|---|
| 9527 | | - | upontherecommendationsoftheStateAidtoSchoolConstructionWorking |
|---|
| 9528 | | - | Group.Recommendationsunderthissubdivision(B)shallinclude,ata |
|---|
| 9529 | | - | minimum,thefollowing: |
|---|
| 9530 | | - | (i)ananalysisandrecommendationforthemostefficientand |
|---|
| 9531 | | - | effectivenumberandlocationofschoolbuildings,schooldistricts,and |
|---|
| 9532 | | - | supervisoryunionsneededtoachieveVermont’svisionforeducation,provided |
|---|
| 9533 | | - | thatifthereisarecommendationforanychange,therecommendationshall |
|---|
| 9534 | | - | includeanimplementationplan; |
|---|
| 9535 | | - | (ii)ananalysisofthecapacityandabilitytostaffallpublic |
|---|
| 9536 | | - | schoolswithaqualifiedworkforce,drivenbydataonclass-size |
|---|
| 9537 | | - | recommendations; |
|---|
| 9538 | | - | (iii)analysisofwhether,andifso,how,collaborationwith |
|---|
| 9539 | | - | Vermont’spostsecondaryschoolsmaysupportthedevelopmentandretention |
|---|
| 9540 | | - | ofaqualifiededucatorworkforce; |
|---|
| 9541 | | - | (iv)ananalysisofthecurrenttowntuitionprogramandwhether, |
|---|
| 9542 | | - | andifso,what,changesarenecessarytomeetVermont’svisionforeducation, |
|---|
| 9543 | | - | includingthelegalandfinancialimpactoffundingindependentschoolsand |
|---|
| 9544 | | - | otherprivateinstitutions,includingconsiderationofthefollowing: |
|---|
| 9545 | | - | (I)theroledesignation,under16V.S.A.§ 827,shouldplayin |
|---|
| 9546 | | - | thedeliveryofpubliceducation;and BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9547 | | - | 2025 Page258of415 |
|---|
| 9548 | | - | (II)thefinancialimpacttotheEducationFundofpublic |
|---|
| 9549 | | - | dollarsbeingusedinschoolslocatedoutsideVermont;and |
|---|
| 9550 | | - | (v)ananalysisofthecurrentuseofprivatetherapeuticschoolsin |
|---|
| 9551 | | - | theprovisionofspecialeducationservicesandwhether,andifso,what, |
|---|
| 9552 | | - | changesarenecessarytomeetVermont’sspecialeducationneeds,including |
|---|
| 9553 | | - | thelegalandfinancialimpactoffundingprivatetherapeuticschools. |
|---|
| 9554 | | - | [Repealed.] |
|---|
| 9555 | | - | (C)Theroleofpublicschools.TheCommissionshallstudyand |
|---|
| 9556 | | - | makerecommendationsregardingtherolepublicschoolsshouldplayinboth |
|---|
| 9557 | | - | theprovisionofeducationandthesocialandemotionalwell-beingofstudents. |
|---|
| 9558 | | - | Recommendationsunderthissubdivision(C)shallinclude,ataminimum,the |
|---|
| 9559 | | - | following: |
|---|
| 9560 | | - | (i)howpubliceducationinVermontshouldbedelivered; |
|---|
| 9561 | | - | (ii)whetherVermont’svisionforpubliceducationshallinclude |
|---|
| 9562 | | - | theprovisionofwraparoundsupportsandcollocationofservices; |
|---|
| 9563 | | - | (iii)whether,andifso,how,collaborationwithVermont’s |
|---|
| 9564 | | - | postsecondaryschoolsmaysupportandstrengthenthedeliveryofpublic |
|---|
| 9565 | | - | education;and |
|---|
| 9566 | | - | (iv)whattheconsequencesarefortheCommission’s |
|---|
| 9567 | | - | recommendationsregardingtheroleofpublicschoolsandotherservice |
|---|
| 9568 | | - | providers,includingwhattheroleofpublicschoolsmeansforstaffing, BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9569 | | - | 2025 Page259of415 |
|---|
| 9570 | | - | funding,andanyotheraffectedsystem,withthegoalofmostefficiently |
|---|
| 9571 | | - | utilizingStatefundsandservicesandmaximizingfederalfunding.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 9572 | | - | (D)Educationfinancesystem.TheCommissionshallexplorethe |
|---|
| 9573 | | - | efficacyandpotentialequitygainsofchangestotheeducationfinancesystem, |
|---|
| 9574 | | - | includingweightededucationalopportunitypaymentsasamethodtofund |
|---|
| 9575 | | - | publiceducation.TheCommission’srecommendationsshallbeintendedto |
|---|
| 9576 | | - | resultinaneducationfundingsystemdesignedtoaffordsubstantiallyequal |
|---|
| 9577 | | - | accesstoaqualitybasiceducationforallVermontstudentsinaccordancewith |
|---|
| 9578 | | - | Statev.Brigham,166Vt.246(1997).Recommendationsunderthis |
|---|
| 9579 | | - | subdivision(D)shallinclude,ataminimum,thefollowing: |
|---|
| 9580 | | - | (i)allowableusesfortheEducationFundthatshallensure |
|---|
| 9581 | | - | sustainableandequitableuseofStatefunds; |
|---|
| 9582 | | - | (ii)themethodforsettingtaxratestosustainallowableusesof |
|---|
| 9583 | | - | theEducationFund; |
|---|
| 9584 | | - | (iii)whether,andifso,what,alternativefundingmodelswould |
|---|
| 9585 | | - | createamoreaffordable,sustainable,andequitableeducationfinancesystem |
|---|
| 9586 | | - | inVermont,includingtheconsiderationofastatutory,formalbaseamountof |
|---|
| 9587 | | - | perpupileducationspendingandwhetherschooldistrictsshouldbeallowed |
|---|
| 9588 | | - | tospendabovethebaseamount; |
|---|
| 9589 | | - | (iv)adjustmentstotheexcessspendingthreshold,including |
|---|
| 9590 | | - | recommendationsthattargetspecifictypesofspending; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9591 | | - | 2025 Page260of415 |
|---|
| 9592 | | - | (v)theimplementationofeducationspendingcapsondifferent |
|---|
| 9593 | | - | services,includingadministrativeandsupportservicesandcategoricalaid; |
|---|
| 9594 | | - | (vi)howtostrengthentheunderstandingandconnectionbetween |
|---|
| 9595 | | - | schoolbudgetvotesandpropertytaxbills; |
|---|
| 9596 | | - | (vii)adjustmentstothepropertytaxcreditthresholdstobetter |
|---|
| 9597 | | - | matchneedtothebenefit; |
|---|
| 9598 | | - | (viii)asystemforongoingmonitoringoftheEducationFundand |
|---|
| 9599 | | - | Vermont’seducationfinancesystem,toincludeconsiderationofastanding |
|---|
| 9600 | | - | EducationFundadvisorycommittee; |
|---|
| 9601 | | - | (ix)ananalysisoftheimpactofhealthcarehealthcarecostson |
|---|
| 9602 | | - | theEducationFund,includingrecommendationsforwhether,andifso,what, |
|---|
| 9603 | | - | changesneedtobemadetocontaincosts;and |
|---|
| 9604 | | - | (x)implementationdetailsforanyrecommendedchangestothe |
|---|
| 9605 | | - | educationfundingsystem.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 9606 | | - | (E)Additionalconsiderations.TheCommissionmayconsiderany |
|---|
| 9607 | | - | othertopic,factor,orissuethatitdeemsrelevanttoitsworkand |
|---|
| 9608 | | - | recommendations. |
|---|
| 9609 | | - | (f)Reports.TheCommissionshallprepareandsubmittotheGeneral |
|---|
| 9610 | | - | Assemblythefollowing: |
|---|
| 9611 | | - | (1)aformal,writtenworkplan,whichshallincludeacommunication |
|---|
| 9612 | | - | plantomaximizepublicengagement,onorbeforeSeptember15,2024; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9613 | | - | 2025 Page261of415 |
|---|
| 9614 | | - | (2)awrittenreportcontainingitspreliminaryfindingsand |
|---|
| 9615 | | - | recommendations,includingshort-termcostcontainmentconsiderationsfor |
|---|
| 9616 | | - | the2025legislativesession,onorbeforeDecember15,2024;and |
|---|
| 9617 | | - | (3)awrittenreportcontainingitsfinalfindingsandrecommendations |
|---|
| 9618 | | - | forastatewidevisionforVermont’spubliceducationsystemandthepolicy |
|---|
| 9619 | | - | changesnecessarytomakethateducationalvisionarealitybasedonits |
|---|
| 9620 | | - | analysisoftheState-levelgovernancetopicscontainedinsubdivision(e)(2)(A) |
|---|
| 9621 | | - | ofthissection,onorbeforeDecember1,2025;and |
|---|
| 9622 | | - | (4)proposedlegislativelanguagetoadvanceanyrecommendationsfor |
|---|
| 9623 | | - | theeducationfundingsystemonorbeforeDecember15,2025. |
|---|
| 9624 | | - | (g)Assistance.TheAgencyofEducationshallcontractwithoneormore |
|---|
| 9625 | | - | independentconsultantsorfacilitatorstoprovidetechnicalandlegal |
|---|
| 9626 | | - | assistancetotheCommissionfortheworkrequiredunderthissection.Forthe |
|---|
| 9627 | | - | purposesofschedulingmeetingsandprovidingadministrativeassistance,the |
|---|
| 9628 | | - | CommissionshallhavetheassistanceoftheAgencyofEducation.TheAgency |
|---|
| 9629 | | - | shallalsoprovidetheeducationalandfinancialdatanecessarytofacilitatethe |
|---|
| 9630 | | - | workoftheCommission.Schooldistrictsshallcomplywithrequestsfromthe |
|---|
| 9631 | | - | Agencytoassistindatacollections. |
|---|
| 9632 | | - | (h)Meetings. |
|---|
| 9633 | | - | (1)TheSecretaryofEducationshallcallthefirstmeetingofthe |
|---|
| 9634 | | - | CommissiontooccuronorbeforeJuly15,2024. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9635 | | - | 2025 Page262of415 |
|---|
| 9636 | | - | (2)TheSpeakeroftheHouseandthePresidentProTemporeshall |
|---|
| 9637 | | - | jointlyselectaCommissionchair. |
|---|
| 9638 | | - | (3)Amajorityofthemembershipshallconstituteaquorum. |
|---|
| 9639 | | - | (4)MeetingsshallbeconductedinaccordancewithVermont’sOpen |
|---|
| 9640 | | - | MeetingLawpursuantto1V.S.A.chapter5,subchapter2. |
|---|
| 9641 | | - | (5)TheCommissionshallceasetoexistonDecember31,2025. |
|---|
| 9642 | | - | (i)Compensationandreimbursement.MembersoftheCommissionshall |
|---|
| 9643 | | - | beentitledtoperdiemcompensationandreimbursementofexpensesas |
|---|
| 9644 | | - | permittedunder32 V.S.A.§ 1010fornotmorethan30meetings,including |
|---|
| 9645 | | - | subcommitteemeetings.Thesepaymentsshallbemadefrommonies |
|---|
| 9646 | | - | appropriatedtotheAgencyofEducation. |
|---|
| 9647 | | - | (j)Schooldistrictboundarysubcommittee.Thereiscreateda |
|---|
| 9648 | | - | subcommitteeoftheCommissiontobecomposedofthefiveninenonvoting |
|---|
| 9649 | | - | membersoftheCommissionthatshalldeterminethemostefficientnumberof |
|---|
| 9650 | | - | schooldistrictsandproposedboundarylines,basedoneducationalresearch; |
|---|
| 9651 | | - | Vermont’sgeographicandculturallandscape;historicattendancepatterns; |
|---|
| 9652 | | - | thedistributionofequalizedgrandlistvalueperpupil;theprovisionofcareer |
|---|
| 9653 | | - | andtechnicaleducation;andacomprehensiveanalysisofschoollocations, |
|---|
| 9654 | | - | conditions,andcapacity. |
|---|
| 9655 | | - | (1)Dutiesofthedistrictboundariessubcommittee. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9656 | | - | 2025 Page263of415 |
|---|
| 9657 | | - | (A)Thesubcommitteeshallrecommendnotmorethanthreeschool |
|---|
| 9658 | | - | districtboundaryproposalstotheGeneralAssemblyandmayconsultwiththe |
|---|
| 9659 | | - | VermontAssociationofCareerandTechnicalEducationDirectorsregarding |
|---|
| 9660 | | - | howtoincorporatecareerandtechnicaleducationintotheproposals.The |
|---|
| 9661 | | - | proposedschooldistrictboundariesshall: |
|---|
| 9662 | | - | (i)increaseequitableaccesstoeducationalopportunity; |
|---|
| 9663 | | - | (ii)maximizeopportunitiesformodern,regionalmiddleandhigh |
|---|
| 9664 | | - | schools,withtheleastdisruptiontostudents; |
|---|
| 9665 | | - | (iii)provideaccesstoeducationfortheirresidentstudentsin |
|---|
| 9666 | | - | gradeskindergartenthrough12; |
|---|
| 9667 | | - | (iv)provideaccesstocareerandtechnicaleducation(CTE)forall |
|---|
| 9668 | | - | eligiblestudents; |
|---|
| 9669 | | - | (v)totheextentpractical,notseparatetownswithinschool |
|---|
| 9670 | | - | districtsasthoseboundariesexistonJuly1,2025; |
|---|
| 9671 | | - | (vi)totheextentpractical,considertheavailabilityofregional |
|---|
| 9672 | | - | servicesforstudents,suchasdesignatedagencies,andhowthoseservices |
|---|
| 9673 | | - | wouldintegrateintothenewproposedschooldistrictboundaries; |
|---|
| 9674 | | - | (vii)totheextentpractical,resultinschooldistrictswitha |
|---|
| 9675 | | - | minimumaveragedailymembershipofapproximately4,000students;and BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9676 | | - | 2025 Page264of415 |
|---|
| 9677 | | - | (viii)totheextentpractical,considerhistoricattendancepatterns |
|---|
| 9678 | | - | ingeographicareasthatdonotoperatepublicschoolsatallgradelevelsfrom |
|---|
| 9679 | | - | kindergartenthroughgrade12. |
|---|
| 9680 | | - | (B)Thesubcommitteemayconsiderandmakerecommendationsfor |
|---|
| 9681 | | - | theoptimallocationofschools,includingCTEprograms,tomeetthe |
|---|
| 9682 | | - | requirementscontainedinsubdivision(A)ofthissubdivision(1). |
|---|
| 9683 | | - | (C)Thesubcommitteeshallprovideregularupdatestothe |
|---|
| 9684 | | - | Commissionregardingitswork. |
|---|
| 9685 | | - | (D)Thesubcommitteeshallhavethesoleauthoritytodeterminethe |
|---|
| 9686 | | - | contentsofthereportandmapsrequiredundersubdivision(4)ofthis |
|---|
| 9687 | | - | subsection(j).TheCommissionmayprovideitsowncommentstothe |
|---|
| 9688 | | - | subcommitteeandtherelevantcommitteesofjurisdiction,eitherasan |
|---|
| 9689 | | - | addendumtothereportofthesubcommitteeorasaseparatereport. |
|---|
| 9690 | | - | (2)Publicengagement.Thedistrictboundarysubcommitteeshall |
|---|
| 9691 | | - | engageandcoordinatewiththeCommission’spublicengagement |
|---|
| 9692 | | - | subcommitteeandthepublicengagementconsultanttomaximizepublicinput |
|---|
| 9693 | | - | andfeedbackregardingthedevelopmentoftheproposednewschooldistrict |
|---|
| 9694 | | - | boundaries. |
|---|
| 9695 | | - | (3)Assistance.Thedistrictboundarysubcommitteeshallhavethe |
|---|
| 9696 | | - | assistanceoftheAgencyofDigitalServices,VermontCenterforGeographic |
|---|
| 9697 | | - | Information,whichmayalsoretaintheservicesofoneormoreindependent BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9698 | | - | 2025 Page265of415 |
|---|
| 9699 | | - | thirdpartiestoprovidefacilitationandmediationservicestothe |
|---|
| 9700 | | - | subcommittee. |
|---|
| 9701 | | - | (4)Reportandmaps.OnorbeforeDecember1,2025,thedistrict |
|---|
| 9702 | | - | boundarysubcommitteeshallsubmitthefollowingtotheHouseandSenate |
|---|
| 9703 | | - | CommitteesonEducation,theHouseCommitteeonGovernmentOperations |
|---|
| 9704 | | - | andMilitaryAffairs,theSenateCommitteeonGovernmentOperations,the |
|---|
| 9705 | | - | HouseCommitteeonWaysandMeans,andtheSenateCommitteeonFinance: |
|---|
| 9706 | | - | (A)Report.Thedistrictboundarysubcommitteeshallsubmita |
|---|
| 9707 | | - | writtenreportwiththesubcommittee’sproposednewschooldistrict |
|---|
| 9708 | | - | boundaries.Thereportshalldetailhoweachproposedoptionmeetsthe |
|---|
| 9709 | | - | requirementsofsubdivision(1)(A)ofthissubsection(j). |
|---|
| 9710 | | - | (B)Maps.Thesubcommitteeshallalsosubmitdetailedmapsfor |
|---|
| 9711 | | - | eachschooldistrictboundaryproposal,which,inadditiontotheschool |
|---|
| 9712 | | - | districtboundariesthemselves,shallinclude: |
|---|
| 9713 | | - | (i)averagedailymembershipforeachproposedschooldistrictfor |
|---|
| 9714 | | - | the2023–2024schoolyear; |
|---|
| 9715 | | - | (ii)themembertownsforeachschooldistrict; |
|---|
| 9716 | | - | (iii)thelocationofpublicschoolsandnontherapeuticapproved |
|---|
| 9717 | | - | independentschoolsthatareeligibletoreceivepublictuitionasofJuly1, |
|---|
| 9718 | | - | 2025,andthegradesoperatedbyeachofthoseschools; |
|---|
| 9719 | | - | (iv)thefive-yearfacilityconditionindexscoreforeachschool; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9720 | | - | 2025 Page266of415 |
|---|
| 9721 | | - | (v)PCBtestingscoreforeachschool;and |
|---|
| 9722 | | - | (vi)10-yearchangeinenrollmentbetween2013and2023for |
|---|
| 9723 | | - | eachschool. |
|---|
| 9724 | | - | ***SchoolDistrictVotingWardTaskForce*** |
|---|
| 9725 | | - | Sec.2a.SCHOOLDISTRICTVOTINGWARDTASKFORCE;REPORT; |
|---|
| 9726 | | - | MAPS |
|---|
| 9727 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereiscreatedtheSchoolDistrictVotingWardTaskForce |
|---|
| 9728 | | - | tocreatevotingdistrictwardswithinthenewschooldistrictscontemplatedby |
|---|
| 9729 | | - | thisact,toensureschoolboardmembershipisapportionedinsuchamanner |
|---|
| 9730 | | - | astoachievesubstantiallyequalweightingofthevotesofallvotersinthe |
|---|
| 9731 | | - | choiceofschoolboardmembers. |
|---|
| 9732 | | - | (b)Membership.TheTaskForceshallbecomposedofthefollowing |
|---|
| 9733 | | - | memberswhoshallhavesubstantialunderstandingofVermontgeography, |
|---|
| 9734 | | - | trade,travel,socialinteraction,andVermont’spubliceducationsystem: |
|---|
| 9735 | | - | (1)theSecretaryofStateordesignee,whoshallbethechair; |
|---|
| 9736 | | - | (2)threemembers,whoshallbeappointedbytheVermontMunicipal |
|---|
| 9737 | | - | ClerkTreasurerAssociation; |
|---|
| 9738 | | - | (3)twomembers,appointedbytheVermontSchoolBoardsAssociation; |
|---|
| 9739 | | - | and |
|---|
| 9740 | | - | (4)theDirectoroftheVermontCenterforGeographicInformationor |
|---|
| 9741 | | - | designee. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9742 | | - | 2025 Page267of415 |
|---|
| 9743 | | - | (c)Powersandduties.OnorbeforeOctober15,2025,theTaskForce |
|---|
| 9744 | | - | shallconsultwiththeschooldistrictboundarysubcommitteecreatedinSec.2 |
|---|
| 9745 | | - | ofthisacttogainanunderstandingofthestatusoftheworkofthe |
|---|
| 9746 | | - | subcommitteeandtodeterminewhetherthesubcommitteehasoneormore |
|---|
| 9747 | | - | boundaryproposalsreadyfortheTaskForcetobegintheworkofcreating |
|---|
| 9748 | | - | votingwards.Usingtheboundaryproposalsofthesubcommittee,theTask |
|---|
| 9749 | | - | Forceshall,followingtheprinciplesofapportionmentfollowedbythe |
|---|
| 9750 | | - | legislativeapportionmentboard,makerecommendationstotheGeneral |
|---|
| 9751 | | - | Assemblytoachievevotingdistrictswithineachschooldistrictthatare |
|---|
| 9752 | | - | compact,contiguous,anddrawntoachievesubstantiallyequalweightingof |
|---|
| 9753 | | - | votesandthatmeettherequirementsofapplicableStateandfederallaw.Ifat |
|---|
| 9754 | | - | anytimeduringtheworkoftheTaskForcetheGeneralAssemblyenactsnew |
|---|
| 9755 | | - | schooldistrictboundaries,oritappearscleartheGeneralAssemblyisfocused |
|---|
| 9756 | | - | ononlyoneproposal,theTaskForceshallfocusitsworkand |
|---|
| 9757 | | - | recommendationstoalignwiththeworkoftheGeneralAssembly.TheTask |
|---|
| 9758 | | - | Force’srecommendationsshallinclude: |
|---|
| 9759 | | - | (1)theoptimalnumberofschoolboardmembersperschoolboardto |
|---|
| 9760 | | - | maximizepublicrepresentationanddemocraticinputwhilemaintaining |
|---|
| 9761 | | - | effectiveschoolboardsize;and |
|---|
| 9762 | | - | (2)boundariesforschooldistrictvotingwardswithineachschool |
|---|
| 9763 | | - | district,withalternativeoptionsifnecessary,includingdetailedmapsclearly BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9764 | | - | 2025 Page268of415 |
|---|
| 9765 | | - | andunambiguouslydelineatingwardboundariesthatrespectcurrent |
|---|
| 9766 | | - | municipalboundarylines. |
|---|
| 9767 | | - | (d)Assistance.TheTaskForceshallhavetheadministrative,technical, |
|---|
| 9768 | | - | andlegalassistanceoftheSecretaryofState’sofficeandthetechnical |
|---|
| 9769 | | - | assistanceoftheAgencyofDigitalServices,VermontCenterforGeographic |
|---|
| 9770 | | - | Information.TheTaskForcemaycontractforsuchexpertservicesasmaybe |
|---|
| 9771 | | - | necessarytocarryoutitsduties. |
|---|
| 9772 | | - | (e)Meetings. |
|---|
| 9773 | | - | (1)TheSecretaryofStateshallcallthefirstmeetingoftheTaskForce |
|---|
| 9774 | | - | tooccuronorbeforeJuly15,2025. |
|---|
| 9775 | | - | (2)TheSecretaryofStateshallbethechair. |
|---|
| 9776 | | - | (3)Amajorityofthemembershipshallconstituteaquorum. |
|---|
| 9777 | | - | (4)TheTaskForceshallceasetoexistonJune30,2026. |
|---|
| 9778 | | - | (f)Compensationandreimbursement.MembersoftheTaskForceshallbe |
|---|
| 9779 | | - | entitledtoperdiemcompensationandreimbursementofexpensesaspermitted |
|---|
| 9780 | | - | under32 V.S.A.§ 1010fornotmorethan10meetings.Thesepaymentsshall |
|---|
| 9781 | | - | bemadefrommoniesappropriatedtotheSecretaryofState’soffice. |
|---|
| 9782 | | - | ***Scale*** |
|---|
| 9783 | | - | Sec.3.SCALE;INTENT BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9784 | | - | 2025 Page269of415 |
|---|
| 9785 | | - | ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblytotransformeducationinVermont |
|---|
| 9786 | | - | byleveragingattainableandresearch-basedscaletoincreaseequityof |
|---|
| 9787 | | - | opportunityandpromoteefficiencyandaffordability. |
|---|
| 9788 | | - | Sec.4.16V.S.A.§ 165isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 9789 | | - | §165.EDUCATIONQUALITYSTANDARDS;EQUALEDUCATIONAL |
|---|
| 9790 | | - | OPPORTUNITIES;INDEPENDENTSCHOOLMEETING |
|---|
| 9791 | | - | EDUCATIONQUALITYSTANDARDS |
|---|
| 9792 | | - | (a)InordertocarryoutVermont’spolicythatallVermontchildrenwillbe |
|---|
| 9793 | | - | affordededucationalopportunitiesthataresubstantiallyequalinquality,each |
|---|
| 9794 | | - | Vermontpublicschool,includingeachcareertechnicalcenter,shallmeetthe |
|---|
| 9795 | | - | followingeducationqualitystandards: |
|---|
| 9796 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 9797 | | - | (9)Theschoolcomplieswithaverageclasssizeminimumstandards; |
|---|
| 9798 | | - | provided,however,thatwhenclasssizeminimumsapplytocontentareas,an |
|---|
| 9799 | | - | individualclassmaybesmallerthantheminimumaverage.Asusedinthis |
|---|
| 9800 | | - | subdivision,“contentarea”meansagroupofcourseswithinaspecific |
|---|
| 9801 | | - | licensingendorsementarea. |
|---|
| 9802 | | - | (A)Classsizestandards. |
|---|
| 9803 | | - | (i)Theaverageclasssizeminimumforkindergartenclassesshall |
|---|
| 9804 | | - | be12students. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9805 | | - | 2025 Page270of415 |
|---|
| 9806 | | - | (ii)Theaverageclasssizeminimumforgradesonethroughfour |
|---|
| 9807 | | - | shallbe15students. |
|---|
| 9808 | | - | (iii)Theaverageclasssizeminimumforgradesfivethrough12in |
|---|
| 9809 | | - | allrequiredcontentareaclassesshallbe18students. |
|---|
| 9810 | | - | (iv)Multiageclassroomsforgradeskindergartenthrougheight |
|---|
| 9811 | | - | shallbelimitedtotwogradelevelsperclassroom. |
|---|
| 9812 | | - | (v)Prekindergarten,careerandtechnicaleducation,flexible |
|---|
| 9813 | | - | pathways,terminalcourses,advancedplacementcourses,coursesthatrequire |
|---|
| 9814 | | - | specializedequipment,anddriver’seducationclassesshallbeexcludedfrom |
|---|
| 9815 | | - | theclasssizeminimumrequirementsinthissubdivision(9).Smallgroup |
|---|
| 9816 | | - | servicesforthepurposeofprovidingspecialeducation,supplementalor |
|---|
| 9817 | | - | targetedacademicintervention,orEnglishlearnerinstructionshallalsobe |
|---|
| 9818 | | - | excludedfromtheclasssizeminimumrequirementsinthissubdivision(9). |
|---|
| 9819 | | - | (vi)Classsizesshallnotexceedthemaximumoccupancylimits |
|---|
| 9820 | | - | establishedbylocalandStatefirecodes,includingegressandsafety |
|---|
| 9821 | | - | requirements. |
|---|
| 9822 | | - | (B)Waivers.Ifaschoolboarddeterminesthatitoperatesaschool |
|---|
| 9823 | | - | thatisunabletocomplywiththeclasssizeminimumstandardsdueto |
|---|
| 9824 | | - | geographicisolation,oraschoolhasdevelopedanimplementationplanto |
|---|
| 9825 | | - | meetthestandardscontainedinthissubdivision(9)thatmayinclude |
|---|
| 9826 | | - | consolidationormerger,theschoolboardmayasktheStateBoardof BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9827 | | - | 2025 Page271of415 |
|---|
| 9828 | | - | Educationtograntitwaiverfromthissubdivision(9).TheStateBoardshall |
|---|
| 9829 | | - | definewhatqualifiesasgeographicisolationinitsrulesadoptedpursuantto |
|---|
| 9830 | | - | subdivision(a)(3)ofthissection.TheStateBoard’sdecisionshallbefinal. |
|---|
| 9831 | | - | (C)StateBoardaction.IftheSecretarydeterminesthataschoolis |
|---|
| 9832 | | - | notmeetingtheclasssizeminimumstandardssetforthinthissubdivision(9) |
|---|
| 9833 | | - | overthecourseoftwoconsecutiveschoolyears,theSecretaryshall |
|---|
| 9834 | | - | recommendtotheStateBoardoneormoreoftheactionslistedinsubsection |
|---|
| 9835 | | - | (b)ofthissection,regardlessofwhethertheschoolismeetingallother |
|---|
| 9836 | | - | educationqualitystandards.TheStateBoardshallthenfollowtheprocedure |
|---|
| 9837 | | - | ofsubsection(c)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 9838 | | - | (b)Annually,theSecretaryshalldeterminewhetherstudentsineach |
|---|
| 9839 | | - | Vermontpublicschoolareprovidededucationalopportunitiessubstantially |
|---|
| 9840 | | - | equaltothoseprovidedinotherpublicschools.IftheSecretarydetermines |
|---|
| 9841 | | - | thataschoolisnotmeetingtheeducationqualitystandardslistedin |
|---|
| 9842 | | - | subsection(a)ofthissectionorthattheschoolismakinginsufficientprogress |
|---|
| 9843 | | - | inimprovingstudentperformanceinrelationtothestandardsforstudent |
|---|
| 9844 | | - | performancesetforthinsubdivision164(9)ofthistitle,heorshetheSecretary |
|---|
| 9845 | | - | shalldescribeinwritingactionsthatadistrictmusttakeinordertomeet |
|---|
| 9846 | | - | eitherorbothsetsofstandardsandshallprovidetechnicalassistancetothe |
|---|
| 9847 | | - | school.Iftheschoolfailstomeetthestandardsormakesufficientprogress BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9848 | | - | 2025 Page272of415 |
|---|
| 9849 | | - | withintwoyearsoffollowingthedetermination,theSecretaryshall |
|---|
| 9850 | | - | recommendtotheStateBoardoneormoreofthefollowingactions: |
|---|
| 9851 | | - | (1)theAgencycontinuetoprovidetechnicalassistanceforonemore |
|---|
| 9852 | | - | cycleofreview; |
|---|
| 9853 | | - | (2)theStateBoardadjustsupervisoryunionboundariesor |
|---|
| 9854 | | - | responsibilitiesofthesuperintendencypursuanttosection261ofthistitle; |
|---|
| 9855 | | - | (3)theSecretaryassumeadministrativecontrolofanindividualschool, |
|---|
| 9856 | | - | schooldistrict,orsupervisoryunion,includingbudgetarycontroltoensure |
|---|
| 9857 | | - | soundfinancialpractices,onlytotheextentnecessarytocorrectdeficiencies; |
|---|
| 9858 | | - | (4)theStateBoardcloseanindividualschoolorschoolsandrequire |
|---|
| 9859 | | - | thattheschooldistrictpaytuitiontoanotherpublicschooloranapproved |
|---|
| 9860 | | - | independentschoolpursuanttochapter21ofthistitle;or |
|---|
| 9861 | | - | (5)theStateBoardrequiretwoormoreschooldistrictstoconsolidate |
|---|
| 9862 | | - | theirgovernancestructures. |
|---|
| 9863 | | - | (c)TheStateBoard,afterofferingtheschoolboardanopportunityfora |
|---|
| 9864 | | - | hearing,shalleitherdismisstheSecretary’srecommendationororderthatone |
|---|
| 9865 | | - | ormoreoftheactionslistedinsubsection(b)ofthissectionbetaken.The |
|---|
| 9866 | | - | actionorderedbytheStateBoardshallbetheleastintrusiveconsistentwith |
|---|
| 9867 | | - | theneedtoprovidestudentsattendingtheschoolsubstantiallyequal |
|---|
| 9868 | | - | educationalopportunities.AschoolboardaggrievedbyanorderoftheState |
|---|
| 9869 | | - | BoardmayappealtheorderinaccordancewiththeRulesofCivilProcedure. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9870 | | - | 2025 Page273of415 |
|---|
| 9871 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 9872 | | - | (e)IftheSecretarydeterminesatanytimethatthefailureofaschoolto |
|---|
| 9873 | | - | meettheeducationqualitystandardslistedinsubsection(a)ofthissectionis |
|---|
| 9874 | | - | severeorpervasive,potentiallyresultsinphysicaloremotionalharmto |
|---|
| 9875 | | - | studentsorsignificantdeprivationofequaleducationopportunities,andthe |
|---|
| 9876 | | - | schoolhaseitherunreasonablyrefusedtoremedytheproblemoritsefforts |
|---|
| 9877 | | - | haveprovedineffective,heorshetheSecretarymayrecommendtotheState |
|---|
| 9878 | | - | Boardoneormoreoftheactionslistedinsubsection(b)ofthissection.The |
|---|
| 9879 | | - | StateBoardshallthenfollowtheprocedureofsubsection(c)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 9880 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 9881 | | - | (g)Inadditiontotheeducationqualitystandardsprovidedinsubsection |
|---|
| 9882 | | - | (a)ofthissection,eachVermontschooldistrictshallmeettheschooldistrict |
|---|
| 9883 | | - | qualitystandardsadoptedbyruleoftheAgencyofEducationregardingthe |
|---|
| 9884 | | - | business,facilitiesmanagement,andgovernancepracticesofschooldistricts. |
|---|
| 9885 | | - | Thesestandardsshallincludeaprocessforschooldistrictqualityreviewstobe |
|---|
| 9886 | | - | conductedbytheAgencyofEducation.Annually,theSecretaryshallpublish |
|---|
| 9887 | | - | metricsregardingtheoutcomesofschooldistrictqualityreviews. |
|---|
| 9888 | | - | Sec.5.FAILURETOCOMPLYWITHEDUCATIONQUALITY |
|---|
| 9889 | | - | STANDARDS;STATEBOARDACTION |
|---|
| 9890 | | - | Notwithstanding16V.S.A.§ 165(b)(4)and(5)andanyotherprovisionof |
|---|
| 9891 | | - | lawtothecontrary,theStateBoardshallbeprohibitedfromorderingschool BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9892 | | - | 2025 Page274of415 |
|---|
| 9893 | | - | districtconsolidationorschoolconsolidationifaschoolfailstocomplywith |
|---|
| 9894 | | - | classsizeminimumeducationqualitystandardsandtheresultingconsolidation |
|---|
| 9895 | | - | wouldresultinschoolconstructioncostsinexcessoftheapplicabledistrict’s |
|---|
| 9896 | | - | capitalreserveaccountuntiltheGeneralAssemblyestablishesnewschool |
|---|
| 9897 | | - | districtboundariesandtakesfurtheractionregardingtheconsequencesfor |
|---|
| 9898 | | - | failuretomeeteducationqualitystandards. |
|---|
| 9899 | | - | Sec.6.STATEBOARDOFEDUCATION;RULES;REPORT |
|---|
| 9900 | | - | (a)Rules. |
|---|
| 9901 | | - | (1)TheStateBoardofEducationshallinitiaterulemakingtoamendthe |
|---|
| 9902 | | - | EducationQualityStandardsrule2000series,AgencyofEducation, |
|---|
| 9903 | | - | EducationQualityStandards(22-000-003),pursuantto3V.S.A.chapter25: |
|---|
| 9904 | | - | (A)onorbeforeAugust1,2026,toensurecompliancewiththeclass |
|---|
| 9905 | | - | sizeminimumstandardssetpursuantto16V.S.A.§ 165(a)(9);and |
|---|
| 9906 | | - | (B)onorbeforeJuly1,2027,toadoptstandardsforstatewide |
|---|
| 9907 | | - | proficiency-basedgraduationrequirementsbasedonstandardsadoptedbythe |
|---|
| 9908 | | - | StateBoardandrecommendationsfromtheAgencyofEducation,whichshall |
|---|
| 9909 | | - | takeeffectbeginninginthe2027–2028schoolyearforthegraduatingclassof |
|---|
| 9910 | | - | 2031andeverygraduatingclassthereafter. |
|---|
| 9911 | | - | (2)OnorbeforeAugust1,2026,theStateBoardofEducationshall |
|---|
| 9912 | | - | initiaterulemakingtoamendtheapprovedindependentschoolrule2200 |
|---|
| 9913 | | - | series,AgencyofEducation,IndependentSchoolProgramApproval(22-000- BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9914 | | - | 2025 Page275of415 |
|---|
| 9915 | | - | 004),pursuantto3V.S.A.chapter25,torequireapprovedindependentschools |
|---|
| 9916 | | - | thatintendtoacceptpublictuitiontocomplywiththeclasssizeminimum |
|---|
| 9917 | | - | standardssetpursuantto16V.S.A.§ 165(a)(9).Theamendmentsshallalso |
|---|
| 9918 | | - | createaprocessforreviewbytheStateBoardforfailuretomeettheclasssize |
|---|
| 9919 | | - | minimumrequirementsandthecorrespondingactionstheBoardmaytakefor |
|---|
| 9920 | | - | suchnoncompliance;provided,however,thattheBoardshallprovidean |
|---|
| 9921 | | - | approvedindependentschoolasubstantiallysimilaropportunitytocomeinto |
|---|
| 9922 | | - | compliancewithclasssizeminimumstandardsthatitwouldprovidetoa |
|---|
| 9923 | | - | publicschool. |
|---|
| 9924 | | - | (b)Report.OnorbeforeDecember1,2025,theStateBoardofEducation |
|---|
| 9925 | | - | shallsubmitawrittenreporttotheHouseandSenateCommitteeson |
|---|
| 9926 | | - | Educationwithproposedstandardsforschoolstobedeemed“smallby |
|---|
| 9927 | | - | necessity.” |
|---|
| 9928 | | - | Sec.7.SCHOOLSIZE;INTENT |
|---|
| 9929 | | - | (a)ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblytoencouragetheefficientuseof |
|---|
| 9930 | | - | publicfundstomodernizeschoolinfrastructuretodeliveridentified21st |
|---|
| 9931 | | - | centuryeducationalgoals. |
|---|
| 9932 | | - | (b)ItisfurthertheintentoftheGeneralAssemblythateachpublicschool |
|---|
| 9933 | | - | operatinggradessixthrough12,orsomesubsetofthosegrades,shallhavea |
|---|
| 9934 | | - | minimumaveragedailymembershipofatleast450students,atleastinpartby |
|---|
| 9935 | | - | providingarobustStateaidforschoolconstructionprogramthatisdrivenby BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9936 | | - | 2025 Page276of415 |
|---|
| 9937 | | - | standardsforqualityforpublicschools,geographicaccessibility,statewide |
|---|
| 9938 | | - | enrollmenttrends,andcapacityandscalethatsupportsubstantiallyequal |
|---|
| 9939 | | - | educationalopportunitiesforallVermontstudents. |
|---|
| 9940 | | - | Sec.8.PROHIBITIONONSCHOOLCLOSUREANDTRANSITIONTO |
|---|
| 9941 | | - | PAYINGTUITION |
|---|
| 9942 | | - | Notwithstandinganyprovisionoflawtothecontrary,aschooldistrictshall |
|---|
| 9943 | | - | beprohibitedfromclosinganexistingpublicschoolandthenprovidingforthe |
|---|
| 9944 | | - | educationofitsresidentstudentsbypayingtuitionforitsstudentstoattenda |
|---|
| 9945 | | - | publicorapprovedindependentschoolchosenbytheparentsofthedistrict’s |
|---|
| 9946 | | - | students.Ifaschooldistrictthatclosesanexistingpublicschoolisunableto |
|---|
| 9947 | | - | providefortheeducationofitsaffectedresidentstudentsinadifferentschool |
|---|
| 9948 | | - | orschoolsoperatedbythedistrict,theschooldistrictshallprovideforthe |
|---|
| 9949 | | - | educationofitsresidentstudentsbydesignatingthreeorfewerpublicschools |
|---|
| 9950 | | - | toserveasthepublicschoolorschoolsofthedistrict.Notwithstandingany |
|---|
| 9951 | | - | provisionoflawtothecontrary,ifdesignationisrequiredpursuanttothis |
|---|
| 9952 | | - | section,thedesignationprocesscontainedin16V.S.A.§ 827shallapplyto |
|---|
| 9953 | | - | schoolsoperatinggradeskindergartenthroughgrade12,oranysubsetof |
|---|
| 9954 | | - | gradestherein. |
|---|
| 9955 | | - | Sec.9.16V.S.A.§ 3440isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 9956 | | - | § 3440.STATEMENTOFPOLICY BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 9957 | | - | 2025 Page277of415 |
|---|
| 9958 | | - | Itistheintentofthischaptertoencouragetheefficientuseofpublicfunds |
|---|
| 9959 | | - | tomodernizeschoolinfrastructureinalignmentwithcurrenteducational |
|---|
| 9960 | | - | needs.Schoolconstructionprojectssupportedbythischaptershouldbe |
|---|
| 9961 | | - | developedtakingconsiderationofstandardsofqualityforpublicschoolsunder |
|---|
| 9962 | | - | section165ofthistitleandprioritizingcost,geographicaccessibility,21st |
|---|
| 9963 | | - | centuryeducationfacilitiesstandards,statewideenrollmenttrends,and |
|---|
| 9964 | | - | capacityandscalethatsupportbesteducationalpractices.Further,itisthe |
|---|
| 9965 | | - | intentofthischaptertoencouragetheuseofexistinginfrastructuretomeetthe |
|---|
| 9966 | | - | needsofVermontstudents.Jointconstructionprojectsbetweentwoormore |
|---|
| 9967 | | - | schooldistrictsandconsolidationofbuildingswithinadistrictwherefeasible |
|---|
| 9968 | | - | andeducationallyappropriateareencouraged. |
|---|
| 9969 | | - | Sec.10.16V.S.A.§ 3442isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 9970 | | - | § 3442.STATEAIDFORSCHOOLCONSTRUCTIONPROGRAM |
|---|
| 9971 | | - | TheAgencyofEducationshallberesponsibleforimplementingtheState |
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| 9972 | | - | AidforSchoolConstructionProgramaccordingtotheprovisionsofthis |
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| 9973 | | - | chapter.TheAgencyshallberesponsiblefor: |
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| 9974 | | - | (1)reviewingallpreliminaryapplicationsforStateschoolconstruction |
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| 9975 | | - | aidandissuinganapprovalordenialinaccordancewithsection3445ofthis |
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| 9976 | | - | chapter; |
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| 9977 | | - | (2)adoptingrulespursuantto3V.S.A.chapter25pertainingtoschool |
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| 9978 | | - | constructionandcapitaloutlay,includingrulestospecifyapointprioritization BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 9979 | | - | 2025 Page278of415 |
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| 9980 | | - | methodologyandabonusincentivestructurealignedwiththelegislativeintent |
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| 9981 | | - | expressedinsection3440ofthistitle; |
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| 9982 | | - | (3)includingaspartofitsbudgetsubmittedtotheGovernorpursuantto |
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| 9983 | | - | subdivision212(21)ofthistitleitsannualschoolconstructionfundingrequest; |
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| 9984 | | - | (4)developingaprequalificationandreviewprocessforprojectdelivery |
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| 9985 | | - | consultantsandarchitectureandengineeringfirmsspecializingin |
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| 9986 | | - | prekindergartenthroughgrade12schooldesign,renovation,orconstruction |
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| 9987 | | - | andmaintainingalistofsuchprequalifiedfirmsandconsultants; |
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| 9988 | | - | (5)providingtechnicalassistanceandguidancetoschooldistrictsand |
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| 9989 | | - | supervisoryunionsonallphasesofschoolcapitalprojects; |
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| 9990 | | - | (6)providingtechnicaladviceandassistance,training,andeducation |
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| 9991 | | - | toschooldistricts,supervisoryunions,generalcontractors,subcontractors, |
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| 9992 | | - | constructionorprojectmanagers,designers,andothervendorsinthe |
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| 9993 | | - | planning,maintenance,andestablishmentofschoolfacilityspace; |
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| 9994 | | - | (7)maintainingacurrentlistofschoolconstructionprojectsthathave |
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| 9995 | | - | receivedpreliminaryapproval,projectsthathavereceivedfinalapproval,and |
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| 9996 | | - | theprioritypointsawardedtoeachproject; |
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| 9997 | | - | (8)collecting,maintaining,andmakingpubliclyavailablequarterly |
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| 9998 | | - | progressreportsofallongoingschoolconstructionprojectsthatshallinclude, |
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| 9999 | | - | ataminimum,thecostsoftheprojectandthetimescheduleoftheproject; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 10000 | | - | 2025 Page279of415 |
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| 10001 | | - | (9)recommendingpoliciesandproceduresdesignedtoreduce |
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| 10002 | | - | borrowingforschoolconstructionprogramsatbothStateandlocallevels; |
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| 10003 | | - | (10)conductinganeedssurveyatleasteveryfiveyearstoascertainthe |
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| 10004 | | - | capitalconstruction,reconstruction,maintenance,andothercapitalneedsfor |
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| 10005 | | - | allpublicschoolsandmaintainingsuchdatainapubliclyaccessibleformat; |
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| 10006 | | - | (11)developingaformalenrollmentprojectionmodelorusing |
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| 10007 | | - | projectionmodelsalreadyavailable; |
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| 10008 | | - | (12)encouragingschooldistrictsandsupervisoryunionstoinvestigate |
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| 10009 | | - | opportunitiesforthemaximumutilizationofspaceinandaroundthedistrict |
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| 10010 | | - | orsupervisoryunion; |
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| 10011 | | - | (13)collectingandmaintainingaclearinghouseofprototypicalschool |
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| 10012 | | - | plans,asappropriate,thatmaybeconsultedbyeligibleapplicants; |
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| 10013 | | - | (14)retainingtheservicesofconsultants,asnecessary,toeffectuatethe |
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| 10014 | | - | rolesandresponsibilitieslistedwithinthissection;and |
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| 10015 | | - | (15)notwithstanding2V.S.A.§ 20(d),annuallyonorbeforeDecember |
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| 10016 | | - | 15,submittingawrittenreporttotheGeneralAssemblyregardingthestatus |
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| 10017 | | - | andimplementationoftheStateAidforSchoolConstructionProgram, |
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| 10018 | | - | includingthedatarequiredtobecollectedpursuanttothissection. |
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| 10019 | | - | Sec.11.16V.S.A.§ 3443isaddedtoread: |
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| 10020 | | - | § 3443.STATEAIDFORSCHOOLCONSTRUCTIONADVISORY |
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| 10021 | | - | BOARD BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 10022 | | - | 2025 Page280of415 |
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| 10023 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereisherebycreatedtheStateAidforSchoolConstruction |
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| 10024 | | - | AdvisoryBoard,whichshalladvisetheAgencyontheimplementationofthe |
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| 10025 | | - | StateAidforSchoolConstructionPrograminaccordancewiththeprovisions |
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| 10026 | | - | ofthischapter,includingtheadoptionofrules,settingofstatewidepriorities, |
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| 10027 | | - | criteriaforprojectapproval,andrecommendationsforprojectapprovaland |
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| 10028 | | - | prioritization. |
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| 10029 | | - | (b)Membership. |
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| 10030 | | - | (1)Composition.TheBoardshallbecomposedofthefollowingeight |
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| 10031 | | - | members: |
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| 10032 | | - | (A)fourmemberswhoshallserveasexofficiomembers: |
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| 10033 | | - | (i)theStateTreasurerordesignee; |
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| 10034 | | - | (ii)theCommissionerofBuildingsandGeneralServicesor |
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| 10035 | | - | designee; |
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| 10036 | | - | (iii)theExecutiveDirectoroftheVermontBondBankor |
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| 10037 | | - | designee;and |
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| 10038 | | - | (iv)theChairoftheStateBoardofEducationordesignee;and |
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| 10039 | | - | (B)fourmembers,noneofwhomshallbeacurrentmemberofthe |
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| 10040 | | - | GeneralAssembly,whoshallservefour-yeartermsasfollows: |
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| 10041 | | - | (i)twomembers,appointedbytheSpeakeroftheHouse,eachof |
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| 10042 | | - | whomshallhaveexpertiseineducationorconstruction,realestate,orfinance |
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| 10043 | | - | andoneofwhomshallrepresentasupervisoryunion;and BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 10044 | | - | 2025 Page281of415 |
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| 10045 | | - | (ii)twomembers,appointedbytheCommitteeonCommittees, |
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| 10046 | | - | eachofwhomshallhaveexpertiseineducationorconstruction,realestate,or |
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| 10047 | | - | financeandoneofwhomshallbeaneducator. |
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| 10048 | | - | (2)Memberswithfour-yearterms. |
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| 10049 | | - | (A)Amemberwithatermlimitshallserveatermoffouryearsand |
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| 10050 | | - | untilasuccessorisappointed.AtermshallbeginonJanuary1oftheyearof |
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| 10051 | | - | appointmentandrunthroughDecember31ofthelastyearoftheterm.Terms |
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| 10052 | | - | ofthesemembersshallbestaggeredsothatnotalltermsexpireatthesame |
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| 10053 | | - | time. |
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| 10054 | | - | (B)Avacancycreatedbeforetheexpirationofatermshallbefilled |
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| 10055 | | - | inthesamemannerastheoriginalappointmentfortheunexpiredportionof |
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| 10056 | | - | theterm. |
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| 10057 | | - | (C)Amemberwithatermlimitshallnotservemorethantwo |
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| 10058 | | - | consecutiveterms.Amemberappointedtofillavacancycreatedbeforethe |
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| 10059 | | - | expirationofatermshallnotbedeemedtohaveservedatermforthepurpose |
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| 10060 | | - | ofthissubdivision(C). |
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| 10061 | | - | (c)Duties.TheBoardshalladvisetheAgencyontheimplementationof |
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| 10062 | | - | theStateAidforSchoolConstructionPrograminaccordancewiththe |
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| 10063 | | - | provisionsofthischapter,including: |
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| 10064 | | - | (1)rulespertainingtoschoolconstructionandcapitaloutlay; |
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| 10065 | | - | (2)projectpriorities; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 10066 | | - | 2025 Page282of415 |
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| 10067 | | - | (3)proposedlegislationtheBoarddeemsdesirableornecessaryrelated |
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| 10068 | | - | totheStateAidforSchoolConstructionProgram,theprovisionsofthis |
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| 10069 | | - | chapter,andanyrelatedlaws; |
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| 10070 | | - | (4)policiesandproceduresdesignedtoreduceborrowingforschool |
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| 10071 | | - | constructionprogramsatbothStateandlocallevels; |
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| 10072 | | - | (5)developmentofaformalenrollmentprojectionmodelorthe |
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| 10073 | | - | considerationofusingprojectionmodelsalreadyavailable; |
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| 10074 | | - | (6)processesandproceduresnecessarytoapplyfor,receive,administer, |
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| 10075 | | - | andcomplywiththeconditionsandrequirementsofanygrant,gift, |
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| 10076 | | - | appropriationofproperty,services,ormonies; |
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| 10077 | | - | (7)thecollectionandmaintenanceofaclearinghouseofprototypical |
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| 10078 | | - | schoolplansthatmaybeconsultedbyeligibleapplicantsandrecommended |
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| 10079 | | - | incentivestoutilizesuchprototypes; |
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| 10080 | | - | (8)thedeterminationofeligiblecostcomponentsofprojectsforfunding |
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| 10081 | | - | orreimbursement,includingpartialorfulleligibilityforprojectcomponents |
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| 10082 | | - | forwhichthebenefitissharedbetweentheschoolandothermunicipaland |
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| 10083 | | - | communityentities; |
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| 10084 | | - | (9)developmentofalong-termvisionforastatewidecapitalplanin |
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| 10085 | | - | accordancewithneedsandprojectedfunding; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 10086 | | - | 2025 Page283of415 |
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| 10087 | | - | (10)collectionandmaintenanceofdataonallpublicschoolfacilitiesin |
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| 10088 | | - | theState,includinginformationonsize,usage,enrollment,availablefacility |
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| 10089 | | - | space,andmaintenance; |
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| 10090 | | - | (11)advisingdistrictsontheuseofaneedssurveytoascertainthe |
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| 10091 | | - | capitalconstruction,reconstruction,maintenance,andothercapitalneedsfor |
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| 10092 | | - | schoolsacrosstheState;and |
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| 10093 | | - | (12)encouragingschooldistrictsandsupervisoryunionstoinvestigate |
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| 10094 | | - | opportunitiesforthemaximumutilizationofspaceinandaroundthedistrict |
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| 10095 | | - | orsupervisoryunion. |
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| 10096 | | - | (d)Meetings. |
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| 10097 | | - | (1)TheChairoftheStateBoardofEducationshallcallthefirst |
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| 10098 | | - | meetingoftheBoardtooccuronorbeforeSeptember1,2025. |
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| 10099 | | - | (2)TheBoardshallselectachairfromamongitsmembersatthefirst |
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| 10100 | | - | meeting. |
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| 10101 | | - | (3)Amajorityofthemembershipshallconstituteaquorum. |
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| 10102 | | - | (4)TheBoardshallmeetnotmorethansixtimesperyear. |
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| 10103 | | - | (e)Assistance.TheBoardshallhavetheadministrative,technical,and |
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| 10104 | | - | legalassistanceoftheAgencyofEducation. |
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| 10105 | | - | (f)Compensationandreimbursement.MembersoftheBoardshallbe |
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| 10106 | | - | entitledtoperdiemcompensationandreimbursementofexpensesaspermitted |
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| 10107 | | - | under32V.S.A.§ 1010fornotmorethansixmeetingsperyear. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 10108 | | - | 2025 Page284of415 |
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| 10109 | | - | (g)Report.OnorbeforeDecember15,2025,theBoardshallsubmita |
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| 10110 | | - | writtenreporttotheHouseCommitteesonEducationandonWaysandMeans |
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| 10111 | | - | andtheSenateCommitteesonEducationandonFinanceonrecommendations |
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| 10112 | | - | foraddressingthetransferofanydebtobligationsfromcurrentschooldistricts |
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| 10113 | | - | tofutureschooldistrictsascontemplatedbyVermont’seducation |
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| 10114 | | - | transformation. |
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| 10115 | | - | Sec.12.PROSPECTIVEREPEALOFSTATEAIDFORSCHOOL |
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| 10116 | | - | CONSTRUCTIONADVISORYBOARD |
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| 10117 | | - | 16V.S.A.§ 3443(StateAidforSchoolConstructionAdvisoryBoard)is |
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| 10118 | | - | repealedonJuly1,2035. |
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| 10119 | | - | Sec.13.16V.S.A.§ 3444isaddedtoread: |
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| 10120 | | - | § 3444.SCHOOLCONSTRUCTIONAIDSPECIALFUND |
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| 10121 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereiscreatedtheSchoolConstructionAidSpecialFund, |
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| 10122 | | - | tobeadministeredbytheAgencyofEducation.MoniesintheFundshallbe |
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| 10123 | | - | usedforthepurposesof: |
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| 10124 | | - | (1)awardingaidtoschoolconstructionprojectsundersection3445of |
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| 10125 | | - | thistitle; |
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| 10126 | | - | (2)awardinggrantsthroughtheFacilitiesMasterPlanGrantProgram |
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| 10127 | | - | establishedinsection3441ofthistitle; |
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| 10128 | | - | (3)fundingadministrativecostsoftheStateAidforSchoolConstruction |
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| 10129 | | - | Program;and BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 10130 | | - | 2025 Page285of415 |
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| 10131 | | - | (4)awardingemergencyaidundersection3445ofthistitle. |
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| 10132 | | - | (b)Funds.TheFundshallconsistof: |
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| 10133 | | - | (1)anyamountstransferredorappropriatedtoitbytheGeneral |
|---|
| 10134 | | - | Assembly; |
|---|
| 10135 | | - | (2)anyamountsdepositedintheFundfromtheSupplementalDistrict |
|---|
| 10136 | | - | SpendingReserve;and |
|---|
| 10137 | | - | (3)anyinterestearnedbytheFund. |
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| 10138 | | - | Sec.14.16V.S.A.§ 3445isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 10139 | | - | § 3445.APPROVALANDFUNDINGOFSCHOOLCONSTRUCTION |
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| 10140 | | - | PROJECTS |
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| 10141 | | - | (a)Constructionaid. |
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| 10142 | | - | (1)Preliminaryapplicationforconstructionaid.Aschooldistrict |
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| 10143 | | - | eligibleforassistanceundersection3447ofthistitlethatintendstoconstruct |
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| 10144 | | - | orpurchaseanewschool,ormakeextensiveadditionsoralterationstoits |
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| 10145 | | - | existingschool,anddesirestoavailitselfofStateschoolconstructionaidshall |
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| 10146 | | - | submitawrittenpreliminaryapplicationtotheSecretary.Apreliminary |
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| 10147 | | - | applicationshallincludeinformationrequiredbytheAgencybyruleandshall |
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| 10148 | | - | specifytheneedforandpurposeoftheproject. |
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| 10149 | | - | (2)Approvalofpreliminaryapplication. |
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| 10150 | | - | (A)Whenreviewingapreliminaryapplicationforapproval,the |
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| 10151 | | - | Secretaryshallconsider: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
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| 10152 | | - | 2025 Page286of415 |
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| 10153 | | - | (i)regionaleducationalopportunitiesandneeds,includingschool |
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| 10154 | | - | buildingcapacitiesacrossschooldistrictboundaries,andavailable |
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| 10155 | | - | infrastructureinneighboringcommunities; |
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| 10156 | | - | (ii)economicefficiencies; |
|---|
| 10157 | | - | (iii)thesuitabilityofanexistingschoolbuildingtocontinueto |
|---|
| 10158 | | - | meeteducationalneeds;and |
|---|
| 10159 | | - | (iv)statewideeducationalinitiatives. |
|---|
| 10160 | | - | (B)TheSecretarymayapproveapreliminaryapplicationif: |
|---|
| 10161 | | - | (i)(I)theprojectorpartoftheprojectfulfillsaneedoccasioned |
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| 10162 | | - | by: |
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| 10163 | | - | (aa)conditionsthatthreatenthehealthorsafetyofstudents |
|---|
| 10164 | | - | oremployees; |
|---|
| 10165 | | - | (bb)facilitiesthatareinadequatetoprovideprograms |
|---|
| 10166 | | - | requiredbyStateorfederallaworregulation; |
|---|
| 10167 | | - | (cc)excessiveenergyuseresultingfromthedesignofa |
|---|
| 10168 | | - | buildingorrelianceonfossilfuelsorelectricspaceheat;or |
|---|
| 10169 | | - | (dd)deteriorationofanexistingbuilding;or |
|---|
| 10170 | | - | (II)theprojectresultsinconsolidationoftwoormoreschool |
|---|
| 10171 | | - | buildingsandwillservetheeducationalneedsofstudentsinamorecost- |
|---|
| 10172 | | - | effectiveandeducationallyappropriatemannerascomparedtoindividual |
|---|
| 10173 | | - | projectsconstructedseparately; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10174 | | - | 2025 Page287of415 |
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| 10175 | | - | (ii)theneedaddressedbytheprojectcannotreasonablybemetby |
|---|
| 10176 | | - | anothermeans; |
|---|
| 10177 | | - | (iii)theproposedtype,kind,quality,size,andestimatedcostof |
|---|
| 10178 | | - | theprojectaresuitablefortheproposedcurriculumandmeetalllegal |
|---|
| 10179 | | - | standards; |
|---|
| 10180 | | - | (iv)theapplicantachievesthelevelof“proficiency”intheschool |
|---|
| 10181 | | - | districtqualitystandardsregardingfacilitiesmanagementadoptedbyruleby |
|---|
| 10182 | | - | theAgency;and |
|---|
| 10183 | | - | (v)theapplicanthascompletedafacilitiesmasterplanning |
|---|
| 10184 | | - | processthat: |
|---|
| 10185 | | - | (I)engagesrobustcommunityinvolvement; |
|---|
| 10186 | | - | (II)considersregionalsolutions; |
|---|
| 10187 | | - | (III)evaluatesenvironmentalcontaminants;and |
|---|
| 10188 | | - | (IV)producesafacilitiesmasterplanthatunitesthe |
|---|
| 10189 | | - | applicant’svisionstatement,educationalneeds,enrollmentprojections, |
|---|
| 10190 | | - | renovationneeds,andconstructionprojects. |
|---|
| 10191 | | - | (3)Priorities.Followingapprovalofapreliminaryapplicationand |
|---|
| 10192 | | - | providedthatthedistricthasvotedfundsorauthorizedabondforthetotal |
|---|
| 10193 | | - | estimatedcostofaproject,theAgency,withtheadviceoftheStateAidfor |
|---|
| 10194 | | - | SchoolConstructionAdvisoryBoard,shallassignpointstotheprojectas BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10195 | | - | 2025 Page288of415 |
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| 10196 | | - | prescribedbyruleoftheAgencysothattheprojectcanbeplacedonapriority |
|---|
| 10197 | | - | listbasedonthenumberofpointsreceived. |
|---|
| 10198 | | - | (4)Requestforlegislativeappropriation.TheAgencyshallsubmitits |
|---|
| 10199 | | - | annualschoolconstructionfundingrequesttotheGovernoraspartofits |
|---|
| 10200 | | - | budgetpursuanttosubdivision212(21)ofthistitle.Followingsubmissionof |
|---|
| 10201 | | - | theGovernor’srecommendedbudgettotheGeneralAssemblypursuantto |
|---|
| 10202 | | - | 32 V.S.A.§ 306,theHouseCommitteeonEducationandtheSenateCommittee |
|---|
| 10203 | | - | onEducationshallrecommendatotalschoolconstructionappropriationfor |
|---|
| 10204 | | - | thenextfiscalyeartotheGeneralAssembly. |
|---|
| 10205 | | - | (5)Finalapprovalforconstructionaid. |
|---|
| 10206 | | - | (A)UnlessapprovedbytheSecretaryforgoodcauseinadvanceof |
|---|
| 10207 | | - | commencementofconstruction,aschooldistrictshallnotbeginconstruction |
|---|
| 10208 | | - | beforetheSecretaryapprovesafinalapplication.Aschooldistrictmaysubmit |
|---|
| 10209 | | - | awrittenfinalapplicationtotheSecretaryatanytimefollowingapprovalofa |
|---|
| 10210 | | - | preliminaryapplication. |
|---|
| 10211 | | - | (B)TheSecretarymayapproveafinalapplicationforaproject |
|---|
| 10212 | | - | providedthat: |
|---|
| 10213 | | - | (i)theprojecthasreceivedpreliminaryapproval; |
|---|
| 10214 | | - | (ii)thedistricthasvotedfundsorauthorizedabondforthetotal |
|---|
| 10215 | | - | estimatedcostoftheproject; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10216 | | - | 2025 Page289of415 |
|---|
| 10217 | | - | (iii)thedistricthasmadearrangementsforprojectconstruction |
|---|
| 10218 | | - | supervisionbypersonscompetentinthebuildingtrades; |
|---|
| 10219 | | - | (iv)thedistricthasprovidedforconstructionfinancingofthe |
|---|
| 10220 | | - | projectduringaperiodprescribedbytheAgency; |
|---|
| 10221 | | - | (v)theprojecthasotherwisemettherequirementsofthischapter; |
|---|
| 10222 | | - | (vi)iftheproposedprojectincludesaplayground,theproject |
|---|
| 10223 | | - | includesarequirementthatthedesignandconstructionofplayground |
|---|
| 10224 | | - | equipmentfollowtheguidelinessetforthintheU.S.ConsumerProductSafety |
|---|
| 10225 | | - | CommissionHandbookforPublicPlaygroundSafety;and |
|---|
| 10226 | | - | (vii)ifthetotalestimatedcostoftheproposedprojectislessthan |
|---|
| 10227 | | - | $50,000.00,noperformancebondorirrevocableletterofcreditshallbe |
|---|
| 10228 | | - | required. |
|---|
| 10229 | | - | (C)TheSecretarymayprovidethatagrantforahighschoolproject |
|---|
| 10230 | | - | isconditionedupontheagreementoftherecipienttoprovidehighschool |
|---|
| 10231 | | - | instructionforanyhighschoolpupillivinginanareaprescribedbythe |
|---|
| 10232 | | - | Agencywhomayelecttoattendtheschool. |
|---|
| 10233 | | - | (D)Adistrictmaybeginconstructionuponreceiptoffinalapproval. |
|---|
| 10234 | | - | However,adistrictshallnotbereimbursedfordebtincurredduetoborrowing |
|---|
| 10235 | | - | offundsinanticipationofaidunderthissection. |
|---|
| 10236 | | - | (6)Awardofconstructionaid. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10237 | | - | 2025 Page290of415 |
|---|
| 10238 | | - | (A)Thebaseamountofanawardshallbe20percentoftheeligible |
|---|
| 10239 | | - | debtservicecostofaproject.Projectsareeligibleforadditionalbonus |
|---|
| 10240 | | - | incentivesasspecifiedinruleforuptoanadditional20percentoftheeligible |
|---|
| 10241 | | - | debtservicecost.Amountsshallbeawardedannually. |
|---|
| 10242 | | - | (B)Asusedinsubdivision(A)ofthissubdivision(6),“eligibledebt |
|---|
| 10243 | | - | servicecost”ofaprojectmeanstheproductofthelifetimecostofthebond |
|---|
| 10244 | | - | authorizedfortheprojectandtheratiooftheapprovedcostofaprojecttothe |
|---|
| 10245 | | - | totalcostoftheproject. |
|---|
| 10246 | | - | (b)Emergencyaid.Notwithstandinganyotherprovisionofthissection, |
|---|
| 10247 | | - | theSecretarymaygrantaidforaprojecttheSecretarydeemstobean |
|---|
| 10248 | | - | emergencyintheamountof30percentofeligibleprojectcosts,uptoa |
|---|
| 10249 | | - | maximumeligibletotalprojectcostof$300,000.00. |
|---|
| 10250 | | - | Sec.15.16V.S.A.§ 3446isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 10251 | | - | § 3446.APPEAL |
|---|
| 10252 | | - | Anymunicipalcorporationasdefinedinsection3447ofthistitleaggrieved |
|---|
| 10253 | | - | byanorder,allocation,orawardoftheAgencyofEducationmay,within30 |
|---|
| 10254 | | - | days,appealtotheSuperiorCourtinthecountyinwhichtheprojectis |
|---|
| 10255 | | - | located. |
|---|
| 10256 | | - | Sec.16.TRANSFEROFRULEMAKINGAUTHORITY;TRANSFEROF |
|---|
| 10257 | | - | RULES BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10258 | | - | 2025 Page291of415 |
|---|
| 10259 | | - | (a)ThestatutoryauthoritytoadoptrulesbytheStateBoardofEducation |
|---|
| 10260 | | - | pertainingtoschoolconstructionandcapitaloutlayadoptedunder16V.S.A. |
|---|
| 10261 | | - | § 3448(e)and3V.S.A.chapter25istransferredfromtheStateBoardof |
|---|
| 10262 | | - | EducationtotheAgencyofEducation. |
|---|
| 10263 | | - | (b)Allrulespertainingtoschoolconstructionandcapitaloutlayadopted |
|---|
| 10264 | | - | bytheStateBoardofEducationunder3V.S.A.chapter25priortoJuly1, |
|---|
| 10265 | | - | 2026shallbedeemedtherulesoftheAgencyofEducationandremainin |
|---|
| 10266 | | - | effectuntilamendedorrepealedbytheAgencyofEducationpursuantto3 |
|---|
| 10267 | | - | V.S.A.chapter25. |
|---|
| 10268 | | - | (c)TheAgencyofEducationshallprovidenoticeofthetransfertothe |
|---|
| 10269 | | - | SecretaryofStateandtheLegislativeCommitteeonAdministrativeRulesin |
|---|
| 10270 | | - | accordancewith3V.S.A.§ 848(d)(2). |
|---|
| 10271 | | - | Sec.17.REPEALS |
|---|
| 10272 | | - | (a)16V.S.A.§ 3448(approvaloffundingofschoolconstructionprojects; |
|---|
| 10273 | | - | renewableenergy)isrepealedonJuly1,2026. |
|---|
| 10274 | | - | (b)16V.S.A.§ 3448a(appeal)isrepealedonJuly1,2026. |
|---|
| 10275 | | - | Sec.18.16V.S.A.§ 828isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 10276 | | - | § 828.TUITIONTOAPPROVEDSCHOOLS;AGE;APPEAL |
|---|
| 10277 | | - | (a)Aschooldistrictshallnotpaythetuitionofastudentexceptto: |
|---|
| 10278 | | - | (1)apublicschool,locatedinVermont; |
|---|
| 10279 | | - | (2)anapprovedindependentschool,that: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10280 | | - | 2025 Page292of415 |
|---|
| 10281 | | - | (A)islocatedinVermont; |
|---|
| 10282 | | - | (B)isapprovedundersection166ofthistitleonorbeforeJuly1, |
|---|
| 10283 | | - | 2025; |
|---|
| 10284 | | - | (C)hasatleast51percentofitsstudentenrollmentcomposedof |
|---|
| 10285 | | - | studentsattendingonadistrict-fundedtuitionbasispursuanttochapter21of |
|---|
| 10286 | | - | thistitleduringthe2024–2025schoolyear;and |
|---|
| 10287 | | - | (D)complieswiththeminimumclasssizerequirementscontainedin |
|---|
| 10288 | | - | subdivision165(a)(9)ofthistitleandStateBoardrule;provided,however,that |
|---|
| 10289 | | - | ifaschoolisunabletocomplywiththeclasssizeminimumstandardsdueto |
|---|
| 10290 | | - | geographicisolationoraschoolhasdevelopedanimplementationplanto |
|---|
| 10291 | | - | meettheclasssizeminimumrequirements,theschoolmayasktheStateBoard |
|---|
| 10292 | | - | tograntitawaiverfromthissubdivision(D),whichdecisionshallbefinal; |
|---|
| 10293 | | - | (3)anindependentschoolmeetingeducationqualitystandards,; |
|---|
| 10294 | | - | (4)atutorialprogramapprovedbytheStateBoard,; |
|---|
| 10295 | | - | (5)anapprovededucationprogram,or; |
|---|
| 10296 | | - | (6)anindependentschoolinanotherstateorcountryapprovedunder |
|---|
| 10297 | | - | thelawsofthatstateorcountry,thatcomplieswiththereportingrequirement |
|---|
| 10298 | | - | undersubsection4010(c)ofthistitle,apublicschoollocatedinanotherstate; |
|---|
| 10299 | | - | or BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10300 | | - | 2025 Page293of415 |
|---|
| 10301 | | - | (7)atherapeuticapprovedindependentschoollocatedinVermontor |
|---|
| 10302 | | - | anotherstateorcountrythatisapprovedunderthelawsofthatstateor |
|---|
| 10303 | | - | country. |
|---|
| 10304 | | - | (b)norshallpaymentPaymentoftuitiononbehalfofapersonshallnotbe |
|---|
| 10305 | | - | deniedonaccountofage. |
|---|
| 10306 | | - | (c)Unlessotherwiseprovided,apersonwhoisaggrievedbyadecisionof |
|---|
| 10307 | | - | aschoolboardrelatingtoeligibilityfortuitionpayments,theamountoftuition |
|---|
| 10308 | | - | payable,ortheschoolthepersonmayattend,mayappealtotheStateBoard |
|---|
| 10309 | | - | anditsdecisionshallbefinal. |
|---|
| 10310 | | - | (d)Asusedinthissection,“therapeuticapprovedindependentschool” |
|---|
| 10311 | | - | meansanapprovedindependentschoolthatlimitsenrollmentforpublicly |
|---|
| 10312 | | - | fundedstudentsresidinginVermonttostudentswhoareonanindividualized |
|---|
| 10313 | | - | educationprogramorplanunderSection504oftheRehabilitationActof |
|---|
| 10314 | | - | 1973,29U.S.C.§ 794,orwhoareenrolledpursuanttoawrittenagreement |
|---|
| 10315 | | - | betweenalocaleducationagencyandtheschoolorpursuanttoacourtorder. |
|---|
| 10316 | | - | Sec.19.TUITIONTRANSITION |
|---|
| 10317 | | - | Aschooldistrictthatpaystuitionpursuanttotheprovisionsof16V.S.A. |
|---|
| 10318 | | - | chapter21ineffectonJune30,2025shallcontinuetopaytuitiononbehalfof |
|---|
| 10319 | | - | aresidentstudentenrolledforthe2024–2025schoolyearinorwhohasbeen |
|---|
| 10320 | | - | acceptedforenrollmentforthe2025–2026schoolyearbyanapproved BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10321 | | - | 2025 Page294of415 |
|---|
| 10322 | | - | independentschoolsubjecttotheprovisionsof16V.S.A.§ 828ineffecton |
|---|
| 10323 | | - | June30,2025,untilsuchtimeasthestudentgraduatesfromthatschool. |
|---|
| 10324 | | - | ***StatewideCohesion*** |
|---|
| 10325 | | - | Sec.20.STATEWIDECOHESION;INTENT |
|---|
| 10326 | | - | ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblytoconsolidatestructuresand |
|---|
| 10327 | | - | systemsthatarefoundationaltotheadministrationofeducation. |
|---|
| 10328 | | - | Sec.21.AGENCYOFEDUCATION;SCHOOLCALENDAR; |
|---|
| 10329 | | - | GRADUATIONREQUIREMENTS;REPORT |
|---|
| 10330 | | - | (a)Statewidegraduationrequirements.OnorbeforeJanuary1,2026,the |
|---|
| 10331 | | - | AgencyofEducationshallrecommendtotheStateBoardofEducation |
|---|
| 10332 | | - | standardsforstatewideproficiency-basedgraduationrequirementsbasedon |
|---|
| 10333 | | - | standardsadoptedbytheStateBoard. |
|---|
| 10334 | | - | (b)Statewideschoolcalendar. |
|---|
| 10335 | | - | (1)OnorbeforeJanuary15,2027,theSecretaryofEducationshall |
|---|
| 10336 | | - | developandpublishastatewidecalendarforthepublicschoolsoftheState, |
|---|
| 10337 | | - | includingcareerandtechnicalcenters,thatshallbeineffectinthe |
|---|
| 10338 | | - | 2028–2029academicyearandafter. |
|---|
| 10339 | | - | (2)OnorbeforeJanuary15,2027,theSecretaryshallpresenttothe |
|---|
| 10340 | | - | HouseandSenateCommitteesonEducationalistofthestatutoryamendments |
|---|
| 10341 | | - | necessarytoeffecttheintentofthissubsection. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10342 | | - | 2025 Page295of415 |
|---|
| 10343 | | - | (c)Report.OnorbeforeDecember1,2025,theAgencyofEducationshall |
|---|
| 10344 | | - | submitawrittenreportandrecommendedlegislativelanguage,asapplicable, |
|---|
| 10345 | | - | totheHouseandSenateCommitteesonEducationwiththefollowing: |
|---|
| 10346 | | - | (1)Inconsultationwitheducatorsandadministrators,aproposed |
|---|
| 10347 | | - | implementationplanforstatewidefinancialdataandstudentinformation |
|---|
| 10348 | | - | systems. |
|---|
| 10349 | | - | (2)Recommendationsforaschoolconstructiondivisionwithinthe |
|---|
| 10350 | | - | AgencyofEducation,includingpositiondescriptionsandjobdutiesforeach |
|---|
| 10351 | | - | positionwithinthedivision,adetaileddescriptionoftheassistancethe |
|---|
| 10352 | | - | divisionwouldprovidetothefield,andtheoverallroletheAgencywouldplay |
|---|
| 10353 | | - | withinaStateaidtoschoolconstructionprogram. |
|---|
| 10354 | | - | (3)Aprogressreportregardingthedevelopmentofclear,unambiguous |
|---|
| 10355 | | - | guidancethatwouldbeprovidedtoschoolofficialsandschoolboardmembers |
|---|
| 10356 | | - | regardingthebusinessprocessesandtransactionsthatwouldneedtooccurto |
|---|
| 10357 | | - | facilitateschooldistrictmergersintolarger,consolidatedschooldistricts, |
|---|
| 10358 | | - | includingthemergingofdatasystems,assetandliabilitytransfers,andhowto |
|---|
| 10359 | | - | addresscollectivebargainingagreementsforbotheducatorsandstaff.The |
|---|
| 10360 | | - | reportshallincludeadetaileddescriptionofhowtheAgencywillprovide |
|---|
| 10361 | | - | supportandconsolidationassistancetothefieldineachoftheseareasandan |
|---|
| 10362 | | - | estimateofthecostsassociatedwithsuchwork. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10363 | | - | 2025 Page296of415 |
|---|
| 10364 | | - | (4)Inconsultationwithsuperintendents,directorsoftherapeutic |
|---|
| 10365 | | - | independentschools,specialeducationdirectors,and,intheopinionofthe |
|---|
| 10366 | | - | Agency,otherexperts,recommendationsfortheneedforcooperativeeducation |
|---|
| 10367 | | - | servicesandtheoversightoftherapeuticschoolswithintheschoolgovernance |
|---|
| 10368 | | - | frameworkbothataStateandlocallevel. |
|---|
| 10369 | | - | ***State-LevelGovernance*** |
|---|
| 10370 | | - | Sec.22.STATE-LEVELGOVERNANCE;INTENT |
|---|
| 10371 | | - | ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblytoensurethattheStateBoardof |
|---|
| 10372 | | - | Educationistheindependent,transparent,andpublicfacingbodyforpublic |
|---|
| 10373 | | - | educationandtoensuretheBoardmaintainsitsabilityprovideanimportant |
|---|
| 10374 | | - | outletforthepublictoengageintherulemakingprocessandregularlyprovide |
|---|
| 10375 | | - | publiccommentregardingthestateofVermont’seducationsystem. |
|---|
| 10376 | | - | Sec.23.16V.S.A.§ 161isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 10377 | | - | §161.STATEBOARDOFEDUCATION;APPOINTMENTOF |
|---|
| 10378 | | - | MEMBERS;TERM;VACANCY |
|---|
| 10379 | | - | TheStateBoardshallconsistoften10members.Twoofthemembersshall |
|---|
| 10380 | | - | besecondarystudents,oneofwhomshallbeafullmemberandtheotherof |
|---|
| 10381 | | - | whomshallbeajuniormemberwhomaynotvote.AllEightmembers, |
|---|
| 10382 | | - | includingthetwostudentmembers,shallbeappointedbytheGovernorwith |
|---|
| 10383 | | - | theadviceandconsentoftheSenate.Onemembershallbeappointedbythe |
|---|
| 10384 | | - | SpeakeroftheHouseandonemembershallbeappointedbytheSenate BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10385 | | - | 2025 Page297of415 |
|---|
| 10386 | | - | CommitteeonCommittees.Intheappointmentofthenonstudentmembers, |
|---|
| 10387 | | - | priorityshallbegiventotheselectionofpersonswithademonstrated |
|---|
| 10388 | | - | commitmenttoensuringqualityeducationforVermontstudents.Totheextent |
|---|
| 10389 | | - | possible,themembersshallrepresenttheState’sgeographic,gender,racial, |
|---|
| 10390 | | - | andethnicdiversity.TheSecretaryshallserveontheStateBoardasa |
|---|
| 10391 | | - | nonvotingmember. |
|---|
| 10392 | | - | (1)Upontheexpirationoftherespectivetermsofthosemembersofthe |
|---|
| 10393 | | - | Boardpreviouslyappointed,excludingthestudentmembers,theGovernor |
|---|
| 10394 | | - | appointingauthoritythatmadetheinitialappointmenttotheexpiredterm |
|---|
| 10395 | | - | shall,bienniallyinthemonthofFebruarywiththeadviceandconsentofthe |
|---|
| 10396 | | - | Senate,asapplicable,appointmembersfortermsofsixyears.Thetermsshall |
|---|
| 10397 | | - | beginMarch1oftheyearinwhichtheappointmentsaremade.Amember |
|---|
| 10398 | | - | servingatermofsixyearsshallnotbeeligibleforreappointmentfor |
|---|
| 10399 | | - | successiveterms. |
|---|
| 10400 | | - | (2)Intheeventofanyvacancyoccurringinthemembershipofthe |
|---|
| 10401 | | - | Board,theGovernorappointingauthoritythatmadetheinitialappointmentto |
|---|
| 10402 | | - | thevacatedtermshallfillthevacancywithaqualifiedpersonwhose |
|---|
| 10403 | | - | appointmentshallbefortheunexpiredportionoftheterm. |
|---|
| 10404 | | - | (3)Biennially,theBoardshallchooseamemberoftheBoardtobeits |
|---|
| 10405 | | - | chair. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10406 | | - | 2025 Page298of415 |
|---|
| 10407 | | - | (4)Annually,usinganapplicationprocessthatisopenandaccessibleto |
|---|
| 10408 | | - | alleligiblestudents,theGovernorshallappointaVermontsecondaryschool |
|---|
| 10409 | | - | studentwhowillcontinuetobeasecondarystudentforatleasttwoyears |
|---|
| 10410 | | - | followingtakingoffice,toserveontheStateBoardfortwoyears,beginningon |
|---|
| 10411 | | - | July1oftheyearofappointment.Thestudentmembershallnotvoteduring |
|---|
| 10412 | | - | thefirstyearandshallbeafullandvotingmemberduringthesecondyearof |
|---|
| 10413 | | - | hisorherthestudent’sterm. |
|---|
| 10414 | | - | Sec.24.TRANSITIONPERIODAPPOINTMENTS;STATEBOARDOF |
|---|
| 10415 | | - | EDUCATION |
|---|
| 10416 | | - | (a)MemberscurrentlyservingontheStateBoardofEducationmay |
|---|
| 10417 | | - | continuetoserveforthedurationofthetermtowhichtheywereappointed. |
|---|
| 10418 | | - | (b)BeginningonJuly1,2025,astermsofcurrentlyservingmembers |
|---|
| 10419 | | - | expire,appointmentsofsuccessorsshallbemadeinaccordancewiththe |
|---|
| 10420 | | - | considerationsandappointmentauthoritycontainedin16V.S.A.§ 161. |
|---|
| 10421 | | - | (1)TheSpeakeroftheHouseshallmakethefirstappointmenttoa |
|---|
| 10422 | | - | vacantorexpiredseatthatoccursafterJuly1,2025andshallmakeany |
|---|
| 10423 | | - | subsequentappointmentstofillthevacatedorexpiredtermforthatsameseat |
|---|
| 10424 | | - | aftertheinitialtransitionperiodappointment. |
|---|
| 10425 | | - | (2)TheSenateCommitteeonCommitteesshallmakethesecond |
|---|
| 10426 | | - | appointmenttoavacantorexpiredseatthatoccursafterJuly1,2025and BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10427 | | - | 2025 Page299of415 |
|---|
| 10428 | | - | shallmakeanysubsequentappointmentstofillthevacatedorexpiredtermfor |
|---|
| 10429 | | - | thatsameseataftertheinitialtransitionperiodappointment. |
|---|
| 10430 | | - | (3)TheGovernorshallmakethethirdappointment,withtheadviceand |
|---|
| 10431 | | - | consentoftheSenate,toavacantorexpiredseatthatoccursafterJuly1,2025 |
|---|
| 10432 | | - | andshallmakeanysubsequentappointmentstofillthevacatedorexpiredterm |
|---|
| 10433 | | - | forthatsameseataftertheinitialtransitionperiodappointment. |
|---|
| 10434 | | - | (c)OncethefirstthreeappointmentsafterJuly1,2025aremadein |
|---|
| 10435 | | - | accordancewithsubsection(b)ofthissection,theGovernorshallmakeall |
|---|
| 10436 | | - | subsequentappointmentsfortheremainingfivenon-studentseats,withthe |
|---|
| 10437 | | - | adviceandconsentoftheSenate,inaccordancewith16V.S.A.§ 161. |
|---|
| 10438 | | - | Sec.25.16V.S.A.§ 162isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 10439 | | - | §162.REMOVALOFBOARDMEMBERS |
|---|
| 10440 | | - | Afternoticeandhearing,theGovernormayremoveamemberoftheState |
|---|
| 10441 | | - | Boardforincompetency,failuretodischargehisorherthemember’sduties, |
|---|
| 10442 | | - | malfeasance,illegalacts,orothercauseinimicaltothewelfareofthepublic |
|---|
| 10443 | | - | schools;andincaseofsuchremoval,heorshetheappointingauthoritythat |
|---|
| 10444 | | - | madetheinitialappointmentshallappointapersontofilltheunexpiredterm. |
|---|
| 10445 | | - | Sec.26.STATEBOARDOFEDUCATION;REVIEWOFRULES; |
|---|
| 10446 | | - | APPROPRIATION |
|---|
| 10447 | | - | (a)TheStateBoardofEducationshallrevieweachruleseriestheState |
|---|
| 10448 | | - | Boardisresponsibleforandmakeadeterminationastothecontinuingneed BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10449 | | - | 2025 Page300of415 |
|---|
| 10450 | | - | for,appropriatenessof,orneedforupdatingofsaidrules.Onorbefore |
|---|
| 10451 | | - | December1,2026,theStateBoardofEducationshallsubmitawrittenreport |
|---|
| 10452 | | - | totheHouseandSenateCommitteesonEducationwithitsrecommendation |
|---|
| 10453 | | - | forrulesthatarenolongerneededandaplantoupdaterulesthatarestill |
|---|
| 10454 | | - | necessary,includingtheorderinwhichtheBoardproposestoupdatetherules |
|---|
| 10455 | | - | andanyassociatedcostsorstaffingneeds. |
|---|
| 10456 | | - | (b)Thesumof$200,000.00isappropriatedfromtheGeneralFundtothe |
|---|
| 10457 | | - | AgencyofEducationinfiscalyear2026toprovidetheStateBoardof |
|---|
| 10458 | | - | Educationwiththecontractedresourcesnecessarytoreviewandupdatethe |
|---|
| 10459 | | - | Board’srules. |
|---|
| 10460 | | - | ***Tuition*** |
|---|
| 10461 | | - | Sec.27.16V.S.A.§ 823isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 10462 | | - | § 823.ELEMENTARYTUITION |
|---|
| 10463 | | - | (a)Tuitionforelementarystudentsshallbepaidbythedistrictinwhichthe |
|---|
| 10464 | | - | studentisaresident.Thedistrictshallpaythefulltuitionchargeditsstudents |
|---|
| 10465 | | - | attendingapublicelementaryschooltoareceivingschoolanamountequalto |
|---|
| 10466 | | - | thebaseamountcontainedinsubdivision4001(16)ofthistitlemultipliedby |
|---|
| 10467 | | - | thesumofoneandanyweightsapplicabletotheresidentstudentundersection |
|---|
| 10468 | | - | 4010ofthistitle,foreachresidentstudentattendingthereceivingschool.Ifa |
|---|
| 10469 | | - | paymentmadetoapublicelementaryschoolisthreepercentmoreorlessthan |
|---|
| 10470 | | - | thecalculatednetcostperelementarypupilinthereceivingschooldistrictfor BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10471 | | - | 2025 Page301of415 |
|---|
| 10472 | | - | theyearofattendance,thedistrictshallbereimbursed,credited,orrefunded |
|---|
| 10473 | | - | pursuanttosection836ofthistitle.Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofthis |
|---|
| 10474 | | - | subsectionorofsubsection825(b)ofthistitle,theboardsofboththereceiving |
|---|
| 10475 | | - | andsendingdistrictsmayenterintotuitionagreementswithtermsdiffering |
|---|
| 10476 | | - | fromtheprovisionsofthosesubsections,providedthatthereceivingdistrict |
|---|
| 10477 | | - | mustofferidenticaltermstoallsendingdistricts,andfurtherprovidedthatthe |
|---|
| 10478 | | - | statutoryprovisionsapplytoanysendingdistrictthatdeclinestheoffered |
|---|
| 10479 | | - | terms. |
|---|
| 10480 | | - | (b)Unlesstheelectorateofaschooldistrictauthorizespaymentofahigher |
|---|
| 10481 | | - | amountatanannualorspecialmeetingwarnedforthepurpose,thetuition |
|---|
| 10482 | | - | paidtoanapprovedindependentelementaryschooloranindependentschool |
|---|
| 10483 | | - | meetingeducationqualitystandardsshallnotexceedtheleastof: |
|---|
| 10484 | | - | (1)theaverageannouncedtuitionofVermontunionelementaryschools |
|---|
| 10485 | | - | fortheyearofattendance; |
|---|
| 10486 | | - | (2)thetuitionchargedbytheapprovedindependentschoolfortheyear |
|---|
| 10487 | | - | ofattendance;or |
|---|
| 10488 | | - | (3)theaverageper-pupiltuitionthedistrictpaysforitsotherresident |
|---|
| 10489 | | - | elementarystudentsintheyearinwhichthestudentisenrolledintheapproved |
|---|
| 10490 | | - | independentschool.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 10491 | | - | Sec.28.REPEALS BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10492 | | - | 2025 Page302of415 |
|---|
| 10493 | | - | 16V.S.A.§§ 824(highschooltuition),825(maximumtuitionrate; |
|---|
| 10494 | | - | calculatednetcostperpupildefined),826(noticeoftuitionrates;special |
|---|
| 10495 | | - | educationcharges),and836(tuitionoverchargeorundercharge)arerepealed |
|---|
| 10496 | | - | onJuly1,2029. |
|---|
| 10497 | | - | ***AdultEducationFunding*** |
|---|
| 10498 | | - | Sec.29.16V.S.A.§ 4011isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 10499 | | - | §4011.EDUCATIONPAYMENTS |
|---|
| 10500 | | - | (a)Annually,theGeneralAssemblyshallappropriatefundstopayfor |
|---|
| 10501 | | - | statewideeducationspendingandaportionofabaseeducationamountfor |
|---|
| 10502 | | - | eachadulteducationandsecondarycredentialprogramstudent. |
|---|
| 10503 | | - | (b)Foreachfiscalyear,thebaseeducationamountshallbe$6,800.00, |
|---|
| 10504 | | - | increasedbythemostrecentNewEnglandEconomicProjectCumulativePrice |
|---|
| 10505 | | - | Index,asofNovember15,forstateandlocalgovernmentpurchasesofgoods |
|---|
| 10506 | | - | andserviceswhichshallbeadjustedforinflationannuallyonorbefore |
|---|
| 10507 | | - | November15bytheSecretaryofEducation.Asusedinthissubsection, |
|---|
| 10508 | | - | “adjustedforinflation”meansadjustingthebaseeducationamountbythe |
|---|
| 10509 | | - | NationalIncomeandProductAccounts(NIPA)implicitpricedeflatorforstate |
|---|
| 10510 | | - | andlocalgovernmentconsumptionexpendituresandgrossinvestment |
|---|
| 10511 | | - | publishedbytheU.S.DepartmentofCommerce,BureauofEconomicAnalysis, |
|---|
| 10512 | | - | fromfiscalyear2005throughthefiscalyearforwhichtheamountisbeing BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10513 | | - | 2025 Page303of415 |
|---|
| 10514 | | - | determined,plusanadditionalone-tenthofonepercentandroundingupward |
|---|
| 10515 | | - | tothenearestwholedollaramount. |
|---|
| 10516 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 10517 | | - | (f)Annually,theSecretaryshallpaytoalocaladulteducationandliteracy |
|---|
| 10518 | | - | provider,asdefinedinsection942ofthistitle,thatprovidesanadulteducation |
|---|
| 10519 | | - | andsecondarycredentialprogramfromfundsappropriatedforthissubsection |
|---|
| 10520 | | - | totheAgencyinanamountequalto26percentofthebaseeducationamount |
|---|
| 10521 | | - | foreachstudentwhocompletesthediagnosticportionsoftheanadult |
|---|
| 10522 | | - | educationandsecondarycredentialprogram,basedonanaverageofthe |
|---|
| 10523 | | - | previoustwoyears;40,theSecretaryshallpaytoalocaladulteducationand |
|---|
| 10524 | | - | literacyprovider,asdefinedinsection942ofthistitle,thatprovidesanadult |
|---|
| 10525 | | - | educationandsecondarycredentialprogramanamountthatshallbe |
|---|
| 10526 | | - | calculatedpursuanttothefundingformulacontainedintheStateBoardof |
|---|
| 10527 | | - | Educationadulteducationrules.Fortypercentofthepaymentrequiredunder |
|---|
| 10528 | | - | thissubsectionshallbefromStatefundsappropriatedfromtheEducation |
|---|
| 10529 | | - | Fundand60percentofthepaymentrequiredunderthissubsectionshallbe |
|---|
| 10530 | | - | fromStatefundsappropriatedfromtheGeneralFund. |
|---|
| 10531 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 10532 | | - | Sec.30.ADULTEDUCATION;FUNDING;REPORT |
|---|
| 10533 | | - | (a)OnorbeforeDecember1,2025,theAgencyofEducation,in |
|---|
| 10534 | | - | consultationwithlocaladulteducationandliteracyproviders,shallsubmita BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10535 | | - | 2025 Page304of415 |
|---|
| 10536 | | - | writtenreporttotheHouseCommitteeonCommerceandEconomic |
|---|
| 10537 | | - | Development,theSenateCommitteeonEconomicDevelopment,Housingand |
|---|
| 10538 | | - | GeneralAffairs,andtheHouseandSenateCommitteesonEducationwith |
|---|
| 10539 | | - | recommendationstomodernizeadulteducationfundingtoensurefundsare |
|---|
| 10540 | | - | distributedequitablyacrossallregionsoftheState. |
|---|
| 10541 | | - | (b)Forfiscalyear2026,theAgencyofEducationshallnegotiateingood |
|---|
| 10542 | | - | faithtoextendtheexistingcontractswithlocaladulteducationandliteracy |
|---|
| 10543 | | - | providersforatermofoneyear.TheAgencyshallendeavortomaintainthe |
|---|
| 10544 | | - | termsoftheexistingcontractstothegreatestextentpossible. |
|---|
| 10545 | | - | Sec.31.STATEOFSPECIALEDUCATIONDELIVERY;AGENCYOF |
|---|
| 10546 | | - | EDUCATION;REPORT |
|---|
| 10547 | | - | (a)OnorbeforeSeptember1,2025,theAgencyofEducationshallsubmit |
|---|
| 10548 | | - | awrittenreporttotheHouseandSenateCommitteesonEducation,theHouse |
|---|
| 10549 | | - | CommitteeonWaysandMeans,andtheSenateCommitteeonFinance |
|---|
| 10550 | | - | addressingthefactorscontributingtogrowthinextraordinaryspecial |
|---|
| 10551 | | - | educationreimbursementcosts.Thereportshallincludedetailedinformation |
|---|
| 10552 | | - | regardingthecurrentstateofspecialeducationdeliveryinVermont,including |
|---|
| 10553 | | - | anupdateontheimplementationofspecialeducationchangesenacted |
|---|
| 10554 | | - | pursuantto2018ActsandResolvesNo.173(Act173).Thereportshall |
|---|
| 10555 | | - | includeadescriptionofthecurrentstateofsupportforstudentswith BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10556 | | - | 2025 Page305of415 |
|---|
| 10557 | | - | disabilitiesinVermontandrecommendedchangestostructure,practice,and |
|---|
| 10558 | | - | lawwiththegoalof: |
|---|
| 10559 | | - | (1)improvingthedeliveryofspecialeducationservicesandmanaging |
|---|
| 10560 | | - | therisingextraordinaryspecialeducationcostsasVermont’sspecialeducation |
|---|
| 10561 | | - | financesystemtransitionsfromacensusblockgranttoaweightforspecial |
|---|
| 10562 | | - | educationcosts; |
|---|
| 10563 | | - | (2)ensuringbetter,moreinclusiveservicesintheleastrestrictive |
|---|
| 10564 | | - | environmentinawaythatmakesefficientandeffectiveuseoflimitedresources |
|---|
| 10565 | | - | whileresultinginthebestoutcomes; |
|---|
| 10566 | | - | (3)respondingtothechallengesoffullyimplementingAct173andthe |
|---|
| 10567 | | - | lessonslearnedfromimplementationeffortstodate; |
|---|
| 10568 | | - | (4)ensuringthatthedeliveryofspecialeducationisresponsiveto |
|---|
| 10569 | | - | studentneeds;and |
|---|
| 10570 | | - | (5)addressingdriversofgrowthofextraordinaryexpendituresinspecial |
|---|
| 10571 | | - | education. |
|---|
| 10572 | | - | (b)Thereportshallinclude: |
|---|
| 10573 | | - | (1)Ananalysisofthecostsofandservicesprovidedforstudentswith |
|---|
| 10574 | | - | extraordinaryneedsinspecializedsettings,separatedbyschool-district- |
|---|
| 10575 | | - | operatedspecializedprograms,independentnonprofitprograms,and |
|---|
| 10576 | | - | independentfor-profitprograms.Thereportshallincludeageographicmap BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10577 | | - | 2025 Page306of415 |
|---|
| 10578 | | - | withthelocationofallspecializedprogramswithintheStateofVermont,as |
|---|
| 10579 | | - | wellasthefollowinginformationforeachindividualspecializedprogram: |
|---|
| 10580 | | - | (A)disabilitycategoriesserved; |
|---|
| 10581 | | - | (B)gradelevelsserved; |
|---|
| 10582 | | - | (C)thenumberofstudentswithIEPsandtheaveragedurationof |
|---|
| 10583 | | - | timeeachstudentspentintheprogramoverthelast10years; |
|---|
| 10584 | | - | (D)averagecostperpupil,inclusiveofextraordinaryspendingand |
|---|
| 10585 | | - | anycostsinexcessofgeneraltuitionrates; |
|---|
| 10586 | | - | (E)yearsofexperience,training,andtenureoflicensedspecial |
|---|
| 10587 | | - | educationstaff; |
|---|
| 10588 | | - | (F)areviewofthefindingsofallinvestigationsconductedbythe |
|---|
| 10589 | | - | AgencyofEducation;and |
|---|
| 10590 | | - | (G)areviewoftheAgency’spublicassurancecapabilities,with |
|---|
| 10591 | | - | respecttospecialeducationprogramsinallsettings,andananalysisofthe |
|---|
| 10592 | | - | effectivenessofcurrentoversightorrule,andrecommendedchangesifneeded. |
|---|
| 10593 | | - | (2)AnevaluationofthestateofimplementationofAct173,including |
|---|
| 10594 | | - | examplesofwhereimplementationhasbeensuccessful,whereithasnot,and |
|---|
| 10595 | | - | why. |
|---|
| 10596 | | - | (3)Identificationofdriversofacceleratingcostswithinthespecial |
|---|
| 10597 | | - | educationsystem. |
|---|
| 10598 | | - | (4)Identificationofbarrierstothesuccessofstudentswithdisabilities. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10599 | | - | 2025 Page307of415 |
|---|
| 10600 | | - | (5)Adescriptionofhowspecializedprogramsforstudentswith |
|---|
| 10601 | | - | extraordinaryneedsoperatedbyschooldistricts,independentnonprofit |
|---|
| 10602 | | - | schools,andindependentfor-profitschoolsarefunded,withananalysisofthe |
|---|
| 10603 | | - | benefitsandrisksofeachfundingmodel. |
|---|
| 10604 | | - | (6)AnassessmentofwhetherVermont’scurrentspecialeducationlaws |
|---|
| 10605 | | - | ensureequitableaccessforallstudentswithdisabilitiestoeducationalongside |
|---|
| 10606 | | - | theirpeersinawaythatisconsistentwiththeVermonteducationquality |
|---|
| 10607 | | - | standardsforpublicschoolsandtherighttoafreeappropriatepublic |
|---|
| 10608 | | - | education(FAPE)undertheIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct,20 |
|---|
| 10609 | | - | U.S.C.§§ 1400–1482. |
|---|
| 10610 | | - | (7)AreviewofthecapacityoftheAgencytosupportandguideschool |
|---|
| 10611 | | - | districtsontheeffectivesupportofstudentswithdisabilities,aswellas |
|---|
| 10612 | | - | compliancewithfederallaw,whichshallinclude: |
|---|
| 10613 | | - | (A)areviewoffinalreportsofinvestigationsconductedbythe |
|---|
| 10614 | | - | Agencyinschool-district-operatedspecializedprograms,independent |
|---|
| 10615 | | - | nonprofitprograms,andindependentfor-profitprogramsintheprevious10 |
|---|
| 10616 | | - | yearsandanevaluationofwhatpracticescouldreduceadversefindingsin |
|---|
| 10617 | | - | thesesettings; |
|---|
| 10618 | | - | (B)anassessmentoftheabilityoftheStatetoensureStateresources |
|---|
| 10619 | | - | areusedinthemostefficientandeffectivewaypossibletosupportthesuccess BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10620 | | - | 2025 Page308of415 |
|---|
| 10621 | | - | ofstudentswithdisabilitiesandtheiraccesstoafreeandappropriatepublic |
|---|
| 10622 | | - | education; |
|---|
| 10623 | | - | (C)areviewofanypendingandrecentfederalfindingsagainstthe |
|---|
| 10624 | | - | Stateorschooldistricts,aswellasprogressoncorrectiveactions; |
|---|
| 10625 | | - | (D)areviewoftheAgency’sstaffingandcapacitytoreviewand |
|---|
| 10626 | | - | conductmonitoringandvisitstoschools,especiallyindependentsettings; |
|---|
| 10627 | | - | (E)adescriptionoftheprocessandstatusofreviewsandapprovals |
|---|
| 10628 | | - | ofapprovedindependentschoolsthatprovidespecialeducationand |
|---|
| 10629 | | - | therapeuticschools;and |
|---|
| 10630 | | - | (F)recommendationsforwhethertheAgencyhascapacitytoensure |
|---|
| 10631 | | - | timelyreviewofapprovedindependentschoolsandprovidesufficientoversight |
|---|
| 10632 | | - | forspecializedprogramsinnonprofitindependentschoolsandfor-profit |
|---|
| 10633 | | - | independentschools. |
|---|
| 10634 | | - | (8)RecommendationsforneededcapacityattheAgencytoprovide |
|---|
| 10635 | | - | technicalassistanceandsupporttoschooldistrictsintheprovisionofspecial |
|---|
| 10636 | | - | educationservices. |
|---|
| 10637 | | - | (9)Ananalysisofwhethermorestrategicsupportforbetterprimary |
|---|
| 10638 | | - | firstinstructionandmoresuccessfulimplementationofAct173needstobein |
|---|
| 10639 | | - | placeforaweightedfundingmodelforspecialeducationtosucceed,including |
|---|
| 10640 | | - | asuggestedtransitiontimeline,withindicators,tobeincorporatedintothe |
|---|
| 10641 | | - | Agency’sstrategicplan. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10642 | | - | 2025 Page309of415 |
|---|
| 10643 | | - | (10)Ifwarranted,areviewofoptionsforchangestopractice,structure, |
|---|
| 10644 | | - | andlawthatensurestudentswithdisabilitiesareprovidedaccesstoquality |
|---|
| 10645 | | - | education,intheleastrestrictiveenvironment,inacost-effectivewaythatis |
|---|
| 10646 | | - | consistentwithStateandfederallaw,whichmayincludeareviewofthe |
|---|
| 10647 | | - | possibleroleofBOCESandtheimpactoflargerdistrictsoneffective,high- |
|---|
| 10648 | | - | qualitysupportforstudentswithdisabilities. |
|---|
| 10649 | | - | Sec.32.SPECIALEDUCATIONSTRATEGICPLAN;AGENCYOF |
|---|
| 10650 | | - | EDUCATION |
|---|
| 10651 | | - | (a)Strategicplan.InconsultationwiththeStateAdvisoryPanelon |
|---|
| 10652 | | - | SpecialEducationestablishedunder16V.S.A.§2945,theAgencyof |
|---|
| 10653 | | - | Educationshalldevelopathree-yearstrategicplanforthedeliveryofspecial |
|---|
| 10654 | | - | educationservicesinVermont.Thestrategicplanshallincludeunambiguous |
|---|
| 10655 | | - | measurableoutcomesandatimelineforimplementation.Thestrategicplan |
|---|
| 10656 | | - | shallbeinformedbytheanalysisandfindingsofthereportrequiredofthe |
|---|
| 10657 | | - | AgencyunderSec.31ofthisactandbedesignedtoensuresuccessful |
|---|
| 10658 | | - | implementationof2018ActsandResolvesNo.173(Act173)andprovidethe |
|---|
| 10659 | | - | supportsandprocessesthatneedtobeinplaceforthetransitiontoaweighted |
|---|
| 10660 | | - | fundingmodelforspecialeducationtosucceed,includingasuggested |
|---|
| 10661 | | - | transitiontimeline,withbenchmarksforsuccess.Thestrategicplanshallalso |
|---|
| 10662 | | - | includecontingencyrecommendationsforspecialeducationfundinginthe |
|---|
| 10663 | | - | eventfederalspecialeducationfundingundertheIndividualswithDisabilities BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10664 | | - | 2025 Page310of415 |
|---|
| 10665 | | - | EducationAct,20U.S.C.§§1400–1482,isnolongeravailableortransitions |
|---|
| 10666 | | - | toasystemthatrequiresmoreplanningandmanagementonthepartofthe |
|---|
| 10667 | | - | Statetoensurefundsaredistributedequitably. |
|---|
| 10668 | | - | (b)Reports. |
|---|
| 10669 | | - | (1)OnorbeforeDecember1,2025,theAgencyshallsubmitthethree- |
|---|
| 10670 | | - | yearstrategicplancreatedpursuanttosubsection(a)ofthissectiontothe |
|---|
| 10671 | | - | HouseandSenateCommitteesonEducation,theHouseCommitteeonWays |
|---|
| 10672 | | - | andMeans,andtheSenateCommitteeonFinance. |
|---|
| 10673 | | - | (2)OnorbeforeDecember1of2026,2027,2028,and2029,the |
|---|
| 10674 | | - | AgencyshallsubmitawrittenreporttotheHouseandSenateCommitteeson |
|---|
| 10675 | | - | Education,theHouseCommitteeonWaysandMeans,andtheSenate |
|---|
| 10676 | | - | CommitteeonFinancewithadetailedupdateontheAgency’simplementation |
|---|
| 10677 | | - | ofitsstrategicplanandanyrecommendationsforlegislativechangesneeded |
|---|
| 10678 | | - | toensureasuccessfultransitiontoaweightedfundingmodelandcontinued |
|---|
| 10679 | | - | successfulimplementationofAct173. |
|---|
| 10680 | | - | Sec.33.POSITION;AGENCYOFEDUCATION |
|---|
| 10681 | | - | (a)Establishmentofonenewpermanent,classifiedpositionisauthorized |
|---|
| 10682 | | - | intheAgencyofEducationinfiscalyear2026,tosupportdevelopmentand |
|---|
| 10683 | | - | implementationofthethree-yearstrategicplanrequiredunderSec.32ofthis |
|---|
| 10684 | | - | act. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10685 | | - | 2025 Page311of415 |
|---|
| 10686 | | - | (b)Thesumof$150,000.00isappropriatedfromtheGeneralFundtothe |
|---|
| 10687 | | - | AgencyofEducation’sbasebudgetinfiscalyear2026forthepurposesof |
|---|
| 10688 | | - | fundingthepositioncreatedinsubsection(a)ofthissection.TheAgencyshall |
|---|
| 10689 | | - | includefundingforthispermanentpositionintheirannualbasebudgetrequest |
|---|
| 10690 | | - | insubsequentyears. |
|---|
| 10691 | | - | ***StateFundingofPublicEducation*** |
|---|
| 10692 | | - | Sec.34.16V.S.A.§ 4001isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 10693 | | - | § 4001.DEFINITIONS |
|---|
| 10694 | | - | Asusedinthischapter: |
|---|
| 10695 | | - | (1)“Averagedailymembership”ofaschooldistrictor,ifneededin |
|---|
| 10696 | | - | ordertocalculatetheappropriatehomesteadtaxrate,ofthemunicipalityas |
|---|
| 10697 | | - | definedin32V.S.A.§ 5401(9),inanyyearmeans: |
|---|
| 10698 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 10699 | | - | (6)“Educationspending”meanstheamountoftheschooldistrict |
|---|
| 10700 | | - | budget,anyassessmentforajointcontractschool,careertechnicalcenter |
|---|
| 10701 | | - | paymentsmadeonbehalfofthedistrictundersubsection1561(b)ofthistitle, |
|---|
| 10702 | | - | andanyamountaddedtopayadeficitpursuantto24V.S.A.§ 1523(b)thatis |
|---|
| 10703 | | - | paidforbytheschooldistrict,butexcludinganyportionoftheschoolbudget |
|---|
| 10704 | | - | paidforfromanyothersourcessuchasendowments,parentalfundraising, |
|---|
| 10705 | | - | federalfunds,nongovernmentalgrants,orotherStatefundssuchasspecial |
|---|
| 10706 | | - | educationfundspaidunderchapter101ofthistitle. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10707 | | - | 2025 Page312of415 |
|---|
| 10708 | | - | (A)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 10709 | | - | (B)ForallbondsapprovedbyvoterspriortoJuly1,2024,voter- |
|---|
| 10710 | | - | approvedbondpaymentstowardprincipalandinterestshallnotbeincludedin |
|---|
| 10711 | | - | “educationspending”forpurposesofcalculatingexcessspendingpursuantto |
|---|
| 10712 | | - | 32V.S.A.§ 5401(12).[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 10713 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 10714 | | - | (13)“BaseeducationCategoricalbaseamount”meansanumberused |
|---|
| 10715 | | - | tocalculatecategoricalgrantsawardedunderthistitlethatisequalto |
|---|
| 10716 | | - | $6,800.00perequalizedpupil,adjustedasrequiredundersection4011ofthis |
|---|
| 10717 | | - | title. |
|---|
| 10718 | | - | (14)“Perpupileducationspending”ofaschooldistrictinanyschool |
|---|
| 10719 | | - | yearmeanstheperpupileducationspendingofthatschooldistrictas |
|---|
| 10720 | | - | determinedundersubsection4010(f)ofthistitle.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 10721 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 10722 | | - | (16)“Baseamount”meansaperpupilcost-factoramountof |
|---|
| 10723 | | - | $15,033.00,whichshallbeadjustedforinflationannuallyonorbefore |
|---|
| 10724 | | - | November15bytheSecretaryofEducation.Asusedinthissubdivision, |
|---|
| 10725 | | - | “adjustedforinflation”meansadjustingthebasedollaramountbythe |
|---|
| 10726 | | - | NationalIncomeandProductAccounts(NIPA)implicitpricedeflatorforstate |
|---|
| 10727 | | - | andlocalgovernmentconsumptionexpendituresandgrossinvestment |
|---|
| 10728 | | - | publishedbytheU.S.DepartmentofCommerce,BureauofEconomicAnalysis, BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10729 | | - | 2025 Page313of415 |
|---|
| 10730 | | - | fromfiscalyear2025throughthefiscalyearforwhichtheamountisbeing |
|---|
| 10731 | | - | determined,androundingupwardtothenearestwholedollaramount. |
|---|
| 10732 | | - | (17)“Educationalopportunitypayment”meansthebaseamount |
|---|
| 10733 | | - | multipliedbytheschooldistrict’sweightedlong-termmembershipas |
|---|
| 10734 | | - | determinedundersection4010ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 10735 | | - | Sec.35.16V.S.A.§ 4010isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 10736 | | - | § 4010.DETERMINATIONOFWEIGHTEDLONG-TERMMEMBERSHIP |
|---|
| 10737 | | - | ANDPERPUPILEDUCATIONSPENDINGEDUCATION |
|---|
| 10738 | | - | OPPORTUNITYPAYMENT |
|---|
| 10739 | | - | (a)Definitions.Asusedinthissection: |
|---|
| 10740 | | - | (1)“ELpupils”meanspupilsdescribedundersection4013ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 10741 | | - | (2)“FPL”meanstheFederalPovertyLevel. |
|---|
| 10742 | | - | (3)“Weightingcategories”meansthecategorieslistedundersubsection |
|---|
| 10743 | | - | (b)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 10744 | | - | (4)“Childwithadisability”hasthesamemeaningasinsection2942 |
|---|
| 10745 | | - | ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 10746 | | - | (5)“Disability”meansanyof: |
|---|
| 10747 | | - | (A)aspecificlearningdisabilityoraspeechorlanguage |
|---|
| 10748 | | - | impairment,eachofwhichisidentifiedas“lowcost”; |
|---|
| 10749 | | - | (B)anemotionaldisturbance,intellectualdisability,orotherhealth |
|---|
| 10750 | | - | impairment,eachofwhichisidentifiedas“mediumcost”;or BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10751 | | - | 2025 Page314of415 |
|---|
| 10752 | | - | (C)autismspectrumdisorder,deaf-blindness,hearingimpairment, |
|---|
| 10753 | | - | orthopedicimpairment,traumaticbraininjury,orvisualimpairment,eachof |
|---|
| 10754 | | - | whichisidentifiedas“highcost.” |
|---|
| 10755 | | - | (6)“Englishlanguageproficiencylevel”meanseachoftheEnglish |
|---|
| 10756 | | - | languageproficiencylevelspublishedasastandardizedmeasureofacademic |
|---|
| 10757 | | - | languageproficiencyinWIDAACCESSforELLs2.0andavailableto |
|---|
| 10758 | | - | membersoftheWIDAconsortiumofstatedepartmentsofeducation. |
|---|
| 10759 | | - | (7)“NewcomerorSLIFE”meansapupilidentifiedasaNewAmerican |
|---|
| 10760 | | - | orasastudentwithlimitedorinterruptedformaleducation. |
|---|
| 10761 | | - | (b)Determinationofaveragedailymembershipandweightingcategories. |
|---|
| 10762 | | - | OnorbeforethefirstdayofDecemberduringeachschoolyear,theSecretary |
|---|
| 10763 | | - | shalldeterminetheaveragedailymembership,asdefinedinsubdivision |
|---|
| 10764 | | - | 4001(1)ofthistitle,ofeachschooldistrictforthecurrentschoolyearand |
|---|
| 10765 | | - | shallperformthefollowingtasks., |
|---|
| 10766 | | - | (1)Usingusingaveragedailymembership,listforeachschooldistrict |
|---|
| 10767 | | - | thenumberof: |
|---|
| 10768 | | - | (A)pupilsinprekindergarten; |
|---|
| 10769 | | - | (B)pupilsinkindergartenthroughgradefive; |
|---|
| 10770 | | - | (C)pupilsingradessixthrougheight; |
|---|
| 10771 | | - | (D)pupilsingradesninethrough12; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10772 | | - | 2025 Page315of415 |
|---|
| 10773 | | - | (E)(1)pupilswhosefamiliesareatorbelow185percentofFPL,using |
|---|
| 10774 | | - | thehighestnumberofpupilsinthedistrict: |
|---|
| 10775 | | - | (i)(A)thatmeetthisdefinitionundertheuniversalincome |
|---|
| 10776 | | - | declarationform;or |
|---|
| 10777 | | - | (ii)(B)whoaredirectlycertifiedforfreeandreduced-pricedmeals; |
|---|
| 10778 | | - | and |
|---|
| 10779 | | - | (F)(2)ELpupilsthathavebeenmostrecentlyassessedatanEnglish |
|---|
| 10780 | | - | languageproficiencylevelof: |
|---|
| 10781 | | - | (A)Level1; |
|---|
| 10782 | | - | (B)Level2or3; |
|---|
| 10783 | | - | (C)Level4;or |
|---|
| 10784 | | - | (D)Level5or6; |
|---|
| 10785 | | - | (3)ELpupilsthatareidentifiedasNewcomerorSLIFE;and |
|---|
| 10786 | | - | (4)Childrenwithadisabilitywhosedisabilityisidentifiedas: |
|---|
| 10787 | | - | (A)lowcost; |
|---|
| 10788 | | - | (B)mediumcost;or |
|---|
| 10789 | | - | (C)highcost,providedthatachildwithmultipledisabilitiesshallbe |
|---|
| 10790 | | - | countedsolelyunderthissubdivision(C). |
|---|
| 10791 | | - | (2)(A)Identifyallschooldistrictsthathavelowpopulationdensity, |
|---|
| 10792 | | - | measuredbythenumberofpersonspersquaremileresidingwithintheland BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10793 | | - | 2025 Page316of415 |
|---|
| 10794 | | - | areaofthegeographicboundariesofthedistrictasofJuly1oftheyearof |
|---|
| 10795 | | - | determination,equaling: |
|---|
| 10796 | | - | (i)fewerthan36personspersquaremile; |
|---|
| 10797 | | - | (ii)36ormorepersonspersquaremilebutfewerthan55persons |
|---|
| 10798 | | - | persquaremile;or |
|---|
| 10799 | | - | (iii)55ormorepersonspersquaremilebutfewerthan100 |
|---|
| 10800 | | - | personspersquaremile. |
|---|
| 10801 | | - | (B)PopulationdensitydatashallbebasedonthebestavailableU.S. |
|---|
| 10802 | | - | CensusdataasprovidedtotheAgencyofEducationbytheVermontCenterfor |
|---|
| 10803 | | - | GeographicInformation. |
|---|
| 10804 | | - | (C)Usingaveragedailymembership,listforeachschooldistrictthat |
|---|
| 10805 | | - | haslowpopulationdensitythenumberofpupilsineachofsubdivisions(A)(i)– |
|---|
| 10806 | | - | (iii)ofthissubdivision(2). |
|---|
| 10807 | | - | (3)(A)Identifyallschooldistrictsthathaveoneormoresmallschools, |
|---|
| 10808 | | - | whichareschoolsthathaveanaveragetwo-yearenrollmentof: |
|---|
| 10809 | | - | (i)fewerthan100pupils;or |
|---|
| 10810 | | - | (ii)100ormorepupilsbutfewerthan250pupils. |
|---|
| 10811 | | - | (B)Asusedinsubdivision(A)ofthissubdivision(3),“averagetwo- |
|---|
| 10812 | | - | yearenrollment”meanstheaverageenrollmentofthetwomostrecently |
|---|
| 10813 | | - | completedschoolyears,and“enrollment”meansthenumberofpupilswho BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10814 | | - | 2025 Page317of415 |
|---|
| 10815 | | - | areenrolledinaschooloperatedbythedistrictonOctober1.Apupilshallbe |
|---|
| 10816 | | - | countedasonewhetherthepupilisenrolledasafull-timeorpart-timestudent. |
|---|
| 10817 | | - | (C)Usingaveragetwo-yearenrollment,listforeachschooldistrict |
|---|
| 10818 | | - | thathasasmallschoolthenumberofpupilsineachofsubdivisions(A)(i)–(ii) |
|---|
| 10819 | | - | ofthissubdivision(3). |
|---|
| 10820 | | - | (c)ReportingonweightingcategoriestotheAgencyofEducation.Each |
|---|
| 10821 | | - | schooldistrictshallannuallyreporttotheAgencyofEducationbyadate |
|---|
| 10822 | | - | establishedbytheAgencytheinformationneededinorderfortheAgencyto |
|---|
| 10823 | | - | computetheweightingcategoriesundersubsection(b)ofthissectionforthat |
|---|
| 10824 | | - | district.Inordertofulfillthisobligation,aschooldistrictthatpayspublic |
|---|
| 10825 | | - | tuitiononbehalfofaresidentstudent(sendingdistrict)toapublicschoolin |
|---|
| 10826 | | - | anotherschooldistrict,anapprovedindependentschool,oranout-of-state |
|---|
| 10827 | | - | school(eachareceivingschool)mayrequestthereceivingschooltocollect |
|---|
| 10828 | | - | thisinformationonthesendingdistrict’sresidentstudent,andifrequested,the |
|---|
| 10829 | | - | receivingschoolshallprovidethisinformationtothesendingdistrictina |
|---|
| 10830 | | - | timelymanner. |
|---|
| 10831 | | - | (d)Determinationofweightedlong-termmembership.Foreachweighting |
|---|
| 10832 | | - | categoryexceptthesmallschoolsweightingcategoryundersubdivision(b)(3) |
|---|
| 10833 | | - | ofthissection,theSecretaryshallcomputetheweightingcountbyusingthe |
|---|
| 10834 | | - | long-termmembership,asdefinedinsubdivision4001(7)ofthistitle,inthat |
|---|
| 10835 | | - | category. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10836 | | - | 2025 Page318of415 |
|---|
| 10837 | | - | (1)TheSecretaryshallfirstapplygradelevelweights.Eachpupil |
|---|
| 10838 | | - | includedinlong-termmembershipshallcountasone,multipliedbythe |
|---|
| 10839 | | - | followingamounts: |
|---|
| 10840 | | - | (A)prekindergarten—negative0.54; |
|---|
| 10841 | | - | (B)gradessixthrougheight—0.36;and |
|---|
| 10842 | | - | (C)gradesninethrough12—0.39.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 10843 | | - | (2)TheSecretaryshallnextapplyaweightforpupilswhosefamilyisat |
|---|
| 10844 | | - | orbelow185percentofFPL.Eachpupilincludedinlong-termmembership |
|---|
| 10845 | | - | whosefamilyisatorbelow185percentofFPLshallreceiveanadditional |
|---|
| 10846 | | - | weightingamountof1.031.02. |
|---|
| 10847 | | - | (3)TheSecretaryshallnextapplyaweightforELpupils.EachEL |
|---|
| 10848 | | - | pupilincludedinlong-termmembershipshallreceiveanadditionalweighting |
|---|
| 10849 | | - | amount,basedontheELpupil’sEnglishlanguageproficiencylevel,of2.49: |
|---|
| 10850 | | - | (A)2.11,ifassessedasLevel1; |
|---|
| 10851 | | - | (B)1.41,ifassessedasLevel2or3; |
|---|
| 10852 | | - | (C)1.20,ifassessedasLevel4;or |
|---|
| 10853 | | - | (D)0.12,ifassessedasLevel5or6. |
|---|
| 10854 | | - | (4)TheSecretaryshallthenapplyaweightforpupilslivinginlow |
|---|
| 10855 | | - | populationdensityschooldistricts.EachELpupilthatisaNewcomeror |
|---|
| 10856 | | - | SLIFEincludedinlong-termmembershipresidinginalowpopulationdensity |
|---|
| 10857 | | - | schooldistrict,measuredbythenumberofpersonspersquaremileresiding BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10858 | | - | 2025 Page319of415 |
|---|
| 10859 | | - | withinthelandareaofthegeographicboundariesofthedistrictasofJuly1of |
|---|
| 10860 | | - | theyearofdetermination,shallreceiveanadditionalweightingamountof: |
|---|
| 10861 | | - | 0.42 |
|---|
| 10862 | | - | (A)0.15,wherethenumberofpersonspersquaremileisfewerthan |
|---|
| 10863 | | - | 36persons; |
|---|
| 10864 | | - | (B)0.12,wherethenumberofpersonspersquaremileis36ormore |
|---|
| 10865 | | - | butfewerthan55persons;or |
|---|
| 10866 | | - | (C)0.07,wherethenumberofpersonspersquaremileis55ormore |
|---|
| 10867 | | - | butfewerthan100. |
|---|
| 10868 | | - | (5)TheSecretaryshalllastlyapplyaweightforpupilswhoattenda |
|---|
| 10869 | | - | smallschool.Ifthenumberofpersonspersquaremileresidingwithinthe |
|---|
| 10870 | | - | landareaofthegeographicboundariesofaschooldistrictasofJuly1ofthe |
|---|
| 10871 | | - | yearofdeterminationis55orfewer,then,foreachpupillistedunder |
|---|
| 10872 | | - | subdivision(b)(3)(C)ofthissection(pupilswhoattendsmallschools)Each |
|---|
| 10873 | | - | childwithadisabilityincludedinlong-termmembershipshallreceivean |
|---|
| 10874 | | - | additionalweightingamount,basedonthecostlevelassociatedwiththe |
|---|
| 10875 | | - | child’sdisability,of: |
|---|
| 10876 | | - | (A)wheretheschoolhasfewerthan100pupilsinaveragetwo-year |
|---|
| 10877 | | - | enrollment,theschooldistrictshallreceiveanadditionalweightingamountof |
|---|
| 10878 | | - | 0.21foreachpupilincludedinthesmallschool’saveragetwo-yearenrollment |
|---|
| 10879 | | - | 0.79,ifthedisabilityisidentifiedaslowcost;or BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10880 | | - | 2025 Page320of415 |
|---|
| 10881 | | - | (B)wherethesmallschoolhas100ormorebutfewerthan250 |
|---|
| 10882 | | - | pupils,theschooldistrictshallreceiveanadditionalweightingamountof0.07 |
|---|
| 10883 | | - | foreachpupilincludedinthesmallschool’saveragetwo-yearenrollment |
|---|
| 10884 | | - | 1.35,ifthedisabilityisidentifiedasmediumcost;or |
|---|
| 10885 | | - | (C)2.49,ifthedisabilityisidentifiedashighcost. |
|---|
| 10886 | | - | (6)Aschooldistrict’sweightedlong-termmembershipshallequallong- |
|---|
| 10887 | | - | termmembershipplusthecumulationoftheweightsassignedbytheSecretary |
|---|
| 10888 | | - | underthissubsection. |
|---|
| 10889 | | - | (e)Holdharmless.Adistrict’sweightedlong-termmembershipshallinno |
|---|
| 10890 | | - | casebelessthan96andone-halfpercentofitsactualweightedlong-term |
|---|
| 10891 | | - | membershipthepreviousyearpriortomakinganyadjustmentunderthis |
|---|
| 10892 | | - | subsection. |
|---|
| 10893 | | - | (f)Determinationofperpupileducationspendingeducationalopportunity |
|---|
| 10894 | | - | payment.Assoonasreasonablypossibleafteraschooldistrictbudgetis |
|---|
| 10895 | | - | approvedbyvoters,theSecretaryshalldeterminetheperpupileducation |
|---|
| 10896 | | - | spendingforthenextfiscalyearfortheschooldistrict.Perpupileducation |
|---|
| 10897 | | - | spendingshallequalaschooldistrict’seducationspendingdividedbyits |
|---|
| 10898 | | - | weightedlong-termmembershipTheSecretaryshalldetermineeachschool |
|---|
| 10899 | | - | district’seducationalopportunitypaymentbymultiplyingtheschooldistrict’s |
|---|
| 10900 | | - | weightedlong-termmembershipdeterminedundersubsection(d)ofthis |
|---|
| 10901 | | - | sectionbythebaseamount. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10902 | | - | 2025 Page321of415 |
|---|
| 10903 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 10904 | | - | (h)Updatestoweights,baseamount,andtransportationreimbursement. |
|---|
| 10905 | | - | OnorbeforeJanuary1,20272026andonorbeforeJanuary1ofeveryfifth |
|---|
| 10906 | | - | yearthereafter,theAgencyofEducationandtheJointFiscalOfficeshall |
|---|
| 10907 | | - | calculate,basedontheirconsensusview,updatestotheweightsandthebase |
|---|
| 10908 | | - | amount,includinganyinflationarymeasure,toaccountforcostchanges |
|---|
| 10909 | | - | underlyingthoseweightsandshallissueawrittenreportontheirworktothe |
|---|
| 10910 | | - | HouseandSenateCommitteesonEducation,theHouseCommitteeonWays |
|---|
| 10911 | | - | andMeans,andtheSenateCommitteeonFinance.TheGeneralAssembly |
|---|
| 10912 | | - | shallupdatetheweightsunderthissection,thebaseamount,and |
|---|
| 10913 | | - | transportationreimbursementundersection4016ofthistitlenotlessthan |
|---|
| 10914 | | - | everyfiveyearsandtheimplementationdatefortheupdatedweightsand |
|---|
| 10915 | | - | transportationreimbursementshallbedelayedbyayearinordertoprovide |
|---|
| 10916 | | - | schooldistrictswithtimetopreparetheirbudgets.Updatestotheweightsmay |
|---|
| 10917 | | - | includerecalibration,recalculation,addingoreliminatingweights,orany |
|---|
| 10918 | | - | combinationoftheseactions. |
|---|
| 10919 | | - | Sec.35.16V.S.A.§ 4010isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 10920 | | - | § 4010.DETERMINATIONOFWEIGHTEDLONG-TERMMEMBERSHIP |
|---|
| 10921 | | - | ANDPERPUPILEDUCATIONSPENDINGEDUCATION |
|---|
| 10922 | | - | OPPORTUNITYPAYMENT |
|---|
| 10923 | | - | (a)Definitions.Asusedinthissection: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10924 | | - | 2025 Page322of415 |
|---|
| 10925 | | - | (1)“ELpupils”meanspupilsdescribedundersection4013ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 10926 | | - | (2)“FPL”meanstheFederalPovertyLevel. |
|---|
| 10927 | | - | (3)“Weightingcategories”meansthecategorieslistedundersubsection |
|---|
| 10928 | | - | (b)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 10929 | | - | (4)“Childwithadisability”hasthesamemeaningasinsection2942 |
|---|
| 10930 | | - | ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 10931 | | - | (5)“Disability”meansanyof: |
|---|
| 10932 | | - | (A)aspecificlearningdisabilityoraspeechorlanguage |
|---|
| 10933 | | - | impairment,eachofwhichisidentifiedas“CategoryA”; |
|---|
| 10934 | | - | (B)anemotionaldisturbance,intellectualdisability,developmental |
|---|
| 10935 | | - | delay,orotherhealthimpairment,eachofwhichisidentifiedas“Category |
|---|
| 10936 | | - | B”;or |
|---|
| 10937 | | - | (C)autismspectrumdisorder,deaf-blindness,hearingimpairment, |
|---|
| 10938 | | - | orthopedicimpairment,traumaticbraininjury,orvisualimpairment,eachof |
|---|
| 10939 | | - | whichisidentifiedas“CategoryC.” |
|---|
| 10940 | | - | (6)“Englishlanguageproficiencylevel”meanseachoftheEnglish |
|---|
| 10941 | | - | languageproficiencylevelspublishedasastandardizedmeasureofacademic |
|---|
| 10942 | | - | languageproficiencyinWIDAACCESSforELLs2.0andavailableto |
|---|
| 10943 | | - | membersoftheWIDAconsortiumofstatedepartmentsofeducation. |
|---|
| 10944 | | - | (7)“NewcomerorSLIFE”meansapupilidentifiedasaNewAmerican |
|---|
| 10945 | | - | orasastudentwithlimitedorinterruptedformaleducation. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10946 | | - | 2025 Page323of415 |
|---|
| 10947 | | - | (b)Determinationofaveragedailymembershipandweightingcategories. |
|---|
| 10948 | | - | OnorbeforethefirstdayofDecemberduringeachschoolyear,theSecretary |
|---|
| 10949 | | - | shalldeterminetheaveragedailymembership,asdefinedinsubdivision |
|---|
| 10950 | | - | 4001(1)ofthistitle,ofeachschooldistrictforthecurrentschoolyearand |
|---|
| 10951 | | - | shallperformthefollowingtasks., |
|---|
| 10952 | | - | (1)Usingusingaveragedailymembership,listforeachschooldistrict |
|---|
| 10953 | | - | thenumberof: |
|---|
| 10954 | | - | (A)pupilsinprekindergarten; |
|---|
| 10955 | | - | (B)pupilsinkindergartenthroughgradefive; |
|---|
| 10956 | | - | (C)pupilsingradessixthrougheight; |
|---|
| 10957 | | - | (D)pupilsingradesninethrough12; |
|---|
| 10958 | | - | (E)(1)pupilswhosefamiliesareatorbelow185percentofFPL,using |
|---|
| 10959 | | - | thehighestnumberofpupilsinthedistrict: |
|---|
| 10960 | | - | (i)(A)thatmeetthisdefinitionundertheuniversalincome |
|---|
| 10961 | | - | declarationform;or |
|---|
| 10962 | | - | (ii)(B)whoaredirectlycertifiedforfreeandreduced-pricedmeals; |
|---|
| 10963 | | - | and |
|---|
| 10964 | | - | (F)(2)ELpupilsthathavebeenmostrecentlyassessedatanEnglish |
|---|
| 10965 | | - | languageproficiencylevelof: |
|---|
| 10966 | | - | (A)Level1; |
|---|
| 10967 | | - | (B)Level2or3; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10968 | | - | 2025 Page324of415 |
|---|
| 10969 | | - | (C)Level4;or |
|---|
| 10970 | | - | (D)Level5or6; |
|---|
| 10971 | | - | (3)ELpupilsthatareidentifiedasNewcomerorSLIFE;and |
|---|
| 10972 | | - | (4)Childrenwithadisabilitywhosedisabilityisidentifiedas: |
|---|
| 10973 | | - | (A)CategoryA; |
|---|
| 10974 | | - | (B)CategoryB;or |
|---|
| 10975 | | - | (C)CategoryC,providedthatachildwithmultipledisabilitiesshall |
|---|
| 10976 | | - | becountedsolelyunderthissubdivision(C). |
|---|
| 10977 | | - | (2)(A)Identifyallschooldistrictsthathavelowpopulationdensity, |
|---|
| 10978 | | - | measuredbythenumberofpersonspersquaremileresidingwithintheland |
|---|
| 10979 | | - | areaofthegeographicboundariesofthedistrictasofJuly1oftheyearof |
|---|
| 10980 | | - | determination,equaling: |
|---|
| 10981 | | - | (i)fewerthan36personspersquaremile; |
|---|
| 10982 | | - | (ii)36ormorepersonspersquaremilebutfewerthan55persons |
|---|
| 10983 | | - | persquaremile;or |
|---|
| 10984 | | - | (iii)55ormorepersonspersquaremilebutfewerthan100 |
|---|
| 10985 | | - | personspersquaremile. |
|---|
| 10986 | | - | (B)PopulationdensitydatashallbebasedonthebestavailableU.S. |
|---|
| 10987 | | - | CensusdataasprovidedtotheAgencyofEducationbytheVermontCenterfor |
|---|
| 10988 | | - | GeographicInformation. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 10989 | | - | 2025 Page325of415 |
|---|
| 10990 | | - | (C)Usingaveragedailymembership,listforeachschooldistrictthat |
|---|
| 10991 | | - | haslowpopulationdensitythenumberofpupilsineachofsubdivisions(A)(i)– |
|---|
| 10992 | | - | (iii)ofthissubdivision(2). |
|---|
| 10993 | | - | (3)(A)Identifyallschooldistrictsthathaveoneormoresmallschools, |
|---|
| 10994 | | - | whichareschoolsthathaveanaveragetwo-yearenrollmentof: |
|---|
| 10995 | | - | (i)fewerthan100pupils;or |
|---|
| 10996 | | - | (ii)100ormorepupilsbutfewerthan250pupils. |
|---|
| 10997 | | - | (B)Asusedinsubdivision(A)ofthissubdivision(3),“averagetwo- |
|---|
| 10998 | | - | yearenrollment”meanstheaverageenrollmentofthetwomostrecently |
|---|
| 10999 | | - | completedschoolyears,and“enrollment”meansthenumberofpupilswho |
|---|
| 11000 | | - | areenrolledinaschooloperatedbythedistrictonOctober1.Apupilshallbe |
|---|
| 11001 | | - | countedasonewhetherthepupilisenrolledasafull-timeorpart-timestudent. |
|---|
| 11002 | | - | (C)Usingaveragetwo-yearenrollment,listforeachschooldistrict |
|---|
| 11003 | | - | thathasasmallschoolthenumberofpupilsineachofsubdivisions(A)(i)–(ii) |
|---|
| 11004 | | - | ofthissubdivision(3). |
|---|
| 11005 | | - | (c)ReportingonweightingcategoriestotheAgencyofEducation.Each |
|---|
| 11006 | | - | schooldistrictshallannuallyreporttotheAgencyofEducationbyadate |
|---|
| 11007 | | - | establishedbytheAgencytheinformationneededinorderfortheAgencyto |
|---|
| 11008 | | - | computetheweightingcategoriesundersubsection(b)ofthissectionforthat |
|---|
| 11009 | | - | district.Inordertofulfillthisobligation,aschooldistrictthatpayspublic |
|---|
| 11010 | | - | tuitiononbehalfofaresidentstudent(sendingdistrict)toapublicschoolin BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11011 | | - | 2025 Page326of415 |
|---|
| 11012 | | - | anotherschooldistrict,anapprovedindependentschool,oranout-of-state |
|---|
| 11013 | | - | school(eachareceivingschool)mayrequestthereceivingschooltocollect |
|---|
| 11014 | | - | thisinformationonthesendingdistrict’sresidentstudent,andifrequested,the |
|---|
| 11015 | | - | receivingschoolshallprovidethisinformationtothesendingdistrictina |
|---|
| 11016 | | - | timelymanner. |
|---|
| 11017 | | - | (d)Determinationofweightedlong-termmembership.Foreachweighting |
|---|
| 11018 | | - | categoryexceptthesmallschoolsweightingcategoryundersubdivision(b)(3) |
|---|
| 11019 | | - | ofthissection,theSecretaryshallcomputetheweightingcountbyusingthe |
|---|
| 11020 | | - | long-termmembership,asdefinedinsubdivision4001(7)ofthistitle,inthat |
|---|
| 11021 | | - | category. |
|---|
| 11022 | | - | (1)TheSecretaryshallfirstapplygradelevelweights.Eachpupil |
|---|
| 11023 | | - | includedinlong-termmembershipshallcountasone,multipliedbythe |
|---|
| 11024 | | - | followingamounts: |
|---|
| 11025 | | - | (A)prekindergarten—negative0.54; |
|---|
| 11026 | | - | (B)gradessixthrougheight—0.36;and |
|---|
| 11027 | | - | (C)gradesninethrough12—0.39.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11028 | | - | (2)TheSecretaryshallnextapplyaweightforpupilswhosefamilyisat |
|---|
| 11029 | | - | orbelow185percentofFPL.Eachpupilincludedinlong-termmembership |
|---|
| 11030 | | - | whosefamilyisatorbelow185percentofFPLshallreceiveanadditional |
|---|
| 11031 | | - | weightingamountof1.031.02. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11032 | | - | 2025 Page327of415 |
|---|
| 11033 | | - | (3)TheSecretaryshallnextapplyaweightforELpupils.EachEL |
|---|
| 11034 | | - | pupilincludedinlong-termmembershipshallreceiveanadditionalweighting |
|---|
| 11035 | | - | amount,basedontheELpupil’sEnglishlanguageproficiencylevel,of2.49: |
|---|
| 11036 | | - | (A)2.11,ifassessedasLevel1; |
|---|
| 11037 | | - | (B)1.41,ifassessedasLevel2or3; |
|---|
| 11038 | | - | (C)1.20,ifassessedasLevel4;or |
|---|
| 11039 | | - | (D)0.12,ifassessedasLevel5or6. |
|---|
| 11040 | | - | (4)TheSecretaryshallthenapplyaweightforpupilslivinginlow |
|---|
| 11041 | | - | populationdensityschooldistricts.EachELpupilthatisaNewcomeror |
|---|
| 11042 | | - | SLIFEincludedinlong-termmembershipresidinginalowpopulationdensity |
|---|
| 11043 | | - | schooldistrict,measuredbythenumberofpersonspersquaremileresiding |
|---|
| 11044 | | - | withinthelandareaofthegeographicboundariesofthedistrictasofJuly1of |
|---|
| 11045 | | - | theyearofdetermination,shallreceiveanadditionalweightingamountof: |
|---|
| 11046 | | - | 0.42 |
|---|
| 11047 | | - | (A)0.15,wherethenumberofpersonspersquaremileisfewerthan |
|---|
| 11048 | | - | 36persons; |
|---|
| 11049 | | - | (B)0.12,wherethenumberofpersonspersquaremileis36ormore |
|---|
| 11050 | | - | butfewerthan55persons;or |
|---|
| 11051 | | - | (C)0.07,wherethenumberofpersonspersquaremileis55ormore |
|---|
| 11052 | | - | butfewerthan100. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11053 | | - | 2025 Page328of415 |
|---|
| 11054 | | - | (5)TheSecretaryshalllastlyapplyaweightforpupilswhoattenda |
|---|
| 11055 | | - | smallschool.Ifthenumberofpersonspersquaremileresidingwithinthe |
|---|
| 11056 | | - | landareaofthegeographicboundariesofaschooldistrictasofJuly1ofthe |
|---|
| 11057 | | - | yearofdeterminationis55orfewer,then,foreachpupillistedunder |
|---|
| 11058 | | - | subdivision(b)(3)(C)ofthissection(pupilswhoattendsmallschools)Each |
|---|
| 11059 | | - | childwithadisabilityincludedinlong-termmembershipshallreceivean |
|---|
| 11060 | | - | additionalweightingamount,basedonthecategorizationofthechild’s |
|---|
| 11061 | | - | disability,of: |
|---|
| 11062 | | - | (A)wheretheschoolhasfewerthan100pupilsinaveragetwo-year |
|---|
| 11063 | | - | enrollment,theschooldistrictshallreceiveanadditionalweightingamountof |
|---|
| 11064 | | - | 0.21foreachpupilincludedinthesmallschool’saveragetwo-yearenrollment |
|---|
| 11065 | | - | 0.79,ifthedisabilityisidentifiedasCategoryA;or |
|---|
| 11066 | | - | (B)wherethesmallschoolhas100ormorebutfewerthan250 |
|---|
| 11067 | | - | pupils,theschooldistrictshallreceiveanadditionalweightingamountof0.07 |
|---|
| 11068 | | - | foreachpupilincludedinthesmallschool’saveragetwo-yearenrollment |
|---|
| 11069 | | - | 1.89,ifthedisabilityisidentifiedasCategoryB;or |
|---|
| 11070 | | - | (C)2.49,ifthedisabilityisidentifiedasCategoryC. |
|---|
| 11071 | | - | (6)Aschooldistrict’sweightedlong-termmembershipshallequallong- |
|---|
| 11072 | | - | termmembershipplusthecumulationoftheweightsassignedbytheSecretary |
|---|
| 11073 | | - | underthissubsection. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11074 | | - | 2025 Page329of415 |
|---|
| 11075 | | - | (e)Holdharmless.Adistrict’sweightedlong-termmembershipshallinno |
|---|
| 11076 | | - | casebelessthan96andone-halfpercentofitsactualweightedlong-term |
|---|
| 11077 | | - | membershipthepreviousyearpriortomakinganyadjustmentunderthis |
|---|
| 11078 | | - | subsection. |
|---|
| 11079 | | - | (f)Determinationofperpupileducationspendingeducationalopportunity |
|---|
| 11080 | | - | payment.Assoonasreasonablypossibleafteraschooldistrictbudgetis |
|---|
| 11081 | | - | approvedbyvoters,theSecretaryshalldeterminetheperpupileducation |
|---|
| 11082 | | - | spendingforthenextfiscalyearfortheschooldistrict.Perpupileducation |
|---|
| 11083 | | - | spendingshallequalaschooldistrict’seducationspendingdividedbyits |
|---|
| 11084 | | - | weightedlong-termmembershipTheSecretaryshalldetermineeachschool |
|---|
| 11085 | | - | district’seducationalopportunitypaymentbymultiplyingtheschooldistrict’s |
|---|
| 11086 | | - | weightedlong-termmembershipdeterminedundersubsection(d)ofthis |
|---|
| 11087 | | - | sectionbythebaseamount. |
|---|
| 11088 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11089 | | - | (h)Updatestoweights,baseamount,andtransportationreimbursement. |
|---|
| 11090 | | - | OnorbeforeJanuary1,20272026andonorbeforeJanuary1ofeveryfifth |
|---|
| 11091 | | - | yearthereafter,theAgencyofEducationandtheJointFiscalOfficeshall |
|---|
| 11092 | | - | calculate,basedontheirconsensusview,updatestotheweightsandthebase |
|---|
| 11093 | | - | amount,includinganyinflationarymeasure,toaccountforcostchanges |
|---|
| 11094 | | - | underlyingthoseweightsandshallissueawrittenreportontheirworktothe |
|---|
| 11095 | | - | HouseandSenateCommitteesonEducation,theHouseCommitteeonWays BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11096 | | - | 2025 Page330of415 |
|---|
| 11097 | | - | andMeans,andtheSenateCommitteeonFinance.TheGeneralAssembly |
|---|
| 11098 | | - | shallupdatetheweightsunderthissection,thebaseamount,and |
|---|
| 11099 | | - | transportationreimbursementundersection4016ofthistitlenotlessthan |
|---|
| 11100 | | - | everyfiveyearsandtheimplementationdatefortheupdatedweightsand |
|---|
| 11101 | | - | transportationreimbursementshallbedelayedbyayearinordertoprovide |
|---|
| 11102 | | - | schooldistrictswithtimetopreparetheirbudgets.Updatestotheweightsmay |
|---|
| 11103 | | - | includerecalibration,recalculation,addingoreliminatingweights,orany |
|---|
| 11104 | | - | combinationoftheseactions. |
|---|
| 11105 | | - | Sec.36.16V.S.A.§ 4011isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 11106 | | - | § 4011.EDUCATIONPAYMENTS |
|---|
| 11107 | | - | (a)Annually,theGeneralAssemblyshallappropriatefundstopayfor |
|---|
| 11108 | | - | statewideeducationspendingeachschooldistrict’seducationalopportunity |
|---|
| 11109 | | - | paymentandsupplementaldistrictspending,asdefinedin32 V.S.A.§ 5401, |
|---|
| 11110 | | - | thesmallschoolsandsparsitysupportgrantsundersection4019ofthis |
|---|
| 11111 | | - | chapter,andaportionofabaseeducationcategoricalbaseamountforeach |
|---|
| 11112 | | - | adulteducationandsecondarycredentialprogramstudent. |
|---|
| 11113 | | - | (b)Foreachfiscalyear,thecategoricalbaseeducationamountshallbe |
|---|
| 11114 | | - | $6,800.00,whichshallbeadjustedforinflationannuallyonorbefore |
|---|
| 11115 | | - | November15bytheSecretaryofEducation.Asusedinthissubsection, |
|---|
| 11116 | | - | “adjustedforinflation”meansadjustingthecategoricalbasedollaramount |
|---|
| 11117 | | - | bytheNationalIncomeandProductAccounts(NIPA)implicitpricedeflator BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11118 | | - | 2025 Page331of415 |
|---|
| 11119 | | - | forstateandlocalgovernmentconsumptionexpendituresandgrossinvestment |
|---|
| 11120 | | - | publishedbytheU.S.DepartmentofCommerce,BureauofEconomicAnalysis, |
|---|
| 11121 | | - | fromfiscalyear2005throughthefiscalyearforwhichtheamountisbeing |
|---|
| 11122 | | - | determined,androundingupwardtothenearestwholedollaramount. |
|---|
| 11123 | | - | (c)Annually,eachschooldistrictshallreceiveaneducationspending |
|---|
| 11124 | | - | paymentforsupportofeducationcostsitseducationalopportunitypayment |
|---|
| 11125 | | - | determinedpursuanttosubsection4010(f)ofthischapterandadollaramount |
|---|
| 11126 | | - | equaltoitssupplementaldistrictspending,ifapplicabletothatschooldistrict, |
|---|
| 11127 | | - | asdefinedin32V.S.A.§ 5401.Anunorganizedtownorgoreshallreceivean |
|---|
| 11128 | | - | amountequaltoitsperpupileducationspendingforthatyearforeach |
|---|
| 11129 | | - | student.Nodistrictshallreceivemorethanitseducationspendingamount. |
|---|
| 11130 | | - | (d)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11131 | | - | (e)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11132 | | - | (f)Annually,theSecretaryshallpaytoalocaladulteducationandliteracy |
|---|
| 11133 | | - | provider,asdefinedinsection942ofthistitle,thatprovidesanadulteducation |
|---|
| 11134 | | - | andsecondarycredentialprogramanamountequalto26percentofthe |
|---|
| 11135 | | - | categoricalbaseeducationamountforeachstudentwhocompletesthe |
|---|
| 11136 | | - | diagnosticportionsoftheprogram,basedonanaverageoftheprevioustwo |
|---|
| 11137 | | - | years;40percentofthepaymentrequiredunderthissubsectionshallbefrom |
|---|
| 11138 | | - | StatefundsappropriatedfromtheEducationFundand60percentofthe BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11139 | | - | 2025 Page332of415 |
|---|
| 11140 | | - | paymentrequiredunderthissubsectionshallbefromStatefundsappropriated |
|---|
| 11141 | | - | fromtheGeneralFund. |
|---|
| 11142 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11143 | | - | (i)Annually,onorbeforeOctober1,theSecretaryshallsendtoschool |
|---|
| 11144 | | - | boardsforinclusionintownreportsandpublishontheAgencywebsitethe |
|---|
| 11145 | | - | followinginformation: |
|---|
| 11146 | | - | (1)thestatewideaveragedistrictperpupileducationspendingforthe |
|---|
| 11147 | | - | currentfiscalyear;and |
|---|
| 11148 | | - | (2)astatewidecomparisonofstudent-teacherratiosamongschoolsthat |
|---|
| 11149 | | - | aresimilarinnumberofstudentsandnumberofgrades. |
|---|
| 11150 | | - | Sec.37.16V.S.A.§ 4019isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 11151 | | - | § 4019.SMALLSCHOOLS;SPARSESCHOOLDISTRICTS; |
|---|
| 11152 | | - | SUPPORTGRANTS |
|---|
| 11153 | | - | (a)Definitions.Asusedinthissection: |
|---|
| 11154 | | - | (1)“Enrollment”meansthenumberofstudentswhoareenrolledina |
|---|
| 11155 | | - | schooloperatedbytheschooldistrictonOctober1.Astudentshallbe |
|---|
| 11156 | | - | countedasonewhetherthestudentisenrolledasafull-timeorpart-time |
|---|
| 11157 | | - | student. |
|---|
| 11158 | | - | (2)“Smallschool”meansaschoolthat: |
|---|
| 11159 | | - | (A)hasfewerthan100pupilsintwo-yearaverageenrollment;and BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11160 | | - | 2025 Page333of415 |
|---|
| 11161 | | - | (B)hasbeendeterminedbytheStateBoardofEducation,onan |
|---|
| 11162 | | - | annualbasis,tobe“smallbynecessity”understandardsconsistentwiththose |
|---|
| 11163 | | - | submittedtotheGeneralAssemblypursuanttoSec.6(b)ofthisact. |
|---|
| 11164 | | - | (3)“Sparseschooldistrict”meansaschooldistrictwherethenumber |
|---|
| 11165 | | - | ofpersonspersquaremileresidingwithinthelandareaofthegeographic |
|---|
| 11166 | | - | boundariesofthedistrictasofJuly1oftheyearofdeterminationisfewerthan |
|---|
| 11167 | | - | 55persons. |
|---|
| 11168 | | - | (4)“Two-yearaverageenrollment”meanstheaverageenrollmentofthe |
|---|
| 11169 | | - | twomostrecentlycompletedschoolyears. |
|---|
| 11170 | | - | (b)Smallschoolssupportgrant.Annually,theSecretaryshallpayasmall |
|---|
| 11171 | | - | schoolssupportgranttoeachschooldistrictforeachsmallschoolwithinthe |
|---|
| 11172 | | - | schooldistrictinanamountdeterminedbymultiplyingthetwo-yearaverage |
|---|
| 11173 | | - | enrollmentinthesmallschoolby$3,157.00. |
|---|
| 11174 | | - | (c)Sparsitysupportgrant.Annually,theSecretaryshallpayasparsity |
|---|
| 11175 | | - | supportgranttoeachsparseschooldistrictinanamountdeterminedby |
|---|
| 11176 | | - | multiplyingthetwo-yearaverageenrollmentofeachpublicschoolinthe |
|---|
| 11177 | | - | schooldistrictby$1,954.00. |
|---|
| 11178 | | - | (d)Inflationaryadjustment.Eachdollaramountundersubsections(b)and |
|---|
| 11179 | | - | (c)ofthissectionshallbeadjustedforinflationannuallyonorbefore |
|---|
| 11180 | | - | November15bytheSecretary.Asusedinthissubsection,“adjustedfor |
|---|
| 11181 | | - | inflation”meansadjustingthedollaramountbytheNationalIncomeand BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11182 | | - | 2025 Page334of415 |
|---|
| 11183 | | - | ProductAccounts(NIPA)implicitpricedeflatorforstateandlocalgovernment |
|---|
| 11184 | | - | consumptionexpendituresandgrossinvestmentpublishedbytheU.S. |
|---|
| 11185 | | - | DepartmentofCommerce,BureauofEconomicAnalysis,fromfiscalyear2025 |
|---|
| 11186 | | - | throughthefiscalyearforwhichtheamountisbeingdetermined,and |
|---|
| 11187 | | - | roundingupwardtothenearestwholedollaramount. |
|---|
| 11188 | | - | Sec.38.16V.S.A.§ 4025isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 11189 | | - | § 4025.EDUCATIONFUND |
|---|
| 11190 | | - | (a)TheEducationFundisestablishedtocomprisethefollowing: |
|---|
| 11191 | | - | (1)allrevenuepaidtotheStatefromthestatewideeducationtaxon |
|---|
| 11192 | | - | nonhomesteadandhomesteadpropertyunder32V.S.A.chapter135; |
|---|
| 11193 | | - | (2)allrevenuepaidtotheStatefromthesupplementaldistrictspending |
|---|
| 11194 | | - | taximposedpursuantto32V.S.A.§ 5402(f); |
|---|
| 11195 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11196 | | - | (b)MoniesintheEducationFundshallbeusedforthefollowing: |
|---|
| 11197 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11198 | | - | (3)Tomakepaymentsrequiredunder32V.S.A.§ 6066(a)(1)andonly |
|---|
| 11199 | | - | thatportionattributabletoeducationtaxes,asdeterminedbythe |
|---|
| 11200 | | - | CommissionerofTaxes,ofpaymentsrequiredunder32V.S.A.§ 6066(a)(3). |
|---|
| 11201 | | - | TheStateTreasurershallwithdrawfundsfromtheEducationFundupon |
|---|
| 11202 | | - | warrantsissuedbytheCommissionerofFinanceandManagementbasedon |
|---|
| 11203 | | - | informationsuppliedbytheCommissionerofTaxes.TheCommissionerof BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11204 | | - | 2025 Page335of415 |
|---|
| 11205 | | - | FinanceandManagementmaydrawwarrantsfordisbursementsfromthe |
|---|
| 11206 | | - | Fundinanticipationofreceipts.AllbalancesintheFundattheendofany |
|---|
| 11207 | | - | fiscalyearshallbecarriedforwardandremainapartoftheFund.Interest |
|---|
| 11208 | | - | accruingfromtheFundshallremainintheFund. |
|---|
| 11209 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11210 | | - | Sec.39.16V.S.A.§ 4026isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 11211 | | - | § 4026.EDUCATIONFUNDBUDGETSTABILIZATIONRESERVE; |
|---|
| 11212 | | - | CREATIONANDPURPOSE |
|---|
| 11213 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11214 | | - | (e)TheenactmentofthischapterandotherprovisionsoftheEqual |
|---|
| 11215 | | - | EducationalOpportunityActofwhichitisaparthavebeenpremisedupon |
|---|
| 11216 | | - | estimatesofbalancesofrevenuestoberaisedandexpenditurestobemade |
|---|
| 11217 | | - | undertheactforsuchpurposesaseducationspendingpayments,categorical |
|---|
| 11218 | | - | Statesupportgrants,provisionsforpropertytaxincomesensitivity,payments |
|---|
| 11219 | | - | inlieuoftaxes,currentusevalueappraisals,taxstabilizationagreements,the |
|---|
| 11220 | | - | stabilizationreserveestablishedbythissection,andforotherpurposes.Ifthe |
|---|
| 11221 | | - | stabilizationreserveestablishedunderthissectionshouldinanyfiscalyearbe |
|---|
| 11222 | | - | lessthan5.0percentofthepriorfiscalyear’sappropriationsfromthe |
|---|
| 11223 | | - | EducationFund,asdefinedinsubsection(b)ofthissection,theJointFiscal |
|---|
| 11224 | | - | Committeeshallreviewtheinformationprovidedpursuantto32V.S.A. |
|---|
| 11225 | | - | § 5402bandprovidetheGeneralAssemblyitsrecommendationsforchange BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11226 | | - | 2025 Page336of415 |
|---|
| 11227 | | - | necessarytorestorethestabilizationreservetothestatutorylevelprovidedin |
|---|
| 11228 | | - | subsection(b)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 11229 | | - | Sec.40.16V.S.A.§ 4028isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 11230 | | - | § 4028.FUNDPAYMENTSTOSCHOOLDISTRICTS |
|---|
| 11231 | | - | (a)OnorbeforeSeptember10,December10,andApril30ofeachschool |
|---|
| 11232 | | - | year,one-thirdoftheeducationspendingpaymentundersection4011ofthis |
|---|
| 11233 | | - | titleeachschooldistrict’seducationalopportunitypaymentasdetermined |
|---|
| 11234 | | - | undersubsection4010(f)ofthischapterandsupplementaldistrictspending,as |
|---|
| 11235 | | - | definedin32 V.S.A.§ 5401,shallbecomeduetoschooldistricts,exceptthat |
|---|
| 11236 | | - | districtsthathavenotadoptedabudgetby30daysbeforethedateofpayment |
|---|
| 11237 | | - | underthissubsectionshallreceiveone-quarterofthebaseeducationamount |
|---|
| 11238 | | - | anduponadoptionofabudgetshallreceiveadditionalamountsdueunderthis |
|---|
| 11239 | | - | subsection. |
|---|
| 11240 | | - | (b)Paymentsmadeforspecialeducationunderchapter101ofthistitle,for |
|---|
| 11241 | | - | careertechnicaleducationunderchapter37ofthistitle,andforotheraidand |
|---|
| 11242 | | - | categoricalgrantspaidforsupportofeducationshallalsobefromthe |
|---|
| 11243 | | - | EducationFund. |
|---|
| 11244 | | - | (c)(1)Anydistrictthathasadoptedaschoolbudgetthatincludeshigh |
|---|
| 11245 | | - | spending,asdefinedin32V.S.A.§ 5401(12),shall,upontimelynotice,be |
|---|
| 11246 | | - | authorizedtouseaportionofitshighspendingpenaltytoreducefuture |
|---|
| 11247 | | - | educationspending: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11248 | | - | 2025 Page337of415 |
|---|
| 11249 | | - | (A)byenteringintoacontractwithanoperationalefficiency |
|---|
| 11250 | | - | consultantorafinancialsystemsconsultanttoexamineissuessuchas |
|---|
| 11251 | | - | transportationarrangements,administrativecosts,staffingpatterns,andthe |
|---|
| 11252 | | - | potentialforcollaborationwithotherdistricts; |
|---|
| 11253 | | - | (B)byenteringintoacontractwithanenergyorfacilities |
|---|
| 11254 | | - | managementconsultant;or |
|---|
| 11255 | | - | (C)byengagingindiscussionswithotherschooldistrictsabout |
|---|
| 11256 | | - | reorganizationorconsolidationforbetterservicedeliveryatalowercost. |
|---|
| 11257 | | - | (2)TotheextentapprovedbytheSecretary,theAgencyshallpaythe |
|---|
| 11258 | | - | districtfromthepropertytaxrevenuetobegeneratedbythehighspending |
|---|
| 11259 | | - | increasetothedistrict’sspendingadjustmentasestimatedbytheSecretary,up |
|---|
| 11260 | | - | toamaximumof$5,000.00.Forthepurposesofthissubsection,“timely |
|---|
| 11261 | | - | notice”meanswrittennoticefromthedistricttotheSecretarybySeptember30 |
|---|
| 11262 | | - | ofthebudgetyear.Ifthedistrictentersintoacontractwithaconsultant |
|---|
| 11263 | | - | pursuanttothissubsection,theconsultantshallnotbeanemployeeofthe |
|---|
| 11264 | | - | districtoroftheAgency.Acopyoftheconsultant’sfinalrecommendationsor |
|---|
| 11265 | | - | acopyofthedistrict’srecommendationsregardingreorganization,as |
|---|
| 11266 | | - | appropriate,shallbesubmittedtotheSecretary,andeachaffectedtownshall |
|---|
| 11267 | | - | includeinitsnexttownreportanexecutivesummaryoftheconsultant’sor |
|---|
| 11268 | | - | district’sfinalrecommendationsandnoticeofwhereacompletecopyis BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11269 | | - | 2025 Page338of415 |
|---|
| 11270 | | - | available.Nodistrictisauthorizedtoobtainfundsunderthissectionmore |
|---|
| 11271 | | - | thanonetimeineveryfiveyears.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11272 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11273 | | - | Sec.41.16V.S.A.§ 563isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 11274 | | - | § 563.POWERSOFSCHOOLBOARDS;FORMOFVOTE |
|---|
| 11275 | | - | Theschoolboardofaschooldistrict,inadditiontootherdutiesand |
|---|
| 11276 | | - | authorityspecificallyassignedbylaw: |
|---|
| 11277 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11278 | | - | (11)(A)Shallprepareanddistributeannuallyaproposedbudgetforthe |
|---|
| 11279 | | - | nextschoolyearaccordingtosuchmajorcategoriesasmayfromtimetotime |
|---|
| 11280 | | - | beprescribedbytheSecretary. |
|---|
| 11281 | | - | (B)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11282 | | - | (C)Ataschooldistrict’sannualorspecialmeeting,theelectorate |
|---|
| 11283 | | - | mayvotetoprovidenoticeofavailabilityoftheschoolbudgetrequiredbythis |
|---|
| 11284 | | - | subdivisiontotheelectorateinlieuofdistributingthebudget.Iftheelectorate |
|---|
| 11285 | | - | oftheschooldistrictvotestoprovidenoticeofavailability,itmustspecifyhow |
|---|
| 11286 | | - | noticeofavailabilityshallbegiven,andsuchnoticeofavailabilityshallbe |
|---|
| 11287 | | - | providedtotheelectorateatleast30daysbeforethedistrict’sannualmeeting. |
|---|
| 11288 | | - | Theproposedbudgetshallbepreparedanddistributedatleastten10days |
|---|
| 11289 | | - | beforeasumofmoneyisvotedonbytheelectorate.Anyproposedbudget |
|---|
| 11290 | | - | shallshowthefollowinginformationinaformatprescribedbytheSecretary: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11291 | | - | 2025 Page339of415 |
|---|
| 11292 | | - | (i)allrevenuesfromallsources,andexpenses,includingas |
|---|
| 11293 | | - | separateitemsanyassessmentforasupervisoryunionofwhichitisamember |
|---|
| 11294 | | - | andanytuitiontobepaidtoacareertechnicalcenter;andincludingthe |
|---|
| 11295 | | - | reportrequiredinsubdivision242(4)(D)ofthistitleitemizingthecomponent |
|---|
| 11296 | | - | costsofthesupervisoryunionassessment; |
|---|
| 11297 | | - | (ii)thespecificamountofanydeficitincurredinthemostrecently |
|---|
| 11298 | | - | closedfiscalyearandhowthedeficitwasorwillberemedied; |
|---|
| 11299 | | - | (iii)theanticipatedhomesteadstatewideeducationtaxrateand |
|---|
| 11300 | | - | thepercentageofhouseholdincomeusedtodetermineincomesensitivityinthe |
|---|
| 11301 | | - | districtasaresultofpassageofthebudget,includingthoseportionsofthetax |
|---|
| 11302 | | - | rateattributabletosupervisoryunionassessments,asadjustedforeachtax |
|---|
| 11303 | | - | classificationpursuantto32V.S.A.§ 5402;and |
|---|
| 11304 | | - | (iv)thedefinitionof“educationspendingsupplementaldistrict |
|---|
| 11305 | | - | spending,”thenumberofpupilsandnumberofequalizedpupilsinlong-term |
|---|
| 11306 | | - | membershipoftheschooldistrict,andthedistrict’seducationspendingper |
|---|
| 11307 | | - | equalizedpupilsupplementaldistrictspendingintheproposedbudgetandin |
|---|
| 11308 | | - | eachofthepriorthreeyears;and |
|---|
| 11309 | | - | (v)thesupplementaldistrictspendingyield. |
|---|
| 11310 | | - | (D)Theboardshallpresentthebudgettothevotersbymeansofa |
|---|
| 11311 | | - | ballotinthefollowingform: |
|---|
| 11312 | | - | “Article#1(SchoolBudget): BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11313 | | - | 2025 Page340of415 |
|---|
| 11314 | | - | Shallthevotersoftheschooldistrictapprovetheschoolboard |
|---|
| 11315 | | - | toexpend$______,whichistheamounttheschoolboardhasdeterminedto |
|---|
| 11316 | | - | benecessaryinexcessoftheschooldistrict’seducationalopportunitypayment |
|---|
| 11317 | | - | fortheensuingfiscalyear? |
|---|
| 11318 | | - | The________Districtestimatesthatthisproposedbudget,if |
|---|
| 11319 | | - | approved,willresultinperpupileducationsupplementaldistrictspendingof |
|---|
| 11320 | | - | $________,whichis_____%higher/lowerthanperpupileducation |
|---|
| 11321 | | - | supplementaldistrictspendingforthecurrentyear,andasupplementaldistrict |
|---|
| 11322 | | - | spendingtaxrateof________per$100.00ofequalizededucationproperty |
|---|
| 11323 | | - | value.” |
|---|
| 11324 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11325 | | - | Sec.42.REPEALS |
|---|
| 11326 | | - | (a)16V.S.A.§ 4031(unorganizedtownsandgores)isrepealed. |
|---|
| 11327 | | - | (b)2022ActsandResolvesNo.127,Sec.8(suspensionofexcessspending |
|---|
| 11328 | | - | penalty,holdharmlessprovision,andballotlanguagerequirement)is |
|---|
| 11329 | | - | repealed. |
|---|
| 11330 | | - | (c)16V.S.A.§ 2961(censusgrant;specialeducation)isrepealed. |
|---|
| 11331 | | - | Sec.43.16V.S.A.§ 4032isaddedtoread |
|---|
| 11332 | | - | § 4032.SUPPLEMENTALDISTRICTSPENDINGRESERVE |
|---|
| 11333 | | - | (a)ThereisherebycreatedtheSupplementalDistrictSpendingReserve |
|---|
| 11334 | | - | withintheEducationFund.Anyrecapture,asdefinedin32V.S.A.§ 5401, BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11335 | | - | 2025 Page341of415 |
|---|
| 11336 | | - | paidtotheEducationFundaspartoftherevenuefromthesupplemental |
|---|
| 11337 | | - | districtspendingtaximposedpursuantto32V.S.A.§ 5402(f)shallbereserved |
|---|
| 11338 | | - | withintheSupplementalDistrictSpendingReserve. |
|---|
| 11339 | | - | (b)Inanyfiscalyearinwhichtheamountsraisedthroughthe |
|---|
| 11340 | | - | supplementaldistrictspendingtaximposedpursuantto32V.S.A.§ 5402(f)are |
|---|
| 11341 | | - | insufficienttocoverpaymenttoeachschooldistrictofitssupplementaldistrict |
|---|
| 11342 | | - | spending,theSupplementalDistrictSpendingReserveshallbeusedbythe |
|---|
| 11343 | | - | CommissionerofFinanceandManagementtotheextentnecessarytooffset |
|---|
| 11344 | | - | thedeficitasdeterminedbygenerallyacceptedaccountingprinciples. |
|---|
| 11345 | | - | (c)AnyfundsremainingintheSupplementalDistrictSpendingReserveat |
|---|
| 11346 | | - | thecloseofthefiscalyearafteraccountingfortheprocessundersubsection |
|---|
| 11347 | | - | (b)ofthissectionshallbetransferredintotheSchoolConstructionAidSpecial |
|---|
| 11348 | | - | Fundestablishedinsection3444ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 11349 | | - | Sec.44.AGENCYOFEDUCATION;TRANSPORTATION |
|---|
| 11350 | | - | REIMBURSEMENTGUIDELINES |
|---|
| 11351 | | - | OnorbeforeDecember15,2025,theAgencyofEducationshallsubmita |
|---|
| 11352 | | - | writtenreporttotheHouseCommitteesonWaysandMeansandonEducation |
|---|
| 11353 | | - | andtheSenateCommitteesonFinanceandonEducationonclearand |
|---|
| 11354 | | - | equitableguidelinesforminimumtransportationtobeprovidedandcovered |
|---|
| 11355 | | - | bytransportationreimbursementgrantunder16V.S.A.§ 4016aspartof |
|---|
| 11356 | | - | Vermont’seducationtransformation. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11357 | | - | 2025 Page342of415 |
|---|
| 11358 | | - | Sec.45.REPORT;JOINTFISCALOFFICE;INFLATIONARY |
|---|
| 11359 | | - | MEASURES;PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATIONFUNDING |
|---|
| 11360 | | - | (a)OnorbeforeDecember15,2025,theJointFiscalOfficeshallsubmita |
|---|
| 11361 | | - | reporttotheHouseCommitteesonWaysandMeansandonEducationandthe |
|---|
| 11362 | | - | SenateCommitteesonFinanceandonEducationthatanalyzestheNational |
|---|
| 11363 | | - | IncomeandProductAccounts(NIPA)implicitpricedeflatorforstateandlocal |
|---|
| 11364 | | - | governmentconsumptionexpendituresandgrossinvestmentpublishedbythe |
|---|
| 11365 | | - | U.S.DepartmentofCommerce,BureauofEconomicAnalysis,andalternative |
|---|
| 11366 | | - | inflationarymeasuresthatmaybeappliedtostateeducationfundingsystems. |
|---|
| 11367 | | - | Aspartofthereport,theJointFiscalOfficeshallanalyzeoptionsandprovide |
|---|
| 11368 | | - | considerationsforselectinganinflationarymeasureappropriatetoVermont’s |
|---|
| 11369 | | - | educationfundingsystem. |
|---|
| 11370 | | - | (b)OnorbeforeDecember15,2025,theJointFiscalOfficeshallsubmita |
|---|
| 11371 | | - | reporttotheHouseCommitteeonWaysandMeans,theSenateCommitteeon |
|---|
| 11372 | | - | Finance,andtheHouseandSenateCommitteesonEducationonthecurrent |
|---|
| 11373 | | - | fundingsystemsforprekindergarteneducation,theChildCareFinancial |
|---|
| 11374 | | - | AssistanceProgram,oranyotherearlycareandlearningsystems. Thereport |
|---|
| 11375 | | - | shallreviewfinancialincentivesintheseexistingearlycareandlearning |
|---|
| 11376 | | - | systems. Aspartofthereport,theJointFiscalOfficeshallprovide |
|---|
| 11377 | | - | considerationsforchangingthefundingstreamsassociatedwiththeseearly BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11378 | | - | 2025 Page343of415 |
|---|
| 11379 | | - | careandlearningsystemstoalignwiththeeducationtransformation |
|---|
| 11380 | | - | initiativesenvisionedinthisact. |
|---|
| 11381 | | - | ***EducationPropertyTaxRateFormula*** |
|---|
| 11382 | | - | Sec.46.32V.S.A.§ 5401isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 11383 | | - | § 5401.DEFINITIONS |
|---|
| 11384 | | - | Asusedinthischapter: |
|---|
| 11385 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11386 | | - | (8)“Educationspending”means“educationspending”asdefinedin |
|---|
| 11387 | | - | 16V.S.A.§4001(6).[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11388 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11389 | | - | (12)“Excessspending”means: |
|---|
| 11390 | | - | (A)Theperpupilspendingamountofthedistrict’seducation |
|---|
| 11391 | | - | spending,asdefinedin16V.S.A.§4001(6),plusanyamountrequiredtobe |
|---|
| 11392 | | - | addedfromacapitalconstructionreservefundunder24V.S.A.§2804(b). |
|---|
| 11393 | | - | (B)Inexcessof118percentofthestatewideaveragedistrictper |
|---|
| 11394 | | - | pupileducationspendingincreasedbyinflation,asdeterminedbythe |
|---|
| 11395 | | - | SecretaryofEducationonorbeforeNovember15ofeachyearbasedonthe |
|---|
| 11396 | | - | passedbudgetstodate.Asusedinthissubdivision,“increasedbyinflation” |
|---|
| 11397 | | - | meansincreasingthestatewideaveragedistrictperpupileducationspending |
|---|
| 11398 | | - | forfiscalyear2025bythemostrecentNewEnglandEconomicProject |
|---|
| 11399 | | - | cumulativepriceindex,asofNovember15,forstateandlocalgovernment BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11400 | | - | 2025 Page344of415 |
|---|
| 11401 | | - | purchasesofgoodsandservices,fromfiscalyear2025throughthefiscalyear |
|---|
| 11402 | | - | forwhichtheamountisbeingdetermined.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11403 | | - | (13)(A)“Educationpropertytaxspendingadjustment”meansthe |
|---|
| 11404 | | - | greaterofoneorafractioninwhichthenumeratoristhedistrict’sperpupil |
|---|
| 11405 | | - | educationspendingplusexcessspendingfortheschoolyear,andthe |
|---|
| 11406 | | - | denominatoristhepropertydollarequivalentyieldfortheschoolyear,as |
|---|
| 11407 | | - | definedinsubdivision(15)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 11408 | | - | (B)“Educationincometaxspendingadjustment”meansthegreater |
|---|
| 11409 | | - | ofoneorafractioninwhichthenumeratoristhedistrict’sperpupileducation |
|---|
| 11410 | | - | spendingplusexcessspendingfortheschoolyear,andthedenominatoristhe |
|---|
| 11411 | | - | incomedollarequivalentyieldfortheschoolyear,asdefinedinsubdivision |
|---|
| 11412 | | - | (16)ofthissection.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11413 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11414 | | - | (15)“Propertydollarequivalentyield”meanstheamountofperpupil |
|---|
| 11415 | | - | educationspendingthatwouldresultifthehomesteadtaxratewere$1.00per |
|---|
| 11416 | | - | $100.00ofequalizededucationpropertyvalueandthestatutoryreservesunder |
|---|
| 11417 | | - | 16V.S.A.§4026andsection5402bofthistitleweremaintained.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11418 | | - | (16)“Incomedollarequivalentyield”meanstheamountofperpupil |
|---|
| 11419 | | - | educationspendingthatwouldresultiftheincomepercentageinsubdivision |
|---|
| 11420 | | - | 6066(a)(2)ofthistitlewere2.0percentandthestatutoryreservesunder16 |
|---|
| 11421 | | - | V.S.A.§4026andsection5402bofthistitleweremaintained.[Repealed.] BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11422 | | - | 2025 Page345of415 |
|---|
| 11423 | | - | (17)“Statewideadjustment”meanstheratiooftheaggregateeducation |
|---|
| 11424 | | - | propertytaxgrandlistofallmunicipalitiestotheaggregatevalueofthe |
|---|
| 11425 | | - | equalizededucationpropertytaxgrandlistofallmunicipalities.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11426 | | - | (18)“Recapture”meanstheamountofrevenueraisedthrough |
|---|
| 11427 | | - | impositionofthesupplementaldistrictspendingtaxpursuanttosubsection |
|---|
| 11428 | | - | 5402(f)ofthischapterthatisinexcessoftheschooldistrict’ssupplemental |
|---|
| 11429 | | - | districtspending. |
|---|
| 11430 | | - | (19)“Supplementaldistrictspending”meansthespendingthatthe |
|---|
| 11431 | | - | votersofaschooldistrictapproveinexcessoftheschooldistrict’seducational |
|---|
| 11432 | | - | opportunitypayment,asdefinedin16V.S.A.§4001(17),forthefiscalyear, |
|---|
| 11433 | | - | providedthatthevotersofaschooldistrictotherthananinterstateschool |
|---|
| 11434 | | - | districtshallnotapprovespendinginexcessof10percentoftheschool |
|---|
| 11435 | | - | district’seducationalopportunitypaymentforthefiscalyear. |
|---|
| 11436 | | - | (20)“Supplementaldistrictspendingyield”meanstheamountof |
|---|
| 11437 | | - | propertytaxrevenueperlong-termmembershipasdefinedin16V.S.A. |
|---|
| 11438 | | - | § 4001(7)thatwouldberaisedintheschooldistrictwiththelowesttaxing |
|---|
| 11439 | | - | capacityusingasupplementaldistrictspendingtaxrateof$1.00per$100.00 |
|---|
| 11440 | | - | ofequalizededucationpropertyvalue. |
|---|
| 11441 | | - | (21)“Perpupilsupplementaldistrictspending”meanstheperpupil |
|---|
| 11442 | | - | amountofsupplementaldistrictspendingresultingfromdividingaschool BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11443 | | - | 2025 Page346of415 |
|---|
| 11444 | | - | district’ssupplementaldistrictspendingbyitslong-termmembershipas |
|---|
| 11445 | | - | definedin16V.S.A.§ 4001(7). |
|---|
| 11446 | | - | (22)“Schooldistrictwiththelowesttaxingcapacity”meanstheschool |
|---|
| 11447 | | - | districtotherthananinterstateschooldistrictanticipatedtohavethelowest |
|---|
| 11448 | | - | aggregateequalizededucationpropertytaxgrandlistofitsmunicipal |
|---|
| 11449 | | - | membersperlong-termmembershipasdefinedin16 V.S.A.§ 4001(7)inthe |
|---|
| 11450 | | - | followingfiscalyear. |
|---|
| 11451 | | - | Sec.47.32V.S.A.§ 5402isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 11452 | | - | § 5402.EDUCATIONPROPERTYTAXLIABILITY |
|---|
| 11453 | | - | (a)Astatewideeducationtaxisimposedonallnonhomesteadand |
|---|
| 11454 | | - | homesteadpropertyatthefollowingrates: |
|---|
| 11455 | | - | (1)Thetaxratefornonhomesteadpropertyshallbe$1.59per$100.00 |
|---|
| 11456 | | - | dividedbythestatewideadjustment. |
|---|
| 11457 | | - | (2)Thetaxrateforhomesteadpropertyshallbe$1.00multipliedbythe |
|---|
| 11458 | | - | educationpropertytaxspendingadjustmentforthemunicipalityper$100.00 |
|---|
| 11459 | | - | ofequalizededucationpropertyvalueasmostrecentlydeterminedunder |
|---|
| 11460 | | - | section5405ofthistitle.Thehomesteadpropertytaxrateforeach |
|---|
| 11461 | | - | municipalitythatisamemberofaunionorunifiedunionschooldistrictshall |
|---|
| 11462 | | - | becalculatedasrequiredundersubsection(e)ofthissection.aratesufficient |
|---|
| 11463 | | - | tocoverexpendituresfromtheEducationFundunder16V.S.A.§ 4025(b) |
|---|
| 11464 | | - | otherthansupplementaldistrictspending,afteraccountingfortheforecasted BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11465 | | - | 2025 Page347of415 |
|---|
| 11466 | | - | availablerevenues.ItistheintentionoftheGeneralAssemblythatthe |
|---|
| 11467 | | - | statewideeducationtaxrateunderthissectionshallbeadoptedforeachfiscal |
|---|
| 11468 | | - | yearbyactoftheGeneralAssembly.Thestatewideeducationtaxrateshallbe |
|---|
| 11469 | | - | adjustedforhomesteadpropertyandeachgeneralclassofnonhomestead |
|---|
| 11470 | | - | propertyprovidedundersection4152aofthistitleasfollows: |
|---|
| 11471 | | - | Ifthetaxclassificationofthe thenthestatewideeducationtaxrate |
|---|
| 11472 | | - | propertysubjecttotaxationis: ismultipliedbyafactorof: |
|---|
| 11473 | | - | Homestead 1.0 |
|---|
| 11474 | | - | Nonhomestead,Apartment 1.0 |
|---|
| 11475 | | - | Nonhomestead,Nonresidential 1.0 |
|---|
| 11476 | | - | Nonhomestead,Residential 1.0 |
|---|
| 11477 | | - | (b)Thestatewideeducationtaxshallbecalculatedasfollows: |
|---|
| 11478 | | - | (1)TheCommissionerofTaxesshalldetermineforeachmunicipality |
|---|
| 11479 | | - | theeducationtaxratesundersubsection(a)ofthissectiondividedbythe |
|---|
| 11480 | | - | numberresultingfromdividingthemunicipality’smostrecentcommonlevelof |
|---|
| 11481 | | - | appraisalbythestatewideadjustment.Thelegislativebodyineach |
|---|
| 11482 | | - | municipalityshallthenbilleachpropertytaxpayeratthehomesteador |
|---|
| 11483 | | - | nonhomesteadapplicableratedeterminedbytheCommissionerunderthis |
|---|
| 11484 | | - | subdivision,multipliedbytheeducationpropertytaxgrandlistvalueofthe |
|---|
| 11485 | | - | property,properlyclassifiedashomesteadornonhomesteadpropertyand |
|---|
| 11486 | | - | withoutregardtoanyothertaxclassificationofthepropertynotauthorized BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11487 | | - | 2025 Page348of415 |
|---|
| 11488 | | - | underthischapter.Statewideeducationpropertytaxbillsshallshowthetax |
|---|
| 11489 | | - | dueandthecalculationoftheratedeterminedundersubsection(a)ofthis |
|---|
| 11490 | | - | section,dividedbythenumberresultingfromdividingthemunicipality’smost |
|---|
| 11491 | | - | recentcommonlevelofappraisalbythestatewideadjustment,multipliedby |
|---|
| 11492 | | - | thecurrentgrandlistvalueofthepropertytobetaxed.Statewideeducation |
|---|
| 11493 | | - | propertytaxbillsshallalsoincludelanguageprovidedbytheCommissioner |
|---|
| 11494 | | - | pursuanttosubsection5405(g)ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 11495 | | - | (2)Taxesassessedunderthissectionshallbeassessedandcollectedin |
|---|
| 11496 | | - | thesamemannerastaxesassessedunderchapter133ofthistitlewithnotax |
|---|
| 11497 | | - | classificationotherthanashomesteadornonhomesteadpropertythose |
|---|
| 11498 | | - | requiredbythissection;provided,however,thatthetaxleviedunderthis |
|---|
| 11499 | | - | chaptershallbebilledtoeachtaxpayerbythemunicipalityinamannerthat |
|---|
| 11500 | | - | clearlyindicatesthetaxisseparatefromanyothertaxassessedandcollected |
|---|
| 11501 | | - | underchapter133,includinganitemizationoftheseparatetaxesdue.Thebill |
|---|
| 11502 | | - | maybeonasinglesheetofpaperwiththestatewideeducationtaxandother |
|---|
| 11503 | | - | taxespresentedseparatelyandsidebyside. |
|---|
| 11504 | | - | (3)IfadistricthasnotvotedabudgetbyJune30,aninterimhomestead |
|---|
| 11505 | | - | educationtaxshallbeimposedatthebaseratedeterminedundersubdivision |
|---|
| 11506 | | - | (a)(2)ofthissection,dividedbythenumberresultingfromdividingthe |
|---|
| 11507 | | - | municipality’smostrecentcommonlevelofappraisalbythestatewide |
|---|
| 11508 | | - | adjustment,butwithoutregardtoanyspendingadjustmentundersubdivision BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11509 | | - | 2025 Page349of415 |
|---|
| 11510 | | - | 5401(13)ofthistitle.Within30daysafterabudgetisadoptedandthe |
|---|
| 11511 | | - | deadlineforreconsiderationhaspassed,theCommissionershalldeterminethe |
|---|
| 11512 | | - | municipality’shomesteadtaxrateasrequiredundersubdivision(1)ofthis |
|---|
| 11513 | | - | subsection.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11514 | | - | (c)(1)ThetreasurerofeachmunicipalityshallbyDecember1oftheyear |
|---|
| 11515 | | - | inwhichthetaxisleviedandonJune1ofthefollowingyearpaytotheState |
|---|
| 11516 | | - | TreasurerfordepositintheEducationFundone-halfofthemunicipality’s |
|---|
| 11517 | | - | statewidenonhomesteadtaxandone-halfofthemunicipality’shomestead |
|---|
| 11518 | | - | educationtax,asdeterminedundersubdivision(b)(1)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 11519 | | - | (2)TheSecretaryofEducationCommissionerofTaxesshalldetermine |
|---|
| 11520 | | - | eachmunicipality’snetnonhomesteadeducationtaxpaymentanditsnet |
|---|
| 11521 | | - | homesteadeducationtaxpaymenttotheStatebasedongrandlistinformation |
|---|
| 11522 | | - | receivedbytheSecretaryCommissionernotlaterthantheMarch15priorto |
|---|
| 11523 | | - | theJune1netpayment.Paymentshallbeaccompaniedbyareturnprescribed |
|---|
| 11524 | | - | bytheSecretaryofEducationCommissionerofTaxes.Eachmunicipalitymay |
|---|
| 11525 | | - | retain0.225ofonepercentofthetotaleducationtaxcollected,onlyupon |
|---|
| 11526 | | - | timelyremittanceofnetpaymenttotheStateTreasurerortotheapplicable |
|---|
| 11527 | | - | schooldistrictordistricts.Eachmunicipalitymayalsoretain$15.00foreach |
|---|
| 11528 | | - | latepropertytaxcreditclaimfiledafterApril15andbeforeSeptember2,as |
|---|
| 11529 | | - | notifiedbytheDepartmentofTaxes,forthecostofissuinganewpropertytax |
|---|
| 11530 | | - | bill. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11531 | | - | 2025 Page350of415 |
|---|
| 11532 | | - | (d)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11533 | | - | (e)TheCommissionerofTaxesshalldetermineahomesteadeducationtax |
|---|
| 11534 | | - | rateforeachmunicipalitythatisamemberofaunionorunifiedunionschool |
|---|
| 11535 | | - | districtasfollows: |
|---|
| 11536 | | - | (1)Foramunicipalitythatisamemberofaunifiedunionschool |
|---|
| 11537 | | - | district,usethebaseratedeterminedundersubdivision(a)(2)ofthissection |
|---|
| 11538 | | - | andaspendingadjustmentundersubdivision5401(13)ofthistitlebasedupon |
|---|
| 11539 | | - | theperpupileducationspendingoftheunifiedunion. |
|---|
| 11540 | | - | (2)Foramunicipalitythatisamemberofaunionschooldistrict: |
|---|
| 11541 | | - | (A)Determinethemunicipaldistricthomesteadtaxrateusingthe |
|---|
| 11542 | | - | baseratedeterminedundersubdivision(a)(2)ofthissectionandaspending |
|---|
| 11543 | | - | adjustmentundersubdivision5401(13)ofthistitlebasedontheperpupil |
|---|
| 11544 | | - | educationspendinginthemunicipalitywhoattendsaschoolotherthanthe |
|---|
| 11545 | | - | unionschool. |
|---|
| 11546 | | - | (B)Determinetheuniondistricthomesteadtaxrateusingthebase |
|---|
| 11547 | | - | ratedeterminedundersubdivision(a)(2)ofthissectionandaspending |
|---|
| 11548 | | - | adjustmentundersubdivision5401(13)ofthistitlebasedontheperpupil |
|---|
| 11549 | | - | educationspendingoftheunionschooldistrict. |
|---|
| 11550 | | - | (C)Determineacombinedhomesteadtaxratebycalculatingthe |
|---|
| 11551 | | - | weightedaverageoftheratesdeterminedundersubdivisions(A)and(B)of |
|---|
| 11552 | | - | thissubdivision(2),withweightingbasedupontheratioofunionschoollong- BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11553 | | - | 2025 Page351of415 |
|---|
| 11554 | | - | termmembership,asdefinedin16V.S.A.§4001(7),fromthemember |
|---|
| 11555 | | - | municipalitytototallong-termmembershipofthemembermunicipality;and |
|---|
| 11556 | | - | theratiooflong-termmembershipattendingaschoolotherthantheunion |
|---|
| 11557 | | - | schooltototallong-termmembershipofthemembermunicipality.Totallong- |
|---|
| 11558 | | - | termmembershipofthemembermunicipalityisbasedonthenumberofpupils |
|---|
| 11559 | | - | whoarelegalresidentsofthemunicipalityandattendingschoolatpublic |
|---|
| 11560 | | - | expense.Ifnecessary,theCommissionermayadoptaruletoclarifyand |
|---|
| 11561 | | - | facilitateimplementationofthissubsection(e).[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11562 | | - | (f)(1)Asupplementaldistrictspendingtaxisimposedonallhomestead |
|---|
| 11563 | | - | andnonhomesteadpropertyineachmembermunicipalityofaschooldistrict |
|---|
| 11564 | | - | thatapprovesspendingpursuanttoabudgetpresentedtothevotersofaschool |
|---|
| 11565 | | - | districtunder16V.S.A.§ 563.TheCommissionerofTaxesshalldeterminethe |
|---|
| 11566 | | - | supplementaldistrictspendingtaxrateforeachschooldistrictbydividingthe |
|---|
| 11567 | | - | schooldistrict’sperpupilsupplementaldistrictspendingascertifiedbythe |
|---|
| 11568 | | - | SecretaryofEducationbythesupplementaldistrictspendingyield.The |
|---|
| 11569 | | - | legislativebodyineachmembermunicipalityshallthenbilleachproperty |
|---|
| 11570 | | - | taxpayerattheratedeterminedbytheCommissionerunderthissubsection, |
|---|
| 11571 | | - | dividedbythemunicipality’smostrecentcommonlevelofappraisaland |
|---|
| 11572 | | - | multipliedbythecurrentgrandlistvalueofthepropertytobetaxed.Thebill |
|---|
| 11573 | | - | shallshowthetaxdueandthecalculationoftherate. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11574 | | - | 2025 Page352of415 |
|---|
| 11575 | | - | (2)Thesupplementaldistrictspendingtaxassessedunderthis |
|---|
| 11576 | | - | subsectionshallbeassessedandcollectedinthesamemannerastaxes |
|---|
| 11577 | | - | assessedunderchapter133ofthistitlewithnotaxclassificationotherthanas |
|---|
| 11578 | | - | homesteadornonhomesteadproperty;provided,however,thatthetaxlevied |
|---|
| 11579 | | - | underthischaptershallbebilledtoeachtaxpayerbythemunicipalityina |
|---|
| 11580 | | - | mannerthatclearlyindicatesthetaxisseparatefromanyothertaxassessed |
|---|
| 11581 | | - | andcollectedunderchapter133andthestatewideeducationpropertytax |
|---|
| 11582 | | - | underthissection,includinganitemizationoftheseparatetaxesdue.Thebill |
|---|
| 11583 | | - | maybeonasinglesheetofpaperwiththesupplementaldistrictspendingtax, |
|---|
| 11584 | | - | thestatewideeducationtax,andothertaxespresentedseparatelyandsideby |
|---|
| 11585 | | - | side. |
|---|
| 11586 | | - | (3)ThetreasurerofeachmunicipalityshallonorbeforeDecember1of |
|---|
| 11587 | | - | theyearinwhichthetaxisleviedandonorbeforeJune1ofthefollowing |
|---|
| 11588 | | - | yearpaytotheStateTreasurerfordepositintheEducationFundone-halfof |
|---|
| 11589 | | - | themunicipality’ssupplementaldistrictspendingtax,asdeterminedunder |
|---|
| 11590 | | - | subdivision(1)ofthissubsection. |
|---|
| 11591 | | - | (4)TheCommissionerofTaxesshalldetermineeachmunicipality’snet |
|---|
| 11592 | | - | supplementaldistrictspendingtaxpaymenttotheStatebasedongrandlist |
|---|
| 11593 | | - | informationreceivedbytheCommissionernotlaterthantheMarch15priorto |
|---|
| 11594 | | - | theJune1netpayment.Paymentshallbeaccompaniedbyareturnprescribed |
|---|
| 11595 | | - | bytheCommissionerofTaxes.Eachmunicipalitymayretain0.225ofone BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11596 | | - | 2025 Page353of415 |
|---|
| 11597 | | - | percentofthetotalsupplementaldistrictspendingtaxcollected,onlyupon |
|---|
| 11598 | | - | timelyremittanceofnetpaymenttotheStateTreasurerortotheapplicable |
|---|
| 11599 | | - | schooldistrict. |
|---|
| 11600 | | - | Sec.48.32V.S.A.§ 5402bisamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 11601 | | - | § 5402b.STATEWIDEEDUCATIONTAXYIELDSRATE; |
|---|
| 11602 | | - | SUPPLEMENTALDISTRICTSPENDINGYIELD; |
|---|
| 11603 | | - | RECOMMENDATION OFTHECOMMISSIONER |
|---|
| 11604 | | - | (a)Annually,notlaterthanDecember1,theCommissionerofTaxes,after |
|---|
| 11605 | | - | consultationwiththeSecretaryofEducation,theSecretaryofAdministration, |
|---|
| 11606 | | - | andtheJointFiscalOffice,shallcalculateandrecommendapropertydollar |
|---|
| 11607 | | - | equivalentyield,anincomedollarequivalentyield,andanonhomestead |
|---|
| 11608 | | - | propertytaxratethestatewideeducationpropertytaxratepursuantto |
|---|
| 11609 | | - | subsection5402(a)ofthischapterandthesupplementaldistrictspendingyield |
|---|
| 11610 | | - | forthefollowingfiscalyear.Inmakingthesecalculations,theCommissioner |
|---|
| 11611 | | - | shallassume:thestatutoryreservesaremaintainedatfivepercentpursuantto |
|---|
| 11612 | | - | 16V.S.A.§4026andtheamountsintheSupplementalDistrictSpending |
|---|
| 11613 | | - | Reserveareunavailableforanypurposeotherthanthatspecifiedin16V.S.A. |
|---|
| 11614 | | - | § 4032(b) |
|---|
| 11615 | | - | (1)thehomesteadbasetaxrateinsubdivision5402(a)(2)ofthistitleis |
|---|
| 11616 | | - | $1.00per$100.00ofequalizededucationpropertyvalue; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11617 | | - | 2025 Page354of415 |
|---|
| 11618 | | - | (2)theapplicablepercentageinsubdivision6066(a)(2)ofthistitleis |
|---|
| 11619 | | - | 2.0; |
|---|
| 11620 | | - | (3)thestatutoryreservesunder16V.S.A.§4026andthissectionwere |
|---|
| 11621 | | - | maintainedatfivepercent; |
|---|
| 11622 | | - | (4)thepercentagechangeintheaverageeducationtaxbillappliedto |
|---|
| 11623 | | - | nonhomesteadpropertyandthepercentagechangeintheaverageeducation |
|---|
| 11624 | | - | taxbillofhomesteadpropertyandthepercentagechangeintheaverage |
|---|
| 11625 | | - | educationtaxbillfortaxpayerswhoclaimacreditundersubsection6066(a)of |
|---|
| 11626 | | - | thistitleareequal; |
|---|
| 11627 | | - | (5)theequalizededucationgrandlistismultipliedbythestatewide |
|---|
| 11628 | | - | adjustmentincalculatingthepropertydollarequivalentyield;and |
|---|
| 11629 | | - | (6)thenonhomesteadrateisdividedbythestatewideadjustment. |
|---|
| 11630 | | - | (b)Foreachfiscalyear,thepropertydollarequivalentsupplemental |
|---|
| 11631 | | - | districtspendingyieldandtheincomedollarequivalentyieldshallbethesame |
|---|
| 11632 | | - | asinthepriorfiscalyear,unlesssetotherwisebytheGeneralAssembly. |
|---|
| 11633 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11634 | | - | (d)Alongwiththerecommendationsmadeunderthissection,the |
|---|
| 11635 | | - | Commissionershallinclude: |
|---|
| 11636 | | - | (1)thebaseamountasdefinedin16 V.S.A.§ 4001(16); BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11637 | | - | 2025 Page355of415 |
|---|
| 11638 | | - | (2)foreachschooldistrict,theestimatedlong-termmembership, |
|---|
| 11639 | | - | weightedlong-termmembership,andaggregateequalizededucationproperty |
|---|
| 11640 | | - | taxgrandlistofitsmunicipalmembers; |
|---|
| 11641 | | - | (3)foreachschooldistrict,theestimatedaggregateequalizededucation |
|---|
| 11642 | | - | propertytaxgrandlistofitsmunicipalmembersperlong-termmembership; |
|---|
| 11643 | | - | (4)theestimatedschooldistrictwiththelowesttaxingcapacity;and |
|---|
| 11644 | | - | (5)therangeofperpupilsupplementaldistrictspendingbetweenall |
|---|
| 11645 | | - | districtsintheStateforthepreviousyear. |
|---|
| 11646 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11647 | | - | ***ConformingRevisions;StatewidePropertyTaxRate*** |
|---|
| 11648 | | - | Sec.49.32V.S.A.§ 5404a(b)(1)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 11649 | | - | (b)(1)Anagreementaffectingtheeducationpropertytaxgrandlistdefined |
|---|
| 11650 | | - | undersubsection(a)ofthissectionshallreducethemunicipality’seducation |
|---|
| 11651 | | - | propertytaxliabilityunderthischapterforthedurationoftheagreementor |
|---|
| 11652 | | - | exemptionwithoutextensionorrenewal,andforamaximumof10years.A |
|---|
| 11653 | | - | municipality’spropertytaxliabilityunderthischaptershallbereducedbyany |
|---|
| 11654 | | - | differencebetweentheamountoftheeducationpropertytaxescollectedonthe |
|---|
| 11655 | | - | subjectpropertyandtheamountofeducationpropertytaxesthatwouldhave |
|---|
| 11656 | | - | beencollectedonsuchpropertyifitsfairmarketvalueweretaxedatthe |
|---|
| 11657 | | - | equalizednonhomesteadrateforthetaxyear. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11658 | | - | 2025 Page356of415 |
|---|
| 11659 | | - | Sec.50.32V.S.A.§ 5405(g)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 11660 | | - | (g)TheCommissionershallprovidetomunicipalitiesforthefrontof |
|---|
| 11661 | | - | propertytaxbillsthedistricthomesteadpropertystatewideeducationtaxrate |
|---|
| 11662 | | - | beforeequalization,thenonresidentialtaxratebeforeequalization,andthe |
|---|
| 11663 | | - | calculationprocessthatcreatestheequalizedhomesteadandnonhomestead |
|---|
| 11664 | | - | taxrates.TheCommissionershallfurtherprovidetomunicipalitiesforthe |
|---|
| 11665 | | - | backofpropertytaxbillsanexplanationofthecommonlevelofappraisal, |
|---|
| 11666 | | - | includingitsoriginandpurpose. |
|---|
| 11667 | | - | ***StatewidePropertyTaxCreditRepeal;HomesteadExemption |
|---|
| 11668 | | - | Created*** |
|---|
| 11669 | | - | Sec.51.32V.S.A.§5400isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 11670 | | - | § 5400.STATUTORYPURPOSES |
|---|
| 11671 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11672 | | - | (c)Thestatutorypurposeoftheexemptionforqualifiedhousingin |
|---|
| 11673 | | - | subdivision5404a(a)(6)ofthistitleistoensurethattaxesonthisrent- |
|---|
| 11674 | | - | restrictedhousingprovidedtoVermontersoflowandmoderateincomeare |
|---|
| 11675 | | - | moreequivalenttopropertytaxedusingtheStateasahomesteadrateproperty |
|---|
| 11676 | | - | andtoadjustthecostsofinvestmentinrent-restrictedhousingtoreflectmore |
|---|
| 11677 | | - | accuratelytherevenuepotentialofsuchproperty. |
|---|
| 11678 | | - | *** BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11679 | | - | 2025 Page357of415 |
|---|
| 11680 | | - | (j)Thestatutorypurposeofthehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionin |
|---|
| 11681 | | - | subdivision6066(a)(1)ofthistitleistoreducethepropertytaxliabilityfor |
|---|
| 11682 | | - | Vermonthouseholdswithlowandmoderatehouseholdincome. |
|---|
| 11683 | | - | Sec.52.32V.S.A.chapter154isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 11684 | | - | CHAPTER154.HOMESTEADPROPERTYTAXEXEMPTION,MUNICIPAL |
|---|
| 11685 | | - | PROPERTYTAXCREDIT,ANDRENTERCREDIT |
|---|
| 11686 | | - | § 6061.DEFINITIONS |
|---|
| 11687 | | - | Asusedinthischapterunlessthecontextrequiresotherwise: |
|---|
| 11688 | | - | (1)“PropertyMunicipalpropertytaxcredit”meansacreditoftheprior |
|---|
| 11689 | | - | taxyear’sstatewideormunicipalpropertytaxliabilityorahomesteadowner |
|---|
| 11690 | | - | credit,asauthorizedundersectionsubdivision6066(a)(2)ofthistitle,asthe |
|---|
| 11691 | | - | contextrequireschapter. |
|---|
| 11692 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11693 | | - | (8)“Annualtaxlevy”meansthepropertytaxesleviedonproperty |
|---|
| 11694 | | - | taxableonApril1andwithoutregardtotheyearinwhichthosetaxesaredue |
|---|
| 11695 | | - | orpaid.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11696 | | - | (9)“Taxableyear”meansthecalendaryearprecedingtheyearin |
|---|
| 11697 | | - | whichtheclaimisfiled. |
|---|
| 11698 | | - | (10)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11699 | | - | (11)“Housesite”meansthatportionofahomestead,asdefinedunder |
|---|
| 11700 | | - | subdivision5401(7)ofthistitlebutnotundersubdivision5401(7)(G)ofthis BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11701 | | - | 2025 Page358of415 |
|---|
| 11702 | | - | title,thatincludesasmuchofthelandownedbytheclaimantsurroundingthe |
|---|
| 11703 | | - | dwellingasisreasonablynecessaryforuseofthedwellingasahome,butin |
|---|
| 11704 | | - | noeventmorethantwoacresperdwellingunit,and,inthecaseofmultiple |
|---|
| 11705 | | - | dwellingunits,notmorethantwoacresperdwellingunituptoamaximumof |
|---|
| 11706 | | - | 10acresperparcel. |
|---|
| 11707 | | - | (12)“Claimyear”meanstheyearinwhichaclaimisfiledunderthis |
|---|
| 11708 | | - | chapter. |
|---|
| 11709 | | - | (13)“Homestead”meansahomesteadasdefinedundersubdivision |
|---|
| 11710 | | - | 5401(7)ofthistitle,butnotundersubdivision5401(7)(G)ofthistitle,and |
|---|
| 11711 | | - | declaredonorbeforeOctober15inaccordancewithsection5410ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 11712 | | - | (14)“Statewideeducationtaxrate”meansthehomesteadeducation |
|---|
| 11713 | | - | propertytaxratemultipliedbythemunicipality’seducationspending |
|---|
| 11714 | | - | adjustmentundersubdivision5402(a)(2)ofthistitleandusedtocalculate |
|---|
| 11715 | | - | taxesassessedinthemunicipalfiscalyearthatbeganinthetaxableyear. |
|---|
| 11716 | | - | [Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11717 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11718 | | - | (21)“Homesteadpropertytaxexemption”meansareductioninthe |
|---|
| 11719 | | - | amountofhousesitevaluesubjecttothestatewideeducationtaxandthe |
|---|
| 11720 | | - | supplementaldistrictspendingtaxintheclaimyearasauthorizedunder |
|---|
| 11721 | | - | sections6066and6066aofthischapter. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11722 | | - | 2025 Page359of415 |
|---|
| 11723 | | - | § 6062.NUMBERANDIDENTITYOFCLAIMANTS;APPORTIONMENT |
|---|
| 11724 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11725 | | - | (d)Wheneverahousesiteisanintegralpartofalargerunitsuchasafarm |
|---|
| 11726 | | - | oramulti-purposeormulti-dwellingbuilding,propertytaxespaidshallbethat |
|---|
| 11727 | | - | percentageofthetotalpropertytaxasthevalueofthehousesiteistothetotal |
|---|
| 11728 | | - | value.Uponaclaimant’srequest,thelistersshallcertifytotheclaimantthe |
|---|
| 11729 | | - | valueofhisorhertheclaimant’shomesteadandhousesite. |
|---|
| 11730 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11731 | | - | § 6063.CLAIMASPERSONAL;CREDITANDEXEMPTIONAMOUNT |
|---|
| 11732 | | - | ATTIMEOFTRANSFER |
|---|
| 11733 | | - | (a)Therighttofileaclaimunderthischapterispersonaltotheclaimant |
|---|
| 11734 | | - | andshallnotsurvivehisorhertheclaimant’sdeath,buttherightmaybe |
|---|
| 11735 | | - | exercisedonbehalfofaclaimantbyhisorhertheclaimant’slegalguardian |
|---|
| 11736 | | - | orattorney-in-fact.Whenaclaimantdiesafterhavingfiledatimelyclaim,the |
|---|
| 11737 | | - | municipalpropertytaxcreditandthehomesteadexemptionamountshallbe |
|---|
| 11738 | | - | creditedappliedtothehomesteadpropertytaxliabilityoftheclaimant’sestate |
|---|
| 11739 | | - | asprovidedinsection6066aofthistitle. |
|---|
| 11740 | | - | (b)Incaseofsaleortransferofaresidence,afterApril1oftheclaim |
|---|
| 11741 | | - | year: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11742 | | - | 2025 Page360of415 |
|---|
| 11743 | | - | (1)anymunicipalpropertytaxcreditamountsamountrelatedtothat |
|---|
| 11744 | | - | residenceshallbeallocatedtothesellertransferoratclosingunlesstheparties |
|---|
| 11745 | | - | otherwiseagree; |
|---|
| 11746 | | - | (2)anyhomesteadpropertytaxexemptionrelatedtothatresidence |
|---|
| 11747 | | - | basedonthetransferor’shouseholdincomeundersubdivision6066(a)(1)of |
|---|
| 11748 | | - | thischaptershallceasetobeineffectupontransfer;and |
|---|
| 11749 | | - | (3)atransfereewhoiseligibletodeclaretheresidenceasahomestead |
|---|
| 11750 | | - | butfortherequirementtoowntheresidenceonApril1oftheclaimyearshall, |
|---|
| 11751 | | - | notwithstandingsubdivision5401(7)andsubsection5410(b)ofthistitle,be |
|---|
| 11752 | | - | eligibletoapplyforahomesteadpropertytaxexemptionintheclaimyear |
|---|
| 11753 | | - | whenthetransferoccursbyfilingwiththeCommissionerofTaxesahomestead |
|---|
| 11754 | | - | declarationpursuanttosection5410ofthistitleandaclaimforexemptionon |
|---|
| 11755 | | - | orbeforetheduedateprescribedundersection6068ofthischapter. |
|---|
| 11756 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11757 | | - | § 6065.FORMS;TABLES;NOTICES |
|---|
| 11758 | | - | (a)Inadministeringthischapter,theCommissionershallprovidesuitable |
|---|
| 11759 | | - | claimformswithtablesofallowableclaims,instructions,andworksheetsfor |
|---|
| 11760 | | - | claimingahomesteadpropertytaxexemptionandmunicipalpropertytax |
|---|
| 11761 | | - | credit. |
|---|
| 11762 | | - | (b)PriortoJune1,theCommissionershallalsoprepareandsupplyto |
|---|
| 11763 | | - | eachtownintheStatenoticesdescribingthehomesteadpropertytax BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11764 | | - | 2025 Page361of415 |
|---|
| 11765 | | - | exemptionandmunicipalpropertytaxcreditforinclusioninpropertytaxbills. |
|---|
| 11766 | | - | Thenoticeshallbeinsimple,plainlanguageandshallexplainhowtofilefor |
|---|
| 11767 | | - | ahomesteadpropertytaxexemptionandamunicipalpropertytaxcredit, |
|---|
| 11768 | | - | wheretofindassistancefilingforacreditoranexemption,orboth,andany |
|---|
| 11769 | | - | otherrelatedinformationasdeterminedbytheCommissioner.Thenoticeshall |
|---|
| 11770 | | - | directtaxpayerstoaresourcewheretheycanfindversionsofthenotice |
|---|
| 11771 | | - | translatedintothefivemostcommonnon-EnglishlanguagesintheState.A |
|---|
| 11772 | | - | townshallincludesuchnoticeineachtaxbillandnoticeofdelinquenttaxes |
|---|
| 11773 | | - | thatitmailstotaxpayerswhoowninthattownaresidentialproperty,without |
|---|
| 11774 | | - | regardforwhetherthepropertywasdeclaredahomesteadpursuantto |
|---|
| 11775 | | - | subdivision5401(7)ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 11776 | | - | (c)Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofsubsection(b)ofthissection,towns |
|---|
| 11777 | | - | thatuseenvelopesormailersnotabletoaccommodatenoticesdescribingthe |
|---|
| 11778 | | - | homesteadpropertytaxexemptionandmunicipalpropertytaxcreditmay |
|---|
| 11779 | | - | distributesuchnoticesinanalternativemanner. |
|---|
| 11780 | | - | § 6066.COMPUTATIONOFHOMESTEADPROPERTYTAX |
|---|
| 11781 | | - | EXEMPTION,MUNICIPALPROPERTYTAXCREDIT,AND |
|---|
| 11782 | | - | RENTERCREDIT |
|---|
| 11783 | | - | (a)AneligibleclaimantwhoownedthehomesteadonApril1oftheyearin |
|---|
| 11784 | | - | whichtheclaimisfiledshallbeentitledtoacreditfortheprioryear’s |
|---|
| 11785 | | - | homesteadpropertytaxliabilityamountdeterminedasfollows: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11786 | | - | 2025 Page362of415 |
|---|
| 11787 | | - | (1)(A)Foraclaimantwithhouseholdincomeof$90,000.00ormore: |
|---|
| 11788 | | - | (i)thestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbytheequalized |
|---|
| 11789 | | - | valueofthehousesiteinthetaxableyear; |
|---|
| 11790 | | - | (ii)minus(ifless)thesumof: |
|---|
| 11791 | | - | (I)theincomepercentageofhouseholdincomeforthetaxable |
|---|
| 11792 | | - | year;plus |
|---|
| 11793 | | - | (II)thestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbytheequalized |
|---|
| 11794 | | - | valueofthehousesiteinthetaxableyearinexcessof$225,000.00. |
|---|
| 11795 | | - | (B)Foraclaimantwithhouseholdincomeoflessthan$90,000.00but |
|---|
| 11796 | | - | morethan$47,000.00,thestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbythe |
|---|
| 11797 | | - | equalizedvalueofthehousesiteinthetaxableyear,minus(ifless)thesumof: |
|---|
| 11798 | | - | (i)theincomepercentageofhouseholdincomeforthetaxable |
|---|
| 11799 | | - | year;plus |
|---|
| 11800 | | - | (ii)thestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbytheequalized |
|---|
| 11801 | | - | valueofthehousesiteinthetaxableyearinexcessof$400,000.00. |
|---|
| 11802 | | - | (C)Foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomedoesnotexceed |
|---|
| 11803 | | - | $47,000.00,thestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbytheequalizedvalue |
|---|
| 11804 | | - | ofthehousesiteinthetaxableyear,minusthelesserof: |
|---|
| 11805 | | - | (i)thesumoftheincomepercentageofhouseholdincomeforthe |
|---|
| 11806 | | - | taxableyearplusthestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbytheequalized |
|---|
| 11807 | | - | valueofthehousesiteinthetaxableyearinexcessof$400,000.00;or BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11808 | | - | 2025 Page363of415 |
|---|
| 11809 | | - | (ii)thestatewideeducationtaxrate,multipliedbytheequalized |
|---|
| 11810 | | - | valueofthehousesiteinthetaxableyearreducedby$15,000.00. |
|---|
| 11811 | | - | (2)“Incomepercentage”inthissectionmeanstwopercent,multiplied |
|---|
| 11812 | | - | bytheeducationincometaxspendingadjustmentundersubdivision |
|---|
| 11813 | | - | 5401(13)(B)ofthistitleforthepropertytaxyearthatbeginsintheclaimyear |
|---|
| 11814 | | - | forthemunicipalityinwhichthehomesteadresidenceislocated |
|---|
| 11815 | | - | (1)AneligibleclaimantwhoownedthehomesteadonApril1ofthe |
|---|
| 11816 | | - | claimyearshallbeentitledtoahomesteadpropertytaxexemptionintheclaim |
|---|
| 11817 | | - | yearinanamountdeterminedasfollows: |
|---|
| 11818 | | - | (A)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisequaltoorlessthan |
|---|
| 11819 | | - | $25,000.00,theexemptionshallbe95percentoftheclaimant’shousesite |
|---|
| 11820 | | - | value; |
|---|
| 11821 | | - | (B)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisgreaterthan |
|---|
| 11822 | | - | $25,000.00butequaltoorlessthan$47,000.00,theexemptionshallbe90 |
|---|
| 11823 | | - | percentoftheclaimant’shousesitevalue; |
|---|
| 11824 | | - | (C)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisgreaterthan |
|---|
| 11825 | | - | $47,000.00butequaltoorlessthan$50,000.00,theexemptionshallbe80 |
|---|
| 11826 | | - | percentoftheclaimant’shousesitevalue; |
|---|
| 11827 | | - | (D)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisgreaterthan |
|---|
| 11828 | | - | $50,000.00butequaltoorlessthan$60,000.00,theexemptionshallbe70 |
|---|
| 11829 | | - | percentoftheclaimant’shousesitevalue; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11830 | | - | 2025 Page364of415 |
|---|
| 11831 | | - | (E)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisgreaterthan |
|---|
| 11832 | | - | $60,000.00butequaltoorlessthan$70,000.00,theexemptionshallbe60 |
|---|
| 11833 | | - | percentoftheclaimant’shousesitevalue; |
|---|
| 11834 | | - | (F)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisgreaterthan |
|---|
| 11835 | | - | $70,000.00butequaltoorlessthan$80,000.00,theexemptionshallbe50 |
|---|
| 11836 | | - | percentoftheclaimant’shousesitevalue; |
|---|
| 11837 | | - | (G)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisgreaterthan |
|---|
| 11838 | | - | $80,000.00butequaltoorlessthan$90,000.00,theexemptionshallbe40 |
|---|
| 11839 | | - | percentoftheclaimant’shousesitevalue; |
|---|
| 11840 | | - | (H)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisgreaterthan |
|---|
| 11841 | | - | $90,000.00butequaltoorlessthan$100,000.00,theexemptionshallbe30 |
|---|
| 11842 | | - | percentoftheclaimant’shousesitevalue; |
|---|
| 11843 | | - | (I)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisgreaterthan |
|---|
| 11844 | | - | $100,000.00butequaltoorlessthan$110,000.00,theexemptionshallbe20 |
|---|
| 11845 | | - | percentoftheclaimant’shousesitevalue; |
|---|
| 11846 | | - | (J)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisgreaterthan |
|---|
| 11847 | | - | $110,000.00butequaltoorlessthan$115,000.00,theexemptionshallbe10 |
|---|
| 11848 | | - | percentoftheclaimant’shousesitevalue;and |
|---|
| 11849 | | - | (K)foraclaimantwhosehouseholdincomeisgreaterthan |
|---|
| 11850 | | - | $115,000.00,noamountofhousesitevalueshallbeexemptunderthissection. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11851 | | - | 2025 Page365of415 |
|---|
| 11852 | | - | (3)(2)AAneligibleclaimantwhoownedthehomesteadonApril1of |
|---|
| 11853 | | - | theclaimyearandwhosehouseholdincomedoesnotexceed$47,000.00shall |
|---|
| 11854 | | - | alsobeentitledtoanadditionalacreditamountfromagainsttheclaimant’s |
|---|
| 11855 | | - | municipaltaxesfortheupcomingfiscalyearthatisequaltotheamountby |
|---|
| 11856 | | - | whichthemunicipalpropertytaxesforthemunicipalfiscalyearthatbeganin |
|---|
| 11857 | | - | thetaxableyearupontheclaimant’shousesiteexceedsapercentageofthe |
|---|
| 11858 | | - | claimant’shouseholdincomeforthetaxableyearasfollows: |
|---|
| 11859 | | - | Ifhouseholdincome(rounded thenthetaxpayerisentitledto |
|---|
| 11860 | | - | tothenearestdollar)is: creditforthe |
|---|
| 11861 | | - | reducedpropertytaxinexcessof |
|---|
| 11862 | | - | thispercent |
|---|
| 11863 | | - | ofthatincome: |
|---|
| 11864 | | - | $0.00—9,999.00 1.50 |
|---|
| 11865 | | - | $10,000.00—47,000.00 3.00 |
|---|
| 11866 | | - | (4)Aclaimantwhosehouseholdincomedoesnotexceed$47,000.00 |
|---|
| 11867 | | - | shallalsobeentitledtoanadditionalcreditamountfromtheclaimant’s |
|---|
| 11868 | | - | statewideeducationtaxfortheupcomingfiscalyearthatisequaltothe |
|---|
| 11869 | | - | amountbywhichtheeducationpropertytaxforthemunicipalfiscalyearthat |
|---|
| 11870 | | - | beganinthetaxableyearupontheclaimant’shousesite,reducedbythecredit |
|---|
| 11871 | | - | amountdeterminedundersubdivisions(1)and(2)ofthissubsection,exceedsa |
|---|
| 11872 | | - | percentageoftheclaimant’shouseholdincomeforthetaxableyearasfollows: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11873 | | - | 2025 Page366of415 |
|---|
| 11874 | | - | Ifhouseholdincome(rounded thenthetaxpayerisentitledto |
|---|
| 11875 | | - | tothenearestdollar)is: creditforthereducedpropertytax |
|---|
| 11876 | | - | inexcessofthispercentofthat |
|---|
| 11877 | | - | income: |
|---|
| 11878 | | - | $0.00—9,999.00 0.5 |
|---|
| 11879 | | - | $10,000.00—24,999.00 1.5 |
|---|
| 11880 | | - | $25,000.00—47,000.00 2.0 |
|---|
| 11881 | | - | (5)(3)Innoeventshallthehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionprovided |
|---|
| 11882 | | - | forinsubdivision(1)ofthissubsectionreducethehousesitevaluebelowzero. |
|---|
| 11883 | | - | Innoeventshallthemunicipalpropertytaxcreditprovidedforinsubdivision |
|---|
| 11884 | | - | (3)or(4)(2)ofthissubsectionexceedtheamountofthereducedmunicipal |
|---|
| 11885 | | - | propertytax.Thecreditsundersubdivision(4)ofthissubsectionshallbe |
|---|
| 11886 | | - | calculatedconsideringonlythetaxdueonthefirst$400,000.00inequalized |
|---|
| 11887 | | - | housesitevalue. |
|---|
| 11888 | | - | (4)Eachdollaramountinsubdivision(1)ofthissubsectionshallbe |
|---|
| 11889 | | - | adjustedforinflationannuallyonorbeforeNovember15bytheCommissioner |
|---|
| 11890 | | - | ofTaxes.Asusedinthissubdivision,“adjustedforinflation”meansadjusting |
|---|
| 11891 | | - | thedollaramountbytheNationalIncomeandProductAccounts(NIPA) |
|---|
| 11892 | | - | implicitpricedeflatorforstateandlocalgovernmentconsumption |
|---|
| 11893 | | - | expendituresandgrossinvestmentpublishedbytheU.S.Departmentof |
|---|
| 11894 | | - | Commerce,BureauofEconomicAnalysis,fromfiscalyear2025throughthe BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11895 | | - | 2025 Page367of415 |
|---|
| 11896 | | - | fiscalyearforwhichtheamountisbeingdetermined,androundingupwardto |
|---|
| 11897 | | - | thenearestwholedollaramount. |
|---|
| 11898 | | - | (b)(1)Aneligibleclaimantwhorentedthehomesteadshallbeentitledtoa |
|---|
| 11899 | | - | creditforthetaxableyearinanamountnottoexceed$2,500.00,tobe |
|---|
| 11900 | | - | calculatedasfollows: |
|---|
| 11901 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 11902 | | - | (c)Tobeeligibleforanadjustmentexemptionorcreditunderthischapter, |
|---|
| 11903 | | - | theclaimant: |
|---|
| 11904 | | - | (1)musthavebeendomiciledinthisStateduringtheentiretaxable |
|---|
| 11905 | | - | year; |
|---|
| 11906 | | - | (2)maynotbeapersonclaimedasadependentbyanytaxpayerunder |
|---|
| 11907 | | - | thefederalInternalRevenueCodeduringthetaxableyear;and |
|---|
| 11908 | | - | (3)inthecaseofarenter,shallhaverentedpropertyforatleastsix |
|---|
| 11909 | | - | calendarmonths,whichneednotbeconsecutive,duringthetaxableyear. |
|---|
| 11910 | | - | (d)Theownerofamobilehomethatissitedonalotnotownedbythe |
|---|
| 11911 | | - | homeownermayincludeanamountdeterminedundersubdivision6061(7)of |
|---|
| 11912 | | - | thistitleasallocablerentpaidonthelotwiththeamountofpropertytaxes |
|---|
| 11913 | | - | paidbythehomeowneronthehomeforthepurposeofcomputationofcredits |
|---|
| 11914 | | - | themunicipalpropertytaxcreditundersubdivision(a)(3)(2)ofthissection, |
|---|
| 11915 | | - | unlessthehomeownerhasincludedintheclaimanamountofpropertytaxon |
|---|
| 11916 | | - | commonlandundertheprovisionsofsubsection(e)ofthissection. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11917 | | - | 2025 Page368of415 |
|---|
| 11918 | | - | (e)Propertytaxespaidbyacooperative,notincludingamobilehomepark |
|---|
| 11919 | | - | cooperative,allocabletopropertyusedasahomesteadshallbeattributableto |
|---|
| 11920 | | - | theco-opmemberforthepurposeofcomputingthecreditofpropertytax |
|---|
| 11921 | | - | liabilityoftheco-opmemberunderthissection.Propertyownedbya |
|---|
| 11922 | | - | cooperativedeclaredasahomesteadmayonlyincludethehomesteadanda |
|---|
| 11923 | | - | proratashareofanycommonlandownedorleasedbythecooperative,notto |
|---|
| 11924 | | - | exceedthetwo-acrehousesitelimitation.Theshareofthecooperative’s |
|---|
| 11925 | | - | assessedvalueattributabletothehousesiteshallbedeterminedbythe |
|---|
| 11926 | | - | cooperativeandspecifiedannuallyinanoticetotheco-opmember.Property |
|---|
| 11927 | | - | taxespaidbyamobilehomeparkcooperative,allocabletopropertyusedasa |
|---|
| 11928 | | - | housesite,shallbeattributedtotheownerofthehousesiteforthepurposeof |
|---|
| 11929 | | - | computingthecreditofpropertytaxliabilityofthehousesiteownerunderthis |
|---|
| 11930 | | - | section.Propertyownedbythemobilehomeparkcooperativeanddeclaredas |
|---|
| 11931 | | - | ahousesitemayonlyincludecommonpropertyofthecooperativecontiguous |
|---|
| 11932 | | - | withatleastonemobilehomelotinthepark,nottoexceedthetwo-acre |
|---|
| 11933 | | - | housesitelimitation.Theshareattributabletoanymobilehomelotshallbe |
|---|
| 11934 | | - | determinedbythecooperativeandspecifiedinthecooperativeagreement.A |
|---|
| 11935 | | - | co-opmemberwhoisthehousesiteownershallbeentitledtoapropertytax |
|---|
| 11936 | | - | creditinanamountdeterminedbymultiplyingthepropertytaxesallocated |
|---|
| 11937 | | - | underthissubsectionbythepercentageoftheexemptionforwhichthe BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11938 | | - | 2025 Page369of415 |
|---|
| 11939 | | - | housesiteowner’shouseholdincomequalifiesundersubdivision(a)(1)ofthis |
|---|
| 11940 | | - | section. |
|---|
| 11941 | | - | (f)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11942 | | - | (g)Notwithstandingsubsection(d)ofthissection,ifthelandsurroundinga |
|---|
| 11943 | | - | homesteadisownedbyanonprofitcorporationorcommunitylandtrustwith |
|---|
| 11944 | | - | taxexemptstatusunder26U.S.C.§501(c)(3),thehomeownermayincludean |
|---|
| 11945 | | - | allocatedamountaspropertytaxpaidonthelandwiththeamountofproperty |
|---|
| 11946 | | - | taxespaidbythehomeowneronthehomeforthepurposesofcomputationof |
|---|
| 11947 | | - | thecreditpropertytaxliabilityunderthissection.Theallocatedamountshall |
|---|
| 11948 | | - | bedeterminedbythenonprofitcorporationorcommunitylandtrustona |
|---|
| 11949 | | - | proportionalbasis.Thenonprofitcorporationorcommunitylandtrustshall |
|---|
| 11950 | | - | providetothathomeowner,byJanuary31,acertificatespecifyingthe |
|---|
| 11951 | | - | allocatedamount.Thecertificateshallindicatetheproportionoftotal |
|---|
| 11952 | | - | propertytaxontheparcelthatwasassessedformunicipalpropertytaxandfor |
|---|
| 11953 | | - | statewidepropertytaxandtheproportionoftotalvalueoftheparcel.A |
|---|
| 11954 | | - | homeownerunderthissubsectionshallbeentitledtoapropertytaxcreditinan |
|---|
| 11955 | | - | amountdeterminedbymultiplyingthepropertytaxesallocatedunderthis |
|---|
| 11956 | | - | subsectionbythepercentageoftheexemptionforwhichthehomeowner’s |
|---|
| 11957 | | - | householdincomequalifiesundersubdivision(a)(1)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 11958 | | - | (h)Ahomesteadownershallbeentitledtoanadditionalpropertytaxcredit |
|---|
| 11959 | | - | amountequaltoonepercentoftheamountofincometaxrefundthatthe BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11960 | | - | 2025 Page370of415 |
|---|
| 11961 | | - | claimantelectstoallocatetopaymentofhomesteadstatewideeducation |
|---|
| 11962 | | - | propertytaxundersection6068ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 11963 | | - | (i)AdjustmentsThehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionandthemunicipal |
|---|
| 11964 | | - | propertytaxcreditundersubsection(a)ofthissectionshallbecalculated |
|---|
| 11965 | | - | withoutregardtoanyexemptionundersubdivision3802(11)ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 11966 | | - | § 6066a.DETERMINATIONOFHOMESTEADPROPERTYTAX |
|---|
| 11967 | | - | EXEMPTIONANDMUNICIPALPROPERTYTAXCREDIT |
|---|
| 11968 | | - | (a)Annually,theCommissionershalldeterminethehomesteadpropertytax |
|---|
| 11969 | | - | exemptionandthemunicipalpropertytaxcreditamountundersection6066of |
|---|
| 11970 | | - | thistitle,relatedtoahomesteadownedbytheclaimant,basedontheprior |
|---|
| 11971 | | - | taxableyear’sincomeandforthemunicipalpropertytaxcredit,crediting |
|---|
| 11972 | | - | propertytaxespaidintheprioryear,andforthehomesteadpropertytax |
|---|
| 11973 | | - | exemption,exemptingthehousesitevalueintheclaimyear.The |
|---|
| 11974 | | - | Commissionershallnotifythemunicipalityinwhichthehousesiteislocatedof |
|---|
| 11975 | | - | theamountofthehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionandmunicipalproperty |
|---|
| 11976 | | - | taxcreditfortheclaimantforhomesteadpropertytaxliabilitiesonamonthly |
|---|
| 11977 | | - | basis.Themunicipalpropertytaxcreditofaclaimantwhowasassessed |
|---|
| 11978 | | - | propertytaxbyatownthatrevisedthedatesofitsfiscalyear,however,isthe |
|---|
| 11979 | | - | excessofthepropertytaxthatwasassessedinthelast12monthsoftherevised |
|---|
| 11980 | | - | fiscalyear,overtheadjustedpropertytaxoftheclaimantfortherevisedfiscal BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 11981 | | - | 2025 Page371of415 |
|---|
| 11982 | | - | year,asdeterminedundersection6066ofthistitle,relatedtoahomestead |
|---|
| 11983 | | - | ownedbytheclaimant. |
|---|
| 11984 | | - | (b)TheCommissionershallincludeinthetotalhomesteadpropertytax |
|---|
| 11985 | | - | exemptionandmunicipalpropertytaxcreditamountdeterminedunder |
|---|
| 11986 | | - | subsection(a)ofthissection,forcredittothetaxpayerforhomestead |
|---|
| 11987 | | - | statewideeducationpropertytaxandsupplementaldistrictspendingtax |
|---|
| 11988 | | - | liabilities,anyincometaxoverpaymentremainingafterallocationunder |
|---|
| 11989 | | - | section3112ofthistitleandsetoffundersection5934ofthistitle,whichthe |
|---|
| 11990 | | - | taxpayerhasdirectedtobeusedforpaymentofpropertytaxes. |
|---|
| 11991 | | - | (c)TheCommissionershallnotifythemunicipalityofanyclaimandrefund |
|---|
| 11992 | | - | amountsunresolvedbyNovember1atthetimeoffinalresolution,including |
|---|
| 11993 | | - | adjudication,ifany;provided,however,thattownswillnotbenotifiedofany |
|---|
| 11994 | | - | additionalcreditamountsafterNovember1oftheclaimyear,andsuch |
|---|
| 11995 | | - | amountsshallbepaidtotheclaimantbytheCommissioner. |
|---|
| 11996 | | - | (d)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 11997 | | - | (e)Atthetimeofnoticetothemunicipality,theCommissionershallnotify |
|---|
| 11998 | | - | thetaxpayerofthehomesteadpropertytaxcreditexemptionamount |
|---|
| 11999 | | - | determinedundersubdivision6066(a)(1)ofthistitle,theamountdetermined |
|---|
| 12000 | | - | undersubdivision6066(a)(3)ofthistitle,;anyadditionalmunicipalproperty |
|---|
| 12001 | | - | creditamountsamountduethehomesteadownerundersectionsubdivision |
|---|
| 12002 | | - | 6066(a)(2)ofthistitle,;theamountofincometaxrefund,ifany,allocatedto BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12003 | | - | 2025 Page372of415 |
|---|
| 12004 | | - | paymentofhomesteadstatewideeducationpropertytaxliabilities,;andany |
|---|
| 12005 | | - | late-claimreductionamount. |
|---|
| 12006 | | - | (f)(1)Fortaxpayersandamountsstatedinthenoticetotownsonorbefore |
|---|
| 12007 | | - | July1,municipalitiesshallcreateandsendtotaxpayersahomesteadproperty |
|---|
| 12008 | | - | taxbill,insteadofthebillrequiredundersubdivision5402(b)(1)ofthistitle, |
|---|
| 12009 | | - | providingthetotalamountallocatedtopaymentofhomesteadstatewide |
|---|
| 12010 | | - | educationpropertytaxliabilitiesandnoticeofthebalancedue.Municipalities |
|---|
| 12011 | | - | shallapplytheamountofthehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionallocated |
|---|
| 12012 | | - | underthischaptertocurrentyearpropertytaxesinequalamountstoeachof |
|---|
| 12013 | | - | thetaxpayers’propertytaxinstallmentsthatincludeeducationtaxesandthe |
|---|
| 12014 | | - | amountofthemunicipalpropertytaxcreditallocatedunderthischapterto |
|---|
| 12015 | | - | currentyearmunicipalpropertytaxesinequalamountstoeachofthe |
|---|
| 12016 | | - | taxpayers’propertytaxinstallmentsthatincludemunicipaltaxes. |
|---|
| 12017 | | - | Notwithstandingsection4772ofthistitle,ifatownissuesacorrectedbillasa |
|---|
| 12018 | | - | resultofthenoticesentbytheCommissionerundersubsection(a)ofthis |
|---|
| 12019 | | - | section,issuanceofthecorrectednewbilldoesnotextendthetimeforpayment |
|---|
| 12020 | | - | oftheoriginalbillnorrelievethetaxpayerofanyinterestorpenalties |
|---|
| 12021 | | - | associatedwiththeoriginalbill.Ifthecorrectedbillislessthantheoriginal |
|---|
| 12022 | | - | bill,andtherearealsonounpaidcurrentyeartaxes,interest,orpenalties,and |
|---|
| 12023 | | - | nopastyeardelinquenttaxesorpenaltiesandinterestcharges,any BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12024 | | - | 2025 Page373of415 |
|---|
| 12025 | | - | overpaymentshallbereflectedonthecorrectedtaxbillandrefundedtothe |
|---|
| 12026 | | - | taxpayer. |
|---|
| 12027 | | - | (2)Forhomesteadpropertytaxexemptionandmunicipalpropertytax |
|---|
| 12028 | | - | creditamountsforwhichmunicipalitiesreceivenoticeafterNovember1, |
|---|
| 12029 | | - | municipalitiesshallissueanewhomesteadpropertytaxbillwithnoticetothe |
|---|
| 12030 | | - | taxpayerofthetotalamountallocatedtopaymentofhomesteadpropertytax |
|---|
| 12031 | | - | liabilitiesandnoticeofthebalancedue. |
|---|
| 12032 | | - | (3)Thehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionandmunicipalpropertytax |
|---|
| 12033 | | - | creditamountdeterminedforthetaxpayershallbeallocatedfirsttocurrent |
|---|
| 12034 | | - | yearhousesitevalueandpropertytaxonthehomesteadparcel,nexttocurrent- |
|---|
| 12035 | | - | yearhomesteadparcelpenaltiesandinterest,nexttoanyprioryearhomestead |
|---|
| 12036 | | - | parcelpenaltiesandinterest,andlasttoanyprioryearhousesitevalueand |
|---|
| 12037 | | - | propertytaxonthehomesteadparcel.Nohomesteadpropertytaxexemption |
|---|
| 12038 | | - | ormunicipalcreditshallbeallocatedtoahousesitevalueorpropertytax |
|---|
| 12039 | | - | liabilityforanyyearaftertheyearforwhichtheclaimorrefundallocation |
|---|
| 12040 | | - | wasfiled.Nomunicipaltax-reductionincentiveforearlypaymentoftaxes |
|---|
| 12041 | | - | shallapplytoanyamountallocatedtothepropertytaxbillunderthischapter. |
|---|
| 12042 | | - | (4)Ifthehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionorthemunicipalproperty |
|---|
| 12043 | | - | taxcreditamountasdescribedinsubsection(e)ofthissectionexceedsthe |
|---|
| 12044 | | - | propertytax,penalties,andinterestdueforthecurrentandallprioryears,the |
|---|
| 12045 | | - | municipalityshallrefundtheexcesstothetaxpayer,withoutinterest,within20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12046 | | - | 2025 Page374of415 |
|---|
| 12047 | | - | daysofthefirstdateuponwhichtaxesbecomedueandpayableor20days |
|---|
| 12048 | | - | afternotificationoftheexemptionorcreditamountbytheCommissionerof |
|---|
| 12049 | | - | Taxes,whicheverislater. |
|---|
| 12050 | | - | (g)TheCommissionerofTaxesshallpaymonthlytoeachmunicipalitythe |
|---|
| 12051 | | - | amountofmunicipalpropertytaxcreditofwhichthemunicipalitywaslast |
|---|
| 12052 | | - | notifiedrelatedtomunicipalpropertytaxonhomesteadswithinthat |
|---|
| 12053 | | - | municipality,asdeterminedbytheCommissionerofTaxes. |
|---|
| 12054 | | - | § 6067.CREDITCLAIMLIMITATIONS |
|---|
| 12055 | | - | (a)Claimant.Onlyoneindividualperhouseholdpertaxableyearshallbe |
|---|
| 12056 | | - | entitledtoahomesteadexemptionclaimorpropertytaxcreditclaim,orboth, |
|---|
| 12057 | | - | underthischapter. |
|---|
| 12058 | | - | (b)Otherstates.Anindividualwhoreceivedahomesteadexemptionor |
|---|
| 12059 | | - | creditwithrespecttopropertytaxesassessedbyanotherstateforthetaxable |
|---|
| 12060 | | - | yearshallnotbeentitledtoreceiveacreditunderthischapter. |
|---|
| 12061 | | - | (c)Dollaramount.Notaxpayerclaimantshallreceivearentercredit |
|---|
| 12062 | | - | undersubsection6066(b)ofthistitleinexcessof$2,500.00.Notaxpayer |
|---|
| 12063 | | - | claimantshallreceiveamunicipalpropertytaxcreditundersubdivision |
|---|
| 12064 | | - | 6066(a)(3)(2)ofthistitlegreaterthan$2,400.00orcumulativecreditunder |
|---|
| 12065 | | - | subdivisions6066(a)(1)-(2)and(4)ofthistitlegreaterthan$5,600.00. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12066 | | - | 2025 Page375of415 |
|---|
| 12067 | | - | § 6068.APPLICATIONANDTIMEFORFILING |
|---|
| 12068 | | - | (a)Ahomesteadpropertytaxexemptionormunicipalpropertytaxcredit |
|---|
| 12069 | | - | claimorrequestforallocationofanincometaxrefundtohomesteadstatewide |
|---|
| 12070 | | - | educationpropertytaxpaymentshallbefiledwiththeCommissioneronor |
|---|
| 12071 | | - | beforetheduedateforfilingtheVermontincometaxreturn,withoutextension, |
|---|
| 12072 | | - | andshalldescribetheschooldistrictinwhichthehomesteadpropertyis |
|---|
| 12073 | | - | locatedandshallparticularlydescribethehomesteadpropertyforwhichthe |
|---|
| 12074 | | - | exemptionorcreditorallocationissought,includingtheschoolparcel |
|---|
| 12075 | | - | accountnumberprescribedinsubsection5404(b)ofthistitle.Arentercredit |
|---|
| 12076 | | - | claimshallbefiledwiththeCommissioneronorbeforetheduedateforfiling |
|---|
| 12077 | | - | theVermontincometaxreturn,withoutextension. |
|---|
| 12078 | | - | (b)(1)Iftheaclaimantfilesamunicipalpropertytaxcreditclaimafter |
|---|
| 12079 | | - | October15butonorbeforeMarch15ofthefollowingcalendaryear,the |
|---|
| 12080 | | - | municipalpropertytaxcreditunderthischapter: |
|---|
| 12081 | | - | (1)(A)shallbereducedinamountby$150.00,butnotbelow$0.00; |
|---|
| 12082 | | - | (2)(B)shallbeissueddirectlytotheclaimant;and |
|---|
| 12083 | | - | (3)(C)shallnotrequirethemunicipalitywheretheclaimant’sproperty |
|---|
| 12084 | | - | islocatedtoissueanadjustedhomesteadpropertytaxbill. |
|---|
| 12085 | | - | (2)Ifaclaimantfilesahomesteadpropertytaxexemptionclaimunder |
|---|
| 12086 | | - | thischapterafterOctober15butonorbeforeMarch15ofthefollowing |
|---|
| 12087 | | - | calendaryear,theclaimantshallpayapenaltyof$150.00andthe BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12088 | | - | 2025 Page376of415 |
|---|
| 12089 | | - | municipalitywheretheclaimant’spropertyislocatedshallnotberequiredto |
|---|
| 12090 | | - | issueanadjustedpropertytaxbill. |
|---|
| 12091 | | - | (c)Norequestforallocationofanincometaxrefundorforarentercredit |
|---|
| 12092 | | - | claimmaybemadeafterOctober15.Nohomesteadpropertytaxexemptionor |
|---|
| 12093 | | - | municipalpropertytaxcreditclaimmaybemadeafterMarch15ofthe |
|---|
| 12094 | | - | calendaryearfollowingtheduedateundersubsection(a)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 12095 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12096 | | - | § 6070.DISALLOWEDCLAIMS |
|---|
| 12097 | | - | Aclaimshallbedisallowediftheclaimantreceivedtitletohisorherthe |
|---|
| 12098 | | - | claimant’shomesteadprimarilyforthepurposeofreceivingbenefitsunderthis |
|---|
| 12099 | | - | chapter. |
|---|
| 12100 | | - | § 6071.EXCESSIVEANDFRAUDULENTCLAIMS |
|---|
| 12101 | | - | (a)Inanycaseinwhichitisdeterminedundertheprovisionsofthistitle |
|---|
| 12102 | | - | thataclaimisorwasexcessiveandwasfiledwithfraudulentintent,theclaim |
|---|
| 12103 | | - | shallbedisallowedinfullandtheCommissionermayimposeapenaltyequal |
|---|
| 12104 | | - | totheamountclaimed.Adisallowedclaimmayberecoveredbyassessmentas |
|---|
| 12105 | | - | incometaxesareassessed.Theassessment,includingassessmentofpenalty, |
|---|
| 12106 | | - | shallbearinterestfromthedatetheclaimwascreditedagainstpropertytaxor |
|---|
| 12107 | | - | incometaxorpaidbytheStateuntilrepaidbytheclaimantattherateper |
|---|
| 12108 | | - | annumestablishedfromtimetotimebytheCommissionerpursuanttosection |
|---|
| 12109 | | - | 3108ofthistitle.Theclaimantinthatcase,andanypersonwhoassistedin BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12110 | | - | 2025 Page377of415 |
|---|
| 12111 | | - | thepreparationoffilingofsuchexcessiveclaimorsuppliedinformationupon |
|---|
| 12112 | | - | whichtheexcessiveclaimwasprepared,withfraudulentintent,shallbefined |
|---|
| 12113 | | - | notmorethan$1,000.00orbeimprisonednotmorethanoneyear,orboth. |
|---|
| 12114 | | - | (b)Inanycaseinwhichitisdeterminedthataclaimisorwasexcessive, |
|---|
| 12115 | | - | theCommissionermayimposea10percentpenaltyonsuchexcess,andifthe |
|---|
| 12116 | | - | claimhasbeenpaidorcreditedagainstpropertytaxorincometaxotherwise |
|---|
| 12117 | | - | payable,themunicipalpropertytaxcreditorhomesteadexemptionshallbe |
|---|
| 12118 | | - | reducedorcanceledandtheproperportionofanyamountpaidshallbe |
|---|
| 12119 | | - | similarlyrecoveredbyassessmentasincometaxesareassessed,andsuch |
|---|
| 12120 | | - | assessmentshallbearinterestattherateperannumestablishedfromtimeto |
|---|
| 12121 | | - | timebytheCommissionerpursuanttosection3108ofthistitlefromthedateof |
|---|
| 12122 | | - | paymentor,inthecaseofcreditofamunicipalpropertytaxbillundersection |
|---|
| 12123 | | - | 6066aofthistitle,fromDecember1oftheyearinwhichtheclaimisfileduntil |
|---|
| 12124 | | - | refundedorpaid. |
|---|
| 12125 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12126 | | - | § 6073.REGULATIONSRULESOFTHECOMMISSIONER |
|---|
| 12127 | | - | TheCommissionermay,fromtimetotime,issueadopt,amend,and |
|---|
| 12128 | | - | withdrawregulationsrulesinterpretingandimplementingthischapter. |
|---|
| 12129 | | - | § 6074.AMENDMENTOFCERTAINCLAIMS |
|---|
| 12130 | | - | Atanytimewithinthreeyearsafterthedateforfilingclaimsunder |
|---|
| 12131 | | - | subsection6068(a)ofthischapter,aclaimantwhofiledaclaimbyOctober15 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12132 | | - | 2025 Page378of415 |
|---|
| 12133 | | - | mayfiletoamendthatclaimwithregardtohousesitevalue,housesite |
|---|
| 12134 | | - | educationtax,housesitemunicipaltax,andownershippercentageortocorrect |
|---|
| 12135 | | - | theamountofhouseholdincomereportedonthatclaim. |
|---|
| 12136 | | - | Sec.53.DEPARTMENTOFTAXES;HOMESTEADDECLARATION; |
|---|
| 12137 | | - | SAMPLEFORM; |
|---|
| 12138 | | - | OnorbeforeDecember15,2025,theDepartmentofTaxesshallprovideto |
|---|
| 12139 | | - | theHouseCommitteeonWaysandMeansandtheSenateCommitteeon |
|---|
| 12140 | | - | Financesuggestionsforupdatingthehomesteaddeclarationunder32V.S.A. |
|---|
| 12141 | | - | § 5410toaddresstheimplementationofthehomesteadexemptionunder |
|---|
| 12142 | | - | section19ofthisact,whichmaybeprovidedasasampleform. |
|---|
| 12143 | | - | ***ConformingRevisions;PropertyTaxCreditRepeal*** |
|---|
| 12144 | | - | Sec.54.11V.S.A.§ 1608isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12145 | | - | § 1608.ELIGIBILITYFORPROPERTYTAXRELIEF |
|---|
| 12146 | | - | Membersofcooperativehousingcorporationsshallbeeligibletoapplyfor |
|---|
| 12147 | | - | andreceiveahomesteadpropertytaxadjustmentexemptionandmunicipal |
|---|
| 12148 | | - | propertytaxcreditunder32V.S.A.§ 6066,subjecttotheconditionsof |
|---|
| 12149 | | - | eligibilitysetforththerein. |
|---|
| 12150 | | - | Sec.55.32V.S.A.§ 3102(j)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12151 | | - | (j)Taxbillspreparedbyamunicipalityundersubdivision5402(b)(1)of |
|---|
| 12152 | | - | thistitleshowingonlytheamountoftotaltaxdueshallnotbeconsidered |
|---|
| 12153 | | - | confidentialreturninformationunderthissection.Forthepurposesof BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12154 | | - | 2025 Page379of415 |
|---|
| 12155 | | - | calculatingcreditsthehomesteadpropertytaxexemptionandthemunicipal |
|---|
| 12156 | | - | propertytaxcreditunderchapter154ofthistitle,informationprovidedbythe |
|---|
| 12157 | | - | Commissionertoamunicipalityundersubsection6066a(a)ofthistitleand |
|---|
| 12158 | | - | informationprovidedbythemunicipalitytoataxpayerundersubsection |
|---|
| 12159 | | - | 6066a(f)shallbeconsideredconfidentialreturninformationunderthissection. |
|---|
| 12160 | | - | Sec.56.32V.S.A.§ 3206(b)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12161 | | - | (b)Asusedinthissection,“extraordinaryrelief”meansaremedythatis |
|---|
| 12162 | | - | withinthepoweroftheCommissionertograntunderthistitle,aremedythat |
|---|
| 12163 | | - | compensatesfortheresultofinaccurateclassificationofpropertyas |
|---|
| 12164 | | - | homesteadornonhomesteadpursuanttosection5410ofthistitlethroughno |
|---|
| 12165 | | - | faultofthetaxpayer,oraremedythatmakeschangestoataxpayer’s |
|---|
| 12166 | | - | homesteadpropertytaxexemption,municipalpropertytaxcredit,orrenter |
|---|
| 12167 | | - | creditclaimnecessarytoremedytheproblemidentifiedbytheTaxpayer |
|---|
| 12168 | | - | Advocate. |
|---|
| 12169 | | - | ***FutureReviewofFoundationFormula*** |
|---|
| 12170 | | - | Sec.57.32V.S.A.§ 5414isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12171 | | - | § 5414.CREATION;EDUCATIONFUNDADVISORYCOMMITTEE |
|---|
| 12172 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereiscreatedtheEducationFundAdvisoryCommitteeto |
|---|
| 12173 | | - | monitorVermont’seducationfinancingsystem,conductanalyses,assistwith |
|---|
| 12174 | | - | thetransformationofVermont’seducationfinancesystem,andperformthe |
|---|
| 12175 | | - | dutiesundersubsection(c)ofthissection. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12176 | | - | 2025 Page380of415 |
|---|
| 12177 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12178 | | - | (c)Powersandduties. |
|---|
| 12179 | | - | (1)Annually,onorbeforeDecember15,theCommitteeshallmake |
|---|
| 12180 | | - | recommendationstotheGeneralAssemblyregarding: |
|---|
| 12181 | | - | (A)updatingtheweightingfactorsusingtheweightingmodeland |
|---|
| 12182 | | - | methodologyusedtoarriveattheweightsenactedunder2022Actsand |
|---|
| 12183 | | - | ResolvesNo.127,whichmayincluderecalibration,recalculation,addingor |
|---|
| 12184 | | - | eliminatingweights,oranycombinationoftheseactions,asnecessary; |
|---|
| 12185 | | - | (B)changesto,ortheadditionofneworeliminationofexisting, |
|---|
| 12186 | | - | categoricalaid,asnecessary; |
|---|
| 12187 | | - | (C)changestoincomelevelseligibleforapropertytaxcreditunder |
|---|
| 12188 | | - | section6066ofthistitle; |
|---|
| 12189 | | - | (D)meanstoadjusttherevenuesourcesfortheEducationFund; |
|---|
| 12190 | | - | (E)meanstoimproveequity,transparency,andefficiencyin |
|---|
| 12191 | | - | educationfundingstatewide; |
|---|
| 12192 | | - | (F)theamountoftheEducationFundstabilizationreserve; |
|---|
| 12193 | | - | (G)schooldistrictuseofreservefundaccounts; |
|---|
| 12194 | | - | (H)nationalbestpracticesforaddressingintra-schooldistricteffects |
|---|
| 12195 | | - | ofafoundationformula,includingthroughtheuseofweightingfactors; |
|---|
| 12196 | | - | (I)whethertotransitionfromacost-basedfoundationformulatoan |
|---|
| 12197 | | - | evidence-basedfoundationformula;and BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12198 | | - | 2025 Page381of415 |
|---|
| 12199 | | - | (J)anyothertopic,factor,orissuetheCommitteedeemsrelevantto |
|---|
| 12200 | | - | itsworkandrecommendations. |
|---|
| 12201 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12202 | | - | Sec.58.16V.S.A.§ 4001isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12203 | | - | § 4001.DEFINITIONS |
|---|
| 12204 | | - | Asusedinthischapter: |
|---|
| 12205 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12206 | | - | (16)“Baseamount”meansaperpupilcost-factorevidence-based |
|---|
| 12207 | | - | amountof$15,033.0010,000.00,whichshallbeadjustedforinflation |
|---|
| 12208 | | - | annuallyonorbeforeNovember15bytheSecretaryofEducation.Asusedin |
|---|
| 12209 | | - | thissubdivision,“adjustedforinflation”meansadjustingthebasedollar |
|---|
| 12210 | | - | amountbytheNationalIncomeandProductAccounts(NIPA)implicitprice |
|---|
| 12211 | | - | deflatorforstateandlocalgovernmentconsumptionexpendituresandgross |
|---|
| 12212 | | - | investmentpublishedbytheU.S.DepartmentofCommerce,Bureauof |
|---|
| 12213 | | - | EconomicAnalysis,fromfiscalyear2025throughthefiscalyearforwhichthe |
|---|
| 12214 | | - | amountisbeingdetermined,androundingupwardtothenearestwholedollar |
|---|
| 12215 | | - | amount. |
|---|
| 12216 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12217 | | - | Sec.59.16V.S.A.§ 4010isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12218 | | - | § 4010.DETERMINATIONOFWEIGHTEDLONG-TERMMEMBERSHIP |
|---|
| 12219 | | - | ANDEDUCATIONOPPORTUNITYPAYMENT BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12220 | | - | 2025 Page382of415 |
|---|
| 12221 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12222 | | - | (d)Determinationofweightedlong-termmembership.Foreachweighting |
|---|
| 12223 | | - | category,theSecretaryshallcomputetheweightingcountbyusingthelong- |
|---|
| 12224 | | - | termmembership,asdefinedinsubdivision4001(7)ofthistitle,inthat |
|---|
| 12225 | | - | category. |
|---|
| 12226 | | - | (1)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 12227 | | - | (2)Eachpupilincludedinlong-termmembershipwhosefamilyisator |
|---|
| 12228 | | - | below185percentofFPLshallreceiveanadditionalweightingamountof |
|---|
| 12229 | | - | 1.021.00. |
|---|
| 12230 | | - | (3)EachELpupilincludedinlong-termmembershipshallreceivean |
|---|
| 12231 | | - | additionalweightingamount,basedontheELpupil’sEnglishlanguage |
|---|
| 12232 | | - | proficiencylevel,of: |
|---|
| 12233 | | - | (A)2.111.00,ifassessedasLevel1; |
|---|
| 12234 | | - | (B)1.411.00,ifassessedasLevel2or3; |
|---|
| 12235 | | - | (C)1.201.00,ifassessedasLevel4;or |
|---|
| 12236 | | - | (D)0.121.00,ifassessedasLevel5or6. |
|---|
| 12237 | | - | (4)EachELpupilthatisaNewcomerorSLIFEincludedinlong-term |
|---|
| 12238 | | - | membershipshallreceiveanadditionalweightingamountof0.421.00. |
|---|
| 12239 | | - | (5)Eachchildwithadisabilityincludedinlong-termmembershipshall |
|---|
| 12240 | | - | receiveanadditionalweightingamount,basedonthecostlevelassociated |
|---|
| 12241 | | - | withthechild’sdisability,of: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12242 | | - | 2025 Page383of415 |
|---|
| 12243 | | - | (A)0.791.00,ifthedisabilityisidentifiedaslowcost; |
|---|
| 12244 | | - | (B)1.351.00,ifthedisabilityisidentifiedasmediumcost;or |
|---|
| 12245 | | - | (C)2.491.00,ifthedisabilityisidentifiedashighcost. |
|---|
| 12246 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12247 | | - | Sec.59.16V.S.A.§ 4010isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12248 | | - | § 4010.DETERMINATIONOFWEIGHTEDLONG-TERMMEMBERSHIP |
|---|
| 12249 | | - | ANDEDUCATIONOPPORTUNITYPAYMENT |
|---|
| 12250 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12251 | | - | (d)Determinationofweightedlong-termmembership.Foreachweighting |
|---|
| 12252 | | - | category,theSecretaryshallcomputetheweightingcountbyusingthelong- |
|---|
| 12253 | | - | termmembership,asdefinedinsubdivision4001(7)ofthistitle,inthat |
|---|
| 12254 | | - | category. |
|---|
| 12255 | | - | (1)[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 12256 | | - | (2)Eachpupilincludedinlong-termmembershipwhosefamilyisator |
|---|
| 12257 | | - | below185percentofFPLshallreceiveanadditionalweightingamountof |
|---|
| 12258 | | - | 1.021.00. |
|---|
| 12259 | | - | (3)EachELpupilincludedinlong-termmembershipshallreceivean |
|---|
| 12260 | | - | additionalweightingamount,basedontheELpupil’sEnglishlanguage |
|---|
| 12261 | | - | proficiencylevel,of: |
|---|
| 12262 | | - | (A)2.111.00,ifassessedasLevel1; |
|---|
| 12263 | | - | (B)1.411.00,ifassessedasLevel2or3; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12264 | | - | 2025 Page384of415 |
|---|
| 12265 | | - | (C)1.201.00,ifassessedasLevel4;or |
|---|
| 12266 | | - | (D)0.121.00,ifassessedasLevel5or6. |
|---|
| 12267 | | - | (4)EachELpupilthatisaNewcomerorSLIFEincludedinlong-term |
|---|
| 12268 | | - | membershipshallreceiveanadditionalweightingamountof0.421.00. |
|---|
| 12269 | | - | (5)Eachchildwithadisabilityincludedinlong-termmembershipshall |
|---|
| 12270 | | - | receiveanadditionalweightingamount,basedonthecategorizationofthe |
|---|
| 12271 | | - | child’sdisability,of: |
|---|
| 12272 | | - | (A)0.791.00,ifthedisabilityisidentifiedasCategoryA; |
|---|
| 12273 | | - | (B)1.351.00,ifthedisabilityisidentifiedasCategoryB;or |
|---|
| 12274 | | - | (C)2.491.00,ifthedisabilityisidentifiedasCategoryC. |
|---|
| 12275 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12276 | | - | ***PropertyClassification*** |
|---|
| 12277 | | - | Sec.60.32V.S.A.§ 4152isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12278 | | - | § 4152.CONTENTS |
|---|
| 12279 | | - | (a)Whencompleted,thegrandlistofatownshallbeinsuchformasthe |
|---|
| 12280 | | - | DirectorprescribesandshallcontainsuchinformationastheDirector |
|---|
| 12281 | | - | prescribes,including: |
|---|
| 12282 | | - | (1)Inalphabeticalorder,thenameofeachrealpropertyownerand |
|---|
| 12283 | | - | eachowneroftaxablepersonalproperty. |
|---|
| 12284 | | - | (2)Thelastknownmailingaddressofallsuchowners. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12285 | | - | 2025 Page385of415 |
|---|
| 12286 | | - | (3)Abriefdescriptionofeachparceloftaxablerealestateinthetown, |
|---|
| 12287 | | - | includingaclassificationassignedpursuanttosection4152aofthistitle. |
|---|
| 12288 | | - | “Parcel”Asusedinthissubdivision,“parcel”meansaseparateandsellable |
|---|
| 12289 | | - | lotorpieceofrealestate.Parcelsmaybecombinedtorepresentall |
|---|
| 12290 | | - | contiguouslandinthesameownership,togetherwithallimprovements |
|---|
| 12291 | | - | thereon. |
|---|
| 12292 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12293 | | - | Sec.61.32V.S.A.§ 4152aisaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 12294 | | - | § 4152a.PROPERTYTAXCLASSIFICATIONS |
|---|
| 12295 | | - | (a)Thegrandlistofatownshallincludeoneormoretaxclassifications |
|---|
| 12296 | | - | foreachparcelofrealestate.Aparcelshallbeclassifiedusingoneofthe |
|---|
| 12297 | | - | generalclassesofrealestatelistedundersubsection(b)ofthissectionand |
|---|
| 12298 | | - | basedontheconsiderationssetforthinthissectionandbyguidanceprovided |
|---|
| 12299 | | - | bytheDivisionofPropertyValuationandReview.Thelistersandassessors |
|---|
| 12300 | | - | shallannuallyupdatethegrandlisttoincludeataxclassificationnotlater |
|---|
| 12301 | | - | thanJune1ofeveryyear,usinginformationsubmittedtotheDepartmentof |
|---|
| 12302 | | - | Taxespursuanttothissection.Thetaxclassificationmaybeupdatedafter |
|---|
| 12303 | | - | June1whenataxpayerfiles,orcorrectsanerroneouslyfiled,homestead |
|---|
| 12304 | | - | declarationafterJune1. |
|---|
| 12305 | | - | (b)Aparcelshallbeassignedoneormoreofthefollowinggeneralclasses: |
|---|
| 12306 | | - | (1)Homestead; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12307 | | - | 2025 Page386of415 |
|---|
| 12308 | | - | (2)Nonhomesteadapartment; |
|---|
| 12309 | | - | (3)Nonhomesteadnonresidential;and |
|---|
| 12310 | | - | (4)Nonhomesteadresidential. |
|---|
| 12311 | | - | (c)Asusedinthissection: |
|---|
| 12312 | | - | (1)“Homestead”meansaparcel,orportionofaparcel,declaredasa |
|---|
| 12313 | | - | homesteadonorbeforeOctober15inaccordancewithsection5410ofthis |
|---|
| 12314 | | - | titleforthecurrentyear. |
|---|
| 12315 | | - | (2)“Nonhomesteadapartment”meansaparcel,orportionofaparcel, |
|---|
| 12316 | | - | withoneormoredwellingunits,forwhichalandlordcertificatewasfiledin |
|---|
| 12317 | | - | thepreviousyearpursuanttosection6069ofthistitle,andthelandlord |
|---|
| 12318 | | - | attestedthattheunitwouldbeleasedtoalong-termtenantforaminimumof |
|---|
| 12319 | | - | sixmonthsinthecurrentyear. |
|---|
| 12320 | | - | (3)“Nonhomesteadnonresidential”meansaparcel,orportionofa |
|---|
| 12321 | | - | parcel,thatdoesnotqualifyas“homestead,”“nonhomesteadapartment,”or |
|---|
| 12322 | | - | “nonhomesteadresidential”underthissection. |
|---|
| 12323 | | - | (4)“Nonhomesteadresidential”meansaparcel,orportionofaparcel, |
|---|
| 12324 | | - | withoneormoredwellingunits,habitableonayear-roundbasis,forwhicha |
|---|
| 12325 | | - | homesteadwasnotdeclaredinaccordancewithsection5410ofthistitlefor |
|---|
| 12326 | | - | thecurrentyear,andalandlordcertificatewasnotfiledpursuanttosection |
|---|
| 12327 | | - | 6069ofthistitleinwhichthelandlordattestedthattheunitwouldbeleasedto |
|---|
| 12328 | | - | along-termtenantforaminimumofsixmonthsinthecurrentyear. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12329 | | - | 2025 Page387of415 |
|---|
| 12330 | | - | (d)Aparcelwithtwoormoreportionsqualifyingfordifferenttax |
|---|
| 12331 | | - | classificationsunderthissectionshallbeclassifiedproportionallybasedon |
|---|
| 12332 | | - | thepercentageoffloorspaceused. |
|---|
| 12333 | | - | (1)Inthecaseofahomesteadwith25percentorlessoffloorspace |
|---|
| 12334 | | - | usedforabusinesspurpose,theparcelshallbeclassifiedasahomestead |
|---|
| 12335 | | - | pursuanttosubdivision5401(a)(7)(F)ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 12336 | | - | (2)Ifaportionoffloorspaceisusedformorethanonepurpose,theuse |
|---|
| 12337 | | - | inwhichthefloorspaceismostoftenusedshallbeconsideredtheprimaryuse |
|---|
| 12338 | | - | andthefloorspaceshallbededicatedtothatuseforpurposesoftax |
|---|
| 12339 | | - | classification. |
|---|
| 12340 | | - | (e)TheCommissionershallamendexistingforms,andpublishnewforms, |
|---|
| 12341 | | - | asneededtogatherthenecessaryattestationsanddeclarationsrequiredunder |
|---|
| 12342 | | - | thissection. |
|---|
| 12343 | | - | (f)Nothinginthissectionshallbeconstruedtoalterthetaxtreatmentor |
|---|
| 12344 | | - | enrollmenteligibilityofpropertyasitrelatestousevalueappraisalunder |
|---|
| 12345 | | - | chapter124ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 12346 | | - | (g)Personsaggrievedbyadecisiontoclassifypropertyfortaxation |
|---|
| 12347 | | - | purposesunderthissectionmayappealinthemannerprovidedforproperty |
|---|
| 12348 | | - | valuationappealsunderthistitle. |
|---|
| 12349 | | - | Sec.61a.PROPERTYTAXCLASSIFICATIONS;TRANSITION;DATA |
|---|
| 12350 | | - | COLLECTION BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12351 | | - | 2025 Page388of415 |
|---|
| 12352 | | - | Forcalendaryear2028,theCommissionerofTaxesshallamendandcreate |
|---|
| 12353 | | - | formssothattaxpayersreportinformationontheuseoftheirpropertyforsuch |
|---|
| 12354 | | - | propertytobeclassifiedashomestead,nonhomesteadresidential, |
|---|
| 12355 | | - | nonhomesteadapartment,nonhomesteadnonresidential,oraproportional |
|---|
| 12356 | | - | classificationofthoseuses.Theinformationcollected,andclassifications |
|---|
| 12357 | | - | determined,shallalignwiththedefinitionsandrequirementsofsection61of |
|---|
| 12358 | | - | thisact.TheCommissionershallusetheinformationtodetermineandassign |
|---|
| 12359 | | - | ataxclassificationforeverygrandlistparceland,onorbeforeOctober1, |
|---|
| 12360 | | - | 2028,theCommissionershallprovidethatinformationtotheJointFiscal |
|---|
| 12361 | | - | Office. |
|---|
| 12362 | | - | Sec.61b.PROPERTYTAXCLASSIFICATIONSIMPLEMENTATION |
|---|
| 12363 | | - | REPORT |
|---|
| 12364 | | - | TheCommissionerofTaxesshallstudytheimplementationofnewproperty |
|---|
| 12365 | | - | taxclassificationsunderthisactandidentifyanyfurtheractionsrequiredby |
|---|
| 12366 | | - | theDepartmentofTaxes,Vermontmunicipalities,andtheGeneralAssemblyto |
|---|
| 12367 | | - | successfullyimplementthenewtaxclassificationsystemonthetimeline |
|---|
| 12368 | | - | establishedbythisact.TheissuesconsideredbytheCommissionershall |
|---|
| 12369 | | - | includeanyneededchangestoexistingforms,whethernewformsortaxpayer |
|---|
| 12370 | | - | filingsareneeded,andhowtheDepartmentcouldidentifyparcelswith |
|---|
| 12371 | | - | dwellingunitsthatdonothaveanaffiliatedhomesteaddeclarationorlandlord |
|---|
| 12372 | | - | certificateonfile.OnorbeforeDecember15,2026,theCommissionerof BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12373 | | - | 2025 Page389of415 |
|---|
| 12374 | | - | TaxesshallsubmitastudyreportdetailingtheCommissioner’sfindingsunder |
|---|
| 12375 | | - | thissectiontotheHouseCommitteeonWaysandMeansandtheSenate |
|---|
| 12376 | | - | CommitteeonFinance. |
|---|
| 12377 | | - | ***RegionalAssessmentDistricts*** |
|---|
| 12378 | | - | Sec.62.32V.S.A.chapter121,subchapter1Aisaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 12379 | | - | Subchapter1A.StatewideandRegionalPropertyAssessment |
|---|
| 12380 | | - | § 3415.LEGISLATIVEINTENT |
|---|
| 12381 | | - | ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblyinadoptingthissubchaptertocreate |
|---|
| 12382 | | - | regionalassessmentdistrictssothat: |
|---|
| 12383 | | - | (1)propertiesongrandlistsareregularlyreappraised; |
|---|
| 12384 | | - | (2)propertydatacollectionisconsistentandstandardizedacrossthe |
|---|
| 12385 | | - | State;and |
|---|
| 12386 | | - | (3)propertyvaluationisconductedbytrainedandcertifiedindividuals |
|---|
| 12387 | | - | andfirms. |
|---|
| 12388 | | - | § 3416.REGIONALASSESSMENTDISTRICTS;ESTABLISHMENT |
|---|
| 12389 | | - | (a)Thereareherebyestablished12regionalassessmentdistricts,whose |
|---|
| 12390 | | - | membermunicipalitiesshallfullyandjointlyreappraisetheirgrandlistsevery |
|---|
| 12391 | | - | sixyearspursuanttosubsection3417(b)ofthissubchapter.Member |
|---|
| 12392 | | - | municipalitiesshallcontractjointlywithoneormorethirdpartiestoconduct |
|---|
| 12393 | | - | reappraisals. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12394 | | - | 2025 Page390of415 |
|---|
| 12395 | | - | (b)Eachcountyshallconstituteoneregionalassessmentdistrict,except |
|---|
| 12396 | | - | thatFranklinandGrandIsleCountiesshallconstituteonedistrictandEssex |
|---|
| 12397 | | - | andOrleansCountiesshallconstituteonedistrict. |
|---|
| 12398 | | - | § 3417.STANDARDGUIDELINES;PROCEDURES;RULEMAKING |
|---|
| 12399 | | - | (a)TheDirectorofPropertyValuationandReviewshallestablishstandard |
|---|
| 12400 | | - | guidelinesandprocedures,andmayadoptrules,forregionalassessment |
|---|
| 12401 | | - | districts,including: |
|---|
| 12402 | | - | (1)guidelinesforcontractingwiththirdpartiestoconductorassistwith |
|---|
| 12403 | | - | reappraisals,includingstandardreappraisalcontractterms; |
|---|
| 12404 | | - | (2)standardsforthecollectionandrecordationofparceldata; |
|---|
| 12405 | | - | (3)requirementsrelatingtoinformationtechnology,includingstandards |
|---|
| 12406 | | - | fordatasoftwarecontractsandcomputer-assistedmassappraisalsystems;and |
|---|
| 12407 | | - | (4)standardizedpracticesforafullreappraisal,includingcasesin |
|---|
| 12408 | | - | whichphysicalinspectionsareunnecessaryandhowtechnologyistobe |
|---|
| 12409 | | - | utilized. |
|---|
| 12410 | | - | (b)TheDirectorofPropertyValuationandReviewshallestablisha |
|---|
| 12411 | | - | scheduleforeachregionalassessmentdistricttofullyreappraiseeverysix |
|---|
| 12412 | | - | years.TheDirector,attheDirector’sdiscretion,mayalterthereappraisal |
|---|
| 12413 | | - | scheduleforaregionalassessmentdistrictorforoneormoreofaregional |
|---|
| 12414 | | - | assessmentdistrict’smembermunicipalities. |
|---|
| 12415 | | - | ***TransitiontoRegionalAssessmentDistricts*** BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12416 | | - | 2025 Page391of415 |
|---|
| 12417 | | - | Sec.63.TRANSITION;ANNUALPROGRESSREPORT |
|---|
| 12418 | | - | (a)Notwithstanding32V.S.A.§ 4041aoranyotherprovisionoflawtothe |
|---|
| 12419 | | - | contrary: |
|---|
| 12420 | | - | (1)theDirectorofPropertyValuationandReviewshallnotorderany |
|---|
| 12421 | | - | newmunicipalreappraisalsofgrandlistpropertiesonandafterJanuary1, |
|---|
| 12422 | | - | 2027; |
|---|
| 12423 | | - | (2)areappraisalorderforwhichamunicipalitydoesnothavea |
|---|
| 12424 | | - | contractinplacebeforeJanuary1,2030shallnolongerhavetheforceand |
|---|
| 12425 | | - | effectoflawonandafterJanuary1,2030;and |
|---|
| 12426 | | - | (3)amunicipalityshallnotenterintoanewreappraisalcontractonor |
|---|
| 12427 | | - | afterJanuary1,2027. |
|---|
| 12428 | | - | (b)OnorbeforeeveryJanuary15fromJanuary15,2027toJanuary15, |
|---|
| 12429 | | - | 2030,theCommissionerofTaxesshallsubmitareporttotheHouseCommittee |
|---|
| 12430 | | - | onWaysandMeansandtheSenateCommitteeonFinancerelatingtothe |
|---|
| 12431 | | - | progressmadeinpreparingfortheimplementationofthisact. |
|---|
| 12432 | | - | Sec.64.REGIONALASSESSMENTDISTRICTSTAKEHOLDER |
|---|
| 12433 | | - | WORKINGGROUP |
|---|
| 12434 | | - | OnorbeforeJanuary15,2026,theDepartmentofTaxes,inconsultation |
|---|
| 12435 | | - | withrelevantstakeholders,shallsubmitrecommendationstotheHouse |
|---|
| 12436 | | - | CommitteeonWaysandMeansandtheSenateCommitteeonFinanceadvising |
|---|
| 12437 | | - | ontheimplementationofregionalassessmentdistrictsandonthedevelopment BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12438 | | - | 2025 Page392of415 |
|---|
| 12439 | | - | ofguidelines,procedures,andrulesneededtoeffectuatearegionalized |
|---|
| 12440 | | - | reappraisalsystem.Therecommendationswillincludeananalysisofthe |
|---|
| 12441 | | - | advantagesanddisadvantagesofhavingtheStatetakefullresponsibilityfor |
|---|
| 12442 | | - | regionalizedappraisals.Inmakingitsrecommendation,theDepartmentof |
|---|
| 12443 | | - | Taxesshallprovidesuggestionsforlegislativelanguagethataddress: |
|---|
| 12444 | | - | (1)theauthorityorauthoritieswhowillcontractforandconduct |
|---|
| 12445 | | - | reappraisals; |
|---|
| 12446 | | - | (2)theauthorityorauthoritieswhowillhearanddecideproperty |
|---|
| 12447 | | - | valuationappeals; |
|---|
| 12448 | | - | (3)amendmentsnecessarytoconformstatutetothechangefroman |
|---|
| 12449 | | - | April1toJanuary1grandlistassessmentdate;and |
|---|
| 12450 | | - | (4)anyotherrecommendedrevisionstoachievearegionalized |
|---|
| 12451 | | - | reappraisalsystem. |
|---|
| 12452 | | - | ***GrandListAssessmentDate*** |
|---|
| 12453 | | - | Sec.65.32V.S.A.§ 5405isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12454 | | - | §5405.DETERMINATIONOFEQUALIZEDEDUCATIONPROPERTY |
|---|
| 12455 | | - | TAXGRANDLISTANDCOEFFICIENTOFDISPERSION |
|---|
| 12456 | | - | (a)Annually,onorbeforeAprilJanuary1,theCommissionershall |
|---|
| 12457 | | - | determinetheequalizededucationpropertytaxgrandlistandcoefficientof |
|---|
| 12458 | | - | dispersionforeachmunicipalityintheState;provided,however,thatfor |
|---|
| 12459 | | - | purposesofequalizinggrandlistspursuanttothissection,theequalized BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12460 | | - | 2025 Page393of415 |
|---|
| 12461 | | - | educationpropertytaxgrandlistofamunicipalitythatestablishesatax |
|---|
| 12462 | | - | incrementfinancingdistrictshallincludethefairmarketvalueoftheproperty |
|---|
| 12463 | | - | inthedistrictandnottheoriginaltaxablevalueoftheproperty,andfurther |
|---|
| 12464 | | - | providedthattheunifiedtownsandgoresofEssexCountymaybetreatedas |
|---|
| 12465 | | - | onemunicipalityforthepurposeofdetermininganequalizededucation |
|---|
| 12466 | | - | propertygrandlistandacoefficientofdispersion,iftheDirectordetermines |
|---|
| 12467 | | - | thatallsuchentitieshaveauniformappraisalscheduleanduniformappraisal |
|---|
| 12468 | | - | practices. |
|---|
| 12469 | | - | (b)Thesumofallmunicipalequalizededucationpropertytaxgrandlists |
|---|
| 12470 | | - | shallbetheequalizededucationpropertytaxgrandlistfortheState. |
|---|
| 12471 | | - | (c)Indeterminingthefairmarketvalueofpropertythatisrequiredtobe |
|---|
| 12472 | | - | listedatfairmarketvalue,theCommissionershalltakeintoconsideration |
|---|
| 12473 | | - | thosefactorsrequiredbysection3481ofthistitle.TheCommissionershall |
|---|
| 12474 | | - | valuepropertyasofAprilJanuary1precedingthedeterminationandshall |
|---|
| 12475 | | - | takeaccountofallhomesteaddeclarationinformationavailablebefore |
|---|
| 12476 | | - | October1eachyear. |
|---|
| 12477 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12478 | | - | Sec.66.32V.S.A.§ 3481(1)(B)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12479 | | - | (B)Forresidentialrentalpropertythatissubjecttoahousing |
|---|
| 12480 | | - | subsidycovenantorotherlegalrestriction,imposedbyagovernmental,quasi- |
|---|
| 12481 | | - | governmental,orpublicpurposeentity,onrentsthatmaybecharged,fair BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12482 | | - | 2025 Page394of415 |
|---|
| 12483 | | - | marketvalueshallbedeterminedbyanincomeapproachusingthefollowing |
|---|
| 12484 | | - | elements: |
|---|
| 12485 | | - | (i)marketrentswithutilityallowanceadjustmentsforthe |
|---|
| 12486 | | - | geographicareainwhichthepropertyislocatedasdeterminedbythefederal |
|---|
| 12487 | | - | officeofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentorinthecaseofproperties |
|---|
| 12488 | | - | authorizedunder42U.S.C.§1437,12U.S.C.§1701q,42U.S.C.§1485,12 |
|---|
| 12489 | | - | U.S.C.§1715z-1,42U.S.C.§1437f,and24CFRPart882SubpartDandE, |
|---|
| 12490 | | - | thehigherofcontractrents(meaningtheamountoffederalrentalassistance |
|---|
| 12491 | | - | plusanytenantcontribution)andHUDmarketrents; |
|---|
| 12492 | | - | (ii)actualexpensesincurredwithrespecttothepropertythatshall |
|---|
| 12493 | | - | beprovidedbythepropertyownerinaformatacceptabletotheCommissioner |
|---|
| 12494 | | - | andcertifiedbyanindependentthirdparty,suchasacertifiedpublic |
|---|
| 12495 | | - | accountingfirmorpublicorquasi-publicfundingagency; |
|---|
| 12496 | | - | (iii)avacancyratethatis50percentofthemarketvacancyrate |
|---|
| 12497 | | - | asdeterminedbytheU.S.CensusBureauwithlocalreviewbytheVermont |
|---|
| 12498 | | - | HousingFinanceAgency;and |
|---|
| 12499 | | - | (iv)acapitalizationratethatistypicalforthegeographicarea |
|---|
| 12500 | | - | determinedandpublishedannuallypriortoAprilJanuary1bytheDivisionof |
|---|
| 12501 | | - | PropertyValuationandReviewafterconsultationwiththeVermontHousing |
|---|
| 12502 | | - | FinanceAgency. |
|---|
| 12503 | | - | Sec.67.32V.S.A.§ 3482isamendedtoread: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12504 | | - | 2025 Page395of415 |
|---|
| 12505 | | - | §3482.PROPERTYLISTEDATONEPERCENT |
|---|
| 12506 | | - | Exceptasotherwiseprovided,allrealandpersonalestateshallbesetinthe |
|---|
| 12507 | | - | listatonepercentofitslistedvalueonAprilJanuary1,oftheyearofits |
|---|
| 12508 | | - | appraisal. |
|---|
| 12509 | | - | Sec.68.32V.S.A.§ 3485isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12510 | | - | §3485.RECORDSTOBEKEPTRELATINGTODEEDSAND |
|---|
| 12511 | | - | MORTGAGES |
|---|
| 12512 | | - | (a)AnnuallyonAprilJanuary1,townmunicipalclerksshallfurnishthe |
|---|
| 12513 | | - | listerswithcopiesofthepropertytaxreturnsfiledbytheclerkundersection |
|---|
| 12514 | | - | 9610ofthistitlerelatingtodeedsthatwerefiledforrecordduringtheyear |
|---|
| 12515 | | - | endingonthefirstdayofsuchmonth.However,uponrequestinwritingbythe |
|---|
| 12516 | | - | listers,onorbeforethe15thdayofeachmonth,townmunicipalclerksshall |
|---|
| 12517 | | - | furnishthelisterswithcopiesofthepropertytransfertaxreturnstodeedsthat |
|---|
| 12518 | | - | werefiledforrecordduringthenextprecedingcalendarmonth. |
|---|
| 12519 | | - | (b)Failureonthepartofthetownmunicipalclerktofurnishthecopies |
|---|
| 12520 | | - | requiredundersubsection(a)ofthissectionshallnotrenderthetownliablein |
|---|
| 12521 | | - | damagestoanyperson.Atownmunicipalclerkwhowillfullyfailstofurnish |
|---|
| 12522 | | - | thecopiesrequiredundersubsection(a)ofthissectionshallbefined$10.00 |
|---|
| 12523 | | - | foreachoffense. |
|---|
| 12524 | | - | Sec.69.32V.S.A.§ 3603(a)isamendedtoread: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12525 | | - | 2025 Page396of415 |
|---|
| 12526 | | - | (a)Constructionequipmentandotherpersonalestateusedinthe |
|---|
| 12527 | | - | constructionorrepairofhighways,dams,reservoirs,publicutilities,or |
|---|
| 12528 | | - | buildingsshallbelistedandtaxedonthesamebasisasotherpersonalestate |
|---|
| 12529 | | - | inthetowninwhichitislocatedonAprilJanuary1.Suchequipmentbrought |
|---|
| 12530 | | - | intotheStateafterAprilJanuary1andpriortoDecember15ofanyyearshall |
|---|
| 12531 | | - | betaxedasotherpersonalestateforthatyearinthetowninwhichitisfirst |
|---|
| 12532 | | - | usedforanormalfullworkshift.Theownerorpersoninchargeofany |
|---|
| 12533 | | - | equipmentenumeratedinthissectionshall,uponrequestoftheTreasureror |
|---|
| 12534 | | - | taxcollectorofanymunicipality,presentevidencethatithasbeenlistedfor |
|---|
| 12535 | | - | taxpurposesinamunicipalityinthisState.TheTransportationBoardand |
|---|
| 12536 | | - | otherStateagenciesshallinsertinallcontractsforconstructionatermby |
|---|
| 12537 | | - | whichthecontractoragreestopaytaxesassessedunderthissectionand |
|---|
| 12538 | | - | section4151ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 12539 | | - | Sec.70.32V.S.A.§ 3610(b)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12540 | | - | (b)Thelistersofeachtownandtheappraisersofeachunorganizedtown |
|---|
| 12541 | | - | andgoreshalllisteveryperpetualleaseinaseparaterecordinwhichshallbe |
|---|
| 12542 | | - | shownastoeachleaseabriefdescriptionoftheleasedland,thefairmarket |
|---|
| 12543 | | - | valueofthelandasappraisedbythem,thenameofthelessor,theannual |
|---|
| 12544 | | - | rentalpayableunderthelease,andasofAprilJanuary1ofeachyearthe |
|---|
| 12545 | | - | nameandaddressofthelessee.Ifforanyreasontheleaseisexemptunder |
|---|
| 12546 | | - | subsection(d)ofthissection,thereasonfortheexemptionshallbenoted. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12547 | | - | 2025 Page397of415 |
|---|
| 12548 | | - | Sec.71.32V.S.A.§ 3613isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12549 | | - | TheStateofVermontshallhavethesamerighttoappealfromtheappraisal |
|---|
| 12550 | | - | ofthelistersandassessorsandfromthedecisionoftheBoardofCivil |
|---|
| 12551 | | - | Authorityaregionalpropertyvaluationboardasisgiventoanyinterested |
|---|
| 12552 | | - | individualasprovidedbychapter131ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 12553 | | - | Sec.72.32V.S.A.§ 3618(c)(2)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12554 | | - | (2)“Netbookvalue”ofpropertymeansthecostlessdepreciationofthe |
|---|
| 12555 | | - | propertyasshownonthefederalincometaxreturnrequiredtobefiledwiththe |
|---|
| 12556 | | - | federalauthoritiesonornearestinadvanceofAprilJanuary1inanyyear. |
|---|
| 12557 | | - | Sec.73.32V.S.A.§ 3651isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12558 | | - | §3651.GENERALRULE |
|---|
| 12559 | | - | Taxablerealestateshallbesetinthelisttothelastownerorpossessor |
|---|
| 12560 | | - | thereofonAprilJanuary1ineachyearinthetown,village,school,andfire |
|---|
| 12561 | | - | districtwhereitissituated. |
|---|
| 12562 | | - | Sec.74.32V.S.A.§ 3691isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12563 | | - | §3691.GENERALRULE |
|---|
| 12564 | | - | Taxabletangiblepersonalestateshallbesetinthelisttothelastowner |
|---|
| 12565 | | - | thereofonAprilJanuary1ineachyear,inthetown,village,school,andfire |
|---|
| 12566 | | - | districtwheresuchpropertyissituated,withtheexceptionthatsuchpersonal |
|---|
| 12567 | | - | estatesituatedwithinthisStateownedbypersonsresidingoutsidetheStateor |
|---|
| 12568 | | - | bypersonsunknowntothelistersshallbesetinthelisttothepersonhaving BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12569 | | - | 2025 Page398of415 |
|---|
| 12570 | | - | thesameincharge,inthetown,village,school,andfiredistrictwherethe |
|---|
| 12571 | | - | sameissituatedandshallbeholdenforalltaxesassessedonsuchlist. |
|---|
| 12572 | | - | However,tangiblepersonalestateownedbynonresidentpersonsor |
|---|
| 12573 | | - | corporation,andusedinthisStatebytheStateoradepartmentorinstitution |
|---|
| 12574 | | - | thereof,underlease,contractorotheragreement,writtenororal,maybeset |
|---|
| 12575 | | - | inthelistinthetownwheresoused,tosuchnonresidentowner. |
|---|
| 12576 | | - | Sec.75.32V.S.A.§ 3692(b)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12577 | | - | (b)Atrailercoachshallbetaxedasrealpropertybythetowninwhichitis |
|---|
| 12578 | | - | locatednotwithstandingsubsection(a)ofthissectionifitissituatedinthe |
|---|
| 12579 | | - | townonthesametrailersiteorcampsiteformorethan180daysduringthe |
|---|
| 12580 | | - | 365dayspriortoAprilJanuary1.Atrailercoachshallnotbetaxedasreal |
|---|
| 12581 | | - | propertyifitisstoredonpropertyonwhichtheownerresidesinanother |
|---|
| 12582 | | - | dwellingasapermanentresidence. |
|---|
| 12583 | | - | Sec.76.32V.S.A.§ 3708isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12584 | | - | §3708.PAYMENTSINLIEUOFTAXESFORLANDSHELDBYTHE |
|---|
| 12585 | | - | AGENCYOFNATURALRESOURCES |
|---|
| 12586 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12587 | | - | (b)TheStateshallannuallypaytoeachmunicipalityapaymentinlieuof |
|---|
| 12588 | | - | taxes(PILOT)thatshallbethebasepaymentassetforthunderthissection, |
|---|
| 12589 | | - | forallANRland,excludingbuildingsorotherimprovementsthereon,asof |
|---|
| 12590 | | - | AprilJanuary1ofthecurrentyear. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12591 | | - | 2025 Page399of415 |
|---|
| 12592 | | - | (c)TheStateshallestablishthebasepaymentforallANRland,excluding |
|---|
| 12593 | | - | buildingsorotherimprovementsthereon,asfollows; |
|---|
| 12594 | | - | (1)OnparcelsacquiredbeforeApril1,2016,0.60percentofthefair |
|---|
| 12595 | | - | marketvalueasappraisedbytheDirectorofPropertyValuationandReview |
|---|
| 12596 | | - | asofApril1offiscalyear2015; |
|---|
| 12597 | | - | (2)OnparcelsacquiredonorafterApril1,2016,themunicipaltaxrate |
|---|
| 12598 | | - | ofthefairmarketvalueasassessedonAprilJanuary1intheyearof |
|---|
| 12599 | | - | acquisitionbythemunicipalityinwhichitislocated. |
|---|
| 12600 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12601 | | - | Sec.77.32V.S.A.§ 3755isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12602 | | - | §3755.ELIGIBILITYFORUSEVALUEAPPRAISALS |
|---|
| 12603 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12604 | | - | (b)Managedforestlandshallbeeligibleforusevalueappraisalunderthis |
|---|
| 12605 | | - | chapteronlyif: |
|---|
| 12606 | | - | (1)Thelandissubjecttoaforestmanagementplan,subjecttoa |
|---|
| 12607 | | - | conservationmanagementplaninthecaseoflandscertifiedunder10V.S.A.§ |
|---|
| 12608 | | - | 6306(b),thatisfiledinthemannerandformrequiredbytheDepartmentof |
|---|
| 12609 | | - | Forests,ParksandRecreationandthat: |
|---|
| 12610 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12611 | | - | (D)Providesforcontinuedconservationmanagement,reserve |
|---|
| 12612 | | - | forestlandmanagement,orforestcropproductionontheparcelfor10years. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12613 | | - | 2025 Page400of415 |
|---|
| 12614 | | - | Aninitialforestmanagementplanorconservationmanagementplanmustbe |
|---|
| 12615 | | - | filedwiththeDepartmentofForests,ParksandRecreationonorbefore |
|---|
| 12616 | | - | October1andshallbeeffectivefora10-yearperiodbeginningthefollowing |
|---|
| 12617 | | - | AprilJanuary1.Priortoexpirationofa10-yearplanandonorbeforeApril |
|---|
| 12618 | | - | January1oftheyearinwhichtheplanexpires,theownershallfileanew |
|---|
| 12619 | | - | conservationorforestmanagementplanforthenextsucceeding10yearsto |
|---|
| 12620 | | - | remainintheprogram. |
|---|
| 12621 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12622 | | - | (3)TherehasnotbeenfiledwiththeDirectoranadverseinspection |
|---|
| 12623 | | - | reportbytheDepartmentstatingthatthemanagementofthetractiscontrary |
|---|
| 12624 | | - | totheforestmanagementplan,conservationmanagementplan,orcontraryto |
|---|
| 12625 | | - | theminimumacceptablestandardsforforestorconservationmanagement.The |
|---|
| 12626 | | - | managementactivityreportshallbeonaformprescribedbytheCommissioner |
|---|
| 12627 | | - | ofForests,ParksandRecreationinconsultationwiththeCommissionerof |
|---|
| 12628 | | - | Taxesandshallbesignedbyalltheownersandshallcontainthetax |
|---|
| 12629 | | - | identificationnumbersofalltheowners.Allinformationcontainedwithinthe |
|---|
| 12630 | | - | managementactivityreportshallbeforwardedtotheDepartmentofForests, |
|---|
| 12631 | | - | ParksandRecreation,exceptforanytaxidentificationnumberincludedinthe |
|---|
| 12632 | | - | report.IfanyownersatisfiestheDepartmentthatheorshewaspreventedby |
|---|
| 12633 | | - | accident,mistake,ormisfortunefromfilinganinitialorrevisedmanagement |
|---|
| 12634 | | - | planthatisrequiredtobefiledonorbeforeOctober1,oramanagementplan BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12635 | | - | 2025 Page401of415 |
|---|
| 12636 | | - | updatethatisrequiredtobefiledonorbeforeAprilJanuary1oftheyearin |
|---|
| 12637 | | - | whichtheplanexpires,oramanagementactivityreportthatisrequiredtobe |
|---|
| 12638 | | - | filedonorbeforeFebruary1oftheyearfollowingtheyearwhenthe |
|---|
| 12639 | | - | managementactivityoccurred,theownermaysubmitthatmanagementplanor |
|---|
| 12640 | | - | managementactivityreportatalaterdate;provided,however,noinitialor |
|---|
| 12641 | | - | revisedmanagementplanshallbereceivedlaterthanDecember31,andno |
|---|
| 12642 | | - | managementplanupdateshallbereceivedlaterthanoneyearafterApril |
|---|
| 12643 | | - | January1oftheyeartheplanexpires,andnomanagementactivityreport |
|---|
| 12644 | | - | shallbereceivedlaterthanMarch1. |
|---|
| 12645 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12646 | | - | Sec.78.32V.S.A.§ 3756(c)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12647 | | - | (c)TheDirectorshallnotifytheapplicantnotlaterthanAprilJanuary15 |
|---|
| 12648 | | - | oftheDirector’sdecisiontoclassifyorrefusaltoclassifytheapplicant’s |
|---|
| 12649 | | - | propertyaseligibleforusevalueappraisal.Inthecaseofarefusal,the |
|---|
| 12650 | | - | Directorshallstatethereasonsthereforinthenotification. |
|---|
| 12651 | | - | Sec.79.32V.S.A.§ 3758isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12652 | | - | §3758.APPEALS |
|---|
| 12653 | | - | (a)WhenevertheDirectordeniesinwholeorinpartanyapplicationfor |
|---|
| 12654 | | - | classificationasagriculturallandormanagedforestlandorfarmbuildings,or |
|---|
| 12655 | | - | grantsadifferentclassificationthanthatappliedfor,ortheDirectoror |
|---|
| 12656 | | - | assessingofficialsfixausevalueappraisalordeterminethatpreviously BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12657 | | - | 2025 Page402of415 |
|---|
| 12658 | | - | classifiedpropertyisnolongereligibleorthatthepropertyhasundergonea |
|---|
| 12659 | | - | changeinuse,theaggrievedownermayappealthedecisionoftheDirectorto |
|---|
| 12660 | | - | theCommissionerwithin30daysofthedecision,andfromtheretoSuperior |
|---|
| 12661 | | - | Courtinthecountyinwhichthepropertyislocated. |
|---|
| 12662 | | - | (b)Anyownerwhoisaggrievedbythedeterminationofthefairmarket |
|---|
| 12663 | | - | valueofclassifiedlandforthepurposeofcomputingthelandusechangetax |
|---|
| 12664 | | - | mayappealinthesamemannerasanappealofagrandlistvaluation. |
|---|
| 12665 | | - | (c)WhenevertheDirectordeniesarequestforanexemptionfromtheterms |
|---|
| 12666 | | - | ofthedefinitionofa“farmer”asprovidedinsubsection3756(j)ofthistitle, |
|---|
| 12667 | | - | theaggrievedpersonmayappealthedecisionoftheDirectortothe |
|---|
| 12668 | | - | Commissionerwithin30daysofthedecision,andfromtheretotheSuperior |
|---|
| 12669 | | - | Courtinthecountyinwhichthepropertyislocated. |
|---|
| 12670 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12671 | | - | Sec.80.32V.S.A.§ 3802aisamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12672 | | - | §3802a.REQUIREMENTTOPROVIDEINSURANCEINFORMATION |
|---|
| 12673 | | - | BeforeAprilJanuary1ofeachyear,ownersofpropertyexemptfrom |
|---|
| 12674 | | - | taxationundersubdivisions3802(4),(6),(9),(12),and(15)andunder |
|---|
| 12675 | | - | subdivisions5401(10)(D),(F),(G),and(J)ofthistitleshallprovidetheir |
|---|
| 12676 | | - | localassessingofficialswithinformationregardingtheinsurancereplacement |
|---|
| 12677 | | - | costoftheexemptpropertyorwithawrittenexplanationofwhythepropertyis |
|---|
| 12678 | | - | notinsured. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12679 | | - | 2025 Page403of415 |
|---|
| 12680 | | - | Sec.81.32V.S.A.§ 3850(d)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12681 | | - | (d)Ifadwellingunitiscertifiedasblightedundersubsection(b)ofthis |
|---|
| 12682 | | - | section,theexemptionshalltakeeffectontheAprilJanuary1followingthe |
|---|
| 12683 | | - | certificationofthedwellingunit. |
|---|
| 12684 | | - | Sec.82.32V.S.A.§ 4001(a)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12685 | | - | (a)AnnuallyonAprilJanuary1,attheexpenseoftheState,theDirector |
|---|
| 12686 | | - | shallfurnishtotheseveraltownmunicipalclerksandboardsofappraisersfor |
|---|
| 12687 | | - | unorganizedtownsandgoresinventoryformssufficientinnumbertomeetthe |
|---|
| 12688 | | - | requirementsofthischapter.SuchformsshallbeformulatedbytheDirector |
|---|
| 12689 | | - | and,amongotherthings,shallcontainsuitableinterrogatoriesrequiringeach |
|---|
| 12690 | | - | taxpayertofurnishthereinabriefstatementofallofeachtaxpayer’staxable |
|---|
| 12691 | | - | property,realandpersonal,andsuchotherinformation,includingincomeand |
|---|
| 12692 | | - | expenseinformationwithrespecttoanyincome-producingproperties,aswill |
|---|
| 12693 | | - | enablethelistersorappraiserstoappraisesuchpartthereofasisrequiredby |
|---|
| 12694 | | - | lawtobebythemappraised,andtomakeuptheabstractofindividuallists |
|---|
| 12695 | | - | andgrandlistinthemannerprescribedbylaw. |
|---|
| 12696 | | - | Sec.83.32V.S.A.§ 4041isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12697 | | - | §4041.EXAMINATIONOFPROPERTY;APPRAISAL |
|---|
| 12698 | | - | OnAprilJanuary1,thelistersandassessorsshallproceedtotakeupsuch |
|---|
| 12699 | | - | inventoriesandmakesuchpersonalexaminationofthepropertythattheyare |
|---|
| 12700 | | - | requiredtoappraiseaswillenablethemtoappraiseitatitsfairmarketvalue. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12701 | | - | 2025 Page404of415 |
|---|
| 12702 | | - | Whenaboardoflistersisoftheopinionthatexpertadviceorassistanceis |
|---|
| 12703 | | - | neededinmakinganyappraisalrequiredbylaw,itmay,withapprovalof |
|---|
| 12704 | | - | selectboardthelegislativebodyofthemunicipalityorbyvoteofthetown |
|---|
| 12705 | | - | municipality,employsuchassistance. |
|---|
| 12706 | | - | Sec.84.32V.S.A.§ 4044isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12707 | | - | §4044.APPRAISALOFPERSONALTYONAPRILJANUARY1 |
|---|
| 12708 | | - | Unlessotherwiseprovided,thetaxablepersonalestatecontainedinthe |
|---|
| 12709 | | - | inventoryshallbeappraisedbythelistersatitsfairmarketvalueonApril |
|---|
| 12710 | | - | January1. |
|---|
| 12711 | | - | Sec.85.32V.S.A.§ 4045isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12712 | | - | §4045.APPRAISALONOTHERTHANAPRILJANUARY1 |
|---|
| 12713 | | - | Ifanybusinessisnormallyoperatedforaperiodlessthan12consecutive |
|---|
| 12714 | | - | monthsandisnotinoperationonAprilJanuary1,aninventoryshallbefiled |
|---|
| 12715 | | - | withthelistersatleast15dayspriortotheanticipatedannualsuspensionof |
|---|
| 12716 | | - | suchbusinessandthestockintradeshallbeappraisedfortheperiodof |
|---|
| 12717 | | - | operationsoastorepresentanaverageofvaluesofsuchpropertyduringthat |
|---|
| 12718 | | - | periodinwhichthebusinesshasbeencarriedon. |
|---|
| 12719 | | - | Sec.86.32V.S.A.§ 4052(c)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12720 | | - | (c)TheDirectorshallestablishbyrulereasonablequalificationsfor |
|---|
| 12721 | | - | approvalandtrainingrequirements,whichshallincludesuccessfulcompletion |
|---|
| 12722 | | - | ofeducationalandtrainingcoursesapprovedbytheDirectorand,inthecase BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12723 | | - | 2025 Page405of415 |
|---|
| 12724 | | - | ofanappraiserhiredtodoatownwidereappraisalinoneormore |
|---|
| 12725 | | - | municipalities,atleastoneyear’sexperiencewithanappraiserwhohas |
|---|
| 12726 | | - | satisfactorilycompletedtownwidesimilarreappraisals. |
|---|
| 12727 | | - | Sec.87.32V.S.A.§ 5401(7)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12728 | | - | (7)“Homestead”: |
|---|
| 12729 | | - | (A)“Homestead”meanstheprincipaldwellingandparcelofland |
|---|
| 12730 | | - | surroundingthedwelling,ownedandoccupiedbyaresidentindividualasthe |
|---|
| 12731 | | - | individual’sdomicileorownedandfullyleasedonAprilJanuary1,provided |
|---|
| 12732 | | - | thepropertyisnotleasedformorethan182daysoutofthecalendaryearor, |
|---|
| 12733 | | - | forpurposesoftherentercreditundersubsection6066(b)ofthistitle,isrented |
|---|
| 12734 | | - | andoccupiedbyaresidentindividualastheindividual’sdomicile. |
|---|
| 12735 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12736 | | - | (G)Forpurposesofhomesteaddeclarationandapplicationofthe |
|---|
| 12737 | | - | homesteadpropertytaxrate,“homestead”alsomeansaresidencethatwasthe |
|---|
| 12738 | | - | homesteadofthedecedentatthedateofdeathand,fromthedateofdeath |
|---|
| 12739 | | - | throughthenextAprilJanuary1,isheldbytheestateofthedecedentandnot |
|---|
| 12740 | | - | rented. |
|---|
| 12741 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12742 | | - | Sec.88.32V.S.A.§ 5404a(a)(6)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12743 | | - | (6)Anexemptionofaportionofthevalueofaqualifiedrentalunit |
|---|
| 12744 | | - | parcel.Anownerofaqualifiedrentalunitparcelshallbeentitledtoan BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12745 | | - | 2025 Page406of415 |
|---|
| 12746 | | - | exemptionontheeducationpropertytaxgrandlistof10percentofthegrand |
|---|
| 12747 | | - | listvalueoftheparcel,multipliedbytheratioofsquarefootageof |
|---|
| 12748 | | - | improvementsusedfororrelatedtoresidentialrentalpurposestototalsquare |
|---|
| 12749 | | - | footageofallimprovements,multipliedbytheratioofqualifiedrentalunitsto |
|---|
| 12750 | | - | totalresidentialrentalunitsontheparcel.“Qualifiedrentalunits”means |
|---|
| 12751 | | - | residentialrentalunitsthataresubjecttorentrestrictionunderprovisionsof |
|---|
| 12752 | | - | Stateorfederallawbutexcludingunitssubjecttorentrestrictionsunderonly |
|---|
| 12753 | | - | oneofthefollowingprograms:Section8moderaterehabilitation,Section8 |
|---|
| 12754 | | - | housingchoicevouchers,orSection236orSection515ruraldevelopment |
|---|
| 12755 | | - | rentalhousing.Amunicipalityshallallowthepercentageexemptionunder |
|---|
| 12756 | | - | thissubsectionuponpresentationbythetaxpayertothemunicipality,byApril |
|---|
| 12757 | | - | January1,ofacertificateofeducationgrandlistvalueexemptionobtained |
|---|
| 12758 | | - | fromtheVermontHousingFinanceAgency(VHFA).VHFAshallissuea |
|---|
| 12759 | | - | certificateofexemptionuponpresentationbythetaxpayerofinformationthat |
|---|
| 12760 | | - | VHFAandtheCommissionershallrequire.Acertificateofexemptionissued |
|---|
| 12761 | | - | byVHFAunderthissubsectionshallexpireupontransferofthebuilding,upon |
|---|
| 12762 | | - | expirationoftherentrestriction,orafter10years,whicheverfirstoccurs; |
|---|
| 12763 | | - | provided,however,thatthecertificateofexemptionmayberenewedafter10 |
|---|
| 12764 | | - | yearsandevery10yearsthereafterifVHFAfindsthatthepropertycontinues |
|---|
| 12765 | | - | tomeettherequirementsofthissubsection. |
|---|
| 12766 | | - | Sec.89.32V.S.A.§ 5406(b)isamendedtoread: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12767 | | - | 2025 Page407of415 |
|---|
| 12768 | | - | (b)NotlaterthanAprilJanuary1ofeachyear,theDirectorshallcertifyto |
|---|
| 12769 | | - | theSecretaryofEducationtheequalizededucationpropertyvalueand |
|---|
| 12770 | | - | coefficientofdispersionfortheprioryearofeverymunicipalityoftheState. |
|---|
| 12771 | | - | Sec.90.32V.S.A.§ 5410isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12772 | | - | §5410.DECLARATIONOFHOMESTEAD |
|---|
| 12773 | | - | (a)Ahomesteadownershalldeclareownershipofahomesteadfor |
|---|
| 12774 | | - | purposesofeducationpropertytax. |
|---|
| 12775 | | - | (b)Annually,onorbeforetheduedateforfilingtheVermontincometax |
|---|
| 12776 | | - | return,withoutextension,eachhomesteadownershall,onaformprescribed |
|---|
| 12777 | | - | bytheCommissioner,whichshallbeverifiedunderthepainsandpenaltiesof |
|---|
| 12778 | | - | perjury,declaretheowner’shomestead,ifany,asof,orexpectedtobeasof, |
|---|
| 12779 | | - | AprilJanuary1oftheyearinwhichthedeclarationismade. |
|---|
| 12780 | | - | (c)Intheeventthatanunsignedbutotherwisecompletedhomestead |
|---|
| 12781 | | - | declarationisfiledwiththedeclarant’ssignedStateincometaxreturn,the |
|---|
| 12782 | | - | Commissionermaytreatsuchdeclarationassignedbythedeclarant. |
|---|
| 12783 | | - | (d)TheCommissionershallprovidealistofhomesteadsineachtownto |
|---|
| 12784 | | - | thetownmunicipallistersandassessorsbyMay15.Thelistersandassessors |
|---|
| 12785 | | - | shallnotifytheCommissionerbyJune1ofanyresidencesonthe |
|---|
| 12786 | | - | Commissioner’slistthatdonotqualifyashomesteads.Thelistersand |
|---|
| 12787 | | - | assessorsshallseparatelyidentifyhomesteadsinthegrandlist. |
|---|
| 12788 | | - | *** BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12789 | | - | 2025 Page408of415 |
|---|
| 12790 | | - | ***MiscellaneousTax*** |
|---|
| 12791 | | - | Sec.91.32V.S.A.§ 6066a(f)(1)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12792 | | - | (f)(1)Fortaxpayersandamountsstatedinthenoticetotownsonorbefore |
|---|
| 12793 | | - | July1,municipalitiesshallcreateandsendtotaxpayersahomesteadproperty |
|---|
| 12794 | | - | taxbill,insteadofthebillrequiredundersubdivision5402(b)(1)ofthistitle, |
|---|
| 12795 | | - | providingthetotalamountallocatedtopaymentofhomesteadeducation |
|---|
| 12796 | | - | propertytaxliabilitiesandnoticeofthebalancedue.Nothinginthis |
|---|
| 12797 | | - | subdivision,however,shallbeinterpretedasalteringtherequirementunder |
|---|
| 12798 | | - | subdivision5402(b)(2)ofthistitlethatthestatewideeducationhomesteadtax |
|---|
| 12799 | | - | bebilledinamannerthatisstatedclearlyandseparatelyfromanyothertax. |
|---|
| 12800 | | - | Municipalitiesshallapplytheamountallocatedunderthischaptertocurrent |
|---|
| 12801 | | - | yearpropertytaxesinequalamountstoeachofthetaxpayers’propertytax |
|---|
| 12802 | | - | installmentsthatincludeeducationtaxes.Notwithstandingsection4772ofthis |
|---|
| 12803 | | - | title,ifatownissuesacorrectedbillasaresultofthenoticesentbythe |
|---|
| 12804 | | - | Commissionerundersubsection(a)ofthissection,issuanceofthecorrected |
|---|
| 12805 | | - | newbilldoesnotextendthetimeforpaymentoftheoriginalbillnorrelieve |
|---|
| 12806 | | - | thetaxpayerofanyinterestorpenaltiesassociatedwiththeoriginalbill.Ifthe |
|---|
| 12807 | | - | correctedbillislessthantheoriginalbill,andtherearealsonounpaidcurrent |
|---|
| 12808 | | - | yeartaxes,interest,orpenalties,andnopastyeardelinquenttaxesorpenalties |
|---|
| 12809 | | - | andinterestcharges,anyoverpaymentshallbereflectedonthecorrectedtax |
|---|
| 12810 | | - | billandrefundedtothetaxpayer. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12811 | | - | 2025 Page409of415 |
|---|
| 12812 | | - | Sec.92.32V.S.A.§ 5252isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12813 | | - | §5252.LEVYANDNOTICEOFSALE;SECURINGPROPERTY |
|---|
| 12814 | | - | (a)Whenthecollectoroftaxesofatownorofamunicipalitywithinithas |
|---|
| 12815 | | - | forcollectionataxassessedagainstrealestateinthetownandthetaxpayer |
|---|
| 12816 | | - | owesaminimumof$1,500.00andisdelinquentforaperiodlongerthanone |
|---|
| 12817 | | - | year,thecollectormayextendawarrantonsuchland.However,nowarrant |
|---|
| 12818 | | - | shallbeextendeduntiladelinquenttaxpayerisgivenanopportunitytoentera |
|---|
| 12819 | | - | writtenreasonablerepaymentplanpursuanttosubsection(c)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 12820 | | - | Ifacollectorreceivesnoticefromamobilehomeparkownerpursuantto10 |
|---|
| 12821 | | - | V.S.A.§6248(b),thecollectorshall,within15daysafterthenotice,commence |
|---|
| 12822 | | - | taxsaleproceedingstoholdataxsalewithin60daysafterthenotice.Ifthe |
|---|
| 12823 | | - | collectorfailstoinitiatesuchproceedings,thetownmayinitiatetaxsale |
|---|
| 12824 | | - | proceedingsonlyaftercomplyingwith10V.S.A.§6249(f).Ifthetaxcollector |
|---|
| 12825 | | - | extendsthewarrant,thecollectorshall: |
|---|
| 12826 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 12827 | | - | Sec.93.32V.S.A.§4465isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12828 | | - | §4465.APPOINTMENTOFPROPERTYVALUATIONHEARING |
|---|
| 12829 | | - | OFFICER;OATH;PAY |
|---|
| 12830 | | - | WhenanappealtotheDirectorisnotwithdrawnorforwardedbythe |
|---|
| 12831 | | - | DirectortoSuperiorCourtpursuanttosubsection4461(a)ofthistitle,the |
|---|
| 12832 | | - | Directorshallrefertheappealinwritingtoapersonnotemployedbythe BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12833 | | - | 2025 Page410of415 |
|---|
| 12834 | | - | Director,appointedbytheDirectorashearingofficer.TheDirectorshallhave |
|---|
| 12835 | | - | therighttoremoveahearingofficerforinefficiency,malfeasanceinoffice,or |
|---|
| 12836 | | - | othercause.Inlikemanner,theDirectorshallappointahearingofficertofill |
|---|
| 12837 | | - | anyvacancycreatedbyresignation,removal,orothercause.Beforeentering |
|---|
| 12838 | | - | intotheirduties,personsappointedashearingofficersshalltakeand |
|---|
| 12839 | | - | subscribetheoathoftheofficeprescribedintheConstitution,whichoathshall |
|---|
| 12840 | | - | befiledwiththeDirector.TheDirectorCommissionerofTaxesshallpayeach |
|---|
| 12841 | | - | hearingofficerasumnottoexceed$150.00perdiemforeachdaywherein |
|---|
| 12842 | | - | hearingsareheld$38.00perhourplusacost-of-livingadjustmentinan |
|---|
| 12843 | | - | amountequaltoanyadjustmentapprovedforexemptemployeesbythe |
|---|
| 12844 | | - | SecretaryofAdministration,togetherwithreasonableexpensesastheDirector |
|---|
| 12845 | | - | Commissionermaydetermine.Ahearingofficermaysubpoenawitnesses, |
|---|
| 12846 | | - | records,anddocumentsinthemannerprovidedbylawforservingsubpoenas |
|---|
| 12847 | | - | incivilactionsandmayadministeroathstowitnesses. |
|---|
| 12848 | | - | Sec.94.32V.S.A.§5402(c)(2)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 12849 | | - | (2)TheSecretaryofEducationshalldetermineeachmunicipality’snet |
|---|
| 12850 | | - | nonhomesteadeducationtaxpaymentanditsnethomesteadeducationtax |
|---|
| 12851 | | - | paymenttotheStatebasedongrandlistinformationreceivedbytheSecretary |
|---|
| 12852 | | - | notlaterthantheMarch15priortotheJune1netpayment.Paymentshallbe |
|---|
| 12853 | | - | accompaniedbyareturnprescribedbytheSecretaryofEducation.Each |
|---|
| 12854 | | - | municipalitymayretain0.225ofonepercentofthetotaleducationtax BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12855 | | - | 2025 Page411of415 |
|---|
| 12856 | | - | collected,onlyupontimelyremittanceofnetpaymenttotheStateTreasureror |
|---|
| 12857 | | - | totheapplicableschooldistrictordistricts.Eachmunicipalitymayalso |
|---|
| 12858 | | - | retain$15.00foreachlatepropertytaxcreditclaimfiledafterApril15and |
|---|
| 12859 | | - | beforeSeptember2,asnotifiedbytheDepartmentofTaxes,forthecostof |
|---|
| 12860 | | - | issuinganewpropertytaxbill. |
|---|
| 12861 | | - | ***EffectiveDates*** |
|---|
| 12862 | | - | Sec.95.EFFECTIVEDATES |
|---|
| 12863 | | - | (a)Thissectionandthefollowingsectionsshalltakeeffectonpassage: |
|---|
| 12864 | | - | (1)Sec.1(findings;intent;plan); |
|---|
| 12865 | | - | (2)Sec.2(CommissionontheFutureofPublicEducation), |
|---|
| 12866 | | - | (3)Sec.29(16V.S.A.§ 4011(f)); |
|---|
| 12867 | | - | (4)Sec.30(adulteducationfundingreport); |
|---|
| 12868 | | - | (5)Sec.44(transportationreimbursementguidelines); |
|---|
| 12869 | | - | (6)Sec.45(inflationarymeasures;prekindergarten;reports); |
|---|
| 12870 | | - | (7)Sec.53(homesteaddeclarationsampleform); |
|---|
| 12871 | | - | (8)Sec.61a(taxclassificationdata;transition); |
|---|
| 12872 | | - | (9)Sec.63(RADtransition;annualprogressreport); |
|---|
| 12873 | | - | (10)Sec.64(RADstakeholderworkinggroup); |
|---|
| 12874 | | - | (11)Sec.91(correctionofinadvertentlyremovedlanguage); |
|---|
| 12875 | | - | (12)Sec.92.(minimumdebtfortaxsales);and |
|---|
| 12876 | | - | (13)Sec.94.(propertytaxcreditlatefee). BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12877 | | - | 2025 Page412of415 |
|---|
| 12878 | | - | (a)Thissectionandthefollowingsectionsshalltakeeffectonpassage: |
|---|
| 12879 | | - | (1)Sec.1(findings;intent;plan); |
|---|
| 12880 | | - | (2)Sec.2(CommissionontheFutureofPublicEducation); |
|---|
| 12881 | | - | (3)Sec.2a(SchoolDistrictVotingWardTaskForce); |
|---|
| 12882 | | - | (4)Sec.29(16V.S.A.§ 4011(f)); |
|---|
| 12883 | | - | (5)Sec.30(adulteducationfundingreport); |
|---|
| 12884 | | - | (6)Sec.44(transportationreimbursementguidelines); |
|---|
| 12885 | | - | (7)Sec.45(inflationarymeasures;prekindergarten;reports); |
|---|
| 12886 | | - | (8)Sec.53(homesteaddeclarationsampleform); |
|---|
| 12887 | | - | (9)Sec.61a(taxclassificationdata;transition); |
|---|
| 12888 | | - | (10)Sec.61b(propertytaxclassificationsimplementationreport) |
|---|
| 12889 | | - | (11)Sec.63(RADtransition;annualprogressreport); |
|---|
| 12890 | | - | (12)Sec.64(RADstakeholderworkinggroup); |
|---|
| 12891 | | - | (13)Sec.91(correctionofinadvertentlyremovedlanguage); |
|---|
| 12892 | | - | (14)Sec.92(minimumdebtfortaxsales);and |
|---|
| 12893 | | - | (15)Sec.94(propertytaxcreditlatefee). |
|---|
| 12894 | | - | (b)ThefollowingsectionsshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025: |
|---|
| 12895 | | - | (1)Sec.3(scale;intent); |
|---|
| 12896 | | - | (2)Sec.6(SBErules;report); |
|---|
| 12897 | | - | (3)Sec.7(schoolsize;intent); |
|---|
| 12898 | | - | (4)Sec.8(schoolclosure); BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12899 | | - | 2025 Page413of415 |
|---|
| 12900 | | - | (5)Sec.11(16V.S.A.§ 3443); |
|---|
| 12901 | | - | (6)Sec.12(SchoolConstructionAdvisoryBoardsunset); |
|---|
| 12902 | | - | (7)Sec.18(16V.S.A.§ 828); |
|---|
| 12903 | | - | (8)Sec.19(tuitiontransition); |
|---|
| 12904 | | - | (9)Sec.20(statewidecohesion;intent); |
|---|
| 12905 | | - | (10)Sec.21(AOEreport;schoolcalendar;graduationrequirements); |
|---|
| 12906 | | - | (11)Sec.22(State-levelgovernance;intent); |
|---|
| 12907 | | - | (12)Sec.23(16V.S.A.§ 161); |
|---|
| 12908 | | - | (13)Sec.24(SBEappointmentstransition); |
|---|
| 12909 | | - | (14)Sec.25(16V.S.A.§ 162); |
|---|
| 12910 | | - | (15)Sec.26(SBErulereview;appropriation); |
|---|
| 12911 | | - | (16)Sec.31(specialeducationreport); |
|---|
| 12912 | | - | (17)Sec.32(AOEspecialeducationstrategicplan); |
|---|
| 12913 | | - | (18)Sec.33(AOEposition);and |
|---|
| 12914 | | - | (19)Sec.93(PVRhearingofficerpay). |
|---|
| 12915 | | - | (c)ThefollowingsectionsshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2026: |
|---|
| 12916 | | - | (1)Sec.4(classsizeminimums); |
|---|
| 12917 | | - | (2)Sec.5(failuretocomplywithclasssizeminimums); |
|---|
| 12918 | | - | (3)Sec.9(schoolconstructionpolicy); |
|---|
| 12919 | | - | (4)Sec.10(16V.S.A.§ 3442); |
|---|
| 12920 | | - | (5)Sec.13(16V.S.A.§ 3444); BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12921 | | - | 2025 Page414of415 |
|---|
| 12922 | | - | (6)Sec.14(16V.S.A.§ 3445); |
|---|
| 12923 | | - | (7)Sec.15(16V.S.A.§ 3446); |
|---|
| 12924 | | - | (8)Sec.16(transferofrulemakingauthority);and |
|---|
| 12925 | | - | (9)Sec.17(repeals). |
|---|
| 12926 | | - | (d)Sec.48(December1letter)shalltakeeffectonJuly1,2028. |
|---|
| 12927 | | - | (e)ThefollowingsectionsshalltakeeffectonJanuary1,2029: |
|---|
| 12928 | | - | (1)Sec.60(taxclassifications;contiguousparcelsongrandlist);and |
|---|
| 12929 | | - | (2)Sec.61(propertyclassification). |
|---|
| 12930 | | - | (f)ThefollowingsectionsshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2029,providedthat |
|---|
| 12931 | | - | thenewschooldistrictscontemplatedbythisacthaveassumedresponsibility |
|---|
| 12932 | | - | fortheeducationofallresidentstudents: |
|---|
| 12933 | | - | (1)Secs.27(16V.S.A.§ 823)and28(repeals); |
|---|
| 12934 | | - | (2)Secs.34–43(transitiontocost-factorfoundationformula); |
|---|
| 12935 | | - | (3)Secs.46and47and49and50(statewideeducationtax; |
|---|
| 12936 | | - | supplementaldistrictspendingtax); |
|---|
| 12937 | | - | (4)Secs.51and52and54–56(propertytaxcreditrepeal;creationof |
|---|
| 12938 | | - | homesteadexemption);and |
|---|
| 12939 | | - | (5)Sec.57(EducationFundAdvisoryCommittee;reviewoffoundation |
|---|
| 12940 | | - | formula). |
|---|
| 12941 | | - | (g)ThefollowingsectionsshalltakeeffectonJanuary1,2030: |
|---|
| 12942 | | - | (1)Sec.62(regionalassessmentdistricts);and BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.454 |
|---|
| 12943 | | - | 2025 Page415of415 |
|---|
| 12944 | | - | (2)Secs.65–90(grandlistassessmentdate). |
|---|
| 12945 | | - | (h)Secs.58and59(transitiontoevidence-basedfoundationformula)shall |
|---|
| 12946 | | - | takeeffectupon: |
|---|
| 12947 | | - | (1)developmentandreviewofanevidence-basedfoundationformulaby |
|---|
| 12948 | | - | professionaljudgmentpanels; |
|---|
| 12949 | | - | (2)complianceby90percentofVermontclasseswithclass-size |
|---|
| 12950 | | - | minimumstandardssetintheeducationqualitystandards; |
|---|
| 12951 | | - | (3)complianceby90percentofVermontschoolbuildingswithschool |
|---|
| 12952 | | - | sizestandardssetintheeducationqualitystandards;and |
|---|
| 12953 | | - | (4)implementationofamultitieredsystemofsupportsineach |
|---|
| 12954 | | - | classroomineachVermontschool. |
|---|
| 1 | + | BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2 | + | 2025 Page 1 of 194 |
|---|
| 3 | + | |
|---|
| 4 | + | |
|---|
| 5 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 6 | + | H.454 1 |
|---|
| 7 | + | Introduced by Representatives Toof of St. Albans Town, McCoy of Poultney, 2 |
|---|
| 8 | + | Taylor of Milton, Dobrovich of Williamstown, and Quimby of 3 |
|---|
| 9 | + | Lyndon 4 |
|---|
| 10 | + | Referred to Committee on 5 |
|---|
| 11 | + | Date: 6 |
|---|
| 12 | + | Subject: Education; school districts; education finance; property taxes; Agency 7 |
|---|
| 13 | + | of Education; State Board of Education 8 |
|---|
| 14 | + | Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to transform 9 |
|---|
| 15 | + | Vermont’s education governance, quality, and finance systems. It would 10 |
|---|
| 16 | + | create five school districts to govern the public education system for the entire 11 |
|---|
| 17 | + | State, each governed by a school board and operated by a central office. This 12 |
|---|
| 18 | + | bill also proposes to transform Vermont’s education financing system to a 13 |
|---|
| 19 | + | foundation formula, with a base amount of $13,200.00 per student, in fiscal 14 |
|---|
| 20 | + | year 2025, with additional weights based on student need, school scale, and 15 |
|---|
| 21 | + | district sparsity, developed based on an evidence-based model that has been 16 |
|---|
| 22 | + | adjusted to the Vermont context. 17 |
|---|
| 23 | + | An act relating to transforming Vermont’s education governance, quality, 18 |
|---|
| 24 | + | and finance systems 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 25 | + | 2025 Page 2 of 194 |
|---|
| 26 | + | |
|---|
| 27 | + | |
|---|
| 28 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 29 | + | It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 1 |
|---|
| 30 | + | * * * Findings and Intent * * * 2 |
|---|
| 31 | + | Sec. 1. FINDINGS; INTENT 3 |
|---|
| 32 | + | The General Assembly finds that: 4 |
|---|
| 33 | + | (1) The study commissioned in 2024 titled “An Evidence-Based 5 |
|---|
| 34 | + | Approach to Identifying an Adequate Education Spending Level in Vermont” 6 |
|---|
| 35 | + | by Allan Odden and Lawrence O. Picus evaluated Vermont education spending 7 |
|---|
| 36 | + | against research-informed best practices. The evidence-based model is 8 |
|---|
| 37 | + | designed to identify an array of staffing and resources that high-performing 9 |
|---|
| 38 | + | schools need to provide every student with robust opportunities to meet college 10 |
|---|
| 39 | + | and career-ready standards. Performing to those standards would substantially 11 |
|---|
| 40 | + | improve student achievement and reduce demographic related performance 12 |
|---|
| 41 | + | gaps. 13 |
|---|
| 42 | + | (2) The evidence-based model represents an adequate model for the 14 |
|---|
| 43 | + | level of education funding necessary to improve student achievement. It was 15 |
|---|
| 44 | + | developed by experts in education funding with more than 25 years of 16 |
|---|
| 45 | + | experience across the United States in determining how to adequately fund 17 |
|---|
| 46 | + | schools, meaning providing a level of resources that would enable schools to 18 |
|---|
| 47 | + | provide every student with an equal opportunity to learn to high performance 19 |
|---|
| 48 | + | standards. The State has a Constitutional obligation to ensure that all students 20 |
|---|
| 49 | + | are provided a quality education on a reasonably equal basis, without regard to 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 50 | + | 2025 Page 3 of 194 |
|---|
| 51 | + | |
|---|
| 52 | + | |
|---|
| 53 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 54 | + | town of residence. Doing so will require significant change to the current 1 |
|---|
| 55 | + | system of education. 2 |
|---|
| 56 | + | (3) Vermont’s current funding model equalizes school district’s ability 3 |
|---|
| 57 | + | to raise education taxes, leveling out the distinctions in property wealth among 4 |
|---|
| 58 | + | districts. The current funding system does not provide equalized education 5 |
|---|
| 59 | + | dollars to districts. The choice to spend or not spend equitable amounts of 6 |
|---|
| 60 | + | education funding per student across the State rests with individual districts. 7 |
|---|
| 61 | + | Spending patterns demonstrate that many districts do not utilize the tax 8 |
|---|
| 62 | + | equalization mechanisms to increase spending, even in the districts with the 9 |
|---|
| 63 | + | most demonstrated student need. 10 |
|---|
| 64 | + | (4) Vermont’s current school and school district sizes do not align with 11 |
|---|
| 65 | + | the Evidence-Based Model, and contribute to higher costs that are not fully 12 |
|---|
| 66 | + | addressed by the Model. In order to ensure the Model can be implemented in a 13 |
|---|
| 67 | + | way that improves education quality, the State must be organized into larger 14 |
|---|
| 68 | + | school districts that are responsible for approximately at minimum 3,900 15 |
|---|
| 69 | + | students, a population that represents the minimum to achieve efficiency in 16 |
|---|
| 70 | + | delivering the Evidence-Based Model. 17 |
|---|
| 71 | + | (5) Additionally, larger school districts, consistent with State-level 18 |
|---|
| 72 | + | guidance for school size, average class size, and budgetary priorities, must 19 |
|---|
| 73 | + | examine the appropriate number of schools for the student population, 20 |
|---|
| 74 | + | geography, student need, and community desires of the school district. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
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| 75 | + | 2025 Page 4 of 194 |
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| 76 | + | |
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| 77 | + | |
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| 78 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 79 | + | (6) The intent of the proposed five districts is to charge school boards to 1 |
|---|
| 80 | + | represent a diverse set of student and community needs to promote equitable 2 |
|---|
| 81 | + | budgeting and district policies and to create central offices that provide 3 |
|---|
| 82 | + | specialized resources and support for students and teachers in alignment with 4 |
|---|
| 83 | + | best practices for teaching and learning. 5 |
|---|
| 84 | + | Sec. 2. 16 V.S.A. § 43 is amended to read: 6 |
|---|
| 85 | + | § 43. FEDERAL EDUCATION AID FUNDS; ADMINISTRATION; LOCAL 7 |
|---|
| 86 | + | EDUCATION AGENCY 8 |
|---|
| 87 | + | (a) The Agency, as sole state agency, may administer federal funds made 9 |
|---|
| 88 | + | available to the State under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 10 |
|---|
| 89 | + | 1965, Public L. No. 89-10, as amended, and the No Child Left Behind Act of 11 |
|---|
| 90 | + | 2001, Public L. No. 107-110. Those funds may be accepted and shall be 12 |
|---|
| 91 | + | distributed and accounted for by the State Treasurer in accordance with that 13 |
|---|
| 92 | + | law and rules and regulations of the United States issued under it if there is 14 |
|---|
| 93 | + | conflict between that law or those rules and regulations and the laws of this 15 |
|---|
| 94 | + | State. 16 |
|---|
| 95 | + | (b) For purposes of distribution of funds under this section, a supervisory 17 |
|---|
| 96 | + | union school district shall be a local education agency as that term is defined in 18 |
|---|
| 97 | + | 20 U.S.C. § 7801(26). 19 |
|---|
| 98 | + | (c) For purposes of determining student performance and application of 20 |
|---|
| 99 | + | consequences for failure to meet standards and for provision of compensatory 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
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| 100 | + | 2025 Page 5 of 194 |
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| 101 | + | |
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| 102 | + | |
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| 103 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 104 | + | and remedial services pursuant to 20 U.S.C. §§ 6311–6318, a supervisory 1 |
|---|
| 105 | + | union school district shall be a local education agency. 2 |
|---|
| 106 | + | Sec. 3. 16 V.S.A. § 212 is amended to read: 3 |
|---|
| 107 | + | § 212. SECRETARY’S DUTIES GENERALLY 4 |
|---|
| 108 | + | The Secretary shall articulate a long-term strategic vision for educational 5 |
|---|
| 109 | + | services in the State, through engagement of the education community; shall 6 |
|---|
| 110 | + | execute those policies adopted by the State Board in the legal exercise of its 7 |
|---|
| 111 | + | powers; and shall: 8 |
|---|
| 112 | + | (1) Coordinate the educational work of the public schools with higher 9 |
|---|
| 113 | + | education in the State. 10 |
|---|
| 114 | + | (2) Identify the educational goals of the public schools, provide 11 |
|---|
| 115 | + | alternative methods of attaining those goals, and promote education in the 12 |
|---|
| 116 | + | State. 13 |
|---|
| 117 | + | (3) Evaluate the program of instruction in the public schools Establish, 14 |
|---|
| 118 | + | through rulemaking, education and district quality standards to evaluate the 15 |
|---|
| 119 | + | quality of instruction and operations in the public and school choice schools. 16 |
|---|
| 120 | + | (4) Advise the General Assembly concerning proposed laws affecting 17 |
|---|
| 121 | + | the public schools. 18 |
|---|
| 122 | + | (5) Supervise and direct the execution of the laws relating to the public 19 |
|---|
| 123 | + | schools and ensure compliance. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
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| 124 | + | 2025 Page 6 of 194 |
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| 125 | + | |
|---|
| 126 | + | |
|---|
| 127 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 128 | + | (6) Supervise the expenditure and distribution of all money appropriated 1 |
|---|
| 129 | + | by the State under the provisions of this title for public schools. 2 |
|---|
| 130 | + | (7) Arrange conferences and summer schools for superintendents and 3 |
|---|
| 131 | + | teachers and employ suitable speakers, lecturers, and instructors for the same; 4 |
|---|
| 132 | + | fix the amount of tuition for the instruction; provide for educational gatherings, 5 |
|---|
| 133 | + | institutes, summer schools, and other supplementary educational activities; and 6 |
|---|
| 134 | + | provide for cooperation with the Board of Libraries established by 22 V.S.A. 7 |
|---|
| 135 | + | § 602 or the State Librarian. 8 |
|---|
| 136 | + | (8) Inform citizens of the condition of and opportunities within the 9 |
|---|
| 137 | + | public education system and provide other educational publicity for the 10 |
|---|
| 138 | + | enlightenment and well-being of the citizens of the State Provide clear, 11 |
|---|
| 139 | + | transparent and high quality information to citizens regarding the condition and 12 |
|---|
| 140 | + | opportunities within the public education system. 13 |
|---|
| 141 | + | (9) Establish requirements for information to be submitted by school 14 |
|---|
| 142 | + | districts, including necessary statistical data and other information, and ensure, 15 |
|---|
| 143 | + | to the extent possible, that data are reported in a uniform way. Data collected 16 |
|---|
| 144 | + | under this subdivision shall include budget surplus amounts, reserve fund 17 |
|---|
| 145 | + | amounts, and information concerning the purpose and use of any reserve funds. 18 |
|---|
| 146 | + | (10) Make recommendations to school boards regarding transportation 19 |
|---|
| 147 | + | policies. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 148 | + | 2025 Page 7 of 194 |
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| 149 | + | |
|---|
| 150 | + | |
|---|
| 151 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 152 | + | (11) Provide an educational facilities planning service to make available 1 |
|---|
| 153 | + | technical assistance and comprehensive information on school construction, 2 |
|---|
| 154 | + | school systems design, component technology and suppliers, and similar 3 |
|---|
| 155 | + | subjects to public schools, school districts, and independent schools, for the 4 |
|---|
| 156 | + | purpose of helping them to achieve flexibility and economy in construction, to 5 |
|---|
| 157 | + | retain the potential for modification and expansion of educational facilities, 6 |
|---|
| 158 | + | and to attain the lowest maintenance costs consistent with educational needs. 7 |
|---|
| 159 | + | [Repealed.] 8 |
|---|
| 160 | + | (12) Distribute at his or her the Secretary’s discretion upon request to 9 |
|---|
| 161 | + | approved independent schools appropriate forms and materials relating to the 10 |
|---|
| 162 | + | education quality standards for elementary and secondary students. 11 |
|---|
| 163 | + | (13) Ensure the provision of services to children and adolescents with a 12 |
|---|
| 164 | + | severe emotional disturbance in coordination with the Departments of Mental 13 |
|---|
| 165 | + | Health, for Children and Families, and of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent 14 |
|---|
| 166 | + | Living pursuant to the provisions of 33 V.S.A. chapter 43. 15 |
|---|
| 167 | + | (14) Annually, communicate to each superintendent a list of information 16 |
|---|
| 168 | + | that a supervisory union, a school board, a school district, a school, or a school 17 |
|---|
| 169 | + | district employee, or a supervisory union employee is required under State or 18 |
|---|
| 170 | + | federal law to make available to the electorate, community members, parents, 19 |
|---|
| 171 | + | or students. It is the intent of this subdivision that the Secretary shall make a 20 |
|---|
| 172 | + | good faith effort to compile a complete list of the information to be made 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 173 | + | 2025 Page 8 of 194 |
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| 174 | + | |
|---|
| 175 | + | |
|---|
| 176 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 177 | + | available. Due to the difficult nature of compiling such a list, it is also the 1 |
|---|
| 178 | + | intent that failure to include relevant information on the list shall not constitute 2 |
|---|
| 179 | + | grounds for an action against the Secretary. 3 |
|---|
| 180 | + | (15) Annually, with the Commissioner of Health, shall jointly inform 4 |
|---|
| 181 | + | superintendents and principals of appropriate practices regarding students with 5 |
|---|
| 182 | + | life-threatening allergies and chronic illnesses; and prepare and distribute 6 |
|---|
| 183 | + | policies, training materials, and school guidelines for managing students with 7 |
|---|
| 184 | + | life-threatening allergies and chronic illnesses, including family 8 |
|---|
| 185 | + | responsibilities, school responsibilities, and student responsibilities. 9 |
|---|
| 186 | + | (16) Annually, convene a meeting of directors of Vermont educator 10 |
|---|
| 187 | + | preparation programs and representatives of school boards, superintendents, 11 |
|---|
| 188 | + | principals, educators, and the Vermont Standards Board to determine subject 12 |
|---|
| 189 | + | and geographic areas in which there is a critical need for educators and to 13 |
|---|
| 190 | + | discuss ways to meet the need. 14 |
|---|
| 191 | + | (17) Encourage and facilitate collaboration among school districts and 15 |
|---|
| 192 | + | supervisory unions to share information and expertise regarding low-incidence 16 |
|---|
| 193 | + | special education needs. 17 |
|---|
| 194 | + | (18) Annually, inform superintendents and principals of regional 18 |
|---|
| 195 | + | resources available to assist schools to provide instruction in cardiopulmonary 19 |
|---|
| 196 | + | resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators and provide 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 197 | + | 2025 Page 9 of 194 |
|---|
| 198 | + | |
|---|
| 199 | + | |
|---|
| 200 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 201 | + | updated information to the education community regarding the provision of a 1 |
|---|
| 202 | + | comprehensive health education. 2 |
|---|
| 203 | + | (19) Establish an information clearinghouse and accessible database to 3 |
|---|
| 204 | + | help districts share information about educational programs and practices that 4 |
|---|
| 205 | + | improve student performance. Educational programs and practices include 5 |
|---|
| 206 | + | those designed to create and sustain a safe learning environment. 6 |
|---|
| 207 | + | (20) Develop, in consultation with the Secretary of State, and make 7 |
|---|
| 208 | + | available to school boards sample ballot language for issues that may be 8 |
|---|
| 209 | + | decided by Australian ballot and for which no statutory language exists. 9 |
|---|
| 210 | + | (21) Prepare a budget for the Agency and submit it to the Governor after 10 |
|---|
| 211 | + | review by the State Board. 11 |
|---|
| 212 | + | (22) Annually, prior to September 1, present the Governor’s education 12 |
|---|
| 213 | + | policy priorities to the State Board. 13 |
|---|
| 214 | + | (23) Make regulations governing the attendance and records of 14 |
|---|
| 215 | + | attendance of all students and the deportment of students attending public 15 |
|---|
| 216 | + | schools. 16 |
|---|
| 217 | + | (24) Implement and continually update standards for student 17 |
|---|
| 218 | + | performance in appropriate content areas and at appropriate intervals in the 18 |
|---|
| 219 | + | continuum from kindergarten to grade 12 and methods of assessment to 19 |
|---|
| 220 | + | determine attainment of the standards for student performance. The standards 20 |
|---|
| 221 | + | shall be rigorous, challenging, and designed to prepare students to participate 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 222 | + | 2025 Page 10 of 194 |
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| 223 | + | |
|---|
| 224 | + | |
|---|
| 225 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 226 | + | in and contribute to the democratic process and to compete in the global 1 |
|---|
| 227 | + | marketplace. The standards shall include a standard for reading level 2 |
|---|
| 228 | + | proficiency for students completing grade three. 3 |
|---|
| 229 | + | (25) By rule, determine statewide graduation standards. 4 |
|---|
| 230 | + | (26) Provide oversight for adult education and literacy programs and 5 |
|---|
| 231 | + | perform all the duties and powers prescribed by law pertaining to adult 6 |
|---|
| 232 | + | education and literacy and to act as the State approval agency for educational 7 |
|---|
| 233 | + | institutions conducting programs of adult education and literacy. 8 |
|---|
| 234 | + | (27) Report annually on the condition of education statewide and on a 9 |
|---|
| 235 | + | school district basis. The report shall include information on attainment of 10 |
|---|
| 236 | + | standards for student performance adopted under subdivision (24) of this 11 |
|---|
| 237 | + | section, the number and types of complaints of hazing, harassment, or bullying 12 |
|---|
| 238 | + | made pursuant to chapter 9, subchapter 5 of this title and responses to the 13 |
|---|
| 239 | + | complaints; financial resources and expenditures; and community social 14 |
|---|
| 240 | + | indicators. The report shall be organized and presented in a way that is easily 15 |
|---|
| 241 | + | understandable by the general public and that enables each school and school 16 |
|---|
| 242 | + | district to determine its strengths and weaknesses. To the extent consistent 17 |
|---|
| 243 | + | with State and federal privacy laws and regulations, data on hazing, 18 |
|---|
| 244 | + | harassment, or bullying incidents shall be disaggregated by incident type, 19 |
|---|
| 245 | + | including disaggregation by ethnic groups, racial groups, religious groups, 20 |
|---|
| 246 | + | gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and English 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 247 | + | 2025 Page 11 of 194 |
|---|
| 248 | + | |
|---|
| 249 | + | |
|---|
| 250 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 251 | + | language learner status. The Secretary shall use the information in the report 1 |
|---|
| 252 | + | to determine whether students in each school and school district are provided 2 |
|---|
| 253 | + | educational opportunities substantially equal to those provided in other schools 3 |
|---|
| 254 | + | and school districts pursuant to subsection 165(b) of this title. 4 |
|---|
| 255 | + | (28) Ensure that Vermont’s students, including students enrolled in 5 |
|---|
| 256 | + | secondary career technical education, have access to a substantially equal 6 |
|---|
| 257 | + | educational opportunity by developing a system to evaluate the equalizing 7 |
|---|
| 258 | + | effects of Vermont’s education finance system and education quality standards 8 |
|---|
| 259 | + | under section 165 of this title. 9 |
|---|
| 260 | + | Sec. 4. 16 V.S.A. § 164 is amended to read: 10 |
|---|
| 261 | + | § 164. STATE BOARD; GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES 11 |
|---|
| 262 | + | The State Board shall engage local school board members and the broader 12 |
|---|
| 263 | + | education community and, consistent with the provisions of this title, its own 13 |
|---|
| 264 | + | rules, and rules adopted by the Secretary, establish and regularly update 14 |
|---|
| 265 | + | contribute to a long-term strategic vision articulated by the Secretary of 15 |
|---|
| 266 | + | Education for the delivery of educational services in Vermont; advise the 16 |
|---|
| 267 | + | General Assembly, the Governor, and the Secretary of Education on high-17 |
|---|
| 268 | + | priority educational policies and issues as they arise; and act in accordance 18 |
|---|
| 269 | + | with legislative mandates, including the adoption of rules and executing special 19 |
|---|
| 270 | + | assignments. In addition to other specified duties, the Board shall: 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 271 | + | 2025 Page 12 of 194 |
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| 272 | + | |
|---|
| 273 | + | |
|---|
| 274 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 275 | + | (1) Establish such advisory commissions as in the judgment of the 1 |
|---|
| 276 | + | Board will be of assistance to it in carrying out its duties. Advisory 2 |
|---|
| 277 | + | commission members shall serve with or without compensation at the 3 |
|---|
| 278 | + | discretion of the Board but shall receive actual expenses incurred in pursuance 4 |
|---|
| 279 | + | of their duties. 5 |
|---|
| 280 | + | (2) Have the authority to enter into agreements with school districts, 6 |
|---|
| 281 | + | municipalities, states, the United States, foundations, agencies, or individuals 7 |
|---|
| 282 | + | for service, educational programs, or research projects. 8 |
|---|
| 283 | + | (3) Examine and determine all appeals that by law are made to it and 9 |
|---|
| 284 | + | prescribe rules of practice in respect thereto, not inconsistent with law. 10 |
|---|
| 285 | + | (4) [Repealed.] 11 |
|---|
| 286 | + | (5) [Repealed.] 12 |
|---|
| 287 | + | (6) Make regulations governing the attendance and records of 13 |
|---|
| 288 | + | attendance of all students and the deportment of students attending public 14 |
|---|
| 289 | + | schools. [Repealed.] 15 |
|---|
| 290 | + | (7) Adopt rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 to carry out the powers 16 |
|---|
| 291 | + | and duties of the Board as directed by the General Assembly, within the 17 |
|---|
| 292 | + | limitations of legislative intent. 18 |
|---|
| 293 | + | (8) [Repealed.] 19 |
|---|
| 294 | + | (9) Implement and continually update standards for student performance 20 |
|---|
| 295 | + | in appropriate content areas and at appropriate intervals in the continuum from 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 296 | + | 2025 Page 13 of 194 |
|---|
| 297 | + | |
|---|
| 298 | + | |
|---|
| 299 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 300 | + | kindergarten to grade 12 and methods of assessment to determine attainment of 1 |
|---|
| 301 | + | the standards for student performance. The standards shall be rigorous, 2 |
|---|
| 302 | + | challenging, and designed to prepare students to participate in and contribute to 3 |
|---|
| 303 | + | the democratic process and to compete in the global marketplace. The 4 |
|---|
| 304 | + | standards shall include a standard for reading level proficiency for students 5 |
|---|
| 305 | + | completing grade three. [Repealed.] 6 |
|---|
| 306 | + | (10) [Repealed.] 7 |
|---|
| 307 | + | (11) If deemed advisable, determine educational standards for admission 8 |
|---|
| 308 | + | to and graduation from the public schools. [Repealed.] 9 |
|---|
| 309 | + | (12) [Repealed.] 10 |
|---|
| 310 | + | (13) Be the State Board for the program of adult education and literacy 11 |
|---|
| 311 | + | and perform all the duties and powers prescribed by law pertaining to adult 12 |
|---|
| 312 | + | education and literacy and to act as the State approval agency for educational 13 |
|---|
| 313 | + | institutions conducting programs of adult education and literacy. [Repealed.] 14 |
|---|
| 314 | + | (14) Adopt rules for approval of independent schools. [Repealed.] 15 |
|---|
| 315 | + | (15) Establish criteria governing the establishment of a system for the 16 |
|---|
| 316 | + | receipt, deposit, accounting, and disbursement of all funds by supervisory 17 |
|---|
| 317 | + | unions and school districts. [Repealed.] 18 |
|---|
| 318 | + | (16) In cooperation with the Secretary, ensure that the Agency develops 19 |
|---|
| 319 | + | information, plans, and assistance to aid in making technology and 20 |
|---|
| 320 | + | telecommunications available and coordinated in all school districts. The State 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 321 | + | 2025 Page 14 of 194 |
|---|
| 322 | + | |
|---|
| 323 | + | |
|---|
| 324 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 325 | + | Board shall develop guidelines for distribution of federal, State, or private 1 |
|---|
| 326 | + | funds designated for the development or expansion of distance learning 2 |
|---|
| 327 | + | technologies. The guidelines shall encourage, consistent with any terms or 3 |
|---|
| 328 | + | conditions established by the funding source, collaboration between schools 4 |
|---|
| 329 | + | and school districts to realize economic and educational efficiencies. 5 |
|---|
| 330 | + | [Repealed.] 6 |
|---|
| 331 | + | (17) Report annually on the condition of education statewide and on a 7 |
|---|
| 332 | + | supervisory union and school district basis. The report shall include 8 |
|---|
| 333 | + | information on attainment of standards for student performance adopted under 9 |
|---|
| 334 | + | subdivision (9) of this section, number and types of complaints of hazing, 10 |
|---|
| 335 | + | harassment, or bullying made pursuant to chapter 9, subchapter 5 of this title 11 |
|---|
| 336 | + | and responses to the complaints, financial resources and expenditures, and 12 |
|---|
| 337 | + | community social indicators. The report shall be organized and presented in a 13 |
|---|
| 338 | + | way that is easily understandable by the general public and that enables each 14 |
|---|
| 339 | + | school, school district, and supervisory union to determine its strengths and 15 |
|---|
| 340 | + | weaknesses. To the extent consistent with State and federal privacy laws and 16 |
|---|
| 341 | + | regulations, data on hazing, harassment, or bullying incidents shall be 17 |
|---|
| 342 | + | disaggregated by incident type, including disaggregation by ethnic groups, 18 |
|---|
| 343 | + | racial groups, religious groups, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, 19 |
|---|
| 344 | + | disability status, and English language learner status. The Secretary shall use 20 |
|---|
| 345 | + | the information in the report to determine whether students in each school, 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 346 | + | 2025 Page 15 of 194 |
|---|
| 347 | + | |
|---|
| 348 | + | |
|---|
| 349 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 350 | + | school district, and supervisory union are provided educational opportunities 1 |
|---|
| 351 | + | substantially equal to those provided in other schools, school districts, and 2 |
|---|
| 352 | + | supervisory unions pursuant to subsection 165(b) of this title. [Repealed.] 3 |
|---|
| 353 | + | (18) Ensure that Vermont’s students, including students enrolled in 4 |
|---|
| 354 | + | secondary career technical education, have access to a substantially equal 5 |
|---|
| 355 | + | educational opportunity by developing a system to evaluate the equalizing 6 |
|---|
| 356 | + | effects of Vermont’s education finance system and education quality standards 7 |
|---|
| 357 | + | under section 165 of this title. [Repealed.] 8 |
|---|
| 358 | + | (19) [Repealed.] 9 |
|---|
| 359 | + | (20) Pursuant to section 806g of this title, constitute the State Council 10 |
|---|
| 360 | + | for the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children 11 |
|---|
| 361 | + | and appoint to the Council a Compact Commissioner and Military Family 12 |
|---|
| 362 | + | Education Liaison, who may be the same person. The Board may appoint 13 |
|---|
| 363 | + | additional members. 14 |
|---|
| 364 | + | (21) Report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on the 15 |
|---|
| 365 | + | progress the Board has made on the development of education policy for the 16 |
|---|
| 366 | + | State in the execution of its enumerated duties. 17 |
|---|
| 367 | + | (22) Administer a statewide contract to provide annual training to school 18 |
|---|
| 368 | + | board members on educational leadership and the roles and responsibilities of 19 |
|---|
| 369 | + | the school district board. The State Board will select an appropriate training 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 370 | + | 2025 Page 16 of 194 |
|---|
| 371 | + | |
|---|
| 372 | + | |
|---|
| 373 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 374 | + | vendor to speak to the Vermont context and to be informed by research-based 1 |
|---|
| 375 | + | best practices. 2 |
|---|
| 376 | + | (23) Annually, review each school district’s adopted equity budget 3 |
|---|
| 377 | + | policy, and coordinate with school districts on the content and implementation 4 |
|---|
| 378 | + | considerations for those policies. 5 |
|---|
| 379 | + | (24) Annually, review the outcome of the District Quality Standards 6 |
|---|
| 380 | + | evaluation of school board proficiency published by the Agency of Education. 7 |
|---|
| 381 | + | The State Board shall convene public discussions with each school district to 8 |
|---|
| 382 | + | identify areas for improvement and to define the role of the school board in 9 |
|---|
| 383 | + | improving districtwide practices. 10 |
|---|
| 384 | + | Sec. 5. 16 V.S.A. § 165 is amended as follows: 11 |
|---|
| 385 | + | § 165. EDUCATION QUALITY STANDARDS; EQUAL EDUCATIONAL 12 |
|---|
| 386 | + | OPPORTUNITIES; INDEPENDENT SCHOOL MEETING 13 |
|---|
| 387 | + | EDUCATION QUALITY STANDARDS 14 |
|---|
| 388 | + | (a) In order to carry out Vermont’s policy that all Vermont children will be 15 |
|---|
| 389 | + | afforded educational opportunities that are substantially equal in quality, each 16 |
|---|
| 390 | + | Vermont public school, including each career technical center, shall meet the 17 |
|---|
| 391 | + | following education quality standards: 18 |
|---|
| 392 | + | (1) The school, through a process including parents, teachers, students, 19 |
|---|
| 393 | + | and community members, develops, implements, and annually updates a 20 |
|---|
| 394 | + | continuous improvement plan to improve student performance within the 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 395 | + | 2025 Page 17 of 194 |
|---|
| 396 | + | |
|---|
| 397 | + | |
|---|
| 398 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 399 | + | school. The plan shall include goals and objectives for improved student 1 |
|---|
| 400 | + | learning and educational strategies and activities to achieve its goals. The plan 2 |
|---|
| 401 | + | shall also address the effectiveness of efforts made since the previous 3 |
|---|
| 402 | + | continuous improvement plan to ensure the school maintains a safe, orderly, 4 |
|---|
| 403 | + | civil, and positive learning environment that is free from harassment, hazing, 5 |
|---|
| 404 | + | and bullying. The school shall assess student performance under the plan 6 |
|---|
| 405 | + | using a method or methods of assessment developed under subdivision 164(9) 7 |
|---|
| 406 | + | of this title. 8 |
|---|
| 407 | + | (2) The school, at least annually, reports student performance results to 9 |
|---|
| 408 | + | community members in a format selected by the school board. In the case of a 10 |
|---|
| 409 | + | regional career technical center, the community means the school districts in 11 |
|---|
| 410 | + | the service region. The school report shall include: 12 |
|---|
| 411 | + | (A) Information indicating progress toward meeting standards from 13 |
|---|
| 412 | + | the most recent measure taken. 14 |
|---|
| 413 | + | (B) [Repealed.] 15 |
|---|
| 414 | + | (C) Information indicating progress toward meeting the goals of an 16 |
|---|
| 415 | + | annual continuous improvement plan. 17 |
|---|
| 416 | + | (D) Any other statistical information about the school or community 18 |
|---|
| 417 | + | that the school board deems necessary to place student performance results in 19 |
|---|
| 418 | + | context. 20 |
|---|
| 419 | + | (E)–(G) [Repealed.] 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 420 | + | 2025 Page 18 of 194 |
|---|
| 421 | + | |
|---|
| 422 | + | |
|---|
| 423 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 424 | + | (H) A description of how the school ensures that each student 1 |
|---|
| 425 | + | receives appropriate career counseling and program information regarding 2 |
|---|
| 426 | + | availability of education and apprenticeship program offerings at career 3 |
|---|
| 427 | + | technical centers. 4 |
|---|
| 428 | + | (I) [Repealed.] 5 |
|---|
| 429 | + | (J) If the school is a secondary school, information and supporting 6 |
|---|
| 430 | + | data presented in a manner designed to protect student confidentiality on the 7 |
|---|
| 431 | + | dropout and graduation rates. 8 |
|---|
| 432 | + | (K) Data provided by the Secretary that enable a comparison with 9 |
|---|
| 433 | + | other schools, or school districts if school level data are not available, for cost-10 |
|---|
| 434 | + | effectiveness. The Secretary shall establish which data are to be included 11 |
|---|
| 435 | + | pursuant to this subdivision and, notwithstanding that the other elements of the 12 |
|---|
| 436 | + | report are to be presented in a format selected by the school board, shall 13 |
|---|
| 437 | + | develop a common format to be used by each school in presenting the data to 14 |
|---|
| 438 | + | community members. The Secretary shall provide the most recent data 15 |
|---|
| 439 | + | available to each school no not later than October 1 of each year. Data to be 16 |
|---|
| 440 | + | presented include student-to-teacher ratio, administrator-to-student ratio, 17 |
|---|
| 441 | + | administrator-to-teacher ratio, and cost per pupil. 18 |
|---|
| 442 | + | (3) The school substantially meets standards adopted by rule of the State 19 |
|---|
| 443 | + | Board Agency of Education regarding conditions, practices, and resources of 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 444 | + | 2025 Page 19 of 194 |
|---|
| 445 | + | |
|---|
| 446 | + | |
|---|
| 447 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 448 | + | schools. The standards shall address those aspects of the following that are 1 |
|---|
| 449 | + | most closely associated with improving student performance: 2 |
|---|
| 450 | + | (A) school leadership, staffing, and support services, and average 3 |
|---|
| 451 | + | minimum class sizes that shall require that for grades four through 12 average 4 |
|---|
| 452 | + | class sizes to be equivalent to a teacher to student ratio of 1:25 and for grades 5 |
|---|
| 453 | + | kindergarten through three shall be equivalent to a teacher to student ratio of 6 |
|---|
| 454 | + | 15:1; 7 |
|---|
| 455 | + | (B) instructional practices and curriculum leadership, content, and 8 |
|---|
| 456 | + | coordination; 9 |
|---|
| 457 | + | (C) educational materials and school facilities; 10 |
|---|
| 458 | + | (D) access to current technology. 11 |
|---|
| 459 | + | (4) The school shall provide for and the staff shall use needs-based 12 |
|---|
| 460 | + | professional development designed to improve the quality of education 13 |
|---|
| 461 | + | provided to the students and directly connected to standards for student 14 |
|---|
| 462 | + | performance established by the State Board Agency of Education and any 15 |
|---|
| 463 | + | other educational performance goals established by the school board. 16 |
|---|
| 464 | + | (5) The school uses staff evaluation to advance educational performance 17 |
|---|
| 465 | + | objectives. 18 |
|---|
| 466 | + | (6) The school ensures that students receive appropriate career 19 |
|---|
| 467 | + | counseling and program information regarding the availability of education 20 |
|---|
| 468 | + | and apprenticeship program offerings at career technical centers. In addition, 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 469 | + | 2025 Page 20 of 194 |
|---|
| 470 | + | |
|---|
| 471 | + | |
|---|
| 472 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 473 | + | the school, if it is a secondary school, offers a genuine opportunity to access 1 |
|---|
| 474 | + | career technical education programs. 2 |
|---|
| 475 | + | (7) The school ensures that students are furnished educational services 3 |
|---|
| 476 | + | in accordance with any State or federal entitlements and in a nondiscriminatory 4 |
|---|
| 477 | + | manner. 5 |
|---|
| 478 | + | (8) The school maintains a safe, orderly, civil, and positive learning 6 |
|---|
| 479 | + | environment that is free from hazing, harassment, and bullying, and is based on 7 |
|---|
| 480 | + | sound instructional and classroom management practices and clear discipline 8 |
|---|
| 481 | + | policies that are consistently and effectively enforced. 9 |
|---|
| 482 | + | (b) Annually, the Secretary shall determine whether students in each 10 |
|---|
| 483 | + | Vermont public school are provided educational opportunities substantially 11 |
|---|
| 484 | + | equal to those provided in other public schools. If the Secretary determines 12 |
|---|
| 485 | + | that a school is not meeting the education quality standards listed in subsection 13 |
|---|
| 486 | + | (a) of this section or that the school is making insufficient progress in 14 |
|---|
| 487 | + | improving student performance in relation to the standards for student 15 |
|---|
| 488 | + | performance set forth in subdivision 164(9) of this title, he or she the Secretary 16 |
|---|
| 489 | + | shall describe in writing actions that a district must take in order to meet either 17 |
|---|
| 490 | + | or both sets of standards and shall provide technical assistance to the school. If 18 |
|---|
| 491 | + | the school fails to meet the standards or make sufficient progress within two 19 |
|---|
| 492 | + | years of the determination, the Secretary shall recommend to the State Board 20 |
|---|
| 493 | + | one or more of the following actions: 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 494 | + | 2025 Page 21 of 194 |
|---|
| 495 | + | |
|---|
| 496 | + | |
|---|
| 497 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 498 | + | (1) the Agency continue to provide technical assistance for one more 1 |
|---|
| 499 | + | cycle of review; 2 |
|---|
| 500 | + | (2) the State Board adjust supervisory union boundaries or 3 |
|---|
| 501 | + | responsibilities of the superintendency pursuant to section 242 of this title; 4 |
|---|
| 502 | + | (3) the Secretary assume administrative control of an individual school, 5 |
|---|
| 503 | + | or school district, or supervisory union, including budgetary control to ensure 6 |
|---|
| 504 | + | sound financial practices, only to the extent necessary to correct deficiencies; 7 |
|---|
| 505 | + | (4) the State Board close an individual school or schools and require that 8 |
|---|
| 506 | + | the school district pay tuition to another public school or an approved 9 |
|---|
| 507 | + | independent school pursuant to chapter 21 of this title assign students to a 10 |
|---|
| 508 | + | different school operated by the district; or 11 |
|---|
| 509 | + | (5) the State Board require two or more school districts to consolidate 12 |
|---|
| 510 | + | their governance structures. 13 |
|---|
| 511 | + | (c) The State Board, after offering the school board an opportunity for a 14 |
|---|
| 512 | + | hearing, shall either dismiss the Secretary’s recommendation or order that one 15 |
|---|
| 513 | + | or more of the actions listed in subsection (b) of this section be taken. The 16 |
|---|
| 514 | + | action ordered by the State Board shall be the least intrusive consistent with the 17 |
|---|
| 515 | + | need to provide students attending the school substantially equal educational 18 |
|---|
| 516 | + | opportunities. A school board aggrieved by an order of the State Board may 19 |
|---|
| 517 | + | appeal the order in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 518 | + | 2025 Page 22 of 194 |
|---|
| 519 | + | |
|---|
| 520 | + | |
|---|
| 521 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 522 | + | (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to entitle any student to 1 |
|---|
| 523 | + | educational programs or services identical to those received by students in the 2 |
|---|
| 524 | + | same or any other school district. Further, nothing in this section shall create a 3 |
|---|
| 525 | + | private right of action. 4 |
|---|
| 526 | + | (e) If the Secretary determines at any time that the failure of a school to 5 |
|---|
| 527 | + | meet the education quality standards listed in subsection (a) of this section is 6 |
|---|
| 528 | + | severe or pervasive, potentially results in physical or emotional harm to 7 |
|---|
| 529 | + | students or significant deprivation of equal education opportunities, and the 8 |
|---|
| 530 | + | school has either unreasonably refused to remedy the problem or its efforts 9 |
|---|
| 531 | + | have proved ineffective, he or she the Secretary may recommend to the State 10 |
|---|
| 532 | + | Board one or more of the actions listed in subsection (b) of this section. The 11 |
|---|
| 533 | + | State Board shall then follow the procedure of subsection (c) of this section. 12 |
|---|
| 534 | + | (f) In order to be designated an independent school meeting education 13 |
|---|
| 535 | + | quality standards, an independent school shall participate in the education 14 |
|---|
| 536 | + | quality standards process of subsection (b) of this section. An independent 15 |
|---|
| 537 | + | school shall receive technical assistance in accordance with the provisions of 16 |
|---|
| 538 | + | subsection (b), but shall not be subject to subdivisions (b)(2)–(4) of this 17 |
|---|
| 539 | + | section. The school shall be an independent school meeting education quality 18 |
|---|
| 540 | + | standards unless the State Board, after opportunity for hearing, finds that: 19 |
|---|
| 541 | + | (1) the school has discontinued its participation in the education quality 20 |
|---|
| 542 | + | standards process; or 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 543 | + | 2025 Page 23 of 194 |
|---|
| 544 | + | |
|---|
| 545 | + | |
|---|
| 546 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 547 | + | (2) two or more years following a determination that the school is not 1 |
|---|
| 548 | + | meeting the education quality standards or that the school is making 2 |
|---|
| 549 | + | insufficient progress in improving student performance, the school fails to 3 |
|---|
| 550 | + | meet the standards or make sufficient progress toward meeting the standards. 4 |
|---|
| 551 | + | [Repealed.] 5 |
|---|
| 552 | + | (g) In addition to the education quality standards provided in subsection (a) 6 |
|---|
| 553 | + | of this section, each Vermont school district shall meet the school district 7 |
|---|
| 554 | + | quality standards adopted by rule of the Agency of Education regarding the 8 |
|---|
| 555 | + | business, facilities management, and governance practices of school districts. 9 |
|---|
| 556 | + | These standards shall include a process for school district quality reviews to be 10 |
|---|
| 557 | + | conducted by the Agency of Education. Annually, the Secretary shall publish 11 |
|---|
| 558 | + | metrics regarding the outcomes of school district quality reviews. 12 |
|---|
| 559 | + | Sec. 6. 16 V.S.A. § 166 is amended to read: 13 |
|---|
| 560 | + | § 166. APPROVED AND RECOGNIZED INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS ; 14 |
|---|
| 561 | + | INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SERVING AS SCHOOL CHOICE 15 |
|---|
| 562 | + | SCHOOL FOR GRADES 9–12 16 |
|---|
| 563 | + | (a) Authority. An independent school may operate and provide elementary 17 |
|---|
| 564 | + | education or secondary education if it is either approved or recognized or 18 |
|---|
| 565 | + | designated as a school choice school as set forth in this section. 19 |
|---|
| 566 | + | (b) Approved independent schools. On application, the State Board shall 20 |
|---|
| 567 | + | approve an independent school that offers elementary or secondary education 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 568 | + | 2025 Page 24 of 194 |
|---|
| 569 | + | |
|---|
| 570 | + | |
|---|
| 571 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 572 | + | if it finds, after opportunity for hearing, that the school provides a minimum 1 |
|---|
| 573 | + | course of study pursuant to section 906 of this title and that it substantially 2 |
|---|
| 574 | + | complies with all statutory requirements for approved independent schools and 3 |
|---|
| 575 | + | the Board’s rules for approved independent schools. An independent school 4 |
|---|
| 576 | + | that intends to accept public tuition shall be approved by the State Board only 5 |
|---|
| 577 | + | on the condition that the school agrees, notwithstanding any provision of law 6 |
|---|
| 578 | + | to the contrary, to enroll any student who requires special education services 7 |
|---|
| 579 | + | and who is placed in or referred to the approved independent school as an 8 |
|---|
| 580 | + | appropriate placement and least restrictive environment for the student by the 9 |
|---|
| 581 | + | student’s individualized education program team or by the local education 10 |
|---|
| 582 | + | agency; provided, however, that this requirement shall not apply to an 11 |
|---|
| 583 | + | independent school that limits enrollment to students who are on an 12 |
|---|
| 584 | + | individualized education program or a plan under Section 504 of the 13 |
|---|
| 585 | + | Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, and who are enrolled pursuant to 14 |
|---|
| 586 | + | a written agreement between the local education agency and the school. Except 15 |
|---|
| 587 | + | as provided in subdivision (6) of this subsection, the Board’s rules must at 16 |
|---|
| 588 | + | minimum require that the school have the resources required to meet its stated 17 |
|---|
| 589 | + | objectives, including financial capacity, faculty who are qualified by training 18 |
|---|
| 590 | + | and experience in the areas in which they are assigned, and physical facilities 19 |
|---|
| 591 | + | and special services that are in accordance with any State or federal law or 20 |
|---|
| 592 | + | regulation. Approval may be granted without State Board evaluation in the 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 593 | + | 2025 Page 25 of 194 |
|---|
| 594 | + | |
|---|
| 595 | + | |
|---|
| 596 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 597 | + | case of any school accredited by a private, State, or regional agency recognized 1 |
|---|
| 598 | + | by the State Board for accrediting purposes, provided that the State Board shall 2 |
|---|
| 599 | + | determine that the school complies with all student enrollment provisions 3 |
|---|
| 600 | + | required by law. 4 |
|---|
| 601 | + | (1) On application, the State Board shall approve an independent school 5 |
|---|
| 602 | + | that offers kindergarten but no other graded education if it finds, after 6 |
|---|
| 603 | + | opportunity for hearing, that the school substantially complies with the Board’s 7 |
|---|
| 604 | + | rules for approved independent kindergartens. The State Board may delegate to 8 |
|---|
| 605 | + | another State agency the authority to evaluate the safety and adequacy of the 9 |
|---|
| 606 | + | buildings in which kindergartens are conducted but shall consider all findings 10 |
|---|
| 607 | + | and recommendations of any such agency in making its approval decision. 11 |
|---|
| 608 | + | (2) Approvals under this subsection (b) shall be for a term established 12 |
|---|
| 609 | + | by rule of the Board but not greater than five years. 13 |
|---|
| 610 | + | (3) A approved independent school shall provide to the parent or 14 |
|---|
| 611 | + | guardian responsible for each of its students, prior to accepting any money for 15 |
|---|
| 612 | + | a student, an accurate statement in writing of its status under this section and a 16 |
|---|
| 613 | + | copy of this section. Failure to comply with this provision may create a 17 |
|---|
| 614 | + | permissible inference of false advertising in violation of 13 V.S.A. § 2005. 18 |
|---|
| 615 | + | (4) Each approved independent school shall provide to the Secretary on 19 |
|---|
| 616 | + | October 1 of each year the names, genders, dates of birth, and addresses of its 20 |
|---|
| 617 | + | enrolled students. Within seven days of the termination of a student’s 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 618 | + | 2025 Page 26 of 194 |
|---|
| 619 | + | |
|---|
| 620 | + | |
|---|
| 621 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 622 | + | enrollment, the school choice school shall notify the Secretary of the name and 1 |
|---|
| 623 | + | address of the student. The Secretary shall notify the appropriate school 2 |
|---|
| 624 | + | officials as provided in section 1126 of this title. 3 |
|---|
| 625 | + | (5) The State Board may revoke, suspend, or impose conditions upon 4 |
|---|
| 626 | + | the approval of an approved independent school, after having provided an 5 |
|---|
| 627 | + | opportunity for a hearing, for substantial failure to comply with the minimum 6 |
|---|
| 628 | + | course of study, for failure to demonstrate that the school has the resources 7 |
|---|
| 629 | + | required to meet its stated objectives, for failure to comply with statutory 8 |
|---|
| 630 | + | requirements or the Board’s rules for approved independent schools, or for 9 |
|---|
| 631 | + | failure to report under subdivision (4) of this subsection (b). Upon that 10 |
|---|
| 632 | + | revocation or suspension, students required to attend school who are enrolled 11 |
|---|
| 633 | + | in that school shall become truant unless they enroll in a public school, an 12 |
|---|
| 634 | + | approved or recognized independent school, or a home study program. 13 |
|---|
| 635 | + | (6) This subdivision (6) applies to an independent school located in 14 |
|---|
| 636 | + | Vermont that offers a distance learning program and that, because of its 15 |
|---|
| 637 | + | structure, does not meet some or all the rules of the State Board for approved 16 |
|---|
| 638 | + | independent schools. In order to be approved under this subdivision, a school 17 |
|---|
| 639 | + | shall meet the standards adopted by rule of the State Board for approved 18 |
|---|
| 640 | + | independent schools that can be applied to the applicant school and any other 19 |
|---|
| 641 | + | standards or rules adopted by the State Board regarding these types of schools. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 642 | + | 2025 Page 27 of 194 |
|---|
| 643 | + | |
|---|
| 644 | + | |
|---|
| 645 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 646 | + | A school approved under this subdivision shall not be eligible to receive tuition 1 |
|---|
| 647 | + | payments from public school districts under chapter 21 of this title. 2 |
|---|
| 648 | + | (7) Approval for independent residential schools under this subsection is 3 |
|---|
| 649 | + | also contingent upon proof of the school’s satisfactory completion of an annual 4 |
|---|
| 650 | + | fire safety inspection by the Department of Public Safety or its designee 5 |
|---|
| 651 | + | pursuant to 20 V.S.A. chapter 173, subchapter 2. A certificate executed by the 6 |
|---|
| 652 | + | inspecting entity, declaring satisfactory completion of the inspection and 7 |
|---|
| 653 | + | identifying the date by which a new inspection must occur, shall be posted at 8 |
|---|
| 654 | + | the school in a public location. The school shall provide a copy of the 9 |
|---|
| 655 | + | certificate to the Secretary of Education after each annual inspection. The 10 |
|---|
| 656 | + | school shall pay the actual cost of the inspection unless waived or reduced by 11 |
|---|
| 657 | + | the inspecting entity. 12 |
|---|
| 658 | + | (8)(A) If an approved independent school experiences any of the 13 |
|---|
| 659 | + | following financial reporting events during the period of its approved status, 14 |
|---|
| 660 | + | the school shall notify the Secretary of Education within five days after its 15 |
|---|
| 661 | + | knowledge of the event unless the failure is de minimis: 16 |
|---|
| 662 | + | (i) the school’s failure to file its federal or State tax returns when 17 |
|---|
| 663 | + | due, after permissible extension periods have been taken into account; 18 |
|---|
| 664 | + | (ii) the school’s failure to meet its payroll obligations as they are 19 |
|---|
| 665 | + | due or to pay federal or State payroll tax obligations as they are due; 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 666 | + | 2025 Page 28 of 194 |
|---|
| 667 | + | |
|---|
| 668 | + | |
|---|
| 669 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 670 | + | (iii) the school’s failure to maintain required retirement 1 |
|---|
| 671 | + | contributions; 2 |
|---|
| 672 | + | (iv) the school’s use of designated funds for nondesignated 3 |
|---|
| 673 | + | purposes; 4 |
|---|
| 674 | + | (v) the school’s inability to fully comply with the financial terms 5 |
|---|
| 675 | + | of its secured installment debt obligations over a period of two consecutive 6 |
|---|
| 676 | + | months, including the school’s failure to make interest or principal payments 7 |
|---|
| 677 | + | as they are due or to maintain any required financial ratios; 8 |
|---|
| 678 | + | (vi) the withdrawal or conditioning of the school’s accreditation 9 |
|---|
| 679 | + | on financial grounds by a private, State, or regional agency recognized by the 10 |
|---|
| 680 | + | State Board for accrediting purposes; or 11 |
|---|
| 681 | + | (vii) the school’s insolvency, as defined in 9 V.S.A. § 2286(a). 12 |
|---|
| 682 | + | (B)(i) If the Secretary reasonably believes that an approved 13 |
|---|
| 683 | + | independent school lacks financial capacity to meet its stated objectives during 14 |
|---|
| 684 | + | the period of its approved status, then the Secretary shall notify the school in 15 |
|---|
| 685 | + | writing of the reasons for this belief and permit the school a reasonable 16 |
|---|
| 686 | + | opportunity to respond. 17 |
|---|
| 687 | + | (ii) If the Secretary, after having provided the school a reasonable 18 |
|---|
| 688 | + | opportunity to respond, does not find that the school has satisfactorily 19 |
|---|
| 689 | + | responded or demonstrated its financial capacity, the Secretary may establish a 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 690 | + | 2025 Page 29 of 194 |
|---|
| 691 | + | |
|---|
| 692 | + | |
|---|
| 693 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 694 | + | review team that, with the consent of the school, includes a member of the 1 |
|---|
| 695 | + | Council of Independent Schools, to: 2 |
|---|
| 696 | + | (I) conduct a school visit to assess the school’s financial 3 |
|---|
| 697 | + | capacity; 4 |
|---|
| 698 | + | (II) obtain from the school such financial documentation as the 5 |
|---|
| 699 | + | review team requires to perform its assessment; and 6 |
|---|
| 700 | + | (III) submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the 7 |
|---|
| 701 | + | State Board. 8 |
|---|
| 702 | + | (iii) If the State Board concludes that an approved independent 9 |
|---|
| 703 | + | school lacks financial capacity to meet its stated objectives during the period of 10 |
|---|
| 704 | + | its approved status, the State Board may take any action that is authorized by 11 |
|---|
| 705 | + | this section. 12 |
|---|
| 706 | + | (iv) In considering whether an independent school lacks financial 13 |
|---|
| 707 | + | capacity to meet its stated objectives during the period of its approved status 14 |
|---|
| 708 | + | and what actions the State Board should take if it makes this finding, the State 15 |
|---|
| 709 | + | Board may consult with, and draw on the analytical resources of, the Vermont 16 |
|---|
| 710 | + | Department of Financial Regulation. 17 |
|---|
| 711 | + | (C) Information provided by an independent school under this 18 |
|---|
| 712 | + | subsection that is not already in the public domain is exempt from public 19 |
|---|
| 713 | + | inspection and copying under the Public Records Act and shall be kept 20 |
|---|
| 714 | + | confidential. [Repealed.] 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 715 | + | 2025 Page 30 of 194 |
|---|
| 716 | + | |
|---|
| 717 | + | |
|---|
| 718 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 719 | + | (c) School Choice Schools. An independent school may be designated as a 1 |
|---|
| 720 | + | School Choice School to serve grades 9–12 by the school district in which it is 2 |
|---|
| 721 | + | geographically located. In order to be eligible for designation, an independent 3 |
|---|
| 722 | + | school shall be certified by the Agency of Education as meeting the following 4 |
|---|
| 723 | + | criteria: 5 |
|---|
| 724 | + | (1) use of State standardized assessments; 6 |
|---|
| 725 | + | (2) implementation of minimum State graduation requirements; 7 |
|---|
| 726 | + | (3) the provision of special education services to all enrolled students 8 |
|---|
| 727 | + | to the same extent as would be required of a public school operated by a school 9 |
|---|
| 728 | + | district; 10 |
|---|
| 729 | + | (4) completion of an annual single audit by a certified public 11 |
|---|
| 730 | + | accountant, which shall be submitted to the Agency of Education; 12 |
|---|
| 731 | + | (5) maintenance of minimum financial reserves, in an amount to be 13 |
|---|
| 732 | + | established by rules adopted by the Agency of Education; 14 |
|---|
| 733 | + | (6) compliance with the school choice school requirements of the 15 |
|---|
| 734 | + | Education Quality Standards as defined by the Secretary through rule making; 16 |
|---|
| 735 | + | (7) compliance with school safety requirements in chapter 33 of this 17 |
|---|
| 736 | + | title; 18 |
|---|
| 737 | + | (8) adherence in all policies and operations with nondiscrimination 19 |
|---|
| 738 | + | requirements of 9 V.S.A. chapter 139; 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 739 | + | 2025 Page 31 of 194 |
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| 740 | + | |
|---|
| 741 | + | |
|---|
| 742 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 743 | + | (9) adoption of harassment, hazing, and bullying prevention policies 1 |
|---|
| 744 | + | required by chapter 9, subchapter 5 of this title; except that the board shall 2 |
|---|
| 745 | + | follow its own procedures for adopting policy; 3 |
|---|
| 746 | + | (10) the school annually announces a capacity for incoming students 4 |
|---|
| 747 | + | to attend on a publicly funded basis in the following school year; 5 |
|---|
| 748 | + | (11) the school was an approved independent school on July 1, 2025; 6 |
|---|
| 749 | + | (12) the school’s enrollment is at least 51 percent comprised of 7 |
|---|
| 750 | + | students attending on a district-funded tuition basis as of July 1, 2025, 8 |
|---|
| 751 | + | (13) the school has a policy to govern a nondiscriminatory lottery 9 |
|---|
| 752 | + | system for determining which students may enroll in the school on a publicly 10 |
|---|
| 753 | + | funded basis when student interest exceeds capacity; and 11 |
|---|
| 754 | + | (14) the school offers due process protections prior to suspending or 12 |
|---|
| 755 | + | expelling a student attending on a publicly funded basis that are at least as 13 |
|---|
| 756 | + | comprehensive as those required of public schools in section 1162 of this title. 14 |
|---|
| 757 | + | (c)(d) Recognized independent schools. Upon filing an enrollment notice, 15 |
|---|
| 758 | + | a recognized independent school may provide elementary or secondary 16 |
|---|
| 759 | + | education in Vermont. The enrollment notice shall be on a form provided by 17 |
|---|
| 760 | + | the Secretary and shall be filed with the Secretary no earlier than three months 18 |
|---|
| 761 | + | before the beginning of the school year for the public schools in the town in 19 |
|---|
| 762 | + | which the applicant proposes to locate. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 763 | + | 2025 Page 32 of 194 |
|---|
| 764 | + | |
|---|
| 765 | + | |
|---|
| 766 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 767 | + | (1) The enrollment notice shall contain the following information and 1 |
|---|
| 768 | + | assurances: 2 |
|---|
| 769 | + | (A) a statement that the school will be in session an amount of time 3 |
|---|
| 770 | + | substantially equivalent to that required for public schools; 4 |
|---|
| 771 | + | (B) a detailed description or outline of the minimum course of study 5 |
|---|
| 772 | + | for each grade level the school offers and how the annual assessment of each 6 |
|---|
| 773 | + | student will be performed; and 7 |
|---|
| 774 | + | (C) assurances that: 8 |
|---|
| 775 | + | (i) the school will prepare and maintain attendance records for 9 |
|---|
| 776 | + | each student enrolled or regularly attending classes; 10 |
|---|
| 777 | + | (ii) at least once each year, the school will assess each student’s 11 |
|---|
| 778 | + | progress, and will maintain records of that assessment, and present the result of 12 |
|---|
| 779 | + | that assessment to each student’s parent or guardian; 13 |
|---|
| 780 | + | (iii) the school’s educational program will include the minimum 14 |
|---|
| 781 | + | course of study set forth in section 906 of this title; 15 |
|---|
| 782 | + | (iv) the school will have teachers and materials sufficient to carry 16 |
|---|
| 783 | + | out the school’s educational program; and 17 |
|---|
| 784 | + | (v) the school will meet such State and federal laws and 18 |
|---|
| 785 | + | regulations concerning its physical facilities and health and safety matters as 19 |
|---|
| 786 | + | are applicable to recognized independent schools. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 787 | + | 2025 Page 33 of 194 |
|---|
| 788 | + | |
|---|
| 789 | + | |
|---|
| 790 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 791 | + | (2) If the Secretary has information that creates significant doubt about 1 |
|---|
| 792 | + | whether the school would be able to meet the requirements set forth in this 2 |
|---|
| 793 | + | subsection (c)(d), the Secretary may call a hearing. At the hearing, the school 3 |
|---|
| 794 | + | shall establish that it can meet the requirements for recognized independent 4 |
|---|
| 795 | + | schools. Failure to do so shall result in a finding by the Secretary that the 5 |
|---|
| 796 | + | school must take specified action to come into compliance within a specified 6 |
|---|
| 797 | + | time frame or the children enrolled must attend another recognized 7 |
|---|
| 798 | + | independent school, a public school, an approved independent school, or a 8 |
|---|
| 799 | + | home study program, or be declared truant unless absent with legal excuse. 9 |
|---|
| 800 | + | (3) A recognized independent school shall provide to each student’s 10 |
|---|
| 801 | + | parent or guardian a copy of its currently filed statement of objectives and a 11 |
|---|
| 802 | + | copy of this section. The copy shall be provided when the student enrolls or 12 |
|---|
| 803 | + | before September 1, whichever comes later. Failure to comply with this 13 |
|---|
| 804 | + | subsection may create a permissible inference of false advertising in violation 14 |
|---|
| 805 | + | of 13 V.S.A. § 2005. 15 |
|---|
| 806 | + | (4) A recognized independent school shall renew its enrollment notice 16 |
|---|
| 807 | + | annually. An independent school shall be recognized for a period not to 17 |
|---|
| 808 | + | exceed five years by the Secretary without need for filing an annual enrollment 18 |
|---|
| 809 | + | notice if: 19 |
|---|
| 810 | + | (A) it is recognized by an organization approved by the State Board 20 |
|---|
| 811 | + | for the purpose of recognizing such school; or 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 812 | + | 2025 Page 34 of 194 |
|---|
| 813 | + | |
|---|
| 814 | + | |
|---|
| 815 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 816 | + | (B) it is accredited by a private, state, or regional agency approved by 1 |
|---|
| 817 | + | the State Board for accrediting purposes; provided, however, nothing in this 2 |
|---|
| 818 | + | subdivision (4) shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary from initiating a 3 |
|---|
| 819 | + | hearing under this subsection (c)(d). 4 |
|---|
| 820 | + | (5) If the Secretary has information that creates significant doubt about 5 |
|---|
| 821 | + | whether the school, once in operation, is meeting the requirements for 6 |
|---|
| 822 | + | recognized independent schools, the Secretary may call a hearing. At the 7 |
|---|
| 823 | + | hearing, the school shall establish that it has met the requirements for 8 |
|---|
| 824 | + | recognized independent schools. Failure to do so shall result in a finding by 9 |
|---|
| 825 | + | the Secretary that: 10 |
|---|
| 826 | + | (A) the school may not be in operation for the remainder of the 11 |
|---|
| 827 | + | school year and that the children are truant unless absent with legal excuse or 12 |
|---|
| 828 | + | enrolled in a public school, an independent school, another recognized 13 |
|---|
| 829 | + | independent school, or a home study program; or 14 |
|---|
| 830 | + | (B) the school must take specified action to come into compliance 15 |
|---|
| 831 | + | within a specified time frame or the school will not be permitted to operate for 16 |
|---|
| 832 | + | the remainder of the school year. 17 |
|---|
| 833 | + | (6) Each recognized independent school shall provide to the Secretary 18 |
|---|
| 834 | + | on October 1 of each year the names, genders, dates of birth, and addresses of 19 |
|---|
| 835 | + | its enrolled students. Within seven days of the termination of a student’s 20 |
|---|
| 836 | + | enrollment, the recognized independent school shall notify the Secretary of the 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 837 | + | 2025 Page 35 of 194 |
|---|
| 838 | + | |
|---|
| 839 | + | |
|---|
| 840 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 841 | + | name and address of the student. The Secretary shall notify the appropriate 1 |
|---|
| 842 | + | school officials as provided in section 1126 of this title. 2 |
|---|
| 843 | + | (7) After the filing of the enrollment notice or at a hearing, if the school 3 |
|---|
| 844 | + | is unable to comply with any specific requirements due to deep religious 4 |
|---|
| 845 | + | conviction shared by an organized group, the Secretary may waive such 5 |
|---|
| 846 | + | requirements if he or she the Secretary determines that the educational 6 |
|---|
| 847 | + | purposes of this subsection are being or will be substantially met. 7 |
|---|
| 848 | + | (8) A recognized independent school shall provide to the parent or 8 |
|---|
| 849 | + | guardian responsible for each of its students, prior to accepting any money for 9 |
|---|
| 850 | + | a student, an accurate statement in writing of its status under this section and a 10 |
|---|
| 851 | + | copy of this section. Failure to comply with this provision may create a 11 |
|---|
| 852 | + | permissible inference of false advertising in violation of 13 V.S.A. § 2005. 12 |
|---|
| 853 | + | (9) Each school choice school designated by a school district pursuant to 13 |
|---|
| 854 | + | school shall provide to the Secretary on October 1 of each year the names, 14 |
|---|
| 855 | + | genders, dates of birth, and addresses of its enrolled students. Within seven 15 |
|---|
| 856 | + | days following the termination of a student’s enrollment, the school choice 16 |
|---|
| 857 | + | school shall notify the Secretary of the name and address of the student. The 17 |
|---|
| 858 | + | Secretary shall notify the appropriate school officials as provided in section 18 |
|---|
| 859 | + | 1126 of this title. 19 |
|---|
| 860 | + | (10) Approval for independent residential schools under this subsection 20 |
|---|
| 861 | + | is also contingent upon proof of the school’s satisfactory completion of an 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 862 | + | 2025 Page 36 of 194 |
|---|
| 863 | + | |
|---|
| 864 | + | |
|---|
| 865 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 866 | + | annual fire safety inspection by the Department of Public Safety or its designee 1 |
|---|
| 867 | + | pursuant to 20 V.S.A. chapter 173, subchapter 2. A certificate executed by the 2 |
|---|
| 868 | + | inspecting entity, declaring satisfactory completion of the inspection and 3 |
|---|
| 869 | + | identifying the date by which a new inspection must occur, shall be posted at 4 |
|---|
| 870 | + | the school in a public location. The school shall provide a copy of the 5 |
|---|
| 871 | + | certificate to the Secretary of Education after each annual inspection. The 6 |
|---|
| 872 | + | school shall pay the actual cost of the inspection unless waived or reduced by 7 |
|---|
| 873 | + | the inspecting entity. 8 |
|---|
| 874 | + | (d)(e) Council of Independent Schools. A Council of Independent Schools 9 |
|---|
| 875 | + | is created consisting of 11 members, no fewer than three of whom shall be 10 |
|---|
| 876 | + | representatives of recognized independent schools. The Secretary shall appoint 11 |
|---|
| 877 | + | nine members from within the independent schools’ community. The Secretary 12 |
|---|
| 878 | + | shall appoint two members from the public-at-large. Each member shall serve 13 |
|---|
| 879 | + | for two years and may be reappointed for up to an additional two terms. The 14 |
|---|
| 880 | + | Council shall adopt rules for its own operation. A chair shall be elected by and 15 |
|---|
| 881 | + | from among the members. The duties of the Council shall include advising the 16 |
|---|
| 882 | + | Secretary on policies and procedures with respect to independent schools. No 17 |
|---|
| 883 | + | hearing shall be initiated under this section before the State Board or by the 18 |
|---|
| 884 | + | Secretary until the recommendations of the Council have been sought and 19 |
|---|
| 885 | + | received. The recommendations of the Council, including any minority reports, 20 |
|---|
| 886 | + | shall be admissible at the hearing. [Repealed.] 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 887 | + | 2025 Page 37 of 194 |
|---|
| 888 | + | |
|---|
| 889 | + | |
|---|
| 890 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 891 | + | (e)(f) Harassment, hazing, and bullying policies. The board of trustees of 1 |
|---|
| 892 | + | an approved or a recognized independent school operating in Vermont shall 2 |
|---|
| 893 | + | adopt harassment, hazing, and bullying prevention policies; establish 3 |
|---|
| 894 | + | procedures for dealing with harassment, hazing, and bullying of students; and 4 |
|---|
| 895 | + | provide notice of these. The provisions of chapter 9, subchapter 5 of this title 5 |
|---|
| 896 | + | for public schools shall apply to this subsection, except that the board shall 6 |
|---|
| 897 | + | follow its own procedures for adopting policy. 7 |
|---|
| 898 | + | (f)(g) Tuition bills. An approved independent school that accepts students 8 |
|---|
| 899 | + | for whom the district of residence pays tuition under chapter 21 of this title 9 |
|---|
| 900 | + | shall bill the sending district monthly for a State-placed student and shall not 10 |
|---|
| 901 | + | bill the sending district for any month in which the State-placed student was 11 |
|---|
| 902 | + | not enrolled. [Repealed.] 12 |
|---|
| 903 | + | (g)(h) Tuition students; assessments. An approved independent school that 13 |
|---|
| 904 | + | accepts students for whom the district of residence pays tuition under chapter 14 |
|---|
| 905 | + | 21 of this title shall use the assessment or assessments required under 15 |
|---|
| 906 | + | subdivision 164(9) of this title to measure attainment of standards for student 16 |
|---|
| 907 | + | performance of those students. In addition, the school shall provide data related 17 |
|---|
| 908 | + | to the assessment or assessments as required by the Secretary. [Repealed.] 18 |
|---|
| 909 | + | Sec. 7. AGENCY OF EDUCATION STUDY OF COOPERATIVE 19 |
|---|
| 910 | + | EDUCATION SERVICES AND THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS, 20 |
|---|
| 911 | + | STATEWIDE SALARY SCHEDULE; REPORT 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 912 | + | 2025 Page 38 of 194 |
|---|
| 913 | + | |
|---|
| 914 | + | |
|---|
| 915 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 916 | + | The Agency of Education shall convene superintendents, directors of 1 |
|---|
| 917 | + | therapeutic independent schools, special education directors and other experts 2 |
|---|
| 918 | + | in the opinion of the Agency to study the need for cooperative education 3 |
|---|
| 919 | + | services and the oversight of therapeutic schools within the governance 4 |
|---|
| 920 | + | framework created by this Act. The Agency shall submit a summary of its 5 |
|---|
| 921 | + | findings and recommended legislative language to the House Committee on 6 |
|---|
| 922 | + | Education and the Senate Committee on Education on or before December 15, 7 |
|---|
| 923 | + | 2025. The Agency shall also submit recommendations for legislative language 8 |
|---|
| 924 | + | to implement a statewide salary schedule with its report. 9 |
|---|
| 925 | + | Sec. 8. 16 V.S.A. § 241 is amended to read: 10 |
|---|
| 926 | + | § 241. APPOINTMENT 11 |
|---|
| 927 | + | (a) Each supervisory union school district board, with the advice of the 12 |
|---|
| 928 | + | Secretary, may shall employ a superintendent of schools. 13 |
|---|
| 929 | + | (b) A superintendent shall be employed by written contract for a term not 14 |
|---|
| 930 | + | to exceed five years nor less than one year and shall work the number of hours 15 |
|---|
| 931 | + | required by contract, performing the duties designated in the contract or 16 |
|---|
| 932 | + | assigned by the board. A superintendent of schools may be dismissed for 17 |
|---|
| 933 | + | cause or as specified in the contract of employment. 18 |
|---|
| 934 | + | (c) Not later than May 15 of a year in which an incumbent superintendent’s 19 |
|---|
| 935 | + | contract of employment expires, the supervisory union school district board 20 |
|---|
| 936 | + | shall meet to renew or act otherwise upon the superintendent’s contract. If a 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 937 | + | 2025 Page 39 of 194 |
|---|
| 938 | + | |
|---|
| 939 | + | |
|---|
| 940 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 941 | + | supervisory union employs a superintendent, the supervisory union board shall 1 |
|---|
| 942 | + | specify and assign the duties of a superintendent. If the supervisory union 2 |
|---|
| 943 | + | board does not hire a superintendent, the board may assign any duties assigned 3 |
|---|
| 944 | + | to the superintendent under this title to the school principal or principals in the 4 |
|---|
| 945 | + | supervisory union or to other qualified persons designated by the board. 5 |
|---|
| 946 | + | Sec. 9. 16 V.S.A. § 242 is amended to read: 6 |
|---|
| 947 | + | § 242. DUTIES OF SUPERINTENDENTS 7 |
|---|
| 948 | + | The superintendent shall be the chief executive officer for the supervisory 8 |
|---|
| 949 | + | union board and for each school board within the supervisory union, and shall: 9 |
|---|
| 950 | + | (1) Carry out the policies adopted by the school boards board relating to 10 |
|---|
| 951 | + | the educational or business affairs of the school district or supervisory union, 11 |
|---|
| 952 | + | and develop procedures to do so. 12 |
|---|
| 953 | + | (2) Prepare, for adoption by a local the school board, plans to achieve 13 |
|---|
| 954 | + | the educational goals and objectives established by the school district. 14 |
|---|
| 955 | + | (3)(A) Nominate a candidate for employment by the school district or 15 |
|---|
| 956 | + | supervisory union if the vacant position requires a licensed employee; 16 |
|---|
| 957 | + | provided, if the appropriate board declines to hire a candidate, then the 17 |
|---|
| 958 | + | superintendent shall nominate a new candidate; 18 |
|---|
| 959 | + | (B) select nonlicensed employees to be employed by the district or 19 |
|---|
| 960 | + | supervisory union; and 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 961 | + | 2025 Page 40 of 194 |
|---|
| 962 | + | |
|---|
| 963 | + | |
|---|
| 964 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 965 | + | (C) dismiss licensed and nonlicensed employees of a school district 1 |
|---|
| 966 | + | or the supervisory union as necessary, subject to all procedural and other 2 |
|---|
| 967 | + | protections provided by contract, collective bargaining agreement, or provision 3 |
|---|
| 968 | + | of State and federal law. 4 |
|---|
| 969 | + | (4)(A) Provide data and information required by the Secretary and by 5 |
|---|
| 970 | + | using a format approved by the Secretary to: 6 |
|---|
| 971 | + | (i) Report budgetary data for the subsequent school year and fiscal 7 |
|---|
| 972 | + | year. 8 |
|---|
| 973 | + | (ii) Report all financial operations within the supervisory union 9 |
|---|
| 974 | + | district to the Secretary and State Board for the preceding school year on or 10 |
|---|
| 975 | + | before August 15 of each year. 11 |
|---|
| 976 | + | (iii) Report all financial operations for each member the school 12 |
|---|
| 977 | + | district to the Secretary and State Board for the preceding school year on or 13 |
|---|
| 978 | + | before August 15 of each year. 14 |
|---|
| 979 | + | (B) Prepare for each district an itemized report detailing the portion 15 |
|---|
| 980 | + | of the proposed supervisory union budget for which the district would be 16 |
|---|
| 981 | + | assessed for the subsequent school year identifying the component costs by 17 |
|---|
| 982 | + | category and explaining the method by which the district’s share for each cost 18 |
|---|
| 983 | + | was calculated; and provide the report to each district at least 14 days before a 19 |
|---|
| 984 | + | budget, including the supervisory union assessment, is voted on by the 20 |
|---|
| 985 | + | electorate of the district. [Repealed.] 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 986 | + | 2025 Page 41 of 194 |
|---|
| 987 | + | |
|---|
| 988 | + | |
|---|
| 989 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 990 | + | (5) Work with the school boards of the member districts to develop and 1 |
|---|
| 991 | + | board to implement policies regarding minimum and optimal average class 2 |
|---|
| 992 | + | sizes for regular and career technical education classes consistent with section 3 |
|---|
| 993 | + | 165 of this title and rules adopted by the Agency. The policies may be 4 |
|---|
| 994 | + | supervisory union-wide, may be course- or grade-specific, and may reflect 5 |
|---|
| 995 | + | differences among school districts due to geography or other factors. 6 |
|---|
| 996 | + | (6) Arrange for the provision of the professional training required in 7 |
|---|
| 997 | + | subsection 561(b) of this title. 8 |
|---|
| 998 | + | (7) Provide for the general supervision of the public schools in the 9 |
|---|
| 999 | + | supervisory union or district. 10 |
|---|
| 1000 | + | * * * School Governance * * * 11 |
|---|
| 1001 | + | Sec. 10. REPEAL 12 |
|---|
| 1002 | + | 16 V.S.A. chapter 7 (supervisory unions) is repealed on July 1, 2027. 13 |
|---|
| 1003 | + | Sec. 11. NEW UNION SCHOOL DISTRICTS 14 |
|---|
| 1004 | + | The Vermont school districts and supervisory unions then in effect shall be 15 |
|---|
| 1005 | + | dissolved on July 1, 2027 and succeeded by five unified union school districts. 16 |
|---|
| 1006 | + | Not later than 30 days following the enactment of this section, the Secretary of 17 |
|---|
| 1007 | + | Education shall certify the designation of the newly created school districts 18 |
|---|
| 1008 | + | pursuant to section 713 of this title. 19 |
|---|
| 1009 | + | Sec. 12. 16 V.S.A. § 2 is added to read: 20 |
|---|
| 1010 | + | § 2. MEMBERSHIP OF FIVE UNIFIED UNION SCHOOL DISTRICTS 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1011 | + | 2025 Page 42 of 194 |
|---|
| 1012 | + | |
|---|
| 1013 | + | |
|---|
| 1014 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1015 | + | As of July 1, 2027: 1 |
|---|
| 1016 | + | (1) The member districts of the Barre SD, Central Vermont SU, 2 |
|---|
| 1017 | + | Harwood UUSD, Lamoille North MUUSD, Lamoille South UUSD, 3 |
|---|
| 1018 | + | Montpelier Roxbury School District, Orange Southwest SU, Orleans 4 |
|---|
| 1019 | + | Southwest SU, Orleans Southwest SU, Washington Central School District, 5 |
|---|
| 1020 | + | and White River Valley School District shall constitute the Winooski Valley 6 |
|---|
| 1021 | + | UUSD. 7 |
|---|
| 1022 | + | (2) The member districts of the Bennington-Rutland SU, Greater 8 |
|---|
| 1023 | + | Rutland County SU, Mill River UUSD, Rutland City SD, Rutland Northeast 9 |
|---|
| 1024 | + | UUSD, Slate Valley UUSD, Southwest Vermont UUSD, and Southwest Tech 10 |
|---|
| 1025 | + | Center shall constitute the Southwest Vermont UUSD. 11 |
|---|
| 1026 | + | (3) The member districts of Hartford SD, Mountain Views UUSD, River 12 |
|---|
| 1027 | + | Valley Tech Center, Springfield SD, Two Rivers SD, Windham Central SU, 13 |
|---|
| 1028 | + | Windham Northeast SU, Windham Southeast SU, Windham Southwest SU, 14 |
|---|
| 1029 | + | and Windsor Southeast SU shall constitute the Southeast Vermont UUSD. 15 |
|---|
| 1030 | + | (4) The member districts of Caledonia Central SU, Essex North SU, 16 |
|---|
| 1031 | + | Kingdom East UUSD, North Country SU, Orange East SU, Orleans Central 17 |
|---|
| 1032 | + | UUSD, and St. Johnsbury SD shall constitute the Northeast Vermont UUSD. 18 |
|---|
| 1033 | + | (5) The Addison Central SD, Addison Northwest SD, Burlington SD, 19 |
|---|
| 1034 | + | Champlain Valley SD, Colchester SD, Essex Westford ECUUSD, Franklin 20 |
|---|
| 1035 | + | Northeast SU, Franklin West SU, Grand Isle SU, Lincoln School District, 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1036 | + | 2025 Page 43 of 194 |
|---|
| 1037 | + | |
|---|
| 1038 | + | |
|---|
| 1039 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1040 | + | Maple Run SD, Milton SD, Franklin Northwest SU, Mount Mansfield SD, 1 |
|---|
| 1041 | + | Patricia Hanaford Tech Center, South Burlington SD, and Winooski SD shall 2 |
|---|
| 1042 | + | constitute the Champlain Valley UUSD. 3 |
|---|
| 1043 | + | Sec. 13. 16 V.S.A. § 563 is amended to read: 4 |
|---|
| 1044 | + | § 563. POWERS OF SCHOOL BOARDS; FORM OF VOTE 5 |
|---|
| 1045 | + | The school board of a school district, in addition to other duties and 6 |
|---|
| 1046 | + | authority specifically assigned by law: 7 |
|---|
| 1047 | + | (1) Shall determine the educational policies of the school district. Board 8 |
|---|
| 1048 | + | policies shall be of general application to the district and shall be in writing, 9 |
|---|
| 1049 | + | codified, and made available to the public. Board policies shall be adopted at 10 |
|---|
| 1050 | + | regular or special school board meetings. A school board shall give public 11 |
|---|
| 1051 | + | notice of its intent to adopt a board policy, stating the substance of the 12 |
|---|
| 1052 | + | proposed policy, at least ten days prior to its adoption. A school board may 13 |
|---|
| 1053 | + | also approve or disapprove rules and regulations proposed by the principal or 14 |
|---|
| 1054 | + | superintendent for the conduct and management of public schools in the 15 |
|---|
| 1055 | + | district. 16 |
|---|
| 1056 | + | (2) May take any action that is required for the sound administration of 17 |
|---|
| 1057 | + | the school district. The Secretary, with the advice of the Attorney General, 18 |
|---|
| 1058 | + | upon application of a school board, shall decide whether any action 19 |
|---|
| 1059 | + | contemplated or taken by a school board under this subdivision is required for 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
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| 1060 | + | 2025 Page 44 of 194 |
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| 1061 | + | |
|---|
| 1062 | + | |
|---|
| 1063 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1064 | + | the sound administration of the district and is proper under this subdivision. 1 |
|---|
| 1065 | + | The Secretary’s decision shall be final. 2 |
|---|
| 1066 | + | (3) Shall have the possession, care, control, and management of the 3 |
|---|
| 1067 | + | property of the school district, subject to the authority vested in the electorate 4 |
|---|
| 1068 | + | or any school district official. 5 |
|---|
| 1069 | + | (4) [Repealed.] 6 |
|---|
| 1070 | + | (5) Shall keep the school buildings and grounds in good repair, suitably 7 |
|---|
| 1071 | + | equipped, insured, and in safe and sanitary condition at all times. The school 8 |
|---|
| 1072 | + | board shall regulate or prohibit firearms or other dangerous or deadly weapons 9 |
|---|
| 1073 | + | on school premises. At a minimum, a school board shall adopt and implement 10 |
|---|
| 1074 | + | a policy at least consistent with section 1166 of this title and 13 V.S.A. § 4004, 11 |
|---|
| 1075 | + | relating to a student who brings a firearm to or possesses a firearm at school. 12 |
|---|
| 1076 | + | (6) Shall have discretion to furnish instruction to students who have 13 |
|---|
| 1077 | + | completed a secondary education and to administer early educational 14 |
|---|
| 1078 | + | programs. 15 |
|---|
| 1079 | + | (7) May relocate or discontinue use of a schoolhouse or facility, subject 16 |
|---|
| 1080 | + | to the provisions of sections 821 and 822 of this title. 17 |
|---|
| 1081 | + | (8) Shall establish and maintain a system for receipt, deposit, 18 |
|---|
| 1082 | + | disbursement, accounting, control, and reporting procedures that meets the 19 |
|---|
| 1083 | + | criteria established by the State Board pursuant to subdivision 164(15) Agency 20 |
|---|
| 1084 | + | pursuant to section 165(g) of this title and that ensures that all payments are 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1085 | + | 2025 Page 45 of 194 |
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| 1086 | + | |
|---|
| 1087 | + | |
|---|
| 1088 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1089 | + | lawful and in accordance with a budget adopted or amended by the school 1 |
|---|
| 1090 | + | board. The school board may authorize a subcommittee, the superintendent of 2 |
|---|
| 1091 | + | schools, or a designated employee of the school board to examine claims 3 |
|---|
| 1092 | + | against the district for school expenses and draw orders for the payment of 4 |
|---|
| 1093 | + | those claims. Such orders shall state definitely the purpose for which they are 5 |
|---|
| 1094 | + | drawn and shall serve as full authority to the treasurer to make such payments. 6 |
|---|
| 1095 | + | It shall be lawful for a school board to submit to its treasurer a certified copy of 7 |
|---|
| 1096 | + | those portions of the board minutes, properly signed by the clerk and chair, or 8 |
|---|
| 1097 | + | a majority of the board, showing to whom and for what purpose each payment 9 |
|---|
| 1098 | + | is to be made by the treasurer, and such certified copy shall serve as full 10 |
|---|
| 1099 | + | authority to the treasurer to make the payments as thus approved. 11 |
|---|
| 1100 | + | (9) Shall establish with the advice and consent of the Auditor of 12 |
|---|
| 1101 | + | Accounts and the Secretary a system of accounts for the proper control and 13 |
|---|
| 1102 | + | reporting of school district finances and for stating the annual financial 14 |
|---|
| 1103 | + | condition of the school district. 15 |
|---|
| 1104 | + | (10) Shall prepare and distribute to the electorate, not less than ten days 16 |
|---|
| 1105 | + | prior to the district’s annual meeting, a report of the conditions and needs of 17 |
|---|
| 1106 | + | the district school system, including the superintendent’s, supervisory union 18 |
|---|
| 1107 | + | treasurer’s, and school district treasurer’s annual report for the previous school 19 |
|---|
| 1108 | + | year and the balance of any reserve funds established pursuant to 24 V.S.A. 20 |
|---|
| 1109 | + | § 2804. At a school district’s annual meeting, the electorate may vote to 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1110 | + | 2025 Page 46 of 194 |
|---|
| 1111 | + | |
|---|
| 1112 | + | |
|---|
| 1113 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1114 | + | provide notice of availability of the report required by this subdivision to the 1 |
|---|
| 1115 | + | electorate in lieu of distributing the report. If the electorate of the school 2 |
|---|
| 1116 | + | district votes to provide notice of availability, it must specify how notice of 3 |
|---|
| 1117 | + | availability shall be given, and such notice of availability shall be provided to 4 |
|---|
| 1118 | + | the electorate at least 30 days before the district’s annual or special meeting. 5 |
|---|
| 1119 | + | [Repealed.] 6 |
|---|
| 1120 | + | (11)(A) Shall prepare and distribute publish annually a proposed budget 7 |
|---|
| 1121 | + | for the next school year according to such major categories as may from time 8 |
|---|
| 1122 | + | to time be prescribed by the Secretary. The board shall hold not fewer than 9 |
|---|
| 1123 | + | two informational meetings at which the public can comment on the proposed 10 |
|---|
| 1124 | + | budget. 11 |
|---|
| 1125 | + | (B) [Repealed.] 12 |
|---|
| 1126 | + | (C) At a school district’s annual or special meeting, the electorate 13 |
|---|
| 1127 | + | may vote to provide notice of availability of the school budget required by this 14 |
|---|
| 1128 | + | subdivision to the electorate in lieu of distributing the budget. If the electorate 15 |
|---|
| 1129 | + | of the school district votes to provide notice of availability, it must specify how 16 |
|---|
| 1130 | + | notice of availability shall be given, and such notice of availability shall be 17 |
|---|
| 1131 | + | provided to the electorate at least 30 days before the district’s annual meeting. 18 |
|---|
| 1132 | + | The proposed budget shall be prepared and distributed at least ten days before 19 |
|---|
| 1133 | + | a sum of money is voted on by the electorate. Any proposed budget shall show 20 |
|---|
| 1134 | + | the following information in a format prescribed by the Secretary: 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1135 | + | 2025 Page 47 of 194 |
|---|
| 1136 | + | |
|---|
| 1137 | + | |
|---|
| 1138 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1139 | + | (i) all revenues from all sources, and expenses, including as 1 |
|---|
| 1140 | + | separate items any assessment for a supervisory union of which it is a member 2 |
|---|
| 1141 | + | and any tuition to be paid to a career technical center; and including the report 3 |
|---|
| 1142 | + | required in subdivision 242(4)(D) of this title itemizing the component costs of 4 |
|---|
| 1143 | + | the supervisory union assessment; 5 |
|---|
| 1144 | + | (ii) the specific amount of any deficit incurred in the most recently 6 |
|---|
| 1145 | + | closed fiscal year and how the deficit was or will be remedied; 7 |
|---|
| 1146 | + | (iii) the anticipated homestead tax rate and the percentage of 8 |
|---|
| 1147 | + | household income used to determine income sensitivity in the district as a 9 |
|---|
| 1148 | + | result of passage of the budget, including those portions of the tax rate 10 |
|---|
| 1149 | + | attributable to supervisory union assessments; and 11 |
|---|
| 1150 | + | (iv) the definition of “education spending,” the number of pupils 12 |
|---|
| 1151 | + | and number of equalized pupils in the school district, and the district’s 13 |
|---|
| 1152 | + | education spending per equalized pupil in the proposed budget and in each of 14 |
|---|
| 1153 | + | the prior three years. [Repealed.] 15 |
|---|
| 1154 | + | (D) The board shall present the budget to the voters by means of a 16 |
|---|
| 1155 | + | ballot in the following form: 17 |
|---|
| 1156 | + | “Article #1 (School Budget): 18 |
|---|
| 1157 | + | Shall the voters of the school district approve the school board to expend $ 19 |
|---|
| 1158 | + | ______ , which is the amount the school board has determined to be necessary 20 |
|---|
| 1159 | + | for the ensuing fiscal year? 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1160 | + | 2025 Page 48 of 194 |
|---|
| 1161 | + | |
|---|
| 1162 | + | |
|---|
| 1163 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1164 | + | The ________ District estimates that this proposed budget, if approved, will 1 |
|---|
| 1165 | + | result in per pupil education spending of $________, which is _____% 2 |
|---|
| 1166 | + | higher/lower than per pupil education spending for the current year.” 3 |
|---|
| 1167 | + | [Repealed.] 4 |
|---|
| 1168 | + | (12) Shall employ such persons as may be required to carry out the work 5 |
|---|
| 1169 | + | of the school district pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 242(3) of this 6 |
|---|
| 1170 | + | title. 7 |
|---|
| 1171 | + | (13) [Repealed.] 8 |
|---|
| 1172 | + | (14) Shall provide, at the expense of the district, subject to the approval 9 |
|---|
| 1173 | + | of the superintendent, all text books, learning materials, equipment, and 10 |
|---|
| 1174 | + | supplies. 11 |
|---|
| 1175 | + | (15) Shall exercise the general powers given to a legislative branch of a 12 |
|---|
| 1176 | + | municipality. 13 |
|---|
| 1177 | + | (16) May execute contracts on behalf of the school district, including 14 |
|---|
| 1178 | + | contracts providing for binding arbitration, by its chair or any person 15 |
|---|
| 1179 | + | designated whose appointment is recorded in the minutes of the board. 16 |
|---|
| 1180 | + | (17)-(18) [Repealed.] 17 |
|---|
| 1181 | + | (19) Shall allow any high school student who meets the academic 18 |
|---|
| 1182 | + | requirements of the high school to graduate and receive a diploma in less than 19 |
|---|
| 1183 | + | four years. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1184 | + | 2025 Page 49 of 194 |
|---|
| 1185 | + | |
|---|
| 1186 | + | |
|---|
| 1187 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1188 | + | (20) Shall establish policies and procedures designed to avoid the 1 |
|---|
| 1189 | + | appearance of board member conflict of interest. 2 |
|---|
| 1190 | + | (21) Shall have the authority to engage in short-term borrowing to cover 3 |
|---|
| 1191 | + | the costs of those portions of projects approved by the State Board and that 4 |
|---|
| 1192 | + | will be reimbursed by the State Board under sections 3447–3456 of this title 5 |
|---|
| 1193 | + | but which payments will be delayed. However, the board shall borrow under 6 |
|---|
| 1194 | + | this subdivision only amounts that it would receive if the State Board could 7 |
|---|
| 1195 | + | fund its obligation and may borrow no earlier than the time it would have 8 |
|---|
| 1196 | + | received the funds. The State shall not pay for costs of borrowing funds under 9 |
|---|
| 1197 | + | this subdivision. 10 |
|---|
| 1198 | + | (22) May apply for grants and may accept and expend grants or gifts. 11 |
|---|
| 1199 | + | The board shall include, in its annual report, a description of all grants or gifts 12 |
|---|
| 1200 | + | accepted during the year and associated expenditures. 13 |
|---|
| 1201 | + | (23) May, at the expense of the district, present informational materials 14 |
|---|
| 1202 | + | to the electorate on any matter to be voted. However, such materials shall be 15 |
|---|
| 1203 | + | limited to those that are reasonably designed to inform, educate, and explain to 16 |
|---|
| 1204 | + | the electorate the board’s position on the matter. 17 |
|---|
| 1205 | + | (24) Shall adopt a policy that, in accordance with rules adopted by the 18 |
|---|
| 1206 | + | State Board of Education Agency of Education, will integrate home study 19 |
|---|
| 1207 | + | students into its schools through enrollment in courses, participation in 20 |
|---|
| 1208 | + | cocurricular and extracurricular activities, and use of facilities. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1209 | + | 2025 Page 50 of 194 |
|---|
| 1210 | + | |
|---|
| 1211 | + | |
|---|
| 1212 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1213 | + | (25) Shall, if it is a school board of a school district that maintains a 1 |
|---|
| 1214 | + | secondary school, upon request, award a high school diploma to any Vermont 2 |
|---|
| 1215 | + | resident who served in the military in World War II, the Korean War, or during 3 |
|---|
| 1216 | + | the Vietnam era, was honorably separated from active federal military service, 4 |
|---|
| 1217 | + | and does not hold a high school diploma. The State Board Agency of 5 |
|---|
| 1218 | + | Education shall develop and make available an application form for veterans 6 |
|---|
| 1219 | + | who wish to request a high school diploma. 7 |
|---|
| 1220 | + | (26) [Repealed.] 8 |
|---|
| 1221 | + | (27) Annually, shall inform each secondary student and the student’s 9 |
|---|
| 1222 | + | parents or guardians of the right to opt out of the federal requirement that 10 |
|---|
| 1223 | + | student contact information be provided to military recruiters or institutions of 11 |
|---|
| 1224 | + | higher education pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 7908(a). A school board shall enable 12 |
|---|
| 1225 | + | the secondary student and the student’s parents or guardians to disallow 13 |
|---|
| 1226 | + | provision of student contact information to either military recruiters or 14 |
|---|
| 1227 | + | institutions of higher education, while allowing provision of information to the 15 |
|---|
| 1228 | + | other. For purposes of As used in this subdivision, “secondary student” means 16 |
|---|
| 1229 | + | a student in grade 9, 10, 11, or 12. 17 |
|---|
| 1230 | + | (28) Annually, shall inform students and their parents or guardians of 18 |
|---|
| 1231 | + | their options for school choice under applicable laws or policy. 19 |
|---|
| 1232 | + | (29) Shall assign an employee to annually: 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1233 | + | 2025 Page 51 of 194 |
|---|
| 1234 | + | |
|---|
| 1235 | + | |
|---|
| 1236 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1237 | + | (A) inform parents of students with life-threatening allergies and life-1 |
|---|
| 1238 | + | threatening chronic illnesses of applicable provisions of Section 504 of the 2 |
|---|
| 1239 | + | Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other applicable federal statutes, State statutes, 3 |
|---|
| 1240 | + | federal regulations, and State rules; 4 |
|---|
| 1241 | + | (B) inform appropriate school staff of their responsibilities; and 5 |
|---|
| 1242 | + | (C) provide necessary training to carry out these responsibilities. 6 |
|---|
| 1243 | + | (30) May make available school facilities and equipment for specified 7 |
|---|
| 1244 | + | public purposes if such purposes appear, in the judgment of the board, to be in 8 |
|---|
| 1245 | + | the best interests of the district and are an efficient, economical, and 9 |
|---|
| 1246 | + | appropriate use of the facilities and equipment. 10 |
|---|
| 1247 | + | (31) Subject to the requirements of section 571 of this title, may enter 11 |
|---|
| 1248 | + | into contracts with other school boards to provide joint programs, services, 12 |
|---|
| 1249 | + | facilities, and professional or other staff. 13 |
|---|
| 1250 | + | (32) May enter into a contract or contracts with a school offering a 14 |
|---|
| 1251 | + | distance learning program that is approved by one or more accrediting agencies 15 |
|---|
| 1252 | + | recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or is approved in Vermont 16 |
|---|
| 1253 | + | pursuant to subdivision 166(b)(6) of this title. 17 |
|---|
| 1254 | + | (33) Establish a district-wide curriculum. The curriculum shall meet the 18 |
|---|
| 1255 | + | requirements adopted by the Agency of Education under subdivision 19 |
|---|
| 1256 | + | 165(a)(3)(B) of this title. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1257 | + | 2025 Page 52 of 194 |
|---|
| 1258 | + | |
|---|
| 1259 | + | |
|---|
| 1260 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1261 | + | (34) Assist each school in the district to follow the curriculum as 1 |
|---|
| 1262 | + | adopted under the requirements of the Agency of Education pursuant to 2 |
|---|
| 1263 | + | subdivision 165(a)(3)(B) of this title. 3 |
|---|
| 1264 | + | (35) In accordance with criteria established by the Agency of Education 4 |
|---|
| 1265 | + | establish and implement a plan for receiving and disbursing federal and State 5 |
|---|
| 1266 | + | funds distributed by the Agency of Education, including funds awarded under 6 |
|---|
| 1267 | + | P.L. 89-10, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as amended. 7 |
|---|
| 1268 | + | (36) Provide professional development programs or arrange for the 8 |
|---|
| 1269 | + | provision of them, or both, for teachers, administrators, and staff within the 9 |
|---|
| 1270 | + | district, which may include programs offered solely to one school or other 10 |
|---|
| 1271 | + | component of the entire district to meet the specific needs or interests of that 11 |
|---|
| 1272 | + | component; a district has the discretion to provide financial assistance outside 12 |
|---|
| 1273 | + | the negotiated agreements for teachers’ professional development activities. 13 |
|---|
| 1274 | + | (37) Provide special education services to resident students and 14 |
|---|
| 1275 | + | compensatory and remedial services and provide or coordinate the provision of 15 |
|---|
| 1276 | + | other educational services as directed by the Agency. 16 |
|---|
| 1277 | + | (38) Employ a person or persons qualified to provide financial and 17 |
|---|
| 1278 | + | student data management services. 18 |
|---|
| 1279 | + | (39) Provide the following services in a manner that promotes the 19 |
|---|
| 1280 | + | efficient use of financial and human resources: 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1281 | + | 2025 Page 53 of 194 |
|---|
| 1282 | + | |
|---|
| 1283 | + | |
|---|
| 1284 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1285 | + | (A) manage a system to procure and distribute goods and operational 1 |
|---|
| 1286 | + | services; 2 |
|---|
| 1287 | + | (B) manage construction projects; 3 |
|---|
| 1288 | + | (C) provide financial and student data management services, 4 |
|---|
| 1289 | + | including grant writing and fundraising as requested; 5 |
|---|
| 1290 | + | (D) negotiate with teachers and administrators, pursuant to chapter 57 6 |
|---|
| 1291 | + | of this title, and with other school personnel, pursuant to 21 V.S.A. chapter 22; 7 |
|---|
| 1292 | + | (E) provide transportation or arrange for the provision of 8 |
|---|
| 1293 | + | transportation, or both, to schools within the district, consistent with rules 9 |
|---|
| 1294 | + | adopted by the Agency of Education; and 10 |
|---|
| 1295 | + | (F) provide human resources management support. 11 |
|---|
| 1296 | + | (40) Adopt district-wide truancy policies consistent with the model 12 |
|---|
| 1297 | + | protocols developed by the Secretary. 13 |
|---|
| 1298 | + | * * * Transition to New Districts * * * 14 |
|---|
| 1299 | + | Sec. 14. 16 V.S.A. chapter 11 is amended to read: 15 |
|---|
| 1300 | + | Chapter 11. Union School Districts 16 |
|---|
| 1301 | + | *** 17 |
|---|
| 1302 | + | § 702. DEFINITIONS 18 |
|---|
| 1303 | + | *** 19 |
|---|
| 1304 | + | (3) “Forming districts” means all school districts, including union 20 |
|---|
| 1305 | + | school districts, that are located within the geographical boundaries of a 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1306 | + | 2025 Page 54 of 194 |
|---|
| 1307 | + | |
|---|
| 1308 | + | |
|---|
| 1309 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1310 | + | proposed or voter-approved union school district, or districts that are named by 1 |
|---|
| 1311 | + | the General Assembly to be merged into a new union district on July 1, 2027, 2 |
|---|
| 1312 | + | prior to the operational date of the union school district, which will potentially 3 |
|---|
| 1313 | + | merge or have merged to form the new union school district. 4 |
|---|
| 1314 | + | *** 5 |
|---|
| 1315 | + | (15) “New union district” shall refer to a school district created by the 6 |
|---|
| 1316 | + | General Assembly that shall assume operations on July 1, 2027. 7 |
|---|
| 1317 | + | *** 8 |
|---|
| 1318 | + | § 706. PROPOSAL TO FORM STUDY COMMITTEE; BUDGET AND 9 |
|---|
| 1319 | + | MEMBERSHIP ATTENDANCE IN ACADEMIC YEAR 2027 –2028 10 |
|---|
| 1320 | + | (a) Establishment of committee. When the boards of two or more school 11 |
|---|
| 1321 | + | districts vote to establish a study committee to study the advisability of 12 |
|---|
| 1322 | + | forming a union school district or are petitioned to do so by at least five 13 |
|---|
| 1323 | + | percent of voters in the school district, the boards shall meet with the 14 |
|---|
| 1324 | + | superintendent or superintendents of each school district. With the advice of 15 |
|---|
| 1325 | + | the superintendent or superintendents, the boards shall establish a budget for 16 |
|---|
| 1326 | + | the study committee’s work and shall determine the number of persons to serve 17 |
|---|
| 1327 | + | on the study committee pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. 18 |
|---|
| 1328 | + | (b) Budget and membership. Each participating school district’s share of 19 |
|---|
| 1329 | + | the established budget and membership on the study committee shall be the 20 |
|---|
| 1330 | + | same as the proportion of the school district’s equalized pupils to the total 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1331 | + | 2025 Page 55 of 194 |
|---|
| 1332 | + | |
|---|
| 1333 | + | |
|---|
| 1334 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1335 | + | equalized pupils of all school districts intending to participate formally in the 1 |
|---|
| 1336 | + | study committee. As used in this subsection, “equalized pupils” has the same 2 |
|---|
| 1337 | + | meaning as in section 4001 of this title. 3 |
|---|
| 1338 | + | (c) Existing union school districts. 4 |
|---|
| 1339 | + | (1) Existing union elementary or union high school district; proposed 5 |
|---|
| 1340 | + | unified union school district. If the board of an existing union elementary or 6 |
|---|
| 1341 | + | union high school district votes to participate in a study committee to consider 7 |
|---|
| 1342 | + | formation of a unified union school district, or is petitioned by the voters to do 8 |
|---|
| 1343 | + | so, then: 9 |
|---|
| 1344 | + | (A) The interests of the existing union school district shall be 10 |
|---|
| 1345 | + | represented by its member districts on the study committee. 11 |
|---|
| 1346 | + | (B) Any warning and vote on the study committee budget pursuant to 12 |
|---|
| 1347 | + | section 707 of this chapter and the warning and vote on any resulting proposal 13 |
|---|
| 1348 | + | to form a unified union school district pursuant to section 710 shall be at the 14 |
|---|
| 1349 | + | member district level. 15 |
|---|
| 1350 | + | (C) If the existing union school district does not have any member 16 |
|---|
| 1351 | + | districts because all towns for which it is organized are members of both a 17 |
|---|
| 1352 | + | union elementary school district and a union high school district, then the 18 |
|---|
| 1353 | + | existing union school district shall represent its own interests on the study 19 |
|---|
| 1354 | + | committee, and the towns within it shall not participate on its behalf. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1355 | + | 2025 Page 56 of 194 |
|---|
| 1356 | + | |
|---|
| 1357 | + | |
|---|
| 1358 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1359 | + | (D) If a town is a member of both a union elementary school district 1 |
|---|
| 1360 | + | and a union high school district, is not independently organized as a district 2 |
|---|
| 1361 | + | that is responsible for the education of students in any grade, and does not have 3 |
|---|
| 1362 | + | a town school district board, then notwithstanding other provisions to the 4 |
|---|
| 1363 | + | contrary: 5 |
|---|
| 1364 | + | (i) To the extent possible, the boards of the union elementary and 6 |
|---|
| 1365 | + | union high school districts of which the town is a member shall make a 7 |
|---|
| 1366 | + | reasonable attempt, jointly, to appoint a member to the study committee who 8 |
|---|
| 1367 | + | resides in the town. 9 |
|---|
| 1368 | + | (ii) The legislative body or appropriate officer of the town shall 10 |
|---|
| 1369 | + | perform electoral functions, including warning meetings and conducting the 11 |
|---|
| 1370 | + | voting process, ordinarily performed by and in member districts on behalf of a 12 |
|---|
| 1371 | + | union school district. 13 |
|---|
| 1372 | + | (2) Existing unified union school district; proposed unified union school 14 |
|---|
| 1373 | + | district. If the board of a unified union school district votes to participate in a 15 |
|---|
| 1374 | + | study committee to consider formation of a new unified union school district 16 |
|---|
| 1375 | + | rather than the enlargement of the existing unified union school district 17 |
|---|
| 1376 | + | pursuant to section 721 (joining an existing union school district) of this 18 |
|---|
| 1377 | + | chapter, or is petitioned by the voters to do so, then: 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1378 | + | 2025 Page 57 of 194 |
|---|
| 1379 | + | |
|---|
| 1380 | + | |
|---|
| 1381 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1382 | + | (A) The existing unified union school district shall represent its own 1 |
|---|
| 1383 | + | interests on the study committee, and the towns within it shall not participate 2 |
|---|
| 1384 | + | on its behalf. 3 |
|---|
| 1385 | + | (B) To the extent possible, the board of the existing unified union 4 |
|---|
| 1386 | + | school district shall make a reasonable attempt to appoint members to the study 5 |
|---|
| 1387 | + | committee who reside in each town within the district. 6 |
|---|
| 1388 | + | (C) Any warning and vote on the study committee budget pursuant to 7 |
|---|
| 1389 | + | section 707 of this chapter and the warning and vote of the electorate on any 8 |
|---|
| 1390 | + | resulting proposal to form a new unified union school district pursuant to 9 |
|---|
| 1391 | + | section 710 shall proceed pursuant to the provisions for commingled 10 |
|---|
| 1392 | + | Australian ballot voting as set forth in subchapter 3 (unified union school 11 |
|---|
| 1393 | + | districts) of this chapter. 12 |
|---|
| 1394 | + | (3) Existing union elementary or union high school district; proposed 13 |
|---|
| 1395 | + | union elementary or union high school district. If the board of an existing 14 |
|---|
| 1396 | + | union elementary or union high school district votes to participate in a study 15 |
|---|
| 1397 | + | committee to consider formation of a new union elementary or union high 16 |
|---|
| 1398 | + | school district rather than enlarging the existing union school district pursuant 17 |
|---|
| 1399 | + | to section 721 (joining an existing union school district) of this chapter, or is 18 |
|---|
| 1400 | + | petitioned by the voters to do so, then: 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1401 | + | 2025 Page 58 of 194 |
|---|
| 1402 | + | |
|---|
| 1403 | + | |
|---|
| 1404 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1405 | + | (A) The existing union school district shall represent its own interests 1 |
|---|
| 1406 | + | on the study committee, and the member districts of the existing union school 2 |
|---|
| 1407 | + | district shall not participate on its behalf. 3 |
|---|
| 1408 | + | (B) To the extent possible, the board of the existing union school 4 |
|---|
| 1409 | + | district shall make a reasonable attempt to appoint members to the study 5 |
|---|
| 1410 | + | committee who reside in each of the member districts within the existing union 6 |
|---|
| 1411 | + | school district. 7 |
|---|
| 1412 | + | (C) Any warning and vote on the study committee budget pursuant to 8 |
|---|
| 1413 | + | section 707 of this chapter and the warning and vote of the electorate on any 9 |
|---|
| 1414 | + | resulting proposal to form a new union elementary or union high school district 10 |
|---|
| 1415 | + | pursuant to section 710 of this chapter shall proceed pursuant to the provisions 11 |
|---|
| 1416 | + | for commingled Australian ballot voting as set forth in subchapter 4 (union 12 |
|---|
| 1417 | + | elementary and union high school districts) of this chapter. 13 |
|---|
| 1418 | + | In academic year 2027–2028, each student in the new union district will 14 |
|---|
| 1419 | + | attend the school that a student residing in that town would have attended in 15 |
|---|
| 1420 | + | academic year 2026–2027; provided, however, that the superintendent may 16 |
|---|
| 1421 | + | grant a parent’s or guardian’s request for student enrollment in a different 17 |
|---|
| 1422 | + | school operated by the new union district based on individual student 18 |
|---|
| 1423 | + | circumstances and the superintendent’s determination of the school’s capacity 19 |
|---|
| 1424 | + | to serve the child. Additionally, the superintendent may adjust student 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1425 | + | 2025 Page 59 of 194 |
|---|
| 1426 | + | |
|---|
| 1427 | + | |
|---|
| 1428 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1429 | + | attendance locations to respond to unforeseen circumstances, such as facilities 1 |
|---|
| 1430 | + | failures. 2 |
|---|
| 1431 | + | § 707. APPROVAL OF STUDY BUDGET; APPOINTMENT OF STUDY 3 |
|---|
| 1432 | + | COMMITTEE; PARTICIPATION FINANCES 4 |
|---|
| 1433 | + | (a) Proposed budget exceeding $50,000.00. 5 |
|---|
| 1434 | + | (1) If the proposed budget established in section 706 of this chapter 6 |
|---|
| 1435 | + | exceeds $50,000.00, then subject to the provisions of that section the board of 7 |
|---|
| 1436 | + | each potentially participating school district shall warn the district’s voters to 8 |
|---|
| 1437 | + | meet at an annual or special school district meeting to vote whether to 9 |
|---|
| 1438 | + | appropriate funds necessary to support the district’s financial share of a study 10 |
|---|
| 1439 | + | committee’s costs. The meeting in each school district shall be warned for the 11 |
|---|
| 1440 | + | same date. The warning in each school district shall contain an identical article 12 |
|---|
| 1441 | + | in substantially the following form: 13 |
|---|
| 1442 | + | Shall the school district of _______________________________________ 14 |
|---|
| 1443 | + | appropriate funds necessary to support the school district’s financial share of a 15 |
|---|
| 1444 | + | study to determine the advisability of forming a union school district with 16 |
|---|
| 1445 | + | some or all of the following school districts: 17 |
|---|
| 1446 | + | _______________________________________, 18 |
|---|
| 1447 | + | _______________________________________, and 19 |
|---|
| 1448 | + | _______________________________________? It is estimated that the 20 |
|---|
| 1449 | + | _______________________________________ school district’s share, if all 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1450 | + | 2025 Page 60 of 194 |
|---|
| 1451 | + | |
|---|
| 1452 | + | |
|---|
| 1453 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1454 | + | of the identified school districts vote to participate, will be 1 |
|---|
| 1455 | + | $_______________________________________. The total proposed budget, 2 |
|---|
| 1456 | + | to be shared by all participating school districts is 3 |
|---|
| 1457 | + | $_______________________________________.” 4 |
|---|
| 1458 | + | (2) If the vote in subdivision (1) of this subsection is in the affirmative 5 |
|---|
| 1459 | + | in two or more school districts, then the boards of the affirming school districts 6 |
|---|
| 1460 | + | shall appoint a study committee consisting of the number of persons 7 |
|---|
| 1461 | + | determined pursuant to section 706 (proposed study committee budget and 8 |
|---|
| 1462 | + | membership) of this chapter. At least one current board member from each 9 |
|---|
| 1463 | + | participating school district shall be appointed to the study committee. The 10 |
|---|
| 1464 | + | board of a school district appointing more than one person to the study 11 |
|---|
| 1465 | + | committee may appoint residents of the school district who are not members of 12 |
|---|
| 1466 | + | the board to any of the remaining seats. 13 |
|---|
| 1467 | + | (3) The sums expended for study purposes under this section shall be 14 |
|---|
| 1468 | + | considered part of the approved cost of any project in which the union school 15 |
|---|
| 1469 | + | district, if created, participates pursuant to chapter 123 of this title. 16 |
|---|
| 1470 | + | Indebtedness, including capital debt. The new union district shall assume all 17 |
|---|
| 1471 | + | indebtedness that may exist on June 30, 2027, including capital debt and 18 |
|---|
| 1472 | + | including both principal and interest, of the forming districts. 19 |
|---|
| 1473 | + | (b) Proposed budget not exceeding $50,000.00. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1474 | + | 2025 Page 61 of 194 |
|---|
| 1475 | + | |
|---|
| 1476 | + | |
|---|
| 1477 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1478 | + | (1) If the proposed budget established in section 706 of this chapter does 1 |
|---|
| 1479 | + | not exceed $50,000.00, then the boards of the participating school districts 2 |
|---|
| 1480 | + | shall appoint a study committee consisting of the number of persons 3 |
|---|
| 1481 | + | determined under that section. At least one current board member from each 4 |
|---|
| 1482 | + | participating school district shall be appointed to the study committee. The 5 |
|---|
| 1483 | + | board of a school district appointing more than one person to the study 6 |
|---|
| 1484 | + | committee may appoint residents of the school district who are not members of 7 |
|---|
| 1485 | + | the board to any of the remaining seats. 8 |
|---|
| 1486 | + | (2) The sums expended for study purposes under this section shall be 9 |
|---|
| 1487 | + | considered part of the approved cost of any project in which the union school 10 |
|---|
| 1488 | + | district, if created, participates pursuant to chapter 123 of this title. Operating 11 |
|---|
| 1489 | + | fund surpluses. The new union district shall assume all operating surpluses, 12 |
|---|
| 1490 | + | deficits, and fund balances of the forming districts that may exist at the close of 13 |
|---|
| 1491 | + | business on June 30, 2027. 14 |
|---|
| 1492 | + | (c) Additional costs. 15 |
|---|
| 1493 | + | (1) If the voters approve a budget that exceeds $50,000.00 but the study 16 |
|---|
| 1494 | + | committee later determines that its budget is likely to exceed the projected, 17 |
|---|
| 1495 | + | voter-approved amount, then the boards of all participating school districts 18 |
|---|
| 1496 | + | shall obtain voter approval for the amounts exceeding the previously approved 19 |
|---|
| 1497 | + | budget in the manner set forth in subdivision (a)(1) of this section before the 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1498 | + | 2025 Page 62 of 194 |
|---|
| 1499 | + | |
|---|
| 1500 | + | |
|---|
| 1501 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1502 | + | study committee obligates or expends sums in excess of the initial voter-1 |
|---|
| 1503 | + | approved amount. 2 |
|---|
| 1504 | + | (2) If a proposed budget does not exceed $50,000.00 at the time the school 3 |
|---|
| 1505 | + | boards appoint members to the study committee, but the study committee later 4 |
|---|
| 1506 | + | determines that its total budget is likely to exceed $50,000.00, then the boards 5 |
|---|
| 1507 | + | of all participating school districts shall obtain voter approval for the amounts 6 |
|---|
| 1508 | + | exceeding $50,000.00 in the manner set forth in subdivision (a)(1) of this 7 |
|---|
| 1509 | + | section before the study committee obligates or expends funds in excess of 8 |
|---|
| 1510 | + | $50,000.00. Reserve funds. The new union district shall apply any reserve 9 |
|---|
| 1511 | + | fund for the fund’s specific purpose, if identified, unless otherwise determined 10 |
|---|
| 1512 | + | through appropriate legal procedures. 11 |
|---|
| 1513 | + | (d) Grants. Costs to be paid by State, federal, or private grants shall not be 12 |
|---|
| 1514 | + | included when calculating whether a study committee’s budget or proposed 13 |
|---|
| 1515 | + | budget exceeds $50,000.00. Transfer of debt and funds. The forming districts 14 |
|---|
| 1516 | + | shall transfer the debt and funds specified in this section to the new union 15 |
|---|
| 1517 | + | district on or before June 30, 2027 in accordance with procedures and timelines 16 |
|---|
| 1518 | + | established by the new union district board. 17 |
|---|
| 1519 | + | (e) Subsequent appointments of persons to the study committee; vacancy. 18 |
|---|
| 1520 | + | (1) Subject to the requirement that each school board appoint at least 19 |
|---|
| 1521 | + | one current member of the board, the board of a participating school district 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1522 | + | 2025 Page 63 of 194 |
|---|
| 1523 | + | |
|---|
| 1524 | + | |
|---|
| 1525 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1526 | + | shall appoint a person residing in the school district to the study committee if 1 |
|---|
| 1527 | + | one of the school district’s seats is vacant because a study committee member: 2 |
|---|
| 1528 | + | (A) is no longer a member of the school district’s board and was the 3 |
|---|
| 1529 | + | sole board member appointed by that school district; 4 |
|---|
| 1530 | + | (B) has resigned from or is no longer able to serve on the study 5 |
|---|
| 1531 | + | committee; or 6 |
|---|
| 1532 | + | (C) has not attended three consecutive study committee meetings 7 |
|---|
| 1533 | + | without providing notice to the study committee chair of the reason for each 8 |
|---|
| 1534 | + | absence and obtaining a determination of the study committee members that 9 |
|---|
| 1535 | + | the absences were reasonable. 10 |
|---|
| 1536 | + | (2) Notice under subdivision (1)(C) of this subsection shall be given in 11 |
|---|
| 1537 | + | advance of absences whenever possible. [Repealed.] 12 |
|---|
| 1538 | + | (f) Formal participation in study committee. 13 |
|---|
| 1539 | + | (1) A school district shall not be a formal participant in and appoint 14 |
|---|
| 1540 | + | members to more than one study committee created under this chapter at any 15 |
|---|
| 1541 | + | one point in time. 16 |
|---|
| 1542 | + | (2) A school district shall not formally withdraw its participation in an 17 |
|---|
| 1543 | + | existing study committee after the school district has appointed members to 18 |
|---|
| 1544 | + | that committee until the study committee dissolves pursuant to subsection 19 |
|---|
| 1545 | + | 708(e) of this chapter. [Repealed.] 20 |
|---|
| 1546 | + | (g) Additional formal participants. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1547 | + | 2025 Page 64 of 194 |
|---|
| 1548 | + | |
|---|
| 1549 | + | |
|---|
| 1550 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1551 | + | (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section, a school 1 |
|---|
| 1552 | + | district may join as an additional formal participant in a study committee after 2 |
|---|
| 1553 | + | creation of the committee if: 3 |
|---|
| 1554 | + | (A) the school district’s board has requested the committee’s 4 |
|---|
| 1555 | + | approval to participate after either a vote of the school district’s board or a 5 |
|---|
| 1556 | + | petition by five percent of the school district’s voters and if the study 6 |
|---|
| 1557 | + | committee votes to approve formal participation by the district; or 7 |
|---|
| 1558 | + | (B) the study committee has voted to ask the school district to 8 |
|---|
| 1559 | + | participate formally and either the board of the school district votes to approve 9 |
|---|
| 1560 | + | formal participation or is petitioned by five percent of the school district’s 10 |
|---|
| 1561 | + | voters to do so. 11 |
|---|
| 1562 | + | (2) A school district that becomes a formal participant in an existing 12 |
|---|
| 1563 | + | study committee pursuant to this subsection is subject to the provisions of 13 |
|---|
| 1564 | + | section 706 (proposed study committee budget and membership) of this 14 |
|---|
| 1565 | + | chapter regarding financial and representational proportionality and to all other 15 |
|---|
| 1566 | + | requirements of study committees set out in this chapter. [Repealed.] 16 |
|---|
| 1567 | + | (h) Informal participation by other school districts. 17 |
|---|
| 1568 | + | (1) The board of a school district that is not a formal participant in an 18 |
|---|
| 1569 | + | existing study committee may authorize one or more of the board’s members 19 |
|---|
| 1570 | + | to contact the study committee to discuss whether it may be advisable to 20 |
|---|
| 1571 | + | include the school district within a proposal to form a new union school district 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1572 | + | 2025 Page 65 of 194 |
|---|
| 1573 | + | |
|---|
| 1574 | + | |
|---|
| 1575 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1576 | + | as an “advisable” district, as described in section 708 (necessary and advisable 1 |
|---|
| 1577 | + | districts) of this chapter. 2 |
|---|
| 1578 | + | (2) An existing study committee may authorize one or more of its 3 |
|---|
| 1579 | + | members to contact the board of one or more additional school districts that are 4 |
|---|
| 1580 | + | not formal participants in the committee to discuss whether it may be advisable 5 |
|---|
| 1581 | + | to include the school district within a proposal to form a new union school 6 |
|---|
| 1582 | + | district as an “advisable” district. 7 |
|---|
| 1583 | + | (3) An existing study committee may invite representatives of a 8 |
|---|
| 1584 | + | nonparticipating school district’s board to participate informally in the study 9 |
|---|
| 1585 | + | committee’s deliberations. 10 |
|---|
| 1586 | + | (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the board of a 11 |
|---|
| 1587 | + | school district from authorizing informal exploration between and among the 12 |
|---|
| 1588 | + | boards of school districts prior to the formation of a study committee. 13 |
|---|
| 1589 | + | [Repealed.] 14 |
|---|
| 1590 | + | § 708. STUDY COMMITTEE; NECESSARY AND ADVISABLE 15 |
|---|
| 1591 | + | DISTRICTS; CONTENTS OF STUDY COMMITTEE REPORT AND 16 |
|---|
| 1592 | + | PROPOSED ARTICLES; DISSOLUTION OF COMMITTEE REAL 17 |
|---|
| 1593 | + | AND PERSONAL PROPERTY 18 |
|---|
| 1594 | + | (a) Study committee; process. 19 |
|---|
| 1595 | + | (1) The superintendent shall convene a study committee’s first meeting 20 |
|---|
| 1596 | + | when the committee’s members are appointed. If the participating districts are 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1597 | + | 2025 Page 66 of 194 |
|---|
| 1598 | + | |
|---|
| 1599 | + | |
|---|
| 1600 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1601 | + | members of more than one supervisory union, then the superintendents shall 1 |
|---|
| 1602 | + | decide which of their number shall convene the meeting. The study committee 2 |
|---|
| 1603 | + | members shall elect a chair who shall notify the Secretary in writing of the 3 |
|---|
| 1604 | + | committee’s creation and the chair’s election within 30 days following the vote 4 |
|---|
| 1605 | + | of the committee’s creation. 5 |
|---|
| 1606 | + | (2) Staff of the supervisory union or unions shall provide administrative 6 |
|---|
| 1607 | + | assistance to the study committee. 7 |
|---|
| 1608 | + | (3) The Secretary shall cooperate with the study committee and is 8 |
|---|
| 1609 | + | authorized to make Agency staff available to provide technical assistance to 9 |
|---|
| 1610 | + | the committee. 10 |
|---|
| 1611 | + | (4) The study committee is a public body pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 310(4) 11 |
|---|
| 1612 | + | and is subject to the requirements of 1 V.S.A. chapter 5, subchapter 2. 12 |
|---|
| 1613 | + | (5) Although a study committee should try to achieve consensus, 13 |
|---|
| 1614 | + | committee decisions shall be reached by a majority of all committee members 14 |
|---|
| 1615 | + | present and voting. Transfer of property to the new union district. Not later 15 |
|---|
| 1616 | + | than June 30, 2027, the forming districts shall convey to the new union district, 16 |
|---|
| 1617 | + | for the sum of one dollar and other good and valuable consideration, and 17 |
|---|
| 1618 | + | subject to the encumbrances of record, all of their school-related real and 18 |
|---|
| 1619 | + | personal property, including all land, buildings, and contents. 19 |
|---|
| 1620 | + | (b) Necessary and advisable school districts. If a study committee decides 20 |
|---|
| 1621 | + | to recommend formation of a union school district, then it shall determine 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1622 | + | 2025 Page 67 of 194 |
|---|
| 1623 | + | |
|---|
| 1624 | + | |
|---|
| 1625 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1626 | + | whether each school district included in the recommended formation is 1 |
|---|
| 1627 | + | “necessary” or “advisable” to formation. 2 |
|---|
| 1628 | + | (1) “Necessary” school district. 3 |
|---|
| 1629 | + | (A) The study committee shall identify a school district as 4 |
|---|
| 1630 | + | “necessary” to formation of the union school district only if the school district 5 |
|---|
| 1631 | + | is a formal participant in the study committee. 6 |
|---|
| 1632 | + | (B) Subject to the provisions of subsection 706(c) of this chapter, the 7 |
|---|
| 1633 | + | school board of a “necessary” school district is required to warn a vote of the 8 |
|---|
| 1634 | + | electorate under sections 710 (vote to form union school district) and 711 9 |
|---|
| 1635 | + | (initial members of union school district board election) of this chapter. 10 |
|---|
| 1636 | + | (C) A proposed union school district is formed only if the voters 11 |
|---|
| 1637 | + | voting in each “necessary” school district vote to approve formation. 12 |
|---|
| 1638 | + | (2) “Advisable” school district. 13 |
|---|
| 1639 | + | (A) The study committee may identify any school district as 14 |
|---|
| 1640 | + | “advisable” to formation of the union school district even if the school district 15 |
|---|
| 1641 | + | is not a formal participant in the study committee. 16 |
|---|
| 1642 | + | (B) The school board of an “advisable” school district is not required 17 |
|---|
| 1643 | + | to warn a vote of the electorate under sections 710 (vote to form union school 18 |
|---|
| 1644 | + | district) and 711 (initial members of union school district board election) of 19 |
|---|
| 1645 | + | this chapter, except upon application of 10 percent of the voters in the school 20 |
|---|
| 1646 | + | district. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1647 | + | 2025 Page 68 of 194 |
|---|
| 1648 | + | |
|---|
| 1649 | + | |
|---|
| 1650 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1651 | + | (C) Voter approval in an “advisable” district is not required for 1 |
|---|
| 1652 | + | formation of a new union school district. 2 |
|---|
| 1653 | + | (3) Existing union elementary or union high school district. 3 |
|---|
| 1654 | + | Notwithstanding other provisions of this subsection, an existing union 4 |
|---|
| 1655 | + | elementary or union high school district is “necessary” to the formation of a 5 |
|---|
| 1656 | + | unified union school district even though its interests are represented by its 6 |
|---|
| 1657 | + | member districts pursuant to subdivision 706(c)(1) (study committee budget 7 |
|---|
| 1658 | + | and membership for existing union school districts) of this chapter. 8 |
|---|
| 1659 | + | Subsequent sale of real property to town in which it is located, in any year in 9 |
|---|
| 1660 | + | the future. Subject to any provision of law relating to duties of the new union 10 |
|---|
| 1661 | + | district and to the sale of buildings in this title or any other title of the Vermont 11 |
|---|
| 1662 | + | Statutes Annotated, if the new union district board determines, in its discretion, 12 |
|---|
| 1663 | + | that the real property, including land and buildings, conveyed to it by one or 13 |
|---|
| 1664 | + | more of the forming districts will not be used for direct delivery of education 14 |
|---|
| 1665 | + | in at least one grade or for any other purpose related to operation of the new 15 |
|---|
| 1666 | + | union district, then the new union district shall offer for sale such real property 16 |
|---|
| 1667 | + | to the town in which the real property is located, for the sum of one dollar, 17 |
|---|
| 1668 | + | subject to all encumbrances of record, the assumption or payment of all 18 |
|---|
| 1669 | + | outstanding bonds and notes, and the repayment of any school construction aid 19 |
|---|
| 1670 | + | or grants required by State law. The conveyance of any of the above school 20 |
|---|
| 1671 | + | properties shall be conditioned upon the town owning and using the real 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1672 | + | 2025 Page 69 of 194 |
|---|
| 1673 | + | |
|---|
| 1674 | + | |
|---|
| 1675 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1676 | + | property for community and public purposes for a minimum of five years. If 1 |
|---|
| 1677 | + | the town elects to sell the real property prior to five years of ownership, then 2 |
|---|
| 1678 | + | the town shall compensate the new union district for all capital improvements 3 |
|---|
| 1679 | + | and renovations initiated after July 1, 2027 and prior to the sale to the town. If 4 |
|---|
| 1680 | + | a town elects not to acquire ownership of such real property, then the new 5 |
|---|
| 1681 | + | union district shall sell the property pursuant to State law and upon such terms 6 |
|---|
| 1682 | + | and conditions as established by the new union district board. 7 |
|---|
| 1683 | + | (c) Proposal to form union school district; report and proposed articles of 8 |
|---|
| 1684 | + | agreement. If a study committee determines that it is advisable to propose 9 |
|---|
| 1685 | + | formation of a union school district, then it shall prepare a report analyzing the 10 |
|---|
| 1686 | + | strengths and challenges of the current structures of all “necessary” and 11 |
|---|
| 1687 | + | “advisable” school districts and outlining the ways in which a union school 12 |
|---|
| 1688 | + | district promotes the State policy set forth in section 701 of this chapter. The 13 |
|---|
| 1689 | + | study committee shall also prepare proposed articles of agreement that, if 14 |
|---|
| 1690 | + | approved pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, shall serve as the operating 15 |
|---|
| 1691 | + | agreement for the new union school district. At a minimum, articles of 16 |
|---|
| 1692 | + | agreement shall state: 17 |
|---|
| 1693 | + | (1) The name of any school district the study committee considers 18 |
|---|
| 1694 | + | “necessary” to formation of the proposed union school district. 19 |
|---|
| 1695 | + | (2) The name of any school district the study committee considers 20 |
|---|
| 1696 | + | “advisable” to include in the proposed union school district. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1697 | + | 2025 Page 70 of 194 |
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| 1698 | + | |
|---|
| 1699 | + | |
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| 1700 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1701 | + | (3) The legal name or temporary legal name by which the union school 1 |
|---|
| 1702 | + | district shall be known. 2 |
|---|
| 1703 | + | (4) The grades, if any, that the proposed union school district will 3 |
|---|
| 1704 | + | operate and the grades, if any, for which it will pay tuition. 4 |
|---|
| 1705 | + | (5) The cost and general location of any proposed new school buildings 5 |
|---|
| 1706 | + | to be constructed and the cost and general description of any proposed 6 |
|---|
| 1707 | + | renovations to existing school buildings. 7 |
|---|
| 1708 | + | (6) A plan for the first year of the union school district’s operation for 8 |
|---|
| 1709 | + | transportation of students, assignment of staff, and use of curriculum that is 9 |
|---|
| 1710 | + | consistent with existing contracts, collective bargaining agreements, and other 10 |
|---|
| 1711 | + | provisions of law. The board of the union school district, if formed, shall make 11 |
|---|
| 1712 | + | all subsequent decisions regarding transportation, staff, and curriculum subject 12 |
|---|
| 1713 | + | to existing contracts, collective bargaining agreements, and other provisions of 13 |
|---|
| 1714 | + | law. 14 |
|---|
| 1715 | + | (7) A list of the indebtedness of each “necessary” and “advisable” 15 |
|---|
| 1716 | + | district, which the union school district shall assume. 16 |
|---|
| 1717 | + | (8) The specific pieces of real property of each “necessary” and 17 |
|---|
| 1718 | + | “advisable” district that the union school district shall acquire, their valuation, 18 |
|---|
| 1719 | + | and how the union school district shall pay for them. 19 |
|---|
| 1720 | + | (9) Consistent with the proportional representation requirements of the 20 |
|---|
| 1721 | + | Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, the method or methods of 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1722 | + | 2025 Page 71 of 194 |
|---|
| 1723 | + | |
|---|
| 1724 | + | |
|---|
| 1725 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1726 | + | apportioning representation on the union school district board as set forth in 1 |
|---|
| 1727 | + | subsections 711(d) (unified union school district), (e) (union elementary or 2 |
|---|
| 1728 | + | union high school district), and (f) (weighted voting) of this chapter. 3 |
|---|
| 1729 | + | (10) The term of office for each member initially elected to the union 4 |
|---|
| 1730 | + | school district board, to be arranged so that one-third expire on the day of the 5 |
|---|
| 1731 | + | second annual meeting of the union school district, one-third on the day of the 6 |
|---|
| 1732 | + | third annual meeting, and one-third on the day of the fourth annual meeting, or 7 |
|---|
| 1733 | + | as near to that proportion as possible. 8 |
|---|
| 1734 | + | (11) The date on which the proposal to create the union school district 9 |
|---|
| 1735 | + | and the election of initial union school district board members will be 10 |
|---|
| 1736 | + | submitted to the voters. 11 |
|---|
| 1737 | + | (12) The date on which the union school district will be solely 12 |
|---|
| 1738 | + | responsible for the education of its resident students in the grades for which it 13 |
|---|
| 1739 | + | is organized and will begin operating any schools, paying any tuition, and 14 |
|---|
| 1740 | + | providing educational services. 15 |
|---|
| 1741 | + | (13) Whether the election of board members, election of school district 16 |
|---|
| 1742 | + | officers, votes on the union school district budget, or votes on other public 17 |
|---|
| 1743 | + | questions, or any two or more of these, shall be by Australian ballot. 18 |
|---|
| 1744 | + | (14) Any other matters that the study committee considers pertinent. 19 |
|---|
| 1745 | + | Subsequent sale of real property conveyed by forming district that was a union 20 |
|---|
| 1746 | + | school district, in any year in the future. Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1747 | + | 2025 Page 72 of 194 |
|---|
| 1748 | + | |
|---|
| 1749 | + | |
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| 1750 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1751 | + | section and any other provision of law to the contrary, if the new union district 1 |
|---|
| 1752 | + | board determines, in its discretion, that the real property, including land and 2 |
|---|
| 1753 | + | buildings, conveyed to it by a forming district that was a union school district 3 |
|---|
| 1754 | + | on June 30, 2027 will not be used for direct delivery of education in at least 4 |
|---|
| 1755 | + | one grade or for any other purpose related to operation of the new union 5 |
|---|
| 1756 | + | district, then the new union district shall sell the property pursuant to State law 6 |
|---|
| 1757 | + | and upon such terms and conditions as are established by the new union district 7 |
|---|
| 1758 | + | board. 8 |
|---|
| 1759 | + | (d) No proposal to form a union school district. If a study committee 9 |
|---|
| 1760 | + | determines that it is inadvisable to propose formation of a union school district, 10 |
|---|
| 1761 | + | then its members shall vote to dissolve the committee. If the study committee 11 |
|---|
| 1762 | + | members vote to dissolve, then the chair shall notify the Secretary in writing of 12 |
|---|
| 1763 | + | the vote. [Repealed.] 13 |
|---|
| 1764 | + | (e) Dissolution of study committee. 14 |
|---|
| 1765 | + | (1) If a study committee proposes formation of a union school district 15 |
|---|
| 1766 | + | pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, then the committee shall cease to 16 |
|---|
| 1767 | + | exist when the clerk of each school district voting on a proposal to establish the 17 |
|---|
| 1768 | + | union school district has certified the results of the vote to the Secretary 18 |
|---|
| 1769 | + | pursuant to subsection 713(a) of this chapter. 19 |
|---|
| 1770 | + | (2) If a study committee determines that it is inadvisable to propose 20 |
|---|
| 1771 | + | formation of a union school district, then the committee shall cease to exist 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1772 | + | 2025 Page 73 of 194 |
|---|
| 1773 | + | |
|---|
| 1774 | + | |
|---|
| 1775 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1776 | + | when the chair notifies the Secretary of the committee’s vote pursuant to 1 |
|---|
| 1777 | + | subsection (d) of this section. [Repealed.] 2 |
|---|
| 1778 | + | § 709. REVIEW BY LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARDS; 3 |
|---|
| 1779 | + | CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY STATE BOARD OF 4 |
|---|
| 1780 | + | EDUCATION TRANSPORTATION, EMPLOYEES, AND 5 |
|---|
| 1781 | + | CONTRACTS IN ACADEMIC YEAR 2027 –2028 6 |
|---|
| 1782 | + | (a) If a study committee determines that it is advisable to propose 7 |
|---|
| 1783 | + | formation of a union school district, then the committee shall transmit its report 8 |
|---|
| 1784 | + | and proposed articles of agreement to the school board of each school district 9 |
|---|
| 1785 | + | that the report identifies as either “necessary” or “advisable” to formation of 10 |
|---|
| 1786 | + | the proposed union school district. Each board may review the report and 11 |
|---|
| 1787 | + | proposed articles and may provide its comments to the study committee. The 12 |
|---|
| 1788 | + | study committee has sole authority to determine the contents of the report and 13 |
|---|
| 1789 | + | proposed articles and to decide whether to submit them to the State Board 14 |
|---|
| 1790 | + | under subsection (b) of this section. In academic year 2027–2028, the new 15 |
|---|
| 1791 | + | union district shall provide for the transportation of students, assignment of 16 |
|---|
| 1792 | + | staff, and implementation of curriculum in a manner that is consistent with the 17 |
|---|
| 1793 | + | contracts, collective bargaining agreements, and provisions of law that are in 18 |
|---|
| 1794 | + | effect during that academic year. 19 |
|---|
| 1795 | + | (b) If a study committee determines that it is advisable to propose 20 |
|---|
| 1796 | + | formation of a union school district, then the committee shall transmit the 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1797 | + | 2025 Page 74 of 194 |
|---|
| 1798 | + | |
|---|
| 1799 | + | |
|---|
| 1800 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1801 | + | report and proposed articles of agreement to the Secretary who shall submit 1 |
|---|
| 1802 | + | them with recommendations to the State Board. The new union district, 2 |
|---|
| 1803 | + | through its board, shall comply with chapter 53, subchapter 3 of this title, 3 |
|---|
| 1804 | + | regarding recognition of the representatives of employees of the respective 4 |
|---|
| 1805 | + | forming districts, as the representatives of the employees of the new union 5 |
|---|
| 1806 | + | district, and shall commence negotiations pursuant to chapter 57 of this title for 6 |
|---|
| 1807 | + | teachers and 21 V.S.A. chapter 22 for other employees. In the absence of new 7 |
|---|
| 1808 | + | collective bargaining agreements on July 1, 2027, the new union district shall 8 |
|---|
| 1809 | + | comply with the pre-existing master agreements pursuant to chapter 53, 9 |
|---|
| 1810 | + | subchapter 3 of this title. 10 |
|---|
| 1811 | + | (c)(1) The State Board: 11 |
|---|
| 1812 | + | (A) shall consider the study committee’s report and proposed articles 12 |
|---|
| 1813 | + | of agreement and the Secretary’s recommendations; 13 |
|---|
| 1814 | + | (B) shall provide the study committee an opportunity to be heard; 14 |
|---|
| 1815 | + | (C) may ask the Secretary or the study committee, or both, to make 15 |
|---|
| 1816 | + | further investigation and may consider any other information the State Board 16 |
|---|
| 1817 | + | deems to be pertinent; and 17 |
|---|
| 1818 | + | (D) may request that the study committee amend the report or the 18 |
|---|
| 1819 | + | proposed articles of agreement, or both. 19 |
|---|
| 1820 | + | (2) If the State Board finds that formation of the proposed union school 20 |
|---|
| 1821 | + | district is in the best interests of the State, the students, and the school districts, 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1822 | + | 2025 Page 75 of 194 |
|---|
| 1823 | + | |
|---|
| 1824 | + | |
|---|
| 1825 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1826 | + | and aligns with the policy set forth in section 701 of this title, then it shall 1 |
|---|
| 1827 | + | approve the study committee’s report and proposed articles of agreement, 2 |
|---|
| 1828 | + | together with any amendments, as the final report and proposed articles of 3 |
|---|
| 1829 | + | agreement, and shall give notice of its action to the study committee. The new 4 |
|---|
| 1830 | + | union district shall honor all individual employment contracts that are in place 5 |
|---|
| 1831 | + | in the forming districts on June 30, 2027 until their respective termination 6 |
|---|
| 1832 | + | dates; provided, however, that if a forming district enters into the contract on 7 |
|---|
| 1833 | + | or after May 1, 2025, then this subsection shall apply only if the contract 8 |
|---|
| 1834 | + | expires on or before July 1, 2029. 9 |
|---|
| 1835 | + | (d) The chair of the study committee shall file a copy of the approved final 10 |
|---|
| 1836 | + | report and proposed articles of agreement with the clerk of each school district 11 |
|---|
| 1837 | + | identified as “necessary” or “advisable” at least 30 days prior to the vote of the 12 |
|---|
| 1838 | + | electorate on whether to form the union school district. [Repealed.] 13 |
|---|
| 1839 | + | § 710. VOTE TO FORM UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT TRANSITIONAL 14 |
|---|
| 1840 | + | BOARD 15 |
|---|
| 1841 | + | Subject to the provisions of subsections 706(c) (proposal to form study 16 |
|---|
| 1842 | + | committee; existing union school districts) and 708(b) (study committee; 17 |
|---|
| 1843 | + | necessary and advisable districts) of this chapter, the voters of each school 18 |
|---|
| 1844 | + | district identified as “necessary” or “advisable” shall vote whether to form the 19 |
|---|
| 1845 | + | proposed union school district, as follows: 20 |
|---|
| 1846 | + | (1) The vote shall be held on the date specified in the final report. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1847 | + | 2025 Page 76 of 194 |
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| 1848 | + | |
|---|
| 1849 | + | |
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| 1850 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1851 | + | (2) The vote shall be by Australian ballot. 1 |
|---|
| 1852 | + | (3) The vote shall be at separate school district meetings held on the 2 |
|---|
| 1853 | + | same day. 3 |
|---|
| 1854 | + | (4) The opportunity for early and absentee voting pursuant to 17 V.S.A. 4 |
|---|
| 1855 | + | §§ 2531–2550 shall be provided. 5 |
|---|
| 1856 | + | (5) The board of each school district voting on the proposal shall warn the 6 |
|---|
| 1857 | + | vote either as a special meeting of the school district or as part of its annual 7 |
|---|
| 1858 | + | meeting. 8 |
|---|
| 1859 | + | (a) Creation of transitional board; term of existence. Until the voters of the 9 |
|---|
| 1860 | + | new union district elect the members of the initial board of directors as set 10 |
|---|
| 1861 | + | forth in section 711 of this title, and those members are sworn in and assume 11 |
|---|
| 1862 | + | their duties, the individuals serving on December 15, 2025 on the boards of the 12 |
|---|
| 1863 | + | forming districts identified in section 2 of this title, including the board of any 13 |
|---|
| 1864 | + | forming district that is a union school district on that date, shall designate one 14 |
|---|
| 1865 | + | of their members to serve on a transitional board of directors for the new union 15 |
|---|
| 1866 | + | district (transitional board). The transitional board shall be comprised of the 16 |
|---|
| 1867 | + | designee from each forming district. 17 |
|---|
| 1868 | + | (b) Initial meeting of transitional board. The superintendent of the 18 |
|---|
| 1869 | + | supervisory union of which a majority of the forming districts are members 19 |
|---|
| 1870 | + | shall convene the first meeting of the transitional board to occur no later than 20 |
|---|
| 1871 | + | January 10, 2026. The agenda for this first meeting of the transitional board 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1872 | + | 2025 Page 77 of 194 |
|---|
| 1873 | + | |
|---|
| 1874 | + | |
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| 1875 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1876 | + | shall include the election by the transitional board members of one of their 1 |
|---|
| 1877 | + | members to serve as chair of the transitional board and one of their members to 2 |
|---|
| 1878 | + | serve as clerk of the transitional board. 3 |
|---|
| 1879 | + | (c) Purpose and authority of transitional board. During the period of its 4 |
|---|
| 1880 | + | existence, the transitional board shall serve as the new union district’s school 5 |
|---|
| 1881 | + | board and shall perform all functions required of and have all authority granted 6 |
|---|
| 1882 | + | to the transitional board in this chapter and the new union district board in this 7 |
|---|
| 1883 | + | title and otherwise by law. 8 |
|---|
| 1884 | + | (d) Specific duties of transitional board. 9 |
|---|
| 1885 | + | (1) In addition to any responsibilities of the new union district board that 10 |
|---|
| 1886 | + | can, should, or must be performed before the initial members of that board are 11 |
|---|
| 1887 | + | elected and assume office, the transitional board shall perform the following 12 |
|---|
| 1888 | + | functions: 13 |
|---|
| 1889 | + | (A) prepare a draft of the proposed fiscal year 2028 budget of the 14 |
|---|
| 1890 | + | new union district, which the transitional board shall provide to the new union 15 |
|---|
| 1891 | + | district board for consideration at the first meeting of the new union district 16 |
|---|
| 1892 | + | board; and 17 |
|---|
| 1893 | + | (B) prepare a short list of superintendent candidates. 18 |
|---|
| 1894 | + | (2) With respect to the transitional board’s duties in this section, the 19 |
|---|
| 1895 | + | transitional board shall have the assistance of the Agency of Education, 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1896 | + | 2025 Page 78 of 194 |
|---|
| 1897 | + | |
|---|
| 1898 | + | |
|---|
| 1899 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1900 | + | including dedicated resources to be paid by transitional funds set aside by the 1 |
|---|
| 1901 | + | Agency for these purposes. 2 |
|---|
| 1902 | + | § 711. VOTE TO ELECT INITIAL MEMBERS OF THE UNION SCHOOL 3 |
|---|
| 1903 | + | DISTRICT BOARD 4 |
|---|
| 1904 | + | (a) Election of initial members of union school district board. At the 5 |
|---|
| 1905 | + | meeting warned to vote on formation of a union school district under section 6 |
|---|
| 1906 | + | 710 of this chapter, the voters shall also elect the initial members who will 7 |
|---|
| 1907 | + | serve on the board of the union school district if the voters approve the 8 |
|---|
| 1908 | + | district’s formation. 9 |
|---|
| 1909 | + | (1) The vote to elect the initial members shall be by Australian ballot. 10 |
|---|
| 1910 | + | (2) The opportunity for early and absentee voting pursuant to 17 V.S.A. 11 |
|---|
| 1911 | + | §§ 2531–2550 shall be provided. Representation on new union district board. 12 |
|---|
| 1912 | + | The new union district board shall be composed of five individuals elected 13 |
|---|
| 1913 | + | from the district. The members shall be elected pursuant to proportionate 14 |
|---|
| 1914 | + | voting districts. Petitions for candidates for initial school district board 15 |
|---|
| 1915 | + | membership shall be submitted on the same timeline and in the same manner 16 |
|---|
| 1916 | + | as candidates for the General Assembly. Elections for school board shall be 17 |
|---|
| 1917 | + | held on general election day 2026. Each new union district board member 18 |
|---|
| 1918 | + | shall serve for a period of four years or until his or her successor is elected and 19 |
|---|
| 1919 | + | qualified, as required by State law. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1920 | + | 2025 Page 79 of 194 |
|---|
| 1921 | + | |
|---|
| 1922 | + | |
|---|
| 1923 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1924 | + | (b) Representation and term length. Initial membership on a union school 1 |
|---|
| 1925 | + | district board shall be pursuant to the method of representation set forth in the 2 |
|---|
| 1926 | + | articles of agreement, for the terms specified in that document, and pursuant to 3 |
|---|
| 1927 | + | the provisions of this section and subdivisions 708(c)(9) and (10) (study 4 |
|---|
| 1928 | + | committee; proposed articles of agreement; apportionment and terms) of this 5 |
|---|
| 1929 | + | chapter. Swearing-in and assumption of duties. Within 14 days after the initial 6 |
|---|
| 1930 | + | board members are elected, the transitional board shall provide for a meeting 7 |
|---|
| 1931 | + | of the initial board members. Prior to the date of the meeting, newly elected 8 |
|---|
| 1932 | + | members shall be sworn in by a town clerk within the boundaries of the district 9 |
|---|
| 1933 | + | and shall assume office upon being sworn in. 10 |
|---|
| 1934 | + | (c) Operational definitions. As used in subsections (d) and (e) of this 11 |
|---|
| 1935 | + | section, any term not defined in section 702 of this chapter shall have its plain 12 |
|---|
| 1936 | + | meaning, except as provided in this subsection. 13 |
|---|
| 1937 | + | (1) If, pursuant to section 425 (other town school district officers) of this 14 |
|---|
| 1938 | + | title, the voters of a school district have elected a district clerk who is not also 15 |
|---|
| 1939 | + | the clerk of the town served by the school district, then “town clerk” means the 16 |
|---|
| 1940 | + | elected clerk of that school district. 17 |
|---|
| 1941 | + | (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection, if a potential 18 |
|---|
| 1942 | + | forming district is an existing unified union school district, then: 19 |
|---|
| 1943 | + | (A) Reference to the voters of the “school district” means the voters 20 |
|---|
| 1944 | + | of each town within the existing unified union school district, who shall vote at 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1945 | + | 2025 Page 80 of 194 |
|---|
| 1946 | + | |
|---|
| 1947 | + | |
|---|
| 1948 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1949 | + | a location in their town of residence that is identified in the warning issued by 1 |
|---|
| 1950 | + | the existing unified union school district; provided, however, that the total of 2 |
|---|
| 1951 | + | all votes cast in the towns shall determine the modified at-large and at-large 3 |
|---|
| 1952 | + | election of initial board members pursuant to subdivisions (d)(2) (proposed 4 |
|---|
| 1953 | + | unified union district; modified at-large), (d)(3) (proposed union district; at-5 |
|---|
| 1954 | + | large), (e)(2) (proposed union elementary or union high school district; 6 |
|---|
| 1955 | + | modified at-large), and (e)(3) (proposed union elementary or union high school 7 |
|---|
| 1956 | + | district; at-large) of this section, as well as whether the existing unified union 8 |
|---|
| 1957 | + | school district approves formation of the new unified union school district. 9 |
|---|
| 1958 | + | (B) “Town clerk” means the clerk of each town within the existing 10 |
|---|
| 1959 | + | unified union school district; provided, however, that the town clerk of each 11 |
|---|
| 1960 | + | town shall transmit the name of each duly nominated candidate to the clerk of 12 |
|---|
| 1961 | + | the existing unified union school district, who shall prepare the unified union 13 |
|---|
| 1962 | + | school district ballot for that town and transmit the ballot to the town clerk to 14 |
|---|
| 1963 | + | make available to the voters. 15 |
|---|
| 1964 | + | (3) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) (clerk of school district) of this 16 |
|---|
| 1965 | + | subsection, if a town is a member of both a union elementary school district 17 |
|---|
| 1966 | + | and a union high school district, is not independently organized as a district 18 |
|---|
| 1967 | + | that is responsible for the education of students in any grade, and does not have 19 |
|---|
| 1968 | + | a town school district board, then: 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1969 | + | 2025 Page 81 of 194 |
|---|
| 1970 | + | |
|---|
| 1971 | + | |
|---|
| 1972 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1973 | + | (A) reference to the voters of the “school district” means the voters of 1 |
|---|
| 1974 | + | the town that is the member of both existing union school districts, who shall 2 |
|---|
| 1975 | + | vote at a location in their town of residence that is identified in the warning 3 |
|---|
| 1976 | + | issued by: 4 |
|---|
| 1977 | + | (i) the existing union elementary school district if the voters are 5 |
|---|
| 1978 | + | voting on a proposed unified union school district or a proposed union 6 |
|---|
| 1979 | + | elementary school district; or 7 |
|---|
| 1980 | + | (ii) the existing union high school district if the voters are voting 8 |
|---|
| 1981 | + | on a proposed union high school district; and 9 |
|---|
| 1982 | + | (B) “town clerk” means the clerk of the town that is a member of 10 |
|---|
| 1983 | + | both existing union school districts; provided, however, that the town clerk 11 |
|---|
| 1984 | + | shall transmit the name of each duly nominated candidate to the clerk of the 12 |
|---|
| 1985 | + | union school district identified in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3), who 13 |
|---|
| 1986 | + | shall prepare the ballot for that town and transmit the ballot to the town clerk to 14 |
|---|
| 1987 | + | make available to the voters. First meeting. At the first meeting of initial 15 |
|---|
| 1988 | + | members of the new union district board: 16 |
|---|
| 1989 | + | (1) The members shall elect a chair of the board and clerk of the board. 17 |
|---|
| 1990 | + | (2) The members of the former transitional board shall present the draft 18 |
|---|
| 1991 | + | fiscal year 2028 budget to the new union district board together with any 19 |
|---|
| 1992 | + | supporting data or other documentation. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 1993 | + | 2025 Page 82 of 194 |
|---|
| 1994 | + | |
|---|
| 1995 | + | |
|---|
| 1996 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 1997 | + | (3) The members of the former transitional board shall present a 1 |
|---|
| 1998 | + | summary of hiring actions and recommendations for the position of 2 |
|---|
| 1999 | + | superintendent for the district. 3 |
|---|
| 2000 | + | (d) Proposed unified union school district. Subject to the provisions of 4 |
|---|
| 2001 | + | subsections 706(c) (existing union school districts) and 708(b) (necessary and 5 |
|---|
| 2002 | + | advisable school districts) of this chapter, the voters of each school district 6 |
|---|
| 2003 | + | identified as “necessary” or “advisable” shall vote whether to elect initial board 7 |
|---|
| 2004 | + | members of a proposed unified union school district, as follows: 8 |
|---|
| 2005 | + | (1) Proportional to town population. When representation on the board 9 |
|---|
| 2006 | + | of a proposed unified union school district is apportioned to each potential 10 |
|---|
| 2007 | + | town within the proposed district in a number that is closely proportional to the 11 |
|---|
| 2008 | + | town’s relative population: 12 |
|---|
| 2009 | + | (A) Voters of each school district identified as either “necessary” or 13 |
|---|
| 2010 | + | “advisable” to formation of the proposed unified union school district shall file 14 |
|---|
| 2011 | + | a petition nominating a candidate for the office of unified union school district 15 |
|---|
| 2012 | + | board member based on town population. A petition shall be valid only if: 16 |
|---|
| 2013 | + | (i) the candidate is a current voter of the town; 17 |
|---|
| 2014 | + | (ii) the petition identifies the term of office for which the 18 |
|---|
| 2015 | + | candidate is nominated; 19 |
|---|
| 2016 | + | (iii) the petition is signed by at least 30 voters residing in the town 20 |
|---|
| 2017 | + | or one percent of the legal voters in the town, whichever is less; 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2018 | + | 2025 Page 83 of 194 |
|---|
| 2019 | + | |
|---|
| 2020 | + | |
|---|
| 2021 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2022 | + | (iv) the voters file the petition with the town clerk of the town in 1 |
|---|
| 2023 | + | which the candidate resides not later than 5:00 p.m. on the sixth Monday 2 |
|---|
| 2024 | + | preceding the day of the election; and 3 |
|---|
| 2025 | + | (v) the candidate files with the town clerk a written consent to the 4 |
|---|
| 2026 | + | printing of the candidate’s name on the ballot. 5 |
|---|
| 2027 | + | (B) The town clerk shall place the name of each duly nominated 6 |
|---|
| 2028 | + | candidate on the ballot to be presented to the voters of the school district. 7 |
|---|
| 2029 | + | (C) The voters of the school district for the town in which the 8 |
|---|
| 2030 | + | candidate resides shall elect as many board members to the unified union 9 |
|---|
| 2031 | + | school board as are apportioned based on the town’s population. 10 |
|---|
| 2032 | + | (2) Modified at-large model: allocation to town; at-large representation. 11 |
|---|
| 2033 | + | When representation on the board of a proposed unified union school district is 12 |
|---|
| 2034 | + | allocated to each potential town within the proposed district, but the allocation 13 |
|---|
| 2035 | + | is not closely proportional to the town’s relative population and the board 14 |
|---|
| 2036 | + | member is elected at-large: 15 |
|---|
| 2037 | + | (A) Voters of each school district identified as either “necessary” or 16 |
|---|
| 2038 | + | “advisable” to formation of the proposed unified union school district shall file 17 |
|---|
| 2039 | + | a petition nominating a candidate for the office of unified union school district 18 |
|---|
| 2040 | + | board member allocated to the voters’ town. A petition shall be valid only if: 19 |
|---|
| 2041 | + | (i) the candidate is a current voter of the town; 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2042 | + | 2025 Page 84 of 194 |
|---|
| 2043 | + | |
|---|
| 2044 | + | |
|---|
| 2045 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2046 | + | (ii) the petition identifies the term of office for which the 1 |
|---|
| 2047 | + | candidate is nominated; 2 |
|---|
| 2048 | + | (iii) the petition is signed by at least 30 voters residing in the town 3 |
|---|
| 2049 | + | or one percent of the legal voters in the town, whichever is less; 4 |
|---|
| 2050 | + | (iv) the voters file the petition with the town clerk of the town in 5 |
|---|
| 2051 | + | which the candidate resides not later than 5:00 p.m. on the sixth Monday 6 |
|---|
| 2052 | + | preceding the day of the election; and 7 |
|---|
| 2053 | + | (v) the candidate files with the town clerk a written consent to the 8 |
|---|
| 2054 | + | printing of the candidate’s name on the ballot. 9 |
|---|
| 2055 | + | (B) Upon receipt of a petition for a unified union school district 10 |
|---|
| 2056 | + | board member allocated to a potential town within the proposed district but to 11 |
|---|
| 2057 | + | be elected at-large under the modified at-large model, the town clerk shall 12 |
|---|
| 2058 | + | place the name of the duly nominated candidate on the ballot to be presented to 13 |
|---|
| 2059 | + | the voters of the school district and shall notify the town clerks preparing the 14 |
|---|
| 2060 | + | ballots for the voters of each of the other “necessary” school districts and of 15 |
|---|
| 2061 | + | each “advisable” school district voting on formation of the proposed unified 16 |
|---|
| 2062 | + | union school district to place the candidate’s name on the ballot presented to 17 |
|---|
| 2063 | + | the voters in those districts. Alternatively, at their discretion, the town clerks 18 |
|---|
| 2064 | + | may meet jointly to prepare a uniform ballot. 19 |
|---|
| 2065 | + | (C) The voters of each “necessary” school district and of each 20 |
|---|
| 2066 | + | “advisable” school district voting on formation of the proposed unified union 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2067 | + | 2025 Page 85 of 194 |
|---|
| 2068 | + | |
|---|
| 2069 | + | |
|---|
| 2070 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2071 | + | school district shall vote for the board members to be elected at-large under the 1 |
|---|
| 2072 | + | modified at-large model; provided, however, that ballots shall be included in 2 |
|---|
| 2073 | + | the calculation of total votes cast pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 3 |
|---|
| 2074 | + | 714(a)(2) (calculation of votes) of this chapter. 4 |
|---|
| 2075 | + | (3) At-large representation. When representation on the board of a 5 |
|---|
| 2076 | + | proposed unified union school district is not apportioned or allocated to the 6 |
|---|
| 2077 | + | potential towns within the proposed district pursuant to subdivision (1) 7 |
|---|
| 2078 | + | (proportional to town population) or (2) (modified at-large) of this subsection 8 |
|---|
| 2079 | + | and the board member is elected at-large: 9 |
|---|
| 2080 | + | (A) The voters of one or more school districts identified as 10 |
|---|
| 2081 | + | “necessary” to formation of the proposed unified union school district shall file 11 |
|---|
| 2082 | + | a petition nominating a candidate for the office of unified union school district 12 |
|---|
| 2083 | + | board member at-large. A petition shall be valid only if: 13 |
|---|
| 2084 | + | (i) the candidate is a current voter of a school district identified as 14 |
|---|
| 2085 | + | “necessary” to the formation of the proposed union school district; 15 |
|---|
| 2086 | + | (ii) the petition identifies the term of office for which the 16 |
|---|
| 2087 | + | candidate is nominated; 17 |
|---|
| 2088 | + | (iii) the petition is signed by at least 60 voters residing in one or 18 |
|---|
| 2089 | + | more school districts identified as “necessary” to the formation of the proposed 19 |
|---|
| 2090 | + | unified union school district or one percent of the legal voters residing in the 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2091 | + | 2025 Page 86 of 194 |
|---|
| 2092 | + | |
|---|
| 2093 | + | |
|---|
| 2094 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2095 | + | combined “necessary” school districts that would form the proposed unified 1 |
|---|
| 2096 | + | union school district, whichever is less; 2 |
|---|
| 2097 | + | (iv) the voters file the petition with the town clerk in the 3 |
|---|
| 2098 | + | “necessary” school district in which the candidate resides not later than 5:00 4 |
|---|
| 2099 | + | p.m. on the sixth Monday preceding the day of the election; and 5 |
|---|
| 2100 | + | (v) the candidate files with the town clerk a written consent to the 6 |
|---|
| 2101 | + | printing of the candidate’s name on the ballot. 7 |
|---|
| 2102 | + | (B) Upon receipt of a petition for a unified union school district 8 |
|---|
| 2103 | + | board member elected at-large, the town clerk shall place the name of the duly 9 |
|---|
| 2104 | + | nominated candidate on the ballot to be presented to the voters of the school 10 |
|---|
| 2105 | + | district and shall notify the town clerks preparing the ballots for the voters of 11 |
|---|
| 2106 | + | each of the other “necessary” school districts and of each “advisable” school 12 |
|---|
| 2107 | + | district voting on formation of the proposed unified union school district to 13 |
|---|
| 2108 | + | place the candidate’s name on the ballot presented to the voters in those 14 |
|---|
| 2109 | + | districts. Alternatively, at their discretion, the town clerks may meet jointly to 15 |
|---|
| 2110 | + | prepare a uniform ballot. 16 |
|---|
| 2111 | + | (C) The voters of each “necessary” school district and of each 17 |
|---|
| 2112 | + | “advisable” school district voting on formation of the proposed unified union 18 |
|---|
| 2113 | + | school district shall vote for the members to be elected at-large; provided, 19 |
|---|
| 2114 | + | however, that ballots shall be included in the calculation of total votes cast 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2115 | + | 2025 Page 87 of 194 |
|---|
| 2116 | + | |
|---|
| 2117 | + | |
|---|
| 2118 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2119 | + | pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 714(a)(2) (calculation of votes) of 1 |
|---|
| 2120 | + | this chapter. [Repealed.] 2 |
|---|
| 2121 | + | (e) Proposed union elementary or union high school district. Subject to the 3 |
|---|
| 2122 | + | provisions of subsections 706(c) (existing union school districts) and 708(b) 4 |
|---|
| 2123 | + | (necessary and advisable school districts) of this chapter, the voters of each 5 |
|---|
| 2124 | + | school district identified as “necessary” or “advisable” shall vote whether to 6 |
|---|
| 2125 | + | elect initial board members of the proposed union school district, as follows: 7 |
|---|
| 2126 | + | (1) Proportional to town population. When representation on the board 8 |
|---|
| 2127 | + | of a proposed union elementary or union high school district is apportioned to 9 |
|---|
| 2128 | + | each potential member district of the proposed district in a number that is 10 |
|---|
| 2129 | + | closely proportional to the potential member district’s relative population: 11 |
|---|
| 2130 | + | (A) Voters of each school district identified as either “necessary” or 12 |
|---|
| 2131 | + | “advisable” to formation of the proposed union school district shall file a 13 |
|---|
| 2132 | + | petition nominating a candidate for the office of union school district board 14 |
|---|
| 2133 | + | member representing the potential member district. A petition shall be valid 15 |
|---|
| 2134 | + | only if: 16 |
|---|
| 2135 | + | (i) the candidate is a current voter of the potential member district; 17 |
|---|
| 2136 | + | (ii) the petition identifies the term of office for which the 18 |
|---|
| 2137 | + | candidate is nominated; 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2138 | + | 2025 Page 88 of 194 |
|---|
| 2139 | + | |
|---|
| 2140 | + | |
|---|
| 2141 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2142 | + | (iii) the petition is signed by at least 30 voters residing in the 1 |
|---|
| 2143 | + | potential member district or one percent of the legal voters in the district, 2 |
|---|
| 2144 | + | whichever is less; 3 |
|---|
| 2145 | + | (iv) the petition is filed with the town clerk not later than 5:00 4 |
|---|
| 2146 | + | p.m. on the sixth Monday preceding the day of the election; and 5 |
|---|
| 2147 | + | (v) the candidate files with the town clerk a written consent to the 6 |
|---|
| 2148 | + | printing of the candidate’s name on the ballot. 7 |
|---|
| 2149 | + | (B) The town clerk shall place the name of each duly nominated 8 |
|---|
| 2150 | + | candidate on the ballot to be presented to the voters of the potential member 9 |
|---|
| 2151 | + | district. 10 |
|---|
| 2152 | + | (C) The voters of the district shall elect as many board members as 11 |
|---|
| 2153 | + | are apportioned to the potential member district based on population. 12 |
|---|
| 2154 | + | (2) Modified at-large model: allocation to town; at-large representation. 13 |
|---|
| 2155 | + | When representation on the board of a proposed union elementary or union 14 |
|---|
| 2156 | + | high school district is allocated to each potential member district, but the 15 |
|---|
| 2157 | + | allocation is not closely proportional to the potential member district’s relative 16 |
|---|
| 2158 | + | population and the board member is elected at-large: 17 |
|---|
| 2159 | + | (A) Voters of each school district identified as either “necessary” or 18 |
|---|
| 2160 | + | “advisable” to formation of the proposed union school district shall file a 19 |
|---|
| 2161 | + | petition nominating a candidate for the office of union school district board 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2162 | + | 2025 Page 89 of 194 |
|---|
| 2163 | + | |
|---|
| 2164 | + | |
|---|
| 2165 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2166 | + | member allocated to the potential member district. A petition shall be valid 1 |
|---|
| 2167 | + | only if: 2 |
|---|
| 2168 | + | (i) the candidate is a current voter of the potential member district; 3 |
|---|
| 2169 | + | (ii) the petition identifies the term of office for which the 4 |
|---|
| 2170 | + | candidate is nominated; 5 |
|---|
| 2171 | + | (iii) the petition is signed by at least 30 voters residing in the 6 |
|---|
| 2172 | + | potential member district or one percent of the legal voters in the district, 7 |
|---|
| 2173 | + | whichever is less; 8 |
|---|
| 2174 | + | (iv) the petition is filed with the town clerk of the school district in 9 |
|---|
| 2175 | + | which the candidate resides not later than 5:00 p.m. on the sixth Monday 10 |
|---|
| 2176 | + | preceding the day of the election; and 11 |
|---|
| 2177 | + | (v) the candidate files with the town clerk a written consent to the 12 |
|---|
| 2178 | + | printing of the candidate’s name on the ballot. 13 |
|---|
| 2179 | + | (B) Upon receipt of a petition for union school district board member 14 |
|---|
| 2180 | + | allocated to a potential member district but to be elected at-large under the 15 |
|---|
| 2181 | + | modified at-large mode, the town clerk shall place the name of the duly 16 |
|---|
| 2182 | + | nominated candidate on the ballot to be presented to the voters of the potential 17 |
|---|
| 2183 | + | member district and shall notify the town clerks preparing the ballots for the 18 |
|---|
| 2184 | + | voters of each of the other “necessary” school districts and of each “advisable” 19 |
|---|
| 2185 | + | school district voting on formation of the proposed union school district to 20 |
|---|
| 2186 | + | place the candidate’s name on the ballot presented to the voters in those 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2187 | + | 2025 Page 90 of 194 |
|---|
| 2188 | + | |
|---|
| 2189 | + | |
|---|
| 2190 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2191 | + | districts. Alternatively, at their discretion, the town clerks may meet jointly to 1 |
|---|
| 2192 | + | prepare a uniform ballot. 2 |
|---|
| 2193 | + | (C) The voters of each “necessary” school district and of each 3 |
|---|
| 2194 | + | “advisable” school district voting on formation of the proposed unified union 4 |
|---|
| 2195 | + | school district shall vote for the board members to be elected at-large under the 5 |
|---|
| 2196 | + | modified at-large model; provided, however, that ballots shall be included in 6 |
|---|
| 2197 | + | the calculation of total votes cast pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 7 |
|---|
| 2198 | + | 714(a)(2) (calculation of votes) of this chapter. 8 |
|---|
| 2199 | + | (3) At-large representation. When representation on the board of a 9 |
|---|
| 2200 | + | proposed union elementary or union high school district board is not 10 |
|---|
| 2201 | + | apportioned or allocated to the potential member districts pursuant to 11 |
|---|
| 2202 | + | subdivision (1) (proportional to town population) or (2) (modified at large) of 12 |
|---|
| 2203 | + | this subsection and the board member is elected at-large: 13 |
|---|
| 2204 | + | (A) The voters of one or more school districts identified as 14 |
|---|
| 2205 | + | “necessary” to the formation of the proposed union school district shall file a 15 |
|---|
| 2206 | + | petition nominating a candidate for the office of union school district board 16 |
|---|
| 2207 | + | member at-large. A petition shall be valid only if: 17 |
|---|
| 2208 | + | (i) the candidate is a current voter of a school district identified as 18 |
|---|
| 2209 | + | “necessary” to the formation of the proposed union school district; 19 |
|---|
| 2210 | + | (ii) the petition identifies the term of office for which the 20 |
|---|
| 2211 | + | candidate is nominated; 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2212 | + | 2025 Page 91 of 194 |
|---|
| 2213 | + | |
|---|
| 2214 | + | |
|---|
| 2215 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2216 | + | (iii) the petition is signed by at least 60 voters residing in one or 1 |
|---|
| 2217 | + | more school districts identified as “necessary” to the formation of the proposed 2 |
|---|
| 2218 | + | union school district or one percent of the legal voters residing in the combined 3 |
|---|
| 2219 | + | “necessary” school districts that would form the proposed union school district, 4 |
|---|
| 2220 | + | whichever is less; 5 |
|---|
| 2221 | + | (iv) the petition is filed with the town clerk in the “necessary” 6 |
|---|
| 2222 | + | school district in which the candidate resides not later than 5:00 p.m. on the 7 |
|---|
| 2223 | + | sixth Monday preceding the day of the election; and 8 |
|---|
| 2224 | + | (v) the candidate files with the town clerk a written consent to the 9 |
|---|
| 2225 | + | printing of the candidate’s name on the ballot. 10 |
|---|
| 2226 | + | (B) Upon receipt of a petition for a union school district board 11 |
|---|
| 2227 | + | member to be elected at-large, the town clerk shall place the name of the duly 12 |
|---|
| 2228 | + | nominated candidate on the ballot to be presented to the voters of the school 13 |
|---|
| 2229 | + | district and shall notify the town clerks preparing the ballots for the voters of 14 |
|---|
| 2230 | + | each of the other “necessary” school districts and of each “advisable” school 15 |
|---|
| 2231 | + | district voting on formation of the proposed union school district to place the 16 |
|---|
| 2232 | + | candidate’s name on the ballot presented to the voters in those districts. 17 |
|---|
| 2233 | + | Alternatively, at their discretion, the town clerks may meet jointly to prepare a 18 |
|---|
| 2234 | + | uniform ballot. 19 |
|---|
| 2235 | + | (C) The voters of each “necessary” school district and of each 20 |
|---|
| 2236 | + | “advisable” school district voting on formation of the proposed union school 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2237 | + | 2025 Page 92 of 194 |
|---|
| 2238 | + | |
|---|
| 2239 | + | |
|---|
| 2240 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2241 | + | district shall vote for the board members to be elected at-large; provided, 1 |
|---|
| 2242 | + | however, that ballots shall be included in the calculation of total votes cast 2 |
|---|
| 2243 | + | pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 714(a)(2) (calculation of votes) of 3 |
|---|
| 2244 | + | this chapter. [Repealed.] 4 |
|---|
| 2245 | + | (f) Weighted voting. If representation on a union school district board is 5 |
|---|
| 2246 | + | apportioned based upon population pursuant to subdivision (d)(1) or (e)(1) of 6 |
|---|
| 2247 | + | this section, then the union school district may achieve proportionality through 7 |
|---|
| 2248 | + | a system of weighted voting. [Repealed.] 8 |
|---|
| 2249 | + | § 712. CONTENTS OF WARNING ON VOTES TO ESTABLISH THE 9 |
|---|
| 2250 | + | UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ELECT THE INITIAL 10 |
|---|
| 2251 | + | MEMBERS OF THE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD 11 |
|---|
| 2252 | + | PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED FISCAL 12 |
|---|
| 2253 | + | YEAR 2028 BUDGET 13 |
|---|
| 2254 | + | The warning for each school district meeting to vote on formation of a 14 |
|---|
| 2255 | + | union school district shall contain two articles in substantially the following 15 |
|---|
| 2256 | + | form. The language used in Article 1 shall be the same for each “necessary” 16 |
|---|
| 2257 | + | and “advisable” district voting on formation of the new district. Article II of 17 |
|---|
| 2258 | + | the warning shall not include names of candidates for the union school district 18 |
|---|
| 2259 | + | board. 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2260 | + | 2025 Page 93 of 194 |
|---|
| 2261 | + | |
|---|
| 2262 | + | |
|---|
| 2263 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2264 | + | WARNING 1 |
|---|
| 2265 | + | The voters of the 2 |
|---|
| 2266 | + | _______________________________________________________________3 |
|---|
| 2267 | + | ________ School District are hereby notified and warned to meet at 4 |
|---|
| 2268 | + | _____________________ on the ___________ day of 5 |
|---|
| 2269 | + | _____________________, 20___________, to vote by Australian ballot 6 |
|---|
| 2270 | + | between the hours of _____________________, at which time the polls will 7 |
|---|
| 2271 | + | open, and _____________________, at which time the polls will close, upon 8 |
|---|
| 2272 | + | the following articles of business: 9 |
|---|
| 2273 | + | Article I. FORMATION OF UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT 10 |
|---|
| 2274 | + | Shall the 11 |
|---|
| 2275 | + | _______________________________________________________________12 |
|---|
| 2276 | + | ________ School District, which the proposed articles of agreement have 13 |
|---|
| 2277 | + | identified as [“necessary” or “advisable”] to the formation of the proposed 14 |
|---|
| 2278 | + | union school district, join with the school district[s] of 15 |
|---|
| 2279 | + | _______________________________________ and 16 |
|---|
| 2280 | + | _______________________________________, which are identified as 17 |
|---|
| 2281 | + | “necessary” to formation, and potentially the school district[s] of 18 |
|---|
| 2282 | + | _______________________________________ and 19 |
|---|
| 2283 | + | _______________________________________, which are identified as 20 |
|---|
| 2284 | + | “advisable” to formation, for the purpose of forming a union school district, as 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2285 | + | 2025 Page 94 of 194 |
|---|
| 2286 | + | |
|---|
| 2287 | + | |
|---|
| 2288 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2289 | + | provided in Title 16, Vermont Statutes Annotated, upon the following 1 |
|---|
| 2290 | + | conditions and agreements: 2 |
|---|
| 2291 | + | (a) Grades. The union school district shall be organized to provide for the 3 |
|---|
| 2292 | + | education of resident students in grades ___________ through ___________ 4 |
|---|
| 2293 | + | and shall assume full and sole responsibility therefor on July 1, 5 |
|---|
| 2294 | + | 20___________. 6 |
|---|
| 2295 | + | (b) Operation of schools. The union school district shall operate and manage 7 |
|---|
| 2296 | + | one or more schools offering instruction in grades ___________ through 8 |
|---|
| 2297 | + | ___________. [Amend as necessary if the district will pay tuition for any or all 9 |
|---|
| 2298 | + | grades for which it is organized.] 10 |
|---|
| 2299 | + | (c) Union school district board. [State method by which representation of each 11 |
|---|
| 2300 | + | member of the union school board is to be determined pursuant to section 711 12 |
|---|
| 2301 | + | (vote to elect initial members) of this chapter.] 13 |
|---|
| 2302 | + | (d) Assumption of debts and ownership of school property. The union school 14 |
|---|
| 2303 | + | district shall assume the indebtedness of forming districts, acquire the school 15 |
|---|
| 2304 | + | properties of the forming districts, and pay for them, all as specified in the final 16 |
|---|
| 2305 | + | report and proposed articles of agreement. 17 |
|---|
| 2306 | + | (e) Final report. The provisions of the final report and proposed articles of 18 |
|---|
| 2307 | + | agreement approved by the State Board of Education on the ___________ day 19 |
|---|
| 2308 | + | of _____________________, 20___________, which is on file in the office of 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2309 | + | 2025 Page 95 of 194 |
|---|
| 2310 | + | |
|---|
| 2311 | + | |
|---|
| 2312 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2313 | + | the clerk of each school district named in this warning, shall govern the union 1 |
|---|
| 2314 | + | school district. 2 |
|---|
| 2315 | + | Article II. ELECTION OF INITIAL MEMBERS OF THE UNION 3 |
|---|
| 2316 | + | SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD 4 |
|---|
| 2317 | + | To elect a total of _____________________ (_) member(s) to serve as initial 5 |
|---|
| 2318 | + | members of the proposed union school district board for the terms established 6 |
|---|
| 2319 | + | in the final report and proposed articles of agreement: [Amend as necessary to 7 |
|---|
| 2320 | + | reflect method for determining school board membership pursuant to section 8 |
|---|
| 2321 | + | 711 (vote to elect initial members) of this chapter.] 9 |
|---|
| 2322 | + | (a) ___________ [Insert number] Board Member[s] to serve until the second 10 |
|---|
| 2323 | + | annual meeting of the union school district, in 20___________. 11 |
|---|
| 2324 | + | (b) ___________ [Insert number] Board Member[s] to serve until the third 12 |
|---|
| 2325 | + | annual meeting of the union school district, in 20___________. 13 |
|---|
| 2326 | + | (c) ___________ [Insert number] Board Member[s] to serve until the fourth 14 |
|---|
| 2327 | + | annual meeting of the union school district, in 20___________. Pursuant to 15 |
|---|
| 2328 | + | the provisions of chapter 133 of this title, the new union district board shall 16 |
|---|
| 2329 | + | consider and adopt a proposed fiscal year 2028 budget to, based on the 17 |
|---|
| 2330 | + | anticipated funding for fiscal year 2028, provide for the operations of the 18 |
|---|
| 2331 | + | district. 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2332 | + | 2025 Page 96 of 194 |
|---|
| 2333 | + | |
|---|
| 2334 | + | |
|---|
| 2335 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2336 | + | § 713. CERTIFICATION OF VOTES; DESIGNATION OF DISTRICT AS 1 |
|---|
| 2337 | + | UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT; RECORDING BY SECRETARY OF 2 |
|---|
| 2338 | + | STATE 3 |
|---|
| 2339 | + | (a) Within 45 days after the vote or 15 days after a vote to reconsider the 4 |
|---|
| 2340 | + | original vote under 17 V.S.A. § 2661, whichever is later, the clerk of each 5 |
|---|
| 2341 | + | school district voting on the proposal to form a union school district shall 6 |
|---|
| 2342 | + | certify the results of that vote to the Secretary of Education. The clerk shall 7 |
|---|
| 2343 | + | submit the certification regardless of whether the district voters approved the 8 |
|---|
| 2344 | + | proposed formation of a union school district. [Repealed.] 9 |
|---|
| 2345 | + | (b) If the voters voting in each school district identified as “necessary” to 10 |
|---|
| 2346 | + | formation of the proposed union school district vote to form the district, then 11 |
|---|
| 2347 | + | the “necessary” school districts constitute a union school district, together with 12 |
|---|
| 2348 | + | any school district designated as “advisable” that votes to form the proposed 13 |
|---|
| 2349 | + | union school district. [Repealed.] 14 |
|---|
| 2350 | + | (c) If the voters approve formation of a union school district pursuant to 15 |
|---|
| 2351 | + | subsection (b) of this section, then upon receiving the certification of each 16 |
|---|
| 2352 | + | clerk pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, but not sooner than 30 days 17 |
|---|
| 2353 | + | after the initial vote, the Not later than July 1, 2025, the Secretary shall 18 |
|---|
| 2354 | + | designate the newly formed district each of the new union districts as a union 19 |
|---|
| 2355 | + | school district. The Secretary shall certify that designation and send the 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2356 | + | 2025 Page 97 of 194 |
|---|
| 2357 | + | |
|---|
| 2358 | + | |
|---|
| 2359 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2360 | + | certification together with the clerks’ certifications a copy of this Act to the 1 |
|---|
| 2361 | + | Secretary of State, who shall record the certification. 2 |
|---|
| 2362 | + | (d) When the Secretary of State records the certification of the Secretary of 3 |
|---|
| 2363 | + | Education, the union school district shall be a body politic and corporate with 4 |
|---|
| 2364 | + | the powers incident to a municipal corporation, shall be known by the name or 5 |
|---|
| 2365 | + | number given in the recorded certification, by that name or number may sue 6 |
|---|
| 2366 | + | and be sued, and may hold and convey real and personal property for the use of 7 |
|---|
| 2367 | + | the union school district. The recorded certification shall be notice to all 8 |
|---|
| 2368 | + | parties of the formation of the union school district with all the powers incident 9 |
|---|
| 2369 | + | to such a district as provided in this title. 10 |
|---|
| 2370 | + | (e) The Secretary of State shall file a certified copy of the recorded 11 |
|---|
| 2371 | + | certification with the clerk of each member district of a new union elementary 12 |
|---|
| 2372 | + | or union high school district and with the town clerk of each town within a new 13 |
|---|
| 2373 | + | unified union school district. The Secretary of State shall file the certified 14 |
|---|
| 2374 | + | copies not later than 14 days after the date on which the Secretary of Education 15 |
|---|
| 2375 | + | certifies the existence of the union school district to the Secretary of State. 16 |
|---|
| 2376 | + | Filing a certified copy with each clerk shall be prima facie evidence of full 17 |
|---|
| 2377 | + | compliance with the requirements for the formation of a union school district 18 |
|---|
| 2378 | + | as set forth in this subchapter. 19 |
|---|
| 2379 | + | * * * 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2380 | + | 2025 Page 98 of 194 |
|---|
| 2381 | + | |
|---|
| 2382 | + | |
|---|
| 2383 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2384 | + | § 715. ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING; NOTICE; BUSINESS TO BE 1 |
|---|
| 2385 | + | TRANSACTED COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS 2 |
|---|
| 2386 | + | (a) Meeting. The union school district shall hold an organizational meeting 3 |
|---|
| 2387 | + | within 60 days after the Secretary of State files the certified copy of the 4 |
|---|
| 2388 | + | recorded certification with each clerk pursuant to subsection 713(e) of this 5 |
|---|
| 2389 | + | chapter. 6 |
|---|
| 2390 | + | (b) Notice. 7 |
|---|
| 2391 | + | (1) The Secretary of Education shall prepare and execute a warning for 8 |
|---|
| 2392 | + | the organizational meeting. The warning shall give notice of the day, hour, 9 |
|---|
| 2393 | + | and location of the meeting and shall itemize the business to be transacted. 10 |
|---|
| 2394 | + | (2) The Secretary of Education shall transmit the signed warning to the 11 |
|---|
| 2395 | + | superintendent, who shall post the warning in at least one public place in each 12 |
|---|
| 2396 | + | town within the union school district and shall cause the warning to be 13 |
|---|
| 2397 | + | published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the towns within the 14 |
|---|
| 2398 | + | union school district. Posting and publication shall be made not more than 40 15 |
|---|
| 2399 | + | days nor less than 30 days before the date of the meeting. 16 |
|---|
| 2400 | + | (3) The union school district shall bear the cost of posting and 17 |
|---|
| 2401 | + | publishing the warning. 18 |
|---|
| 2402 | + | (c) Business to be transacted. 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2403 | + | 2025 Page 99 of 194 |
|---|
| 2404 | + | |
|---|
| 2405 | + | |
|---|
| 2406 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2407 | + | (1) The Secretary or a person designated by the Secretary shall call the 1 |
|---|
| 2408 | + | organizational meeting to order and the registered voters shall consider the 2 |
|---|
| 2409 | + | following items of business: 3 |
|---|
| 2410 | + | (A) Elect a temporary presiding officer and a temporary clerk of the 4 |
|---|
| 2411 | + | union school district from among the voters present at the organizational 5 |
|---|
| 2412 | + | meeting. 6 |
|---|
| 2413 | + | (B) Adopt Robert’s or other rules of order, which shall govern the 7 |
|---|
| 2414 | + | parliamentary procedures of the organizational meeting and all subsequent 8 |
|---|
| 2415 | + | meetings of the union school district. 9 |
|---|
| 2416 | + | (C) Elect a moderator of the union school district from among the 10 |
|---|
| 2417 | + | voters. 11 |
|---|
| 2418 | + | (D) Elect a clerk of the union school district from among the voters 12 |
|---|
| 2419 | + | or vote to authorize the school board to appoint a clerk of the union school 13 |
|---|
| 2420 | + | district from among the voters. 14 |
|---|
| 2421 | + | (E) Elect a treasurer of the union school district or vote to authorize 15 |
|---|
| 2422 | + | the school board to appoint a treasurer of the union school district. The 16 |
|---|
| 2423 | + | treasurer may also be the supervisory union treasurer and need not be a 17 |
|---|
| 2424 | + | resident of the union school district. 18 |
|---|
| 2425 | + | (F) Determine the date and location of the union school district’s 19 |
|---|
| 2426 | + | annual meeting, which shall be not earlier than February 1 nor later than June 20 |
|---|
| 2427 | + | 1, if not previously determined by the voter-approved articles of agreement. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2428 | + | 2025 Page 100 of 194 |
|---|
| 2429 | + | |
|---|
| 2430 | + | |
|---|
| 2431 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2432 | + | (G) Determine whether compensation shall be paid to the moderator, 1 |
|---|
| 2433 | + | clerk, and treasurer of the union school district elected at the organizational 2 |
|---|
| 2434 | + | meeting and at subsequent annual meetings of the union school district and, if 3 |
|---|
| 2435 | + | so, the amount to be paid to them. 4 |
|---|
| 2436 | + | (H) Determine whether compensation shall be paid to members of the 5 |
|---|
| 2437 | + | union school district board and, if so, the amount to be paid to them. 6 |
|---|
| 2438 | + | (I) Establish provisions for payment by the union school district of 7 |
|---|
| 2439 | + | any expense incurred or to be incurred by or on behalf of the district for the 8 |
|---|
| 2440 | + | period between the date on which the voters approved formation of the union 9 |
|---|
| 2441 | + | school district and the first annual meeting of the union district. 10 |
|---|
| 2442 | + | (J) Determine whether to authorize the initial board of the union 11 |
|---|
| 2443 | + | school district to borrow money pending receipt of payments from the 12 |
|---|
| 2444 | + | Education Fund by the issuance of its note payable not later than one year from 13 |
|---|
| 2445 | + | the date of the note. Regardless of whether the voters provide this 14 |
|---|
| 2446 | + | authorization, the initial board is authorized to borrow sufficient funds to meet 15 |
|---|
| 2447 | + | pending obligations until the voters approve a budget for the initial year of 16 |
|---|
| 2448 | + | operation pursuant to subdivision 716(b)(3) of this chapter. 17 |
|---|
| 2449 | + | (K) Transact any other business, the subject matter of which has been 18 |
|---|
| 2450 | + | included in the warning, that the voters have power to transact at any annual or 19 |
|---|
| 2451 | + | special meeting and transact any nonbinding business that may legally come 20 |
|---|
| 2452 | + | before the voters. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2453 | + | 2025 Page 101 of 194 |
|---|
| 2454 | + | |
|---|
| 2455 | + | |
|---|
| 2456 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2457 | + | (2) When there is only one nominee for temporary presiding officer, 1 |
|---|
| 2458 | + | temporary clerk, moderator, district clerk, or district treasurer, the voters may, 2 |
|---|
| 2459 | + | by acclamation, instruct an officer to elect the nominee by casting one ballot, 3 |
|---|
| 2460 | + | and upon the ballot being cast, the nominee shall be legally elected and shall 4 |
|---|
| 2461 | + | thereupon be sworn. 5 |
|---|
| 2462 | + | (3) The elected officers listed in subdivisions (1)(A) (temporary 6 |
|---|
| 2463 | + | presiding officer and temporary clerk), (C) (moderator of the union school 7 |
|---|
| 2464 | + | district), (D) (clerk of the union school district), and (E) (treasurer of the union 8 |
|---|
| 2465 | + | school district) of this subsection shall be sworn in before entering upon the 9 |
|---|
| 2466 | + | duties of their offices and a record made by the district clerk. They shall 10 |
|---|
| 2467 | + | assume office upon being sworn in. The officers listed in subdivisions (1)(C), 11 |
|---|
| 2468 | + | (D), and (E) of this subsection shall serve terms as set forth in section 735 12 |
|---|
| 2469 | + | (unified union school districts; officers) or 753 (union elementary and union 13 |
|---|
| 2470 | + | high school district; officers) of this chapter unless the voters extend the term 14 |
|---|
| 2471 | + | length up to three years. 15 |
|---|
| 2472 | + | (4) Any member of the union school district board not sworn in before the 16 |
|---|
| 2473 | + | organizational meeting pursuant to section 714 of this chapter may be sworn in 17 |
|---|
| 2474 | + | at or after the organizational meeting. The new union district, through its 18 |
|---|
| 2475 | + | board, has and shall exercise all of the authority that is necessary for it to 19 |
|---|
| 2476 | + | prepare for full educational operations beginning on July 1, 2027. On or 20 |
|---|
| 2477 | + | before June 30, 2027, the new union district board shall perform all planning, 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2478 | + | 2025 Page 102 of 194 |
|---|
| 2479 | + | |
|---|
| 2480 | + | |
|---|
| 2481 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2482 | + | transitional, and other related duties necessary to begin operations of the new 1 |
|---|
| 2483 | + | union district on July 1, 2027, including preparing for and negotiating 2 |
|---|
| 2484 | + | contractual agreements, and transacting any other lawful business that comes 3 |
|---|
| 2485 | + | before the board, provided however, that the exercise of such authority by the 4 |
|---|
| 2486 | + | new union district shall not be construed to limit or alter the authority or 5 |
|---|
| 2487 | + | responsibilities of each forming district, which shall remain responsible for 6 |
|---|
| 2488 | + | providing for the education of its resident students until July 1, 2027. 7 |
|---|
| 2489 | + | *** 8 |
|---|
| 2490 | + | § 724. WITHDRAWAL FROM OR DISSOLUTION OF A UNIFIED 9 |
|---|
| 2491 | + | UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT 10 |
|---|
| 2492 | + | (a) Definition. As used in this section, “petitioning town” means the town 11 |
|---|
| 2493 | + | within a unified union school district that seeks to withdraw from the union 12 |
|---|
| 2494 | + | district pursuant to the provisions of this section. 13 |
|---|
| 2495 | + | (b) Withdrawal study committee. 14 |
|---|
| 2496 | + | (1) To initiate the process set forth in this section, the voters residing in 15 |
|---|
| 2497 | + | the petitioning town shall submit petitions to the clerk of the unified union 16 |
|---|
| 2498 | + | school district indicating the petitioners’ desire to withdraw the petitioning 17 |
|---|
| 2499 | + | town from the union district. Individual petitions shall be signed by at least 18 |
|---|
| 2500 | + | five percent of the voters residing in each of the towns within the union school 19 |
|---|
| 2501 | + | district, with each town having its own petition. The petitioners shall submit 20 |
|---|
| 2502 | + | each petition to that town’s town clerk for verification of the voting 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2503 | + | 2025 Page 103 of 194 |
|---|
| 2504 | + | |
|---|
| 2505 | + | |
|---|
| 2506 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2507 | + | registration status of the signors. On a form created by the Secretary of State’s 1 |
|---|
| 2508 | + | Office, and appended to each petition, shall be the names of three voters 2 |
|---|
| 2509 | + | residing in the petitioning town to serve on a withdrawal study committee and 3 |
|---|
| 2510 | + | a signed statement by each of the three named voters consenting to serve. 4 |
|---|
| 2511 | + | Once each petition has been verified by the subject town clerk, the petitioners 5 |
|---|
| 2512 | + | shall submit the petitions to the clerk of the unified union school district. 6 |
|---|
| 2513 | + | (2) Within 30 days after receiving the petition, the board of the union 7 |
|---|
| 2514 | + | district shall recognize the creation of the withdrawal study committee and 8 |
|---|
| 2515 | + | shall appoint a board subcommittee to serve as a liaison between the board and 9 |
|---|
| 2516 | + | the withdrawal study committee and to represent the interests of the union 10 |
|---|
| 2517 | + | district. 11 |
|---|
| 2518 | + | (3) Within 30 days after the board’s appointment of the liaison 12 |
|---|
| 2519 | + | subcommittee, the superintendent of the union district shall convene the first 13 |
|---|
| 2520 | + | formal meeting of the withdrawal study committee. The study committee shall 14 |
|---|
| 2521 | + | elect one committee member to serve as chair. 15 |
|---|
| 2522 | + | (4) Before beginning any analysis under subsection (c) of this section or 16 |
|---|
| 2523 | + | seeking technical or analytical services from the union district staff or 17 |
|---|
| 2524 | + | supervisory union staff, or both, the withdrawal study committee shall obtain a 18 |
|---|
| 2525 | + | letter of commitment from a supervisory union board to explore the provision 19 |
|---|
| 2526 | + | of supervisory union services if withdrawal is ultimately approved. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2527 | + | 2025 Page 104 of 194 |
|---|
| 2528 | + | |
|---|
| 2529 | + | |
|---|
| 2530 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2531 | + | (5) The withdrawal study committee is a public body pursuant to 1 1 |
|---|
| 2532 | + | V.S.A. § 310(4) and is subject to the requirements of chapter 5, subchapter 2 of 2 |
|---|
| 2533 | + | that title. 3 |
|---|
| 2534 | + | (c) Analysis. The withdrawal study committee shall evaluate the strengths 4 |
|---|
| 2535 | + | and challenges of the current union district structure and consider the ways in 5 |
|---|
| 2536 | + | which the union district promotes or fails to promote the State policy set forth 6 |
|---|
| 2537 | + | in section 701 of this chapter. At a minimum, the withdrawal study committee 7 |
|---|
| 2538 | + | shall evaluate: 8 |
|---|
| 2539 | + | (1) the educational advantages and disadvantages likely to result from 9 |
|---|
| 2540 | + | the proposed withdrawal of the petitioning town from the union district: 10 |
|---|
| 2541 | + | (A) on the students residing in the proposed new school district; and 11 |
|---|
| 2542 | + | (B) on the students remaining in the union district if withdrawal is 12 |
|---|
| 2543 | + | approved; 13 |
|---|
| 2544 | + | (2) the educational advantages and disadvantages likely to result from 14 |
|---|
| 2545 | + | the continued inclusion of the petitioning town as a town within the union 15 |
|---|
| 2546 | + | district: 16 |
|---|
| 2547 | + | (A) on the students residing in the petitioning town; and 17 |
|---|
| 2548 | + | (B) on the students residing in the other towns within the union 18 |
|---|
| 2549 | + | district; 19 |
|---|
| 2550 | + | (3) the financial advantages and disadvantages likely to result from the 20 |
|---|
| 2551 | + | proposed withdrawal of the petitioning town from the union district: 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2552 | + | 2025 Page 105 of 194 |
|---|
| 2553 | + | |
|---|
| 2554 | + | |
|---|
| 2555 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2556 | + | (A) on the taxpayers residing in the proposed new school district; and 1 |
|---|
| 2557 | + | (B) on the taxpayers remaining in the union district if withdrawal is 2 |
|---|
| 2558 | + | approved; 3 |
|---|
| 2559 | + | (4) the financial advantages and disadvantages likely to result from the 4 |
|---|
| 2560 | + | continued inclusion of the petitioning town as a town within the union district: 5 |
|---|
| 2561 | + | (A) on the taxpayers residing in the petitioning town; and 6 |
|---|
| 2562 | + | (B) on the taxpayers residing in the other towns within the union 7 |
|---|
| 2563 | + | district; 8 |
|---|
| 2564 | + | (5) the likely operational and financial viability and sustainability of: 9 |
|---|
| 2565 | + | (A) the proposed new school district; and 10 |
|---|
| 2566 | + | (B) the union district if withdrawal is approved; 11 |
|---|
| 2567 | + | (6) any other advantages and disadvantages of withdrawal, including 12 |
|---|
| 2568 | + | any advantages and disadvantages to the students and taxpayers of the region 13 |
|---|
| 2569 | + | and the State; and 14 |
|---|
| 2570 | + | (7) the potential source of supervisory union services for the proposed 15 |
|---|
| 2571 | + | new school district, including discussions with the board of any supervisory 16 |
|---|
| 2572 | + | union to which the report of the withdrawal study committee might propose 17 |
|---|
| 2573 | + | assignment. 18 |
|---|
| 2574 | + | (d) Report, including a plan for withdrawal; decision not to prepare report. 19 |
|---|
| 2575 | + | (1) Report supporting withdrawal. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2576 | + | 2025 Page 106 of 194 |
|---|
| 2577 | + | |
|---|
| 2578 | + | |
|---|
| 2579 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2580 | + | (A) If, after conducting the analysis required by subsection (c) of this 1 |
|---|
| 2581 | + | section, the withdrawal study committee votes to advance the withdrawal 2 |
|---|
| 2582 | + | process as further outlined in this section, then the committee shall prepare a 3 |
|---|
| 2583 | + | report, which it shall deliver electronically to the union district board and 4 |
|---|
| 2584 | + | which the superintendent shall publish on the district’s website. 5 |
|---|
| 2585 | + | (B) At a minimum, the report shall include: 6 |
|---|
| 2586 | + | (i) the analysis conducted pursuant to subsection (c) of this 7 |
|---|
| 2587 | + | section, describing the ways in which the data and analysis: 8 |
|---|
| 2588 | + | (I) support withdrawal; and 9 |
|---|
| 2589 | + | (II) do not support the continuation of the union district in its 10 |
|---|
| 2590 | + | current configuration; 11 |
|---|
| 2591 | + | (ii) the proposed financial terms of withdrawal, including the 12 |
|---|
| 2592 | + | proposed ownership of buildings and other assets and the proposed 13 |
|---|
| 2593 | + | responsibility for financial and other contractual obligations, including debts; 14 |
|---|
| 2594 | + | (iii) a plan, including a detailed timeline, for the actions the 15 |
|---|
| 2595 | + | proposed new school district would take to ensure that, on a proposed 16 |
|---|
| 2596 | + | operational date, it could provide for the education of its students in 17 |
|---|
| 2597 | + | prekindergarten through grade 12 by operating all grades, tuitioning all grades, 18 |
|---|
| 2598 | + | or operating some grades and tuitioning the remainder, in a manner that will 19 |
|---|
| 2599 | + | meet educational quality standards as required by section 165 of this title, and 20 |
|---|
| 2600 | + | including, if applicable, the process by which the proposed new school district 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2601 | + | 2025 Page 107 of 194 |
|---|
| 2602 | + | |
|---|
| 2603 | + | |
|---|
| 2604 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2605 | + | would explore formation of a new union school district with one or more other 1 |
|---|
| 2606 | + | school districts in the region and would integrate or condition any votes to 2 |
|---|
| 2607 | + | withdraw with votes on formation of a new union district; and 3 |
|---|
| 2608 | + | (iv) a proposal, including analysis, for the potential source of 4 |
|---|
| 2609 | + | supervisory union services for the proposed new school district, including, if 5 |
|---|
| 2610 | + | applicable to the proposal: 6 |
|---|
| 2611 | + | (I) a recommendation of one or more potential supervisory 7 |
|---|
| 2612 | + | unions to which the State Board could assign the proposed new school district; 8 |
|---|
| 2613 | + | and 9 |
|---|
| 2614 | + | (II) a statement from the board of the potential supervisory 10 |
|---|
| 2615 | + | union or unions regarding the ability and willingness to accept the proposed 11 |
|---|
| 2616 | + | new school district as a member district. 12 |
|---|
| 2617 | + | (C) Within 45 days following receipt of the withdrawal study 13 |
|---|
| 2618 | + | committee report, the union district board shall invite the members of the 14 |
|---|
| 2619 | + | withdrawal study committee to attend a regularly scheduled meeting of the 15 |
|---|
| 2620 | + | board to present the contents of its report and to answer any questions posed by 16 |
|---|
| 2621 | + | the board. The board shall also invite the members of the liaison 17 |
|---|
| 2622 | + | subcommittee to share any analysis and conclusions at the meeting. The 18 |
|---|
| 2623 | + | withdrawal study committee has sole authority to determine the contents of its 19 |
|---|
| 2624 | + | report. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2625 | + | 2025 Page 108 of 194 |
|---|
| 2626 | + | |
|---|
| 2627 | + | |
|---|
| 2628 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2629 | + | (2) Decision not to propose withdrawal. If, after conducting the analysis 1 |
|---|
| 2630 | + | required by subsection (c) of this section, the withdrawal study committee 2 |
|---|
| 2631 | + | votes not to approve advancement of the withdrawal process, then: 3 |
|---|
| 2632 | + | (A) the withdrawal study committee shall prepare a brief written 4 |
|---|
| 2633 | + | statement explaining the reasons underlying the votes supporting and not 5 |
|---|
| 2634 | + | supporting advancement, which it shall deliver electronically to the union 6 |
|---|
| 2635 | + | district board and which the superintendent shall publish on the district’s 7 |
|---|
| 2636 | + | website; 8 |
|---|
| 2637 | + | (B) within 45 days following receipt of the withdrawal study 9 |
|---|
| 2638 | + | committee report, the union district board shall invite the members of the 10 |
|---|
| 2639 | + | withdrawal study committee to attend a regularly scheduled meeting of the 11 |
|---|
| 2640 | + | board to present the contents of the written statement and to answer any 12 |
|---|
| 2641 | + | questions posed by the board; and 13 |
|---|
| 2642 | + | (C) the withdrawal study committee shall cease to exist upon 14 |
|---|
| 2643 | + | adjournment of the union district board’s meeting. 15 |
|---|
| 2644 | + | (e) Secretary and State Board. 16 |
|---|
| 2645 | + | (1) Secretary. If the study committee voted to proceed pursuant to 17 |
|---|
| 2646 | + | subdivision (d)(1) of this section, then within 30 days after attending the union 18 |
|---|
| 2647 | + | district board meeting pursuant to subdivision (d)(1)(C) of this section, it shall 19 |
|---|
| 2648 | + | deliver its report electronically to the Secretary for review. The liaison 20 |
|---|
| 2649 | + | subcommittee may also submit a report outlining its analysis and conclusions. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2650 | + | 2025 Page 109 of 194 |
|---|
| 2651 | + | |
|---|
| 2652 | + | |
|---|
| 2653 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2654 | + | The Secretary shall submit the report or reports, with recommendations, to the 1 |
|---|
| 2655 | + | State Board. 2 |
|---|
| 2656 | + | (2) State Board review. The State Board: 3 |
|---|
| 2657 | + | (A) shall consider the report or reports and the Secretary’s 4 |
|---|
| 2658 | + | recommendations; 5 |
|---|
| 2659 | + | (B) shall provide representatives of the withdrawal study committee 6 |
|---|
| 2660 | + | and the liaison subcommittee an opportunity to be heard; 7 |
|---|
| 2661 | + | (C) may, in its discretion, take testimony from other individuals and 8 |
|---|
| 2662 | + | entities; 9 |
|---|
| 2663 | + | (D) may ask the Secretary, the withdrawal study committee, or the 10 |
|---|
| 2664 | + | liaison subcommittee to make further investigation and may consider any other 11 |
|---|
| 2665 | + | information the State Board deems to be pertinent; and 12 |
|---|
| 2666 | + | (E) may request the members of the withdrawal study committee to 13 |
|---|
| 2667 | + | amend the report. 14 |
|---|
| 2668 | + | (3) State Board action. 15 |
|---|
| 2669 | + | (A) Advisory opinion with positive recommendation. If the State 16 |
|---|
| 2670 | + | Board finds that the withdrawal proposal contained in the report, including the 17 |
|---|
| 2671 | + | most feasible options for the provision of supervisory union services to the 18 |
|---|
| 2672 | + | proposed new school district, is in the best interests of the State, the region, the 19 |
|---|
| 2673 | + | students, and the school districts and aligns with the policy set forth in section 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2674 | + | 2025 Page 110 of 194 |
|---|
| 2675 | + | |
|---|
| 2676 | + | |
|---|
| 2677 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2678 | + | 701 of this title, then within 90 days after receiving the report of the study 1 |
|---|
| 2679 | + | committee the State Board shall: 2 |
|---|
| 2680 | + | (i) issue an opinion recommending approval of the withdrawal 3 |
|---|
| 2681 | + | proposal; 4 |
|---|
| 2682 | + | (ii) provide a preliminary assessment of most feasible options for 5 |
|---|
| 2683 | + | the provision of supervisory union services to the proposed new school district 6 |
|---|
| 2684 | + | if withdrawal is approved by the voters; and 7 |
|---|
| 2685 | + | (iii) make any other finding or declaration, and approve any other 8 |
|---|
| 2686 | + | motion, related and necessary to the withdrawal proposal. 9 |
|---|
| 2687 | + | (B) Advisory opinion with negative recommendation. If the State 10 |
|---|
| 2688 | + | Board finds that the withdrawal proposal contained in the report, including the 11 |
|---|
| 2689 | + | most feasible options for the provision of supervisory union services to the 12 |
|---|
| 2690 | + | proposed new school district, is not in the best interests of the State, the region, 13 |
|---|
| 2691 | + | the students, and the school districts or does not align with the policy set forth 14 |
|---|
| 2692 | + | in section 701 of this title, or both, then within 90 days after receiving the 15 |
|---|
| 2693 | + | report of the study committee the State Board shall: 16 |
|---|
| 2694 | + | (i) issue an opinion recommending disapproval of the withdrawal 17 |
|---|
| 2695 | + | proposal, including a written statement detailing the reasons supporting this 18 |
|---|
| 2696 | + | conclusion; 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2697 | + | 2025 Page 111 of 194 |
|---|
| 2698 | + | |
|---|
| 2699 | + | |
|---|
| 2700 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2701 | + | (ii) provide a preliminary assessment of most feasible options for 1 |
|---|
| 2702 | + | the provision of supervisory union services to the proposed new school district 2 |
|---|
| 2703 | + | if withdrawal is approved by the voters; and 3 |
|---|
| 2704 | + | (iii) make any other finding or declaration and approve any other 4 |
|---|
| 2705 | + | motion related and necessary to the withdrawal proposal. 5 |
|---|
| 2706 | + | (f) Vote of the electorate. 6 |
|---|
| 2707 | + | (1) Vote following positive recommendation of the State Board. 7 |
|---|
| 2708 | + | (A) Within 30 days after receipt of the State Board’s written 8 |
|---|
| 2709 | + | recommendation, the superintendent shall file the withdrawal study 9 |
|---|
| 2710 | + | committee’s report, the State Board’s written recommendation, and any report 10 |
|---|
| 2711 | + | of the liaison subcommittee with the clerk of the union district and the town 11 |
|---|
| 2712 | + | clerk of each town within the union district. 12 |
|---|
| 2713 | + | (B) Within 90 days after the clerk of the union district receiving the 13 |
|---|
| 2714 | + | reports and recommendations described in subdivision (A) of this subsection, 14 |
|---|
| 2715 | + | the voters of the union district, including those residing in the petitioning town, 15 |
|---|
| 2716 | + | shall vote whether to approve withdrawal as set forth in the report. The 16 |
|---|
| 2717 | + | question shall be determined by Australian ballot and shall proceed pursuant to 17 |
|---|
| 2718 | + | sections 737 (warnings of unified union school district meetings) and 739–741 18 |
|---|
| 2719 | + | (vote by Australian ballot) of this chapter. The ballots shall not be 19 |
|---|
| 2720 | + | commingled. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2721 | + | 2025 Page 112 of 194 |
|---|
| 2722 | + | |
|---|
| 2723 | + | |
|---|
| 2724 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2725 | + | (C) Withdrawal from the union district shall occur if the question is 1 |
|---|
| 2726 | + | approved by a majority vote of the union district voters living in each town 2 |
|---|
| 2727 | + | within the district, including the petitioning town. If a majority of the voters in 3 |
|---|
| 2728 | + | one or more towns within the union district do not vote in favor of withdrawal, 4 |
|---|
| 2729 | + | then the proposed withdrawal shall not occur. 5 |
|---|
| 2730 | + | (D) Within 45 days after the vote or 15 days after a vote to reconsider 6 |
|---|
| 2731 | + | the original vote under 17 V.S.A. § 2661, whichever is later, the clerk of each 7 |
|---|
| 2732 | + | town within the union district shall certify the results of the vote to the 8 |
|---|
| 2733 | + | Secretary of Education, and the Secretary shall advise the State Board of the 9 |
|---|
| 2734 | + | certified results. Each clerk shall submit the certification regardless of whether 10 |
|---|
| 2735 | + | the voters in that town approved withdrawal. The withdrawal study committee 11 |
|---|
| 2736 | + | shall cease to exist when each clerk has submitted a certification to the 12 |
|---|
| 2737 | + | Secretary. 13 |
|---|
| 2738 | + | (2) Vote following negative recommendation of the State Board. 14 |
|---|
| 2739 | + | (A) The superintendent shall file the withdrawal study committee’s 15 |
|---|
| 2740 | + | report, the State Board’s written recommendation, and any report of the liaison 16 |
|---|
| 2741 | + | subcommittee with the clerk of the union district and with the town clerk of 17 |
|---|
| 2742 | + | each town within the union district. 18 |
|---|
| 2743 | + | (B) The union district voters residing in the petitioning town shall 19 |
|---|
| 2744 | + | vote whether to withdraw from the union district pursuant to the terms set forth 20 |
|---|
| 2745 | + | in the report. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2746 | + | 2025 Page 113 of 194 |
|---|
| 2747 | + | |
|---|
| 2748 | + | |
|---|
| 2749 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2750 | + | (i) The question shall be determined by Australian ballot and shall 1 |
|---|
| 2751 | + | proceed pursuant to sections 737 (warnings of unified union school district 2 |
|---|
| 2752 | + | meetings) and 739–741 (vote by Australian ballot) of this chapter. 3 |
|---|
| 2753 | + | (ii) The withdrawal proposal shall proceed to a vote in each of the 4 |
|---|
| 2754 | + | other towns within the union district only if approved by a majority of the 5 |
|---|
| 2755 | + | union district voters residing in the petitioning town present and voting yes or 6 |
|---|
| 2756 | + | no on the warned question. If a majority of the voters in the petitioning town 7 |
|---|
| 2757 | + | do not vote in favor of withdrawal, then the proposed withdrawal shall not 8 |
|---|
| 2758 | + | occur. 9 |
|---|
| 2759 | + | (C) Within 45 days after the vote in subdivision (B) of this 10 |
|---|
| 2760 | + | subdivision (f)(2) or 15 days after a vote to reconsider the original vote under 11 |
|---|
| 2761 | + | 17 V.S.A. § 2661, whichever is later, the clerk of the petitioning town shall 12 |
|---|
| 2762 | + | certify the results of the vote to the Secretary of State who shall record the 13 |
|---|
| 2763 | + | certificate and give notice of the vote to the clerk of the union district, the 14 |
|---|
| 2764 | + | clerks of each of the other towns within the union district, and the Secretary of 15 |
|---|
| 2765 | + | Education. The clerk of the petitioning town shall submit the certification 16 |
|---|
| 2766 | + | regardless of whether the voters in the petitioning town approved withdrawal. 17 |
|---|
| 2767 | + | The withdrawal study committee shall cease to exist upon submission of the 18 |
|---|
| 2768 | + | certification. 19 |
|---|
| 2769 | + | (D) If the union district voters residing in the petitioning town 20 |
|---|
| 2770 | + | approve the withdrawal proposal pursuant to subdivision (B) of this 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2771 | + | 2025 Page 114 of 194 |
|---|
| 2772 | + | |
|---|
| 2773 | + | |
|---|
| 2774 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2775 | + | subdivision (f)(2), then, within 90 days after receiving notice of the 1 |
|---|
| 2776 | + | certification as required in subdivision (C) of this subdivision (f)(2), the voters 2 |
|---|
| 2777 | + | of the union district residing in each of the other towns shall vote on the same 3 |
|---|
| 2778 | + | day whether to approve withdrawal of the petitioning town as set forth in the 4 |
|---|
| 2779 | + | final report. 5 |
|---|
| 2780 | + | (i) The question shall be determined by Australian ballot and shall 6 |
|---|
| 2781 | + | proceed pursuant to sections 737 (warnings of unified union school district 7 |
|---|
| 2782 | + | meetings) and 739–741 (vote by Australian ballot) of this chapter. The ballots 8 |
|---|
| 2783 | + | shall not be commingled. 9 |
|---|
| 2784 | + | (ii) Withdrawal from the union district shall occur if the question 10 |
|---|
| 2785 | + | is approved by a majority vote of the union district voters living in each of the 11 |
|---|
| 2786 | + | other towns within the union district. If a majority of the voters in one or more 12 |
|---|
| 2787 | + | towns within the union district do not vote in favor of withdrawal, then the 13 |
|---|
| 2788 | + | proposed withdrawal shall not occur. 14 |
|---|
| 2789 | + | (E) Within 45 days after the vote in subdivision (D) of this 15 |
|---|
| 2790 | + | subdivision (f)(2) or 15 days after a vote to reconsider the original vote under 16 |
|---|
| 2791 | + | 17 V.S.A. § 2661, whichever is later, the clerk of each of the other towns 17 |
|---|
| 2792 | + | within the union district shall certify the results of the vote to the Secretary of 18 |
|---|
| 2793 | + | Education, and the Secretary shall advise the State Board of the certified 19 |
|---|
| 2794 | + | results. Each clerk shall submit the certification regardless of whether the 20 |
|---|
| 2795 | + | voters in that town approved withdrawal. The withdrawal study committee 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2796 | + | 2025 Page 115 of 194 |
|---|
| 2797 | + | |
|---|
| 2798 | + | |
|---|
| 2799 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2800 | + | shall cease to exist when each clerk has submitted a certification to the 1 |
|---|
| 2801 | + | Secretary. 2 |
|---|
| 2802 | + | (g) Election of potential board members. On the day on which they vote 3 |
|---|
| 2803 | + | whether to approve withdrawal, the union district voters residing in the 4 |
|---|
| 2804 | + | petitioning town shall also vote for three individual registered voters from the 5 |
|---|
| 2805 | + | petitioning town to serve as the initial members of the proposed new school 6 |
|---|
| 2806 | + | district’s board if withdrawal is approved. The nomination and election of the 7 |
|---|
| 2807 | + | initial members shall proceed pursuant to subdivision 730(a)(1) of this chapter 8 |
|---|
| 2808 | + | (election of board members under the proportional to town model by 9 |
|---|
| 2809 | + | Australian ballot). The term of office for each initial member shall be arranged 10 |
|---|
| 2810 | + | so that one term expires on the day of the second annual meeting of the 11 |
|---|
| 2811 | + | proposed new school district, one term expires on the day of the third annual 12 |
|---|
| 2812 | + | meeting, and one term expires on the day of the fourth annual meeting. 13 |
|---|
| 2813 | + | (h) State Board’s duties if withdrawal is approved. If the union district 14 |
|---|
| 2814 | + | voters approve withdrawal pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, then upon 15 |
|---|
| 2815 | + | receiving notice from the Secretary pursuant to subdivision (f)(1)(D) or 16 |
|---|
| 2816 | + | (f)(2)(E) of this section, the State Board shall: 17 |
|---|
| 2817 | + | (1) Declare the withdrawal approved as of the date of the Board’s 18 |
|---|
| 2818 | + | meeting; provided, however, that withdrawal shall not be final until the date 19 |
|---|
| 2819 | + | identified in the voter-approved proposal of withdrawal. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2820 | + | 2025 Page 116 of 194 |
|---|
| 2821 | + | |
|---|
| 2822 | + | |
|---|
| 2823 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2824 | + | (2) Declare the creation and existence of the new school district, 1 |
|---|
| 2825 | + | effective on the date of the Board’s declaration; provided, however, that: 2 |
|---|
| 2826 | + | (A) the new school district shall assume full and sole responsibility 3 |
|---|
| 2827 | + | for the education of its resident students on the date identified in the voter-4 |
|---|
| 2828 | + | approved proposal of withdrawal; and 5 |
|---|
| 2829 | + | (B) until the identified operational date, the new school district shall 6 |
|---|
| 2830 | + | exist for the sole purposes of: 7 |
|---|
| 2831 | + | (i) convening an organizational meeting of the voters of the new 8 |
|---|
| 2832 | + | school district to prepare the district to assume its responsibilities; 9 |
|---|
| 2833 | + | (ii) organizing the school board of the new school district, which 10 |
|---|
| 2834 | + | shall be responsible for preparing a proposed budget for the fiscal year 11 |
|---|
| 2835 | + | beginning on the identified operational date; 12 |
|---|
| 2836 | + | (iii) approving the budget of the new school district for the fiscal 13 |
|---|
| 2837 | + | year beginning on the identified operational date; and 14 |
|---|
| 2838 | + | (iv) taking any other actions necessary, as district voters or as a 15 |
|---|
| 2839 | + | school board, for the new school district to assume full responsibility for 16 |
|---|
| 2840 | + | providing for the education of the district’s resident students in all grades, 17 |
|---|
| 2841 | + | prekindergarten through grade 12, on the identified operational date. 18 |
|---|
| 2842 | + | (3) Determine or set a schedule for determining the manner in which 19 |
|---|
| 2843 | + | supervisory union services will be provided to the new school district, to be 20 |
|---|
| 2844 | + | effective on the district’s identified operational date. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2845 | + | 2025 Page 117 of 194 |
|---|
| 2846 | + | |
|---|
| 2847 | + | |
|---|
| 2848 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2849 | + | (A) In addition to the considerations set forth in section 261 of this 1 |
|---|
| 2850 | + | title, when the State Board makes its determination, it shall consider the 2 |
|---|
| 2851 | + | potential positive and negative consequences on all affected districts and 3 |
|---|
| 2852 | + | supervisory unions if supervisory union services were provided to the new 4 |
|---|
| 2853 | + | school district in a manner that required: 5 |
|---|
| 2854 | + | (i) a union district serving as its own supervisory district to 6 |
|---|
| 2855 | + | become a member of a multidistrict supervisory union; or 7 |
|---|
| 2856 | + | (ii) a neighboring supervisory union to accept one or more 8 |
|---|
| 2857 | + | additional districts that the supervisory union testifies it is not able to 9 |
|---|
| 2858 | + | accommodate. 10 |
|---|
| 2859 | + | (B) If assigned to a multidistrict supervisory union, then the board of 11 |
|---|
| 2860 | + | the new school district may appoint its members to the supervisory union 12 |
|---|
| 2861 | + | board pursuant to section 266 of this title, where they may participate as 13 |
|---|
| 2862 | + | nonvoting members of that board until the new school district’s operational 14 |
|---|
| 2863 | + | date. 15 |
|---|
| 2864 | + | (i) Certification; Secretary of State. If the State Board declares the creation 16 |
|---|
| 2865 | + | and existence of a new school district pursuant to subdivision (h)(2) of this 17 |
|---|
| 2866 | + | section, then within 30 days following such action the Secretary of Education 18 |
|---|
| 2867 | + | shall certify the adjustment of the towns within the union district to the 19 |
|---|
| 2868 | + | Secretary of State. When the Secretary of State records the certification of the 20 |
|---|
| 2869 | + | Secretary of Education, the towns within the union district shall be adjusted 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2870 | + | 2025 Page 118 of 194 |
|---|
| 2871 | + | |
|---|
| 2872 | + | |
|---|
| 2873 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2874 | + | accordingly; provided, however, that the voter-approved proposal of 1 |
|---|
| 2875 | + | withdrawal shall establish the date on which withdrawal shall be final, the new 2 |
|---|
| 2876 | + | school district shall assume full and sole responsibility for the education of its 3 |
|---|
| 2877 | + | resident students, and the union school district shall no longer have 4 |
|---|
| 2878 | + | responsibility for the education of those students. Not more than 14 days after 5 |
|---|
| 2879 | + | the date the Secretary of Education certifies the adjustment, the Secretary of 6 |
|---|
| 2880 | + | State shall file a certified copy of the recorded certification with the clerk of 7 |
|---|
| 2881 | + | the union district and the clerk for the town in which the new school district is 8 |
|---|
| 2882 | + | located. Filing a certified copy with the clerks shall be prima facie evidence of 9 |
|---|
| 2883 | + | full compliance with the requirements for adjusting the union school district by 10 |
|---|
| 2884 | + | withdrawal as set forth in this section. 11 |
|---|
| 2885 | + | (j) Timing of action. 12 |
|---|
| 2886 | + | (1) The voters residing in any town within a union district shall not 13 |
|---|
| 2887 | + | initiate the withdrawal process set forth in this section within the first year after 14 |
|---|
| 2888 | + | the latter of the operational date of a newly formed union district or, if 15 |
|---|
| 2889 | + | applicable, the operational date of a union district adjusted pursuant to 16 |
|---|
| 2890 | + | subsection (i) of this section. 17 |
|---|
| 2891 | + | (2) If a petitioning town’s action to withdraw from a union school 18 |
|---|
| 2892 | + | district is unsuccessful, then the voters residing in that town shall not initiate a 19 |
|---|
| 2893 | + | new withdrawal action under this section until two years after either a 20 |
|---|
| 2894 | + | withdrawal study committee votes not to approve advancement of the 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2895 | + | 2025 Page 119 of 194 |
|---|
| 2896 | + | |
|---|
| 2897 | + | |
|---|
| 2898 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2899 | + | withdrawal process or the vote by the voters that concluded the initial 1 |
|---|
| 2900 | + | withdrawal action. [Repealed.] 2 |
|---|
| 2901 | + | * * * 3 |
|---|
| 2902 | + | Sec. 15. 16 V.S.A. § 564 is added to read: 4 |
|---|
| 2903 | + | § 564. SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEES 5 |
|---|
| 2904 | + | (a) Each school district shall establish a local school advisory committee 6 |
|---|
| 2905 | + | for each school. These committees shall have membership from parents, 7 |
|---|
| 2906 | + | community members and students to represent the gender, racial, and 8 |
|---|
| 2907 | + | socioeconomic diversity of the school community, and shall serve in an 9 |
|---|
| 2908 | + | advisory role to the school administration. 10 |
|---|
| 2909 | + | (b) Building level principals will administer the application and 11 |
|---|
| 2910 | + | membership process for the school advisory committees. School advisory 12 |
|---|
| 2911 | + | committees shall provide input to the school board on equitable budgeting 13 |
|---|
| 2912 | + | parameters and feedback on the proposed school district budget each year. 14 |
|---|
| 2913 | + | (c) A school advisory committee shall, through the administration of the 15 |
|---|
| 2914 | + | building level principal, direct a designated portion of the funding allocated to 16 |
|---|
| 2915 | + | the school it represents. Annually, the school board shall determine the 17 |
|---|
| 2916 | + | amount that each school advisory committee will have authority to direct, 18 |
|---|
| 2917 | + | which shall be equitable with respect to school size or school budget size. 19 |
|---|
| 2918 | + | Before funds are expended, the school board shall approve the proposed plan 20 |
|---|
| 2919 | + | developed by the school advisory committee. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2920 | + | 2025 Page 120 of 194 |
|---|
| 2921 | + | |
|---|
| 2922 | + | |
|---|
| 2923 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2924 | + | Sec. 16. 16 V.S.A. § 821 is amended to read: 1 |
|---|
| 2925 | + | § 821. SCHOOL DISTRICT TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY 2 |
|---|
| 2926 | + | SCHOOLS OR PAY TUITION 3 |
|---|
| 2927 | + | (a) Each school district shall maintain one or more approved schools within 4 |
|---|
| 2928 | + | the district in which elementary education for its resident students in 5 |
|---|
| 2929 | + | kindergarten through grade six is provided unless: 6 |
|---|
| 2930 | + | (1) the electorate authorizes the school board to provide for the 7 |
|---|
| 2931 | + | elementary education of the students by paying tuition in accordance with law 8 |
|---|
| 2932 | + | to one or more public elementary schools in one or more school districts; 9 |
|---|
| 2933 | + | (2) the school district is organized to provide only high school education 10 |
|---|
| 2934 | + | for its students; or 11 |
|---|
| 2935 | + | (3) the General Assembly provides otherwise. 12 |
|---|
| 2936 | + | (b) A school board shall adopt a policy on intra-district grade K–8 choice 13 |
|---|
| 2937 | + | and update the policy as appropriate. The policy shall state whether and to 14 |
|---|
| 2938 | + | what extent resident students in elementary grades can choose a school 15 |
|---|
| 2939 | + | operated by the school district other than the school designated by the district 16 |
|---|
| 2940 | + | for the student’s town of residence. 17 |
|---|
| 2941 | + | (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, without previous 18 |
|---|
| 2942 | + | authorization by the electorate, a school board in a district that operates an 19 |
|---|
| 2943 | + | elementary school may pay tuition for elementary students who reside near a 20 |
|---|
| 2944 | + | public elementary school in an adjacent district upon request of the student’s 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2945 | + | 2025 Page 121 of 194 |
|---|
| 2946 | + | |
|---|
| 2947 | + | |
|---|
| 2948 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2949 | + | parent or guardian, if in the board’s judgment the student’s education can be 1 |
|---|
| 2950 | + | more conveniently furnished there due to geographic considerations. Within 30 2 |
|---|
| 2951 | + | days of the board’s decision, a parent or guardian who is dissatisfied with the 3 |
|---|
| 2952 | + | decision of the board under this subsection may request a determination by the 4 |
|---|
| 2953 | + | Secretary, who shall have authority to direct the school board to pay all, some, 5 |
|---|
| 2954 | + | or none of the student’s tuition and whose decision shall be final. [Repealed.] 6 |
|---|
| 2955 | + | (d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a)(1) of this section, the electorate of a 7 |
|---|
| 2956 | + | school district that does not maintain an elementary school may grant general 8 |
|---|
| 2957 | + | authority to the school board to pay tuition for an elementary student at an 9 |
|---|
| 2958 | + | approved independent elementary school or an independent school meeting 10 |
|---|
| 2959 | + | education quality standards pursuant to sections 823 and 828 of this chapter 11 |
|---|
| 2960 | + | upon notice given by the student’s parent or legal guardian before April 15 for 12 |
|---|
| 2961 | + | the next academic year. [Repealed.] 13 |
|---|
| 2962 | + | Sec. 17. 16 V.S.A. § 822 is amended to read: 14 |
|---|
| 2963 | + | § 822. SCHOOL DISTRICT TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS OR 15 |
|---|
| 2964 | + | PAY TUITION; SCHOOL CHOICE SCHOOLS 16 |
|---|
| 2965 | + | (a) Each school district shall maintain one or more approved high schools 17 |
|---|
| 2966 | + | in which high school education is provided for its resident students unless: 18 |
|---|
| 2967 | + | (1) the electorate authorizes the school board to close an existing high 19 |
|---|
| 2968 | + | school and to provide for the high school education of its students by paying 20 |
|---|
| 2969 | + | tuition to a public high school, an approved independent high school, or an 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2970 | + | 2025 Page 122 of 194 |
|---|
| 2971 | + | |
|---|
| 2972 | + | |
|---|
| 2973 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2974 | + | independent school meeting education quality standards, to be selected by the 1 |
|---|
| 2975 | + | parents or guardians of the student, within or outside the State; or 2 |
|---|
| 2976 | + | (2) the school district is organized to provide only elementary education 3 |
|---|
| 2977 | + | for its students. 4 |
|---|
| 2978 | + | (b) For purposes of this section, a school district that is organized to 5 |
|---|
| 2979 | + | provide kindergarten through grade 12 and maintains a program of education 6 |
|---|
| 2980 | + | for only the first eight years of compulsory school attendance shall be 7 |
|---|
| 2981 | + | obligated to pay tuition for its resident students for at least four additional 8 |
|---|
| 2982 | + | years. A school board shall designate at least one public or independent school 9 |
|---|
| 2983 | + | that operates grades nine through 12 to receive incoming students. This school 10 |
|---|
| 2984 | + | shall be known as a school choice school. The school board is not required to 11 |
|---|
| 2985 | + | designate an independent school if it instead designates one or more public 12 |
|---|
| 2986 | + | schools. If the school choice school designated by the district is an 13 |
|---|
| 2987 | + | independent school, it shall first be certified by the Agency of Education as 14 |
|---|
| 2988 | + | meeting the school choice school requirements in section 166 of this title. Any 15 |
|---|
| 2989 | + | such designation shall be for a period of five years. 16 |
|---|
| 2990 | + | (1) After reviewing the portfolio of school options for grades nine 17 |
|---|
| 2991 | + | through 12 in the district, the school board shall adopt a policy on grade nine 18 |
|---|
| 2992 | + | through 12 school choice and update the policy as appropriate. The policy 19 |
|---|
| 2993 | + | shall take into consideration historic patterns of attendance, capacity of 20 |
|---|
| 2994 | + | schools, and attendance and geographic needs of the district, along with 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 2995 | + | 2025 Page 123 of 194 |
|---|
| 2996 | + | |
|---|
| 2997 | + | |
|---|
| 2998 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 2999 | + | student interest for specialized educational programming. The policy shall 1 |
|---|
| 3000 | + | state a number of resident students in grades nine through 12 that can 2 |
|---|
| 3001 | + | participate in school choice, which shall be not less than 10 percent of the 3 |
|---|
| 3002 | + | number of resident students in grades nine through 12 for a given year. 4 |
|---|
| 3003 | + | (2) If the district will operate one or more of its public schools as a 5 |
|---|
| 3004 | + | school choice school, then the school board shall annually announce the 6 |
|---|
| 3005 | + | capacity for incoming students to attend each such school or schools. 7 |
|---|
| 3006 | + | (c)(1) A school district may both maintain a high school and furnish high 8 |
|---|
| 3007 | + | school education by paying tuition: 9 |
|---|
| 3008 | + | (A) to a public school as in the judgment of the school board may 10 |
|---|
| 3009 | + | best serve the interests of the students; or 11 |
|---|
| 3010 | + | (B) to an approved independent school or an independent school 12 |
|---|
| 3011 | + | meeting education quality standards if the school board judges that a student 13 |
|---|
| 3012 | + | has unique educational needs that cannot be served within the district or at a 14 |
|---|
| 3013 | + | nearby public school Subject to the provisions of subsection (a)(1) of this 15 |
|---|
| 3014 | + | section, if more than the allowable number of students wish to participate in 16 |
|---|
| 3015 | + | school choice, then the district shall use a nondiscriminatory lottery system for 17 |
|---|
| 3016 | + | determining which students may participate in school choice. 18 |
|---|
| 3017 | + | (2) The judgment of the board shall be final in regard to the institution 19 |
|---|
| 3018 | + | the students may attend at public cost. Subject to the provisions of subdivision 20 |
|---|
| 3019 | + | (a)(2) of this section, if more than the allowable number of students wish to 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3020 | + | 2025 Page 124 of 194 |
|---|
| 3021 | + | |
|---|
| 3022 | + | |
|---|
| 3023 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3024 | + | transfer to a school choice school operated by the district, then the district shall 1 |
|---|
| 3025 | + | use a nondiscriminatory lottery system for determining which students may 2 |
|---|
| 3026 | + | transfer to the school choice school. 3 |
|---|
| 3027 | + | (A) the district shall give preference to the school choice request of a 4 |
|---|
| 3028 | + | student whose request to participate in school choice was denied in a prior 5 |
|---|
| 3029 | + | year; 6 |
|---|
| 3030 | + | (B) the district shall give preference to siblings of students who are 7 |
|---|
| 3031 | + | currently enrolled in the school choice school; 8 |
|---|
| 3032 | + | (C) the district shall give preference to students who reside closer to 9 |
|---|
| 3033 | + | the school choice school than a different school operated by the district. 10 |
|---|
| 3034 | + | Sec. 18. REPEALS 11 |
|---|
| 3035 | + | 16 V.S.A. § 822a (public high school choice) and 16 V.S.A. § 823 12 |
|---|
| 3036 | + | (elementary tuition) are repealed on July 1, 2027. 13 |
|---|
| 3037 | + | Sec. 19. 16 V.S.A. § 824 is amended to read: 14 |
|---|
| 3038 | + | § 824. HIGH SCHOOL TUITION PAYMENT TO SCHOOL CHOICE 15 |
|---|
| 3039 | + | SCHOOLS 16 |
|---|
| 3040 | + | (a) Tuition Payment for high school students attending a school choice 17 |
|---|
| 3041 | + | school that is an independent school as defined in section 166 of this title shall 18 |
|---|
| 3042 | + | be paid by the school district in which the student is a resident Agency of 19 |
|---|
| 3043 | + | Education in an amount equal to the weighted base education amount per 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3044 | + | 2025 Page 125 of 194 |
|---|
| 3045 | + | |
|---|
| 3046 | + | |
|---|
| 3047 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3048 | + | student as described in section 4001 of this title. The Agency of Education 1 |
|---|
| 3049 | + | shall establish rules to govern the schedule and procedures for such payments. 2 |
|---|
| 3050 | + | (b) Except as otherwise provided for technical students, the district shall 3 |
|---|
| 3051 | + | pay the full tuition charged its students attending a public high school in 4 |
|---|
| 3052 | + | Vermont or an adjoining state or a public or approved independent school in 5 |
|---|
| 3053 | + | Vermont functioning as an approved area career technical center, or an 6 |
|---|
| 3054 | + | independent school meeting education quality standards; provided: 7 |
|---|
| 3055 | + | (1) If a payment made to a public high school or an independent school 8 |
|---|
| 3056 | + | meeting education quality standards is three percent more or less than the 9 |
|---|
| 3057 | + | calculated net cost per secondary pupil in the receiving school district or 10 |
|---|
| 3058 | + | independent school for the year of attendance then the district or school shall 11 |
|---|
| 3059 | + | be reimbursed, credited, or refunded pursuant to section 836 of this title. 12 |
|---|
| 3060 | + | (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection or of subsection 13 |
|---|
| 3061 | + | 825(b) of this title, the board of the receiving public school district, public or 14 |
|---|
| 3062 | + | approved independent school functioning as an area career technical center, or 15 |
|---|
| 3063 | + | independent school meeting education quality standards may enter into tuition 16 |
|---|
| 3064 | + | agreements with the boards of sending districts that have terms differing from 17 |
|---|
| 3065 | + | the provisions of those subsections, provided that the receiving district or 18 |
|---|
| 3066 | + | school must offer identical terms to all sending districts, and further provided 19 |
|---|
| 3067 | + | that the statutory provisions apply to any sending district that declines the 20 |
|---|
| 3068 | + | offered terms. [Repealed.] 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3069 | + | 2025 Page 126 of 194 |
|---|
| 3070 | + | |
|---|
| 3071 | + | |
|---|
| 3072 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3073 | + | (c) The district shall pay an amount not to exceed the average announced 1 |
|---|
| 3074 | + | tuition of Vermont union high schools for the year of attendance for its 2 |
|---|
| 3075 | + | students enrolled in an approved independent school not functioning as a 3 |
|---|
| 3076 | + | Vermont area career technical center, or any higher amount approved by the 4 |
|---|
| 3077 | + | electorate at an annual or special meeting warned for that purpose. [Repealed.] 5 |
|---|
| 3078 | + | Sec. 20. 16 V.S.A. § 1071 is amended to read: 6 |
|---|
| 3079 | + | § 1071. SCHOOL YEAR AND SCHOOL DAY 7 |
|---|
| 3080 | + | (a) Minimum number of days. Except as provided in this section, each 8 |
|---|
| 3081 | + | public school shall be maintained and operated for: 9 |
|---|
| 3082 | + | (1) At least 175 180 student attendance days in each school year. For 10 |
|---|
| 3083 | + | purposes of this section, a majority of students enrolled in a school must be 11 |
|---|
| 3084 | + | recorded on the school roll as in attendance on any day counted as a student 12 |
|---|
| 3085 | + | attendance day. 13 |
|---|
| 3086 | + | (2) At least five teacher in-service education days, during which time 14 |
|---|
| 3087 | + | activities shall be conducted without students present in order to increase the 15 |
|---|
| 3088 | + | competency of the staff, improve the curriculum of the school, enable teachers 16 |
|---|
| 3089 | + | to attend State educational meetings, or disseminate student progress 17 |
|---|
| 3090 | + | information to parents or the community. 18 |
|---|
| 3091 | + | (b) Hours of operation. Within the minimum set by the State Board 19 |
|---|
| 3092 | + | Agency of Education, the school board shall fix the number of hours that shall 20 |
|---|
| 3093 | + | constitute a school day, subject to change upon the order of the State Board. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3094 | + | 2025 Page 127 of 194 |
|---|
| 3095 | + | |
|---|
| 3096 | + | |
|---|
| 3097 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3098 | + | (c) Unanticipated closings. When a public school is closed for cause 1 |
|---|
| 3099 | + | beyond the control of the school board, it may petition the State Board Agency 2 |
|---|
| 3100 | + | of Education for a waiver of the requirements of this section. The petition 3 |
|---|
| 3101 | + | shall be filed with the State Board within 10 days of each occurrence and not 4 |
|---|
| 3102 | + | later than June 15 of the school year involved; and the State Board shall act on 5 |
|---|
| 3103 | + | the petition at its next meeting Agency on a form provided by the Agency. If 6 |
|---|
| 3104 | + | the petition is approved and a waiver granted, the school district shall be 7 |
|---|
| 3105 | + | deemed to have satisfied the requirements of this section. If the State Board 8 |
|---|
| 3106 | + | fails to act at that meeting, the petition shall be deemed to have been approved 9 |
|---|
| 3107 | + | and the waiver granted. 10 |
|---|
| 3108 | + | (d) [Repealed.] 11 |
|---|
| 3109 | + | (e) Regional calendar. Before April 1 of each year, the superintendents of 12 |
|---|
| 3110 | + | schools and the headmasters of public schools not managed by school boards 13 |
|---|
| 3111 | + | in an area shall meet, and by majority vote, establish a uniform calendar within 14 |
|---|
| 3112 | + | that area for the following school year. The Secretary shall establish a single 15 |
|---|
| 3113 | + | statewide calendar. The calendar shall be published before May 1 of each year 16 |
|---|
| 3114 | + | for the following school year. The calendar shall include student attendance 17 |
|---|
| 3115 | + | days, periods of vacation, holidays, and teacher in-service education days and 18 |
|---|
| 3116 | + | shall comply with subsection (a) of this section. Unless permitted by the 19 |
|---|
| 3117 | + | Secretary, no area served by a regional career technical center shall be divided 20 |
|---|
| 3118 | + | into two or more calendar regions. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3119 | + | 2025 Page 128 of 194 |
|---|
| 3120 | + | |
|---|
| 3121 | + | |
|---|
| 3122 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3123 | + | (f) Additional days. Nothing in this section prohibits a school from 1 |
|---|
| 3124 | + | scheduling additional days for student attendance or teacher in-service 2 |
|---|
| 3125 | + | education. However, those days shall not conflict with any applicable school 3 |
|---|
| 3126 | + | calendar. 4 |
|---|
| 3127 | + | (g) Upon application of one or more school districts, after approval by the 5 |
|---|
| 3128 | + | voters of each such district, the State Board Agency may grant a waiver of the 6 |
|---|
| 3129 | + | requirements of subsection (a) of this section if it is satisfied that equivalent 7 |
|---|
| 3130 | + | educational programming will be maintained or improved. The waiver may be 8 |
|---|
| 3131 | + | granted for any purpose, including the conservation of energy. 9 |
|---|
| 3132 | + | Sec. 21. 16 V.S.A. § 1121 is amended to read: 10 |
|---|
| 3133 | + | § 1121. ATTENDANCE BY CHILDREN OF SCHOOL AGE REQUIRED 11 |
|---|
| 3134 | + | A person having the control of a child between the ages of six five and 16 12 |
|---|
| 3135 | + | years shall cause the child to attend a public school, an approved or recognized 13 |
|---|
| 3136 | + | independent school, an approved education program, or a home study program 14 |
|---|
| 3137 | + | for the full number of days for which that school is held, unless the child: 15 |
|---|
| 3138 | + | (1) is mentally or physically unable so to attend; or 16 |
|---|
| 3139 | + | (2) has completed the tenth grade; or 17 |
|---|
| 3140 | + | (3) is excused by the superintendent or a majority of the school directors 18 |
|---|
| 3141 | + | as provided in this chapter; or 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3142 | + | 2025 Page 129 of 194 |
|---|
| 3143 | + | |
|---|
| 3144 | + | |
|---|
| 3145 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3146 | + | (4) is enrolled in and attending a postsecondary school, as defined in 1 |
|---|
| 3147 | + | subdivision 176(b)(1) of this title, which is approved or accredited in Vermont 2 |
|---|
| 3148 | + | or another state. 3 |
|---|
| 3149 | + | * * * State Funding of Public Education * * * 4 |
|---|
| 3150 | + | Sec. 22. TRANSITION YEAR ONE FUNDING 5 |
|---|
| 3151 | + | In fiscal year 2026, each school district shall receive the funding approved 6 |
|---|
| 3152 | + | by its electorate pursuant to 16 V.S.A. chapter 133. 7 |
|---|
| 3153 | + | Sec. 23. TRANSITION YEAR TWO FUNDING 8 |
|---|
| 3154 | + | In fiscal year 2027, each school district shall receive an amount equal to the 9 |
|---|
| 3155 | + | funding received in fiscal year 2026, multiplied by three percent. Payments 10 |
|---|
| 3156 | + | shall be made consistent with 16 V.S.A. § 4011. 11 |
|---|
| 3157 | + | Sec. 24. 16 V.S.A. chapter 133 is amended to read: 12 |
|---|
| 3158 | + | CHAPTER 133. STATE FUNDING OF PUBLIC EDUCA TION 13 |
|---|
| 3159 | + | Subchapter 1. General Provisions 14 |
|---|
| 3160 | + | § 4000. STATEMENT OF POLICY 15 |
|---|
| 3161 | + | (a) The intent of this chapter is to make educational opportunity available 16 |
|---|
| 3162 | + | to each student in each town on substantially equal terms, in accordance with 17 |
|---|
| 3163 | + | the Vermont Constitution and the Vermont Supreme Court decision of 18 |
|---|
| 3164 | + | February 5, 1997, Brigham v. State of Vermont. 19 |
|---|
| 3165 | + | (b) [Repealed.] 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3166 | + | 2025 Page 130 of 194 |
|---|
| 3167 | + | |
|---|
| 3168 | + | |
|---|
| 3169 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3170 | + | § 4001. DEFINITIONS 1 |
|---|
| 3171 | + | As used in this chapter: 2 |
|---|
| 3172 | + | (1) “Average daily membership” of a school district or, if needed in 3 |
|---|
| 3173 | + | order to calculate the appropriate homestead tax rate, of the municipality as 4 |
|---|
| 3174 | + | defined in 32 V.S.A. § 5401(9), in any year means: 5 |
|---|
| 3175 | + | (A) The full-time equivalent enrollment of students, as defined by the 6 |
|---|
| 3176 | + | State Board Agency by rule, who are legal residents of the district or 7 |
|---|
| 3177 | + | municipality attending a school owned and operated by the district, attending a 8 |
|---|
| 3178 | + | public school outside the district under section 822a of this title, or for whom 9 |
|---|
| 3179 | + | the district pays tuition to one or more approved independent schools or public 10 |
|---|
| 3180 | + | schools outside the district during the annual census period. The census period 11 |
|---|
| 3181 | + | consists of the 11th day through the 30th day of the school year in which 12 |
|---|
| 3182 | + | school is actually in session. 13 |
|---|
| 3183 | + | (B) The full-time equivalent enrollment in the year before the last 14 |
|---|
| 3184 | + | census period, of any State-placed students as defined in subdivision 11(a)(28) 15 |
|---|
| 3185 | + | of this title. A school district that provides for the education of its students by 16 |
|---|
| 3186 | + | paying tuition to an approved independent school or public school outside the 17 |
|---|
| 3187 | + | district shall not count a State-placed student for whom it is paying tuition for 18 |
|---|
| 3188 | + | purposes of determining average daily membership. A school district that is 19 |
|---|
| 3189 | + | receiving the full amount, as defined by the State Board Agency by rule, of the 20 |
|---|
| 3190 | + | student’s education costs under subsection 2950(a) of this title shall not count 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3191 | + | 2025 Page 131 of 194 |
|---|
| 3192 | + | |
|---|
| 3193 | + | |
|---|
| 3194 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3195 | + | the student for purposes of determining average daily membership. A State-1 |
|---|
| 3196 | + | placed student who is counted in average daily membership shall be counted as 2 |
|---|
| 3197 | + | a student for the purposes of determining weighted student count. 3 |
|---|
| 3198 | + | (C) The full-time equivalent enrollment for each prekindergarten 4 |
|---|
| 3199 | + | child as follows: If a child is enrolled in 10 or more hours of prekindergarten 5 |
|---|
| 3200 | + | education per week or receives 10 or more hours of essential early education 6 |
|---|
| 3201 | + | services per week, the child shall be counted as one full-time equivalent pupil. 7 |
|---|
| 3202 | + | If a child is enrolled in six or more but fewer than 10 hours of prekindergarten 8 |
|---|
| 3203 | + | education per week or if a child receives fewer than 10 hours of essential early 9 |
|---|
| 3204 | + | education services per week, the child shall be counted as a percentage of one 10 |
|---|
| 3205 | + | full-time equivalent pupil, calculated as one multiplied by the number of hours 11 |
|---|
| 3206 | + | per week divided by ten. A child enrolled in prekindergarten education for 12 |
|---|
| 3207 | + | fewer than six hours per week shall not be included in the district’s average 13 |
|---|
| 3208 | + | daily membership. There is no limit on the total number of children who may 14 |
|---|
| 3209 | + | be enrolled in prekindergarten education or who receive essential early 15 |
|---|
| 3210 | + | education services. 16 |
|---|
| 3211 | + | (2) “Equalized grand list” has the same meaning that equalized 17 |
|---|
| 3212 | + | education property tax grand list has in 32 V.S.A. chapter 135. 18 |
|---|
| 3213 | + | (3), (4), (5) [Repealed.] 19 |
|---|
| 3214 | + | (6) “Education spending” “means the amount of the school district 20 |
|---|
| 3215 | + | budget, any assessment for a joint contract school, career technical center 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3216 | + | 2025 Page 132 of 194 |
|---|
| 3217 | + | |
|---|
| 3218 | + | |
|---|
| 3219 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3220 | + | payments made on behalf of the district under subsection 1561(b) of this title, 1 |
|---|
| 3221 | + | and any amount added to pay a deficit pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1523(b) that is 2 |
|---|
| 3222 | + | paid for by the school district, but excluding any portion of the school budget 3 |
|---|
| 3223 | + | paid for from any other sources such as endowments, parental fundraising, 4 |
|---|
| 3224 | + | federal funds, nongovernmental grants, or other State funds such as special 5 |
|---|
| 3225 | + | education funds paid under chapter 101 of this title. 6 |
|---|
| 3226 | + | (A) [Repealed.] 7 |
|---|
| 3227 | + | (B) For all bonds approved by voters prior to July 1, 2024, voter- 8 |
|---|
| 3228 | + | approved bond payments toward principal and interest shall not be included in 9 |
|---|
| 3229 | + | “education spending” for purposes of calculating excess spending pursuant to 10 |
|---|
| 3230 | + | 32 V.S.A. § 5401(12). [Repealed.] 11 |
|---|
| 3231 | + | (7) “Long-term membership” of a school district in any school year 12 |
|---|
| 3232 | + | means the: 13 |
|---|
| 3233 | + | (A) average of the district’s average daily membership, excluding 14 |
|---|
| 3234 | + | full-time equivalent enrollment of State-placed students, over two school years, 15 |
|---|
| 3235 | + | the latter of which is the current school year, plus 16 |
|---|
| 3236 | + | (B) full-time equivalent enrollment of State-placed students for the 17 |
|---|
| 3237 | + | most recent of the two years. 18 |
|---|
| 3238 | + | (8) [Repealed.] 19 |
|---|
| 3239 | + | (9) “Public school” means an elementary school or secondary school for 20 |
|---|
| 3240 | + | which the governing board is publicly elected. A public school may maintain 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3241 | + | 2025 Page 133 of 194 |
|---|
| 3242 | + | |
|---|
| 3243 | + | |
|---|
| 3244 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3245 | + | evening or summer school for its students and it shall be considered a public 1 |
|---|
| 3246 | + | school. 2 |
|---|
| 3247 | + | (10) “School district” means a town school district, city school district, 3 |
|---|
| 3248 | + | incorporated school district, the member school districts of an interstate school 4 |
|---|
| 3249 | + | district, a union school district, a unified union district, or an unorganized town 5 |
|---|
| 3250 | + | or gore. 6 |
|---|
| 3251 | + | (11) “School year” means a year beginning on July 1 and ending on the 7 |
|---|
| 3252 | + | following June 30. 8 |
|---|
| 3253 | + | (12) “Weighted long-term membership” of a school district in any 9 |
|---|
| 3254 | + | school year means the long-term membership adjusted pursuant to section 10 |
|---|
| 3255 | + | 4010 of this title. 11 |
|---|
| 3256 | + | (13) “Base education amount Categorical base amount” means a number 12 |
|---|
| 3257 | + | used to calculate categorical grants awarded under this title that is equal to 13 |
|---|
| 3258 | + | $6,800.00 per equalized pupil, adjusted as required under section 4011 of this 14 |
|---|
| 3259 | + | title. 15 |
|---|
| 3260 | + | (14) “Per pupil education spending” of a school district in any school 16 |
|---|
| 3261 | + | year means the per pupil education spending of that school district as 17 |
|---|
| 3262 | + | determined under subsection 4010(f) of this title. [Repealed.] 18 |
|---|
| 3263 | + | (15) “Prekindergarten child” means a three- or four-year-old child who 19 |
|---|
| 3264 | + | is enrolled in a prekindergarten program offered by or through a school district 20 |
|---|
| 3265 | + | pursuant to rules adopted under section 829 of this title or who is receiving 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3266 | + | 2025 Page 134 of 194 |
|---|
| 3267 | + | |
|---|
| 3268 | + | |
|---|
| 3269 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3270 | + | essential early education services offered pursuant to section 2956 of this title. 1 |
|---|
| 3271 | + | Prekindergarten child also means a five-year-old child who otherwise meets 2 |
|---|
| 3272 | + | the terms of this definition if that child is not yet eligible for or enrolled in 3 |
|---|
| 3273 | + | kindergarten. 4 |
|---|
| 3274 | + | (16) “Base amount” means a per pupil amount of $13,200.00 in fiscal 5 |
|---|
| 3275 | + | year 2025, which shall be adjusted for inflation annually on or before 6 |
|---|
| 3276 | + | November 15 by the Secretary of Education. As used in this subdivision, 7 |
|---|
| 3277 | + | “adjusted for inflation” means adjusting the base dollar amount by the most 8 |
|---|
| 3278 | + | recent New England Economic Project cumulative price index, as of 9 |
|---|
| 3279 | + | November 15, for state and local government purchases of goods and services, 10 |
|---|
| 3280 | + | from fiscal year 2025 through the fiscal year for which the amount is being 11 |
|---|
| 3281 | + | determined. 12 |
|---|
| 3282 | + | (17) “Foundation formula amount” means the base amount multiplied 13 |
|---|
| 3283 | + | by the school district’s weighted long-term membership as determined under 14 |
|---|
| 3284 | + | 16 V.S.A. § 4010. 15 |
|---|
| 3285 | + | § 4002. PAYMENT; ALLOCATION 16 |
|---|
| 3286 | + | (a) State and federal funds appropriated for services delivered by the 17 |
|---|
| 3287 | + | supervisory union school district and payable through the Agency shall be paid 18 |
|---|
| 3288 | + | to the order of the supervisory union school district and administered in 19 |
|---|
| 3289 | + | accordance with the plan adopted under subdivision 261a(4) of this title. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3290 | + | 2025 Page 135 of 194 |
|---|
| 3291 | + | |
|---|
| 3292 | + | |
|---|
| 3293 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3294 | + | Funding for special education services under section 2969 of this title shall be 1 |
|---|
| 3295 | + | paid to the supervisory unions school districts in accordance with that section. 2 |
|---|
| 3296 | + | (b) The Secretary shall notify the superintendent or chief executive officer 3 |
|---|
| 3297 | + | of each supervisory union school district in writing of federal or State funds 4 |
|---|
| 3298 | + | disbursed to member school districts. 5 |
|---|
| 3299 | + | § 4003. CONDITIONS 6 |
|---|
| 3300 | + | (a) No school district shall receive any aid under this chapter unless that 7 |
|---|
| 3301 | + | school district complies with the provisions of law relative to teachers’ 8 |
|---|
| 3302 | + | salaries, appointment of superintendents, detailed financial reports to the 9 |
|---|
| 3303 | + | Agency, and any other requirements of law. 10 |
|---|
| 3304 | + | (b) Aid to any district shall not be denied unless the district unreasonably 11 |
|---|
| 3305 | + | refuses to comply with the requirements of law. Any school district denied aid 12 |
|---|
| 3306 | + | by reason of the provisions of this section shall have the right within 60 days 13 |
|---|
| 3307 | + | from the date of such denial to appeal to the Superior Court in the county 14 |
|---|
| 3308 | + | where the district is situated. 15 |
|---|
| 3309 | + | Subchapter 2. General State Funding of Public Education 16 |
|---|
| 3310 | + | § 4010. DETERMINATION OF WEIGHTED LONG -TERM MEMBERSHIP 17 |
|---|
| 3311 | + | AND PER PUPIL EDUCATION SPENDING 18 |
|---|
| 3312 | + | (a) Definitions. As used in this section: 19 |
|---|
| 3313 | + | (1) “EL pupils” means pupils described under section 4013 of this title. 20 |
|---|
| 3314 | + | (2) “FPL” means the Federal Poverty Level. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3315 | + | 2025 Page 136 of 194 |
|---|
| 3316 | + | |
|---|
| 3317 | + | |
|---|
| 3318 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3319 | + | (3) “Weighting categories” means the categories listed under subsection 1 |
|---|
| 3320 | + | (b) of this section. 2 |
|---|
| 3321 | + | (b) Determination of average daily membership and weighting categories. 3 |
|---|
| 3322 | + | On or before the first day of December during each school year, the Secretary 4 |
|---|
| 3323 | + | shall determine the average daily membership, as defined in subdivision 5 |
|---|
| 3324 | + | 4001(1) of this title, of each school district for the current school year and shall 6 |
|---|
| 3325 | + | perform the following tasks. 7 |
|---|
| 3326 | + | (1) Using average daily membership, list for each school district the 8 |
|---|
| 3327 | + | number of: 9 |
|---|
| 3328 | + | (A) pupils in prekindergarten; 10 |
|---|
| 3329 | + | (B) pupils in kindergarten through grade five; 11 |
|---|
| 3330 | + | (C) pupils in grades six through eight; 12 |
|---|
| 3331 | + | (D) pupils in grades nine through 12; 13 |
|---|
| 3332 | + | (E) pupils whose families are at or below 185 percent of FPL, using 14 |
|---|
| 3333 | + | the highest number of pupils in the district: 15 |
|---|
| 3334 | + | (i) that meet this definition under the universal income declaration 16 |
|---|
| 3335 | + | form; or 17 |
|---|
| 3336 | + | (ii) who are directly certified for free and reduced-priced meals; 18 |
|---|
| 3337 | + | and 19 |
|---|
| 3338 | + | (F) EL pupils. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3339 | + | 2025 Page 137 of 194 |
|---|
| 3340 | + | |
|---|
| 3341 | + | |
|---|
| 3342 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3343 | + | (2)(A) Identify all school districts that have low population density, 1 |
|---|
| 3344 | + | measured by the number of persons per square mile residing within the land 2 |
|---|
| 3345 | + | area of the geographic boundaries of the district as of July 1 of the year of 3 |
|---|
| 3346 | + | determination, equaling: 4 |
|---|
| 3347 | + | (i) fewer than 36 persons per square mile; 5 |
|---|
| 3348 | + | (ii) 36 or more persons per square mile but fewer than 55 persons 6 |
|---|
| 3349 | + | per square mile; or 7 |
|---|
| 3350 | + | (iii) 55 or more persons per square mile but fewer than 100 8 |
|---|
| 3351 | + | persons per square mile. 9 |
|---|
| 3352 | + | (B) Population density data shall be based on the best available U.S. 10 |
|---|
| 3353 | + | Census data as provided to the Agency of Education by the Vermont Center for 11 |
|---|
| 3354 | + | Geographic Information. 12 |
|---|
| 3355 | + | (C) Using average daily membership, list for each school district that 13 |
|---|
| 3356 | + | has low population density the number of pupils in each of subdivisions 14 |
|---|
| 3357 | + | (A)(i)–(iii) of this subdivision (2). 15 |
|---|
| 3358 | + | (3)(A) Identify all school districts that have one or more small schools, 16 |
|---|
| 3359 | + | which are schools that have an average two-year enrollment of: 17 |
|---|
| 3360 | + | (i) fewer than 100 pupils; or 18 |
|---|
| 3361 | + | (ii) 100 or more pupils but fewer than 250 pupils For each school 19 |
|---|
| 3362 | + | district, identify any school with fewer than 450 students. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3363 | + | 2025 Page 138 of 194 |
|---|
| 3364 | + | |
|---|
| 3365 | + | |
|---|
| 3366 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3367 | + | (B) As used in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3), “average two- 1 |
|---|
| 3368 | + | year enrollment” means the average enrollment of the two most recently 2 |
|---|
| 3369 | + | completed school years, and “enrollment” means the number of pupils who are 3 |
|---|
| 3370 | + | enrolled in a school operated by the district on October 1. A pupil shall be 4 |
|---|
| 3371 | + | counted as one whether the pupil is enrolled as a full-time or part-time student. 5 |
|---|
| 3372 | + | [Repealed.] 6 |
|---|
| 3373 | + | (C) Using average two-year enrollment, list for each school district 7 |
|---|
| 3374 | + | that has a small school the number of pupils in each of subdivisions (A)(i)–(ii) 8 |
|---|
| 3375 | + | of this subdivision (3). [Repealed.] 9 |
|---|
| 3376 | + | (c) Reporting on weighting categories to the Agency of Education. Each 10 |
|---|
| 3377 | + | school district shall annually report to the Agency of Education by a date 11 |
|---|
| 3378 | + | established by the Agency the information needed in order for the Agency to 12 |
|---|
| 3379 | + | compute the weighting categories under subsection (b) of this section for that 13 |
|---|
| 3380 | + | district. In order to fulfill this obligation, a school district that pays public 14 |
|---|
| 3381 | + | tuition on behalf of a resident student (sending district) to a public school in 15 |
|---|
| 3382 | + | another school district, an approved independent school, or an out-of-state 16 |
|---|
| 3383 | + | school (each a receiving school) may request the receiving school to collect 17 |
|---|
| 3384 | + | this information on the sending district’s resident student, and if requested, the 18 |
|---|
| 3385 | + | receiving school shall provide this information to the sending district in a 19 |
|---|
| 3386 | + | timely manner. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3387 | + | 2025 Page 139 of 194 |
|---|
| 3388 | + | |
|---|
| 3389 | + | |
|---|
| 3390 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3391 | + | (d) Determination of weighted long-term membership. For each weighting 1 |
|---|
| 3392 | + | category except the small schools weighting category under subdivision (b)(3) 2 |
|---|
| 3393 | + | of this section, the Secretary shall compute the weighting count by using the 3 |
|---|
| 3394 | + | long-term membership, as defined in subdivision 4001(7) of this title, in that 4 |
|---|
| 3395 | + | category. 5 |
|---|
| 3396 | + | (1) The Secretary shall first apply grade level weights. Each pupil 6 |
|---|
| 3397 | + | included in long-term membership shall count as one, multiplied by the 7 |
|---|
| 3398 | + | following amounts: 8 |
|---|
| 3399 | + | (A) prekindergarten—negative 0.54; 9 |
|---|
| 3400 | + | (B) grades six through eight—0.36; and 10 |
|---|
| 3401 | + | (C) grades nine through 12—0.39. [Repealed.] 11 |
|---|
| 3402 | + | (2) The Secretary shall next apply a weight for pupils whose family is at 12 |
|---|
| 3403 | + | or below 185 percent of FPL. Each pupil included in long-term membership 13 |
|---|
| 3404 | + | whose family is at or below 185 percent of FPL shall receive an additional 14 |
|---|
| 3405 | + | weighting amount of 1.03 0.75. 15 |
|---|
| 3406 | + | (3) The Secretary shall next apply a weight for EL pupils. Each EL 16 |
|---|
| 3407 | + | pupil included in long-term membership shall receive an additional weighting 17 |
|---|
| 3408 | + | amount of 2.49 1.50. 18 |
|---|
| 3409 | + | (4) The Secretary shall then apply a weight for pupils living in low 19 |
|---|
| 3410 | + | population density school districts. Each pupil included in long-term 20 |
|---|
| 3411 | + | membership residing in a low population density school district, measured by 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3412 | + | 2025 Page 140 of 194 |
|---|
| 3413 | + | |
|---|
| 3414 | + | |
|---|
| 3415 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3416 | + | the number of persons per square mile residing within the land area of the 1 |
|---|
| 3417 | + | geographic boundaries of the district as of July 1 of the year of determination, 2 |
|---|
| 3418 | + | shall receive an additional weighting amount of: 3 |
|---|
| 3419 | + | (A) 0.15, where the number of persons per square mile is fewer than 4 |
|---|
| 3420 | + | 36 persons; 5 |
|---|
| 3421 | + | (B) 0.12, where the number of persons per square mile is 36 or more 6 |
|---|
| 3422 | + | but fewer than 55 persons; or 7 |
|---|
| 3423 | + | (C) 0.07, where the number of persons per square mile is 55 or more 8 |
|---|
| 3424 | + | but fewer than 100. 9 |
|---|
| 3425 | + | (5) The Secretary shall lastly apply a weight for pupils who attend a an 10 |
|---|
| 3426 | + | eligible small school. If the number of persons per square mile residing within 11 |
|---|
| 3427 | + | the land area of the geographic boundaries of a school district as of July 1 of 12 |
|---|
| 3428 | + | the year of determination is 55 or fewer, then, for For each pupil listed under 13 |
|---|
| 3429 | + | subdivision (b)(3)(C) of this section (pupils who attend small schools): 14 |
|---|
| 3430 | + | (A) where the school has fewer than 100 pupils in average two-year 15 |
|---|
| 3431 | + | enrollment, the school district shall receive an additional weighting amount of 16 |
|---|
| 3432 | + | 0.21 for each pupil included in the small school’s average two-year enrollment; 17 |
|---|
| 3433 | + | or 18 |
|---|
| 3434 | + | (B) where the small school has 100 or more but fewer than 250 19 |
|---|
| 3435 | + | pupils, the school district shall receive an additional weighting amount of 0.07 20 |
|---|
| 3436 | + | for each pupil included in the small school’s average two-year enrollment, 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3437 | + | 2025 Page 141 of 194 |
|---|
| 3438 | + | |
|---|
| 3439 | + | |
|---|
| 3440 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3441 | + | each student in an eligible small school will receive a weighted FTE that is the 1 |
|---|
| 3442 | + | result of applying the following formula to each eligible small school: (-2 |
|---|
| 3443 | + | 0.158*natural log of (school enrollment)) +0.964 with the result rounded to 3 |
|---|
| 3444 | + | two decimal places. 4 |
|---|
| 3445 | + | (6) A school district’s weighted long-term membership shall equal long-5 |
|---|
| 3446 | + | term membership plus the cumulation of the weights assigned by the Secretary 6 |
|---|
| 3447 | + | under this subsection. 7 |
|---|
| 3448 | + | (e) Hold harmless. A district’s weighted long-term membership shall in no 8 |
|---|
| 3449 | + | case be less than 96 and one-half percent of its actual weighted long-term 9 |
|---|
| 3450 | + | membership the previous year prior to making any adjustment under this 10 |
|---|
| 3451 | + | subsection. [Repealed.] 11 |
|---|
| 3452 | + | (f) Determination of per pupil education spending. As soon as reasonably 12 |
|---|
| 3453 | + | possible after a school district budget is approved by voters, the Secretary shall 13 |
|---|
| 3454 | + | determine the per pupil education spending for the next fiscal year for the 14 |
|---|
| 3455 | + | school district. Per pupil education spending shall equal a school district’s 15 |
|---|
| 3456 | + | education spending divided by its weighted long-term membership. 16 |
|---|
| 3457 | + | [Repealed.] 17 |
|---|
| 3458 | + | (g) Guidelines. The Secretary shall develop guidelines to enable clear and 18 |
|---|
| 3459 | + | consistent identification of pupils to be counted under this section. 19 |
|---|
| 3460 | + | (h) Updates to weights, base education amount and transportation 20 |
|---|
| 3461 | + | payments. On or before January 1, 2027 and on or before January 1 of every 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3462 | + | 2025 Page 142 of 194 |
|---|
| 3463 | + | |
|---|
| 3464 | + | |
|---|
| 3465 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3466 | + | fifth year thereafter, the Agency of Education and the Joint Fiscal Office shall 1 |
|---|
| 3467 | + | calculate, based on their consensus view, updates to the weights and the base 2 |
|---|
| 3468 | + | education amount to account for cost changes underlying those weights and the 3 |
|---|
| 3469 | + | cost of providing a high quality education and shall issue a written report on 4 |
|---|
| 3470 | + | their work to the House and Senate Committees on Education, the House 5 |
|---|
| 3471 | + | Committee on Ways and Means, and the Senate Committee on Finance. The 6 |
|---|
| 3472 | + | General Assembly shall update the weights under this section, the base 7 |
|---|
| 3473 | + | education amount, and transportation reimbursement categorical aid amounts 8 |
|---|
| 3474 | + | under section 4016 of this title not less than every five years and the 9 |
|---|
| 3475 | + | implementation date for the updated weights and transportation reimbursement 10 |
|---|
| 3476 | + | categorical aid amount shall be delayed by a year in order to provide school 11 |
|---|
| 3477 | + | districts with time to prepare their budgets. Updates to the weights may 12 |
|---|
| 3478 | + | include recalibration, recalculation, adding or eliminating weights, or any 13 |
|---|
| 3479 | + | combination of these actions. 14 |
|---|
| 3480 | + | (i) On or before July 1, 2026 the Secretary shall, through rule-making, 15 |
|---|
| 3481 | + | establish eligibility criteria for students that may receive the small school 16 |
|---|
| 3482 | + | adjustment as defined in subdivision (d)(5) of this section. 17 |
|---|
| 3483 | + | § 4011. EDUCATION PAYMENTS 18 |
|---|
| 3484 | + | (a) Annually, the General Assembly shall appropriate funds to pay for 19 |
|---|
| 3485 | + | statewide education spending the foundation formula amount as defined under 20 |
|---|
| 3486 | + | subdivision 4001(17) of this title and the State guarantee as defined under 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3487 | + | 2025 Page 143 of 194 |
|---|
| 3488 | + | |
|---|
| 3489 | + | |
|---|
| 3490 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3491 | + | 32 V.S.A. § 5401(19) and a portion of the base education categorical aid 1 |
|---|
| 3492 | + | amount for each adult education and secondary credential program student as 2 |
|---|
| 3493 | + | defined in subsection (f) of this section. 3 |
|---|
| 3494 | + | (b) For each fiscal year, the categorical aid base education amount shall be 4 |
|---|
| 3495 | + | $6,800.00, increased by the most recent New England Economic Project 5 |
|---|
| 3496 | + | Cumulative Price Index, as of November 15, for state and local government 6 |
|---|
| 3497 | + | purchases of goods and services from fiscal year 2005 through the fiscal year 7 |
|---|
| 3498 | + | for which the amount is being determined, plus an additional one-tenth of one 8 |
|---|
| 3499 | + | percent. 9 |
|---|
| 3500 | + | (c) Annually, each school district shall receive an education spending 10 |
|---|
| 3501 | + | payment its foundation formula amount as defined under subdivision 4001(17) 11 |
|---|
| 3502 | + | of this title and its State guarantee, if applicable to that school district, as 12 |
|---|
| 3503 | + | defined under 32 V.S.A. § 5401(19) for support of education costs. An 13 |
|---|
| 3504 | + | unorganized town or gore shall receive an amount equal to its per pupil 14 |
|---|
| 3505 | + | education spending for that year for each student. No school district shall 15 |
|---|
| 3506 | + | receive more than its education spending the amount under this subsection. 16 |
|---|
| 3507 | + | (d) [Repealed.] 17 |
|---|
| 3508 | + | (e) [Repealed.] 18 |
|---|
| 3509 | + | (f) Annually, the Secretary shall pay to a local adult education and literacy 19 |
|---|
| 3510 | + | provider, as defined in section 942 of this title, that provides an adult education 20 |
|---|
| 3511 | + | and secondary credential program an amount equal to 26 percent of the 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3512 | + | 2025 Page 144 of 194 |
|---|
| 3513 | + | |
|---|
| 3514 | + | |
|---|
| 3515 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3516 | + | categorical aid amount for each student who completes the diagnostic portions 1 |
|---|
| 3517 | + | of the program, based on an average of the previous two years; 40 percent of 2 |
|---|
| 3518 | + | the payment required under this subsection shall be from State funds 3 |
|---|
| 3519 | + | appropriated from the Education Fund and 60 percent of the payment required 4 |
|---|
| 3520 | + | under this subsection shall be from State funds appropriated from the General 5 |
|---|
| 3521 | + | Fund. 6 |
|---|
| 3522 | + | (g) The Secretary shall pay to a school district a percentage of the base 7 |
|---|
| 3523 | + | education amount for each resident student for whom the district is paying a 8 |
|---|
| 3524 | + | technical tuition to a regional career technical center but who is not enrolled in 9 |
|---|
| 3525 | + | the district and therefore not counted in the average daily membership of the 10 |
|---|
| 3526 | + | district. The percentage of the base education amount to be paid shall be the 11 |
|---|
| 3527 | + | percentage of the student’s full-time equivalent attendance at the career 12 |
|---|
| 3528 | + | technical center multiplied by 87 percent. [Repealed.] 13 |
|---|
| 3529 | + | (h) The Secretary shall make all payments required by subchapter 5 of 14 |
|---|
| 3530 | + | chapter 23 of this title. 15 |
|---|
| 3531 | + | (i) Annually, on or before October 1, the Secretary shall send to school 16 |
|---|
| 3532 | + | boards for inclusion in town reports and publish on the Agency website the 17 |
|---|
| 3533 | + | following information: 18 |
|---|
| 3534 | + | (1) the statewide average district per pupil education spending for the 19 |
|---|
| 3535 | + | current fiscal year; and 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3536 | + | 2025 Page 145 of 194 |
|---|
| 3537 | + | |
|---|
| 3538 | + | |
|---|
| 3539 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3540 | + | (2) a statewide comparison of student-teacher ratios among schools that 1 |
|---|
| 3541 | + | are similar in number of students and number of grades. 2 |
|---|
| 3542 | + | * * * 3 |
|---|
| 3543 | + | § 4013. ENGLISH LEARNERS SERVICES; STATE AID 4 |
|---|
| 3544 | + | (a) Definitions. As used in this section: 5 |
|---|
| 3545 | + | (1) “Applicable federal laws” mean the Equal Education Opportunities 6 |
|---|
| 3546 | + | Act (20 U.S.C. § 1703), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 7 |
|---|
| 3547 | + | §§ 2000d et seq.), and Titles I and III of the Elementary and Secondary 8 |
|---|
| 3548 | + | Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. §§ 6301 et seq. and 20 U.S.C. §§ 6801 et 9 |
|---|
| 3549 | + | seq.), each as amended. 10 |
|---|
| 3550 | + | (2) “EL services” mean instructional and support personnel and services 11 |
|---|
| 3551 | + | that are required under applicable federal laws for EL students and their 12 |
|---|
| 3552 | + | families. 13 |
|---|
| 3553 | + | (3) “EL students” or “EL pupils” mean students who have been 14 |
|---|
| 3554 | + | identified as English learners through the screening protocols required under 15 |
|---|
| 3555 | + | 20 U.S.C. § 6823(b)(2). 16 |
|---|
| 3556 | + | (b) Required EL services. Each school district shall: 17 |
|---|
| 3557 | + | (1) screen students to determine which students are EL students and 18 |
|---|
| 3558 | + | therefore qualify for EL services; 19 |
|---|
| 3559 | + | (2) assess and monitor the progress of EL students; 20 |
|---|
| 3560 | + | (3) provide EL services; 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3561 | + | 2025 Page 146 of 194 |
|---|
| 3562 | + | |
|---|
| 3563 | + | |
|---|
| 3564 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3565 | + | (4) budget sufficient resources through a combination of State and 1 |
|---|
| 3566 | + | federal categorical aid and local education spending to provide EL services; 2 |
|---|
| 3567 | + | (5) report expenditures on EL services annually to the Agency of 3 |
|---|
| 3568 | + | Education through the financial reporting system as required by the Agency; 4 |
|---|
| 3569 | + | and 5 |
|---|
| 3570 | + | (6) evaluate the effectiveness of their EL programs and report 6 |
|---|
| 3571 | + | educational outcomes of EL students as required by the Agency and applicable 7 |
|---|
| 3572 | + | federal laws. 8 |
|---|
| 3573 | + | (c) Agency of Education support and quality assurance. The Agency of 9 |
|---|
| 3574 | + | Education shall: 10 |
|---|
| 3575 | + | (1) provide guidance and program support to all school districts with EL 11 |
|---|
| 3576 | + | students as required under applicable federal law, including: 12 |
|---|
| 3577 | + | (A) professional development resources for EL teachers and support 13 |
|---|
| 3578 | + | personnel; and 14 |
|---|
| 3579 | + | (B) information on best practices and nationally recognized language 15 |
|---|
| 3580 | + | development standards; and 16 |
|---|
| 3581 | + | (2) prescribe, collect, and analyze financial and student outcome data 17 |
|---|
| 3582 | + | from school districts to ensure that districts are providing high-quality EL 18 |
|---|
| 3583 | + | services and expending sufficient resources to provide these services. 19 |
|---|
| 3584 | + | (d) Categorical aid. In addition to the EL weight under section 4010 of this 20 |
|---|
| 3585 | + | title, a school district that has, as determined annually on October 1 of the year: 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3586 | + | 2025 Page 147 of 194 |
|---|
| 3587 | + | |
|---|
| 3588 | + | |
|---|
| 3589 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3590 | + | (1) one to five EL students enrolled shall receive State aid of $25,000.00 1 |
|---|
| 3591 | + | for that school year; or 2 |
|---|
| 3592 | + | (2) six to 25 EL students enrolled shall receive State aid of $50,000.00 3 |
|---|
| 3593 | + | for that school year. [Repealed.] 4 |
|---|
| 3594 | + | (e) Annual appropriation. Annually, the General Assembly shall include in 5 |
|---|
| 3595 | + | its appropriation for statewide education spending under subsection 4011(a) of 6 |
|---|
| 3596 | + | this title an appropriation to provide aid to school districts for EL services 7 |
|---|
| 3597 | + | under this section. [Repealed.] 8 |
|---|
| 3598 | + | (f) Payment. On or before November 1 of each year, the State Treasurer 9 |
|---|
| 3599 | + | shall withdraw from the Education Fund, based on warrant of the 10 |
|---|
| 3600 | + | Commissioner of Finance and Management, and shall forward to each school 11 |
|---|
| 3601 | + | district the aid amount it is owed under this section. [Repealed.] 12 |
|---|
| 3602 | + | * * * 13 |
|---|
| 3603 | + | § 4015. MERGER SUPPORT FOR MERGED DISTRICTS 14 |
|---|
| 3604 | + | (a) A school district that was voluntarily formed under 2010 Acts and 15 |
|---|
| 3605 | + | Resolves No. 153, 2012 Acts and Resolves No. 156, or 2015 Acts and 16 |
|---|
| 3606 | + | Resolves No. 46, each as amended, and received a merger support grant shall 17 |
|---|
| 3607 | + | continue to receive that merger support grant, subject to the provisions in 18 |
|---|
| 3608 | + | subsection (c) of this section. 19 |
|---|
| 3609 | + | (b) A school district that was involuntarily formed under the Final 20 |
|---|
| 3610 | + | Report of Decisions and Order on Statewide School District Merger Decisions 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3611 | + | 2025 Page 148 of 194 |
|---|
| 3612 | + | |
|---|
| 3613 | + | |
|---|
| 3614 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3615 | + | Pursuant to Act 46, Secs. 8(b) and 10 dated November 28, 2018 and that 1 |
|---|
| 3616 | + | received a small schools grant in fiscal year 2020 shall receive an annual 2 |
|---|
| 3617 | + | merger support grant in that amount, subject to the provisions in subsection (c) 3 |
|---|
| 3618 | + | of this section. 4 |
|---|
| 3619 | + | (c)(1) Payment of a merger support grant under this section shall not be 5 |
|---|
| 3620 | + | made in any year that the school district receives a small school weight under 6 |
|---|
| 3621 | + | section 4010 of this title. 7 |
|---|
| 3622 | + | (2) Payment of a merger support grant under this section shall continue 8 |
|---|
| 3623 | + | annually unless explicitly repealed by the General Assembly; provided, 9 |
|---|
| 3624 | + | however, that the Secretary shall discontinue payment of the grant in the fiscal 10 |
|---|
| 3625 | + | year following the cessation of operations of the school that made the district 11 |
|---|
| 3626 | + | originally eligible for the grant, and further provided that if the building that 12 |
|---|
| 3627 | + | houses the school that made the district originally eligible for the grant is 13 |
|---|
| 3628 | + | consolidated with another school into a renovated or new school building, then 14 |
|---|
| 3629 | + | the Secretary shall continue to pay the grant during the repayment term of any 15 |
|---|
| 3630 | + | bonded indebtedness incurred in connection with the consolidation-related 16 |
|---|
| 3631 | + | renovation or construction. [Repealed.] 17 |
|---|
| 3632 | + | § 4016. REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRANSPORTATION EXPENDITURES 18 |
|---|
| 3633 | + | (a) A school district or supervisory union that incurs allowable 19 |
|---|
| 3634 | + | transportation expenditures shall receive a transportation reimbursement grant 20 |
|---|
| 3635 | + | each year. The grant shall be equal to 50 100 percent of allowable 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3636 | + | 2025 Page 149 of 194 |
|---|
| 3637 | + | |
|---|
| 3638 | + | |
|---|
| 3639 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3640 | + | transportation expenditures; provided, however, that in any year the total 1 |
|---|
| 3641 | + | amount of grants under this subsection shall not exceed the total amount of 2 |
|---|
| 3642 | + | adjusted base year transportation grant expenditures. The total amount of base 3 |
|---|
| 3643 | + | year transportation grant expenditures shall be $10,000,000.00 for fiscal year 4 |
|---|
| 3644 | + | 1997, increased each year thereafter by the annual price index for state and 5 |
|---|
| 3645 | + | local government purchases of goods and services. If in any year the total 6 |
|---|
| 3646 | + | amount of the grants under this subsection exceed the adjusted base year 7 |
|---|
| 3647 | + | transportation grant expenditures, the amount of each grant awarded shall be 8 |
|---|
| 3648 | + | reduced proportionately. Transportation grants paid under this section shall be 9 |
|---|
| 3649 | + | paid from the Education Fund and shall be added to education spending 10 |
|---|
| 3650 | + | payment receipts paid under section 4011 of this title. 11 |
|---|
| 3651 | + | (b) In As used in this section, “allowable transportation expenditures” 12 |
|---|
| 3652 | + | means the costs of transporting students to and from school for regular 13 |
|---|
| 3653 | + | classroom services and shall not include expenditures for transporting students 14 |
|---|
| 3654 | + | participating in curricular activities that take place off the school grounds or 15 |
|---|
| 3655 | + | for transporting students participating in cocurricular activities. The State 16 |
|---|
| 3656 | + | Board Agency of Education, through rulemaking, shall further define 17 |
|---|
| 3657 | + | allowable transportation expenditures by rule. 18 |
|---|
| 3658 | + | (c) A district or supervisory union may apply and the Secretary may pay 19 |
|---|
| 3659 | + | for extraordinary transportation expenditures incurred due to geographic or 20 |
|---|
| 3660 | + | other conditions such as the need to transport students out of the school district 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3661 | + | 2025 Page 150 of 194 |
|---|
| 3662 | + | |
|---|
| 3663 | + | |
|---|
| 3664 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3665 | + | to attend another school because the district does not maintain a public school. 1 |
|---|
| 3666 | + | The State Board Agency of Education shall define extraordinary transportation 2 |
|---|
| 3667 | + | expenditures by rule. The total amount of base year extraordinary 3 |
|---|
| 3668 | + | transportation grant expenditures shall be $250,000.00 for fiscal year 1997, 4 |
|---|
| 3669 | + | increased each year thereafter by the annual price index for state and local 5 |
|---|
| 3670 | + | government purchases of goods and services. Extraordinary transportation 6 |
|---|
| 3671 | + | expenditures shall not be paid out of the funds appropriated under subsection 7 |
|---|
| 3672 | + | (b) of this section for other transportation expenditures. Grants paid under this 8 |
|---|
| 3673 | + | section shall be paid from the Education Fund and shall be added to education 9 |
|---|
| 3674 | + | spending payment receipts paid under section 4011 of this title. 10 |
|---|
| 3675 | + | * * * 11 |
|---|
| 3676 | + | § 4025. EDUCATION FUND 12 |
|---|
| 3677 | + | (a) The Education Fund is established to comprise the following: 13 |
|---|
| 3678 | + | (1) all revenue paid to the State from the statewide education tax on 14 |
|---|
| 3679 | + | nonhomestead and homestead property under 32 V.S.A. chapter 135, which 15 |
|---|
| 3680 | + | shall not include any revenue raised from the school district spending tax under 16 |
|---|
| 3681 | + | 32 V.S.A. § 5402(f); 17 |
|---|
| 3682 | + | * * * 18 |
|---|
| 3683 | + | (b) Monies in the Education Fund shall be used for the following: 19 |
|---|
| 3684 | + | (1) To make payments to school districts and supervisory unions for the 20 |
|---|
| 3685 | + | support of education in accordance with the provisions of section 4028 of this 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3686 | + | 2025 Page 151 of 194 |
|---|
| 3687 | + | |
|---|
| 3688 | + | |
|---|
| 3689 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3690 | + | title, other provisions of this chapter, the provisions of 32 V.S.A. chapter 135, 1 |
|---|
| 3691 | + | and the Flexible Pathways Initiative established by section 941 of this title, but 2 |
|---|
| 3692 | + | excluding adult education and literacy programs under section 945 of this title. 3 |
|---|
| 3693 | + | (2) To cover the cost of fund auditing, accounting, revenue collection, 4 |
|---|
| 3694 | + | and of short-term borrowing to meet fund cash flow requirements. 5 |
|---|
| 3695 | + | (3) To make payments required under 32 V.S.A. § 6066(a)(1) and only 6 |
|---|
| 3696 | + | that portion attributable to education taxes, as determined by the Commissioner 7 |
|---|
| 3697 | + | of Taxes, of payments required under 32 V.S.A. § 6066(a)(3). The State 8 |
|---|
| 3698 | + | Treasurer shall withdraw funds from the Education Fund upon warrants issued 9 |
|---|
| 3699 | + | by the Commissioner of Finance and Management based on information 10 |
|---|
| 3700 | + | supplied by the Commissioner of Taxes. The Commissioner of Finance and 11 |
|---|
| 3701 | + | Management may draw warrants for disbursements from the Fund in 12 |
|---|
| 3702 | + | anticipation of receipts. All balances in the Fund at the end of any fiscal year 13 |
|---|
| 3703 | + | shall be carried forward and remain a part of the Fund. Interest accruing from 14 |
|---|
| 3704 | + | the Fund shall remain in the Fund. [Repealed.] 15 |
|---|
| 3705 | + | * * * 16 |
|---|
| 3706 | + | § 4026. EDUCATION FUND BUDGET STABILIZATION RESERVE; 17 |
|---|
| 3707 | + | CREATION AND PURPOSE 18 |
|---|
| 3708 | + | * * * 19 |
|---|
| 3709 | + | (e) The enactment of this chapter and other provisions of the Equal 20 |
|---|
| 3710 | + | Educational Opportunity Act of which it is a part have been premised upon 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3711 | + | 2025 Page 152 of 194 |
|---|
| 3712 | + | |
|---|
| 3713 | + | |
|---|
| 3714 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3715 | + | estimates of balances of revenues to be raised and expenditures to be made 1 |
|---|
| 3716 | + | under the act for such purposes as education spending payments, categorical 2 |
|---|
| 3717 | + | State support grants, provisions for property tax income sensitivity, payments 3 |
|---|
| 3718 | + | in lieu of taxes, current use value appraisals, tax stabilization agreements, the 4 |
|---|
| 3719 | + | stabilization reserve established by this section, and for other purposes. If the 5 |
|---|
| 3720 | + | stabilization reserve established under this section should in any fiscal year be 6 |
|---|
| 3721 | + | less than 5.0 percent of the prior fiscal year’s appropriations from the 7 |
|---|
| 3722 | + | Education Fund, as defined in subsection (b) of this section, the Joint Fiscal 8 |
|---|
| 3723 | + | Committee shall review the information provided pursuant to 32 V.S.A. 9 |
|---|
| 3724 | + | § 5402b and provide the General Assembly its recommendations for change 10 |
|---|
| 3725 | + | necessary to restore the stabilization reserve to the statutory level provided in 11 |
|---|
| 3726 | + | subsection (b) of this section. 12 |
|---|
| 3727 | + | § 4027. EDUCATION FUND TRANSFER AMOUNTS 13 |
|---|
| 3728 | + | (a) [Repealed.] 14 |
|---|
| 3729 | + | (b) Annually, on or before June 1, each superintendent shall report to the 15 |
|---|
| 3730 | + | Agency, on a form prescribed by the Secretary, each education budget that was 16 |
|---|
| 3731 | + | adopted by May 1 for the following fiscal year by the member districts of the 17 |
|---|
| 3732 | + | supervisory union and for which no petition for reconsideration has been filed. 18 |
|---|
| 3733 | + | A superintendent shall report a budget adopted following May 1, to the 19 |
|---|
| 3734 | + | Agency, between 30 to 40 days following adoption or, if a petition for 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3735 | + | 2025 Page 153 of 194 |
|---|
| 3736 | + | |
|---|
| 3737 | + | |
|---|
| 3738 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3739 | + | reconsideration has been filed, within 10 days of final adoption of the budget 1 |
|---|
| 3740 | + | the final adopted budget approved by the district school board. 2 |
|---|
| 3741 | + | § 4028. FUND PAYMENTS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS 3 |
|---|
| 3742 | + | (a) On or before September 10, December 10, and April 30 of each school 4 |
|---|
| 3743 | + | year, one-third of the education spending payment under section 4011 of this 5 |
|---|
| 3744 | + | title base amount as determined under subdivision 4001(17) of this title and 6 |
|---|
| 3745 | + | any State guarantee as defined under 32 V.S.A. § 5401(19) shall become due 7 |
|---|
| 3746 | + | to school districts, except that districts that have not adopted a budget by 30 8 |
|---|
| 3747 | + | days before the date of payment under this subsection shall receive one-quarter 9 |
|---|
| 3748 | + | of the base education amount and upon adoption of a budget shall receive 10 |
|---|
| 3749 | + | additional amounts due under this subsection. 11 |
|---|
| 3750 | + | (b) Payments made for special education under chapter 101 of this title, for 12 |
|---|
| 3751 | + | career technical education under chapter 37 of this title, and for other aid and 13 |
|---|
| 3752 | + | categorical grants paid for support of education shall also be from the 14 |
|---|
| 3753 | + | Education Fund. 15 |
|---|
| 3754 | + | (c)(1) Any district that has adopted a school budget that includes high 16 |
|---|
| 3755 | + | spending, as defined in 32 V.S.A. § 5401(12), shall, upon timely notice, be 17 |
|---|
| 3756 | + | authorized to use a portion of its high spending penalty to reduce future 18 |
|---|
| 3757 | + | education spending: 19 |
|---|
| 3758 | + | (A) by entering into a contract with an operational efficiency 20 |
|---|
| 3759 | + | consultant or a financial systems consultant to examine issues such as 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3760 | + | 2025 Page 154 of 194 |
|---|
| 3761 | + | |
|---|
| 3762 | + | |
|---|
| 3763 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3764 | + | transportation arrangements, administrative costs, staffing patterns, and the 1 |
|---|
| 3765 | + | potential for collaboration with other districts; 2 |
|---|
| 3766 | + | (B) by entering into a contract with an energy or facilities 3 |
|---|
| 3767 | + | management consultant; or 4 |
|---|
| 3768 | + | (C) by engaging in discussions with other school districts about 5 |
|---|
| 3769 | + | reorganization or consolidation for better service delivery at a lower cost. 6 |
|---|
| 3770 | + | (2) To the extent approved by the Secretary, the Agency shall pay the 7 |
|---|
| 3771 | + | district from the property tax revenue to be generated by the high spending 8 |
|---|
| 3772 | + | increase to the district’s spending adjustment as estimated by the Secretary, up 9 |
|---|
| 3773 | + | to a maximum of $5,000.00. For the purposes of this subsection, “timely 10 |
|---|
| 3774 | + | notice” means written notice from the district to the Secretary by September 30 11 |
|---|
| 3775 | + | of the budget year. If the district enters into a contract with a consultant 12 |
|---|
| 3776 | + | pursuant to this subsection, the consultant shall not be an employee of the 13 |
|---|
| 3777 | + | district or of the Agency. A copy of the consultant’s final recommendations or 14 |
|---|
| 3778 | + | a copy of the district’s recommendations regarding reorganization, as 15 |
|---|
| 3779 | + | appropriate, shall be submitted to the Secretary, and each affected town shall 16 |
|---|
| 3780 | + | include in its next town report an executive summary of the consultant’s or 17 |
|---|
| 3781 | + | district’s final recommendations and notice of where a complete copy is 18 |
|---|
| 3782 | + | available. No district is authorized to obtain funds under this section more than 19 |
|---|
| 3783 | + | one time in every five years. [Repealed.] 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3784 | + | 2025 Page 155 of 194 |
|---|
| 3785 | + | |
|---|
| 3786 | + | |
|---|
| 3787 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3788 | + | (d) The Joint Fiscal Office shall prepare a fiscal note for any legislation 1 |
|---|
| 3789 | + | that requires a supervisory union or school district to perform any action with 2 |
|---|
| 3790 | + | an associated cost, but does not provide money or a funding mechanism for 3 |
|---|
| 3791 | + | fulfilling that obligation. Any fiscal note prepared under this subsection shall 4 |
|---|
| 3792 | + | be completed not later than the date that the legislation is considered for a vote 5 |
|---|
| 3793 | + | in the first committee to which it is referred. 6 |
|---|
| 3794 | + | * * * 7 |
|---|
| 3795 | + | § 4030. DATA SUBMISSION; CORRECTIONS 8 |
|---|
| 3796 | + | (a) Upon discovering an error or change in data submitted to the Secretary 9 |
|---|
| 3797 | + | for the purpose of determining payments to or from the Education Fund, a 10 |
|---|
| 3798 | + | school district shall report the error or change to the Secretary as soon as 11 |
|---|
| 3799 | + | possible. Any budget deficit or surplus due to the error or change shall be 12 |
|---|
| 3800 | + | carried forward to the following year. 13 |
|---|
| 3801 | + | (b) The Secretary shall use data submitted on or before January 15 prior to 14 |
|---|
| 3802 | + | the fiscal year that begins the following July 1 in order to calculate the 15 |
|---|
| 3803 | + | amounts due each school district for any fiscal year for transportation aid due 16 |
|---|
| 3804 | + | under section 4016 of this title. 17 |
|---|
| 3805 | + | (c) The Secretary shall use data corrections regarding approved district 18 |
|---|
| 3806 | + | budget amounts submitted on or before June 15 prior to the fiscal year that 19 |
|---|
| 3807 | + | begins the following July 1, in order to calculate the education payments due 20 |
|---|
| 3808 | + | under section 4011 of this title. However, the Secretary may use data 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3809 | + | 2025 Page 156 of 194 |
|---|
| 3810 | + | |
|---|
| 3811 | + | |
|---|
| 3812 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3813 | + | submitted after June 15 and prior to July 15 due to unusual or exceptional 1 |
|---|
| 3814 | + | circumstances as determined by the Secretary. 2 |
|---|
| 3815 | + | (d) The Secretary shall not use data corrected due to an error submitted 3 |
|---|
| 3816 | + | following the deadlines to recalculate weighted long-term membership under 4 |
|---|
| 3817 | + | section 4010 of this title. The Secretary shall not adjust average daily 5 |
|---|
| 3818 | + | membership counts if an error or change is reported more than three fiscal 6 |
|---|
| 3819 | + | years following the date that the original data was due. 7 |
|---|
| 3820 | + | (e) The State Board Agency of Education may adopt rules as necessary to 8 |
|---|
| 3821 | + | implement the provisions of this section. 9 |
|---|
| 3822 | + | § 4031. UNORGANIZED TOWNS AND GORES 10 |
|---|
| 3823 | + | (a) For a municipality that, as of January 1, 2004, is an unorganized town 11 |
|---|
| 3824 | + | or gore, its education property tax spending adjustment under 32 V.S.A. 12 |
|---|
| 3825 | + | § 5401(13) shall be one for purposes of determining the tax rate under 32 13 |
|---|
| 3826 | + | V.S.A. § 5402(a)(2). 14 |
|---|
| 3827 | + | (b) For purposes of a claim for property tax credit under 32 V.S.A. chapter 15 |
|---|
| 3828 | + | 154 by a taxpayer in a municipality affected under this section, the applicable 16 |
|---|
| 3829 | + | percentage shall not be multiplied by a spending adjustment under 32 V.S.A. 17 |
|---|
| 3830 | + | § 5401(13). [Repealed.] 18 |
|---|
| 3831 | + | * * * Education Property Tax Rate Formula * * * 19 |
|---|
| 3832 | + | Sec. 25. 32 V.S.A. § 5401 is amended to read: 20 |
|---|
| 3833 | + | § 5401. DEFINITIONS 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3834 | + | 2025 Page 157 of 194 |
|---|
| 3835 | + | |
|---|
| 3836 | + | |
|---|
| 3837 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3838 | + | As used in this chapter: 1 |
|---|
| 3839 | + | * * * 2 |
|---|
| 3840 | + | (7) “Homestead”: 3 |
|---|
| 3841 | + | (A) “Homestead” means the principal dwelling and parcel of land 4 |
|---|
| 3842 | + | surrounding the dwelling, owned and occupied by a resident individual as the 5 |
|---|
| 3843 | + | individual’s domicile or owned and fully leased on April 1, provided the 6 |
|---|
| 3844 | + | property is not leased for more than 182 days out of the calendar year or, for 7 |
|---|
| 3845 | + | purposes of the renter credit under subsection 6066(b) of this title, is rented 8 |
|---|
| 3846 | + | and occupied by a resident individual as the individual’s domicile. 9 |
|---|
| 3847 | + | * * * 10 |
|---|
| 3848 | + | (8) “Education spending” means “education spending” as defined in 16 11 |
|---|
| 3849 | + | V.S.A. § 4001(6). 12 |
|---|
| 3850 | + | * * * 13 |
|---|
| 3851 | + | (12) “Excess spending” means: 14 |
|---|
| 3852 | + | (A) The per pupil spending amount of the district’s education 15 |
|---|
| 3853 | + | spending, as defined in 16 V.S.A. § 4001(6), plus any amount required to be 16 |
|---|
| 3854 | + | added from a capital construction reserve fund under 24 V.S.A. § 2804(b). 17 |
|---|
| 3855 | + | (B) In excess of 118 percent of the statewide average district per 18 |
|---|
| 3856 | + | pupil education spending increased by inflation, as determined by the Secretary 19 |
|---|
| 3857 | + | of Education on or before November 15 of each year based on the passed 20 |
|---|
| 3858 | + | budgets to date. As used in this subdivision, “increased by inflation” means 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3859 | + | 2025 Page 158 of 194 |
|---|
| 3860 | + | |
|---|
| 3861 | + | |
|---|
| 3862 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3863 | + | increasing the statewide average district per pupil education spending for fiscal 1 |
|---|
| 3864 | + | year 2025 by the most recent New England Economic Project cumulative price 2 |
|---|
| 3865 | + | index, as of November 15, for state and local government purchases of goods 3 |
|---|
| 3866 | + | and services, from fiscal year 2025 through the fiscal year for which the 4 |
|---|
| 3867 | + | amount is being determined. [Repealed.] 5 |
|---|
| 3868 | + | (13)(A) “Education property tax spending adjustment” means the greater 6 |
|---|
| 3869 | + | of one or a fraction in which: 7 |
|---|
| 3870 | + | (i)(A) the numerator is the district’s per pupil education spending 8 |
|---|
| 3871 | + | plus excess spending for the school year, and 9 |
|---|
| 3872 | + | (ii)(B) the denominator is the property dollar equivalent yield for 10 |
|---|
| 3873 | + | the school year, as defined in subdivision (15) of this section, multiplied by the 11 |
|---|
| 3874 | + | statewide adjustment. 12 |
|---|
| 3875 | + | (B) “Education income tax spending adjustment” means the greater 13 |
|---|
| 3876 | + | of one or a fraction in which the numerator is the district’s per pupil education 14 |
|---|
| 3877 | + | spending plus excess spending for the school year, and the denominator is the 15 |
|---|
| 3878 | + | income dollar equivalent yield for the school year, as defined in subdivision 16 |
|---|
| 3879 | + | (16) of this section. [Repealed.] 17 |
|---|
| 3880 | + | * * * 18 |
|---|
| 3881 | + | (15) “Property dollar equivalent yield” means the amount of per pupil 19 |
|---|
| 3882 | + | education spending that would result in a district having a homestead tax rate 20 |
|---|
| 3883 | + | of $1.00 per $100.00 of equalized education property value. [Repealed.] 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3884 | + | 2025 Page 159 of 194 |
|---|
| 3885 | + | |
|---|
| 3886 | + | |
|---|
| 3887 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3888 | + | (16) “Income dollar equivalent yield” means the amount of per pupil 1 |
|---|
| 3889 | + | education spending that would result in a district having an income percentage 2 |
|---|
| 3890 | + | in subdivision 6066(a)(2) of this title of 2.0 percent. [Repealed.] 3 |
|---|
| 3891 | + | (17) “Statewide adjustment” means the ratio of the aggregate education 4 |
|---|
| 3892 | + | property tax grand list of all municipalities to the aggregate value of the 5 |
|---|
| 3893 | + | equalized education property tax grand list of all municipalities. [Repealed.] 6 |
|---|
| 3894 | + | (18) “School district-approved spending” means the spending that a 7 |
|---|
| 3895 | + | school district approves in excess of the foundation formula amount as defined 8 |
|---|
| 3896 | + | in 16 V.S.A. § 4001(17) for the fiscal year and for which no existing revenue 9 |
|---|
| 3897 | + | source is available, provided that no school district shall approve spending in 10 |
|---|
| 3898 | + | excess of a certain percentage, to be determined annually, of the school 11 |
|---|
| 3899 | + | district’s foundation formula amount for the fiscal year. 12 |
|---|
| 3900 | + | (19) “State guarantee” means an amount equal to the school district’s 13 |
|---|
| 3901 | + | State guarantee rate multiplied by the school district’s approved spending. 14 |
|---|
| 3902 | + | (20) “State guarantee rate” means one minus the ratio of the anticipated 15 |
|---|
| 3903 | + | aggregate equalized education property tax grand list of the municipal 16 |
|---|
| 3904 | + | members of a school district per the average daily membership as defined 17 |
|---|
| 3905 | + | under 16 V.S.A. § 4001(1) of that school district in the following fiscal year to 18 |
|---|
| 3906 | + | the anticipated aggregate equalized education property tax grand list of the 19 |
|---|
| 3907 | + | municipal members of a school district per the average daily membership as 20 |
|---|
| 3908 | + | defined under 16 V.S.A. § 4001(1) of that school district that is the median in 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3909 | + | 2025 Page 160 of 194 |
|---|
| 3910 | + | |
|---|
| 3911 | + | |
|---|
| 3912 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3913 | + | the State in the following fiscal year, provided that no school district’s State 1 |
|---|
| 3914 | + | guarantee rate under this subdivision shall be less than zero. 2 |
|---|
| 3915 | + | Sec. 26. 32 V.S.A. § 5402 is amended to read: 3 |
|---|
| 3916 | + | § 5402. EDUCATION PROPERTY TAX LIABILITY 4 |
|---|
| 3917 | + | (a) A statewide education tax is imposed on all nonhomestead and 5 |
|---|
| 3918 | + | homestead property at the following rates: 6 |
|---|
| 3919 | + | (1) The tax rate for nonhomestead property shall be $1.59 per $100.00 7 |
|---|
| 3920 | + | divided by the statewide adjustment. 8 |
|---|
| 3921 | + | (2) The tax rate for homestead property shall be $1.00 multiplied by the 9 |
|---|
| 3922 | + | education property tax spending adjustment for the municipality per $100.00 of 10 |
|---|
| 3923 | + | equalized education property value as most recently determined under section 11 |
|---|
| 3924 | + | 5405 of this title. The homestead property tax rate for each municipality that is 12 |
|---|
| 3925 | + | a member of a union or unified union school district shall be calculated as 13 |
|---|
| 3926 | + | required under subsection (e) of this section a rate sufficient to raise the 14 |
|---|
| 3927 | + | foundation formula amount for the school district for the fiscal year after 15 |
|---|
| 3928 | + | accounting for the forecasted available revenues and the State guarantee. It is 16 |
|---|
| 3929 | + | the intention of the General Assembly that the statewide education tax rate 17 |
|---|
| 3930 | + | under this section shall be adopted for each fiscal year by act of the General 18 |
|---|
| 3931 | + | Assembly. 19 |
|---|
| 3932 | + | (b) The statewide education tax shall be calculated as follows: 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3933 | + | 2025 Page 161 of 194 |
|---|
| 3934 | + | |
|---|
| 3935 | + | |
|---|
| 3936 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3937 | + | (1) The Commissioner of Taxes shall determine for each municipality 1 |
|---|
| 3938 | + | the education tax rates rate under subsection (a) of this section divided by the 2 |
|---|
| 3939 | + | number resulting from dividing the municipality’s most recent common level 3 |
|---|
| 3940 | + | of appraisal by the statewide adjustment. The legislative body in each 4 |
|---|
| 3941 | + | municipality shall then bill each property taxpayer at the homestead or 5 |
|---|
| 3942 | + | nonhomestead rate determined by the Commissioner under this subdivision, 6 |
|---|
| 3943 | + | multiplied by the education property tax grand list value of the property, 7 |
|---|
| 3944 | + | properly classified as homestead or nonhomestead property and without regard 8 |
|---|
| 3945 | + | to any other tax classification of the property. Statewide education property tax 9 |
|---|
| 3946 | + | bills shall show the tax due and the calculation of the rate determined under 10 |
|---|
| 3947 | + | subsection (a) of this section, divided by the number resulting from dividing 11 |
|---|
| 3948 | + | the municipality’s most recent common level of appraisal by the statewide 12 |
|---|
| 3949 | + | adjustment, multiplied by the current grand list value of the property to be 13 |
|---|
| 3950 | + | taxed. Statewide education property tax bills shall also include language 14 |
|---|
| 3951 | + | provided by the Commissioner pursuant to subsection 5405(g) of this title. 15 |
|---|
| 3952 | + | (2) Taxes assessed under this section shall be assessed and collected in 16 |
|---|
| 3953 | + | the same manner as taxes assessed under chapter 133 of this title with no tax 17 |
|---|
| 3954 | + | classification other than as homestead or nonhomestead property; provided, 18 |
|---|
| 3955 | + | however, that the tax levied under this chapter shall be billed to each taxpayer 19 |
|---|
| 3956 | + | by the municipality in a manner that clearly indicates the tax is separate from 20 |
|---|
| 3957 | + | any other tax assessed and collected under chapter 133, including an 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3958 | + | 2025 Page 162 of 194 |
|---|
| 3959 | + | |
|---|
| 3960 | + | |
|---|
| 3961 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3962 | + | itemization of the separate taxes due. The bill may be on a single sheet of 1 |
|---|
| 3963 | + | paper with the statewide education tax and other taxes presented separately and 2 |
|---|
| 3964 | + | side by side. 3 |
|---|
| 3965 | + | (3) If a district has not voted a budget by June 30, an interim homestead 4 |
|---|
| 3966 | + | education tax shall be imposed at the base rate determined under subdivision 5 |
|---|
| 3967 | + | (a)(2) subsection (a) of this section, divided by the number resulting from 6 |
|---|
| 3968 | + | dividing the municipality’s most recent common level of appraisal by the 7 |
|---|
| 3969 | + | statewide adjustment, but without regard to any spending adjustment under 8 |
|---|
| 3970 | + | subdivision 5401(13) of this title. Within 30 days after a budget is adopted and 9 |
|---|
| 3971 | + | the deadline for reconsideration has passed, the Commissioner shall determine 10 |
|---|
| 3972 | + | the municipality’s homestead tax rate as required under subdivision (1) of this 11 |
|---|
| 3973 | + | subsection. 12 |
|---|
| 3974 | + | (c)(1) The treasurer of each municipality shall by December 1 of the year 13 |
|---|
| 3975 | + | in which the tax is levied and on June 1 of the following year pay to the State 14 |
|---|
| 3976 | + | Treasurer for deposit in the Education Fund one-half of the municipality’s 15 |
|---|
| 3977 | + | statewide nonhomestead tax and one-half of the municipality’s homestead 16 |
|---|
| 3978 | + | education tax, as determined under subdivision (b)(1) of this section. 17 |
|---|
| 3979 | + | (2) The Secretary of Education shall determine each municipality’s net 18 |
|---|
| 3980 | + | nonhomestead education tax payment and its net homestead education tax 19 |
|---|
| 3981 | + | payment to the State based on grand list information received by the Secretary 20 |
|---|
| 3982 | + | not later than the March 15 prior to the June 1 net payment. Payment shall be 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 3983 | + | 2025 Page 163 of 194 |
|---|
| 3984 | + | |
|---|
| 3985 | + | |
|---|
| 3986 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 3987 | + | accompanied by a return prescribed by the Secretary of Education. Each 1 |
|---|
| 3988 | + | municipality may retain 0.225 of one percent of the total education tax 2 |
|---|
| 3989 | + | collected, only upon timely remittance of net payment to the State Treasurer or 3 |
|---|
| 3990 | + | to the applicable school district or districts. Each municipality may also retain 4 |
|---|
| 3991 | + | $15.00 for each late property tax credit claim filed after April 15 and before 5 |
|---|
| 3992 | + | September 2, as notified by the Department of Taxes, for the cost of issuing a 6 |
|---|
| 3993 | + | new property tax bill. 7 |
|---|
| 3994 | + | (d) [Repealed.] 8 |
|---|
| 3995 | + | (e) The Commissioner of Taxes shall determine a homestead education tax 9 |
|---|
| 3996 | + | rate for each municipality that is a member of a union or unified union school 10 |
|---|
| 3997 | + | district as follows: 11 |
|---|
| 3998 | + | (1) For a municipality that is a member of a unified union school 12 |
|---|
| 3999 | + | district, use the base rate determined under subdivision (a)(2) of this section 13 |
|---|
| 4000 | + | and a spending adjustment under subdivision 5401(13) of this title based upon 14 |
|---|
| 4001 | + | the per pupil education spending of the unified union. 15 |
|---|
| 4002 | + | (2) For a municipality that is a member of a union school district: 16 |
|---|
| 4003 | + | (A) Determine the municipal district homestead tax rate using the 17 |
|---|
| 4004 | + | base rate determined under subdivision (a)(2) of this section and a spending 18 |
|---|
| 4005 | + | adjustment under subdivision 5401(13) of this title based on the per pupil 19 |
|---|
| 4006 | + | education spending in the municipality who attends a school other than the 20 |
|---|
| 4007 | + | union school. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4008 | + | 2025 Page 164 of 194 |
|---|
| 4009 | + | |
|---|
| 4010 | + | |
|---|
| 4011 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4012 | + | (B) Determine the union district homestead tax rate using the base 1 |
|---|
| 4013 | + | rate determined under subdivision (a)(2) of this section and a spending 2 |
|---|
| 4014 | + | adjustment under subdivision 5401(13) of this title based on the per pupil 3 |
|---|
| 4015 | + | education spending of the union school district. 4 |
|---|
| 4016 | + | (C) Determine a combined homestead tax rate by calculating the 5 |
|---|
| 4017 | + | weighted average of the rates determined under subdivisions (A) and (B) of 6 |
|---|
| 4018 | + | this subdivision (2), with weighting based upon the ratio of union school long-7 |
|---|
| 4019 | + | term membership, as defined in 16 V.S.A. § 4001(7), from the member 8 |
|---|
| 4020 | + | municipality to total long-term membership of the member municipality; and 9 |
|---|
| 4021 | + | the ratio of long-term membership attending a school other than the union 10 |
|---|
| 4022 | + | school to total long-term membership of the member municipality. Total long-11 |
|---|
| 4023 | + | term membership of the member municipality is based on the number of pupils 12 |
|---|
| 4024 | + | who are legal residents of the municipality and attending school at public 13 |
|---|
| 4025 | + | expense. If necessary, the Commissioner may adopt a rule to clarify and 14 |
|---|
| 4026 | + | facilitate implementation of this subsection (e). [Repealed.] 15 |
|---|
| 4027 | + | (f)(1) A school district spending tax is imposed on all homestead and 16 |
|---|
| 4028 | + | nonhomestead property in each member municipality of a school district that 17 |
|---|
| 4029 | + | approves spending pursuant to subdivision 5401(18) of this chapter. The 18 |
|---|
| 4030 | + | Commissioner of Taxes shall determine the school district spending tax rate for 19 |
|---|
| 4031 | + | each school district at a rate sufficient to raise the amount of the school 20 |
|---|
| 4032 | + | district’s approved spending as certified by the Secretary of Education after 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4033 | + | 2025 Page 165 of 194 |
|---|
| 4034 | + | |
|---|
| 4035 | + | |
|---|
| 4036 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4037 | + | accounting for any State guarantee due to the school district. The legislative 1 |
|---|
| 4038 | + | body in each member municipality shall then bill each property taxpayer at the 2 |
|---|
| 4039 | + | rate determined by the Commissioner under this subsection multiplied by the 3 |
|---|
| 4040 | + | current grand list value of the property to be taxed. The bill shall show the tax 4 |
|---|
| 4041 | + | due and the calculation of the rate. 5 |
|---|
| 4042 | + | (2) The school district spending tax assessed under this subsection shall 6 |
|---|
| 4043 | + | be assessed and collected in the same manner as taxes assessed under chapter 7 |
|---|
| 4044 | + | 133 of this title with no tax classification other than as homestead or 8 |
|---|
| 4045 | + | nonhomestead property; provided, however, that the tax levied under this 9 |
|---|
| 4046 | + | chapter shall be billed to each taxpayer by the municipality in a manner that 10 |
|---|
| 4047 | + | clearly indicates the tax is separate from any other tax assessed and collected 11 |
|---|
| 4048 | + | under chapter 133 and the statewide education property tax under this section, 12 |
|---|
| 4049 | + | including an itemization of the separate taxes due. The bill may be on a single 13 |
|---|
| 4050 | + | sheet of paper with the school district spending tax, the statewide education 14 |
|---|
| 4051 | + | tax, and other taxes presented separately and side by side. 15 |
|---|
| 4052 | + | (3) The treasurer of each municipality shall pay all revenue raised from 16 |
|---|
| 4053 | + | the school district spending tax imposed under this subsection to its school 17 |
|---|
| 4054 | + | district pursuant to 16 V.S.A. § 426. 18 |
|---|
| 4055 | + | Sec. 27. 32 V.S.A. § 5402b is amended to read: 19 |
|---|
| 4056 | + | § 5402b. BASE AMOUNT; STATEWIDE EDUCATION TA X YIELDS 20 |
|---|
| 4057 | + | RATE; RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSIONER 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4058 | + | 2025 Page 166 of 194 |
|---|
| 4059 | + | |
|---|
| 4060 | + | |
|---|
| 4061 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4062 | + | (a) Annually, not later than December 1, the Commissioner of Taxes, after 1 |
|---|
| 4063 | + | consultation with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Administration, 2 |
|---|
| 4064 | + | and the Joint Fiscal Office, shall estimate the base amount as defined in 32 3 |
|---|
| 4065 | + | V.S.A. § 4001(16) for the following fiscal year and calculate and recommend a 4 |
|---|
| 4066 | + | property dollar equivalent yield, an income dollar equivalent yield, and a 5 |
|---|
| 4067 | + | nonhomestead property tax rate statewide education property tax rate pursuant 6 |
|---|
| 4068 | + | to subdivision 5402(a)(1) of this chapter for the following fiscal year. In 7 |
|---|
| 4069 | + | making these calculations, the Commissioner shall assume the statutory 8 |
|---|
| 4070 | + | reserves are maintained at five percent pursuant to 16 V.S.A. § 4026: 9 |
|---|
| 4071 | + | (1) the homestead base tax rate in subdivision 5402(a)(2) of this title is 10 |
|---|
| 4072 | + | $1.00 per $100.00 of equalized education property value; 11 |
|---|
| 4073 | + | (2) the applicable percentage in subdivision 6066(a)(2) of this title is 12 |
|---|
| 4074 | + | 2.0; 13 |
|---|
| 4075 | + | (3) the statutory reserves under 16 V.S.A. § 4026 and this section were 14 |
|---|
| 4076 | + | maintained at five percent; 15 |
|---|
| 4077 | + | (4) the percentage change in the average education tax bill applied to 16 |
|---|
| 4078 | + | nonhomestead property and the percentage change in the average education tax 17 |
|---|
| 4079 | + | bill of homestead property and the percentage change in the average education 18 |
|---|
| 4080 | + | tax bill for taxpayers who claim a credit under subsection 6066(a) of this title 19 |
|---|
| 4081 | + | are equal; 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4082 | + | 2025 Page 167 of 194 |
|---|
| 4083 | + | |
|---|
| 4084 | + | |
|---|
| 4085 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4086 | + | (5) the equalized education grand list is multiplied by the statewide 1 |
|---|
| 4087 | + | adjustment in calculating the property dollar equivalent yield; and 2 |
|---|
| 4088 | + | (6) the nonhomestead rate is divided by the statewide adjustment. 3 |
|---|
| 4089 | + | (b) For each fiscal year, the property dollar equivalent yield and the 4 |
|---|
| 4090 | + | income dollar equivalent yield shall be the same as in the prior fiscal year, 5 |
|---|
| 4091 | + | unless set otherwise by the General Assembly. [Repealed.] 6 |
|---|
| 4092 | + | (c) Annually, on or before December 1, the Joint Fiscal Office shall 7 |
|---|
| 4093 | + | prepare and publish an official, annotated copy of the Education Fund Outlook. 8 |
|---|
| 4094 | + | The Emergency Board shall review the Outlook at its meetings. As used in 9 |
|---|
| 4095 | + | this section, “Education Fund Outlook” means the projected revenues and 10 |
|---|
| 4096 | + | expenses associated with the Education Fund for the following fiscal year, 11 |
|---|
| 4097 | + | including projections of different categories of educational expenses and costs. 12 |
|---|
| 4098 | + | (d) Along with the recommendations made under this section, the 13 |
|---|
| 4099 | + | Commissioner shall include the range of per pupil school district-approved 14 |
|---|
| 4100 | + | spending between all districts in the State for the previous year. 15 |
|---|
| 4101 | + | * * * 16 |
|---|
| 4102 | + | * * * Conforming Revisions; Statewide Property Tax Rate * * * 17 |
|---|
| 4103 | + | Sec. 28. 32 V.S.A. § 5404a(b)(1) is amended to read: 18 |
|---|
| 4104 | + | (b)(1) An agreement affecting the education property tax grand list defined 19 |
|---|
| 4105 | + | under subsection (a) of this section shall reduce the municipality’s education 20 |
|---|
| 4106 | + | property tax liability under this chapter for the duration of the agreement or 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4107 | + | 2025 Page 168 of 194 |
|---|
| 4108 | + | |
|---|
| 4109 | + | |
|---|
| 4110 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4111 | + | exemption without extension or renewal, and for a maximum of 10 years. A 1 |
|---|
| 4112 | + | municipality’s property tax liability under this chapter shall be reduced by any 2 |
|---|
| 4113 | + | difference between the amount of the education property taxes collected on the 3 |
|---|
| 4114 | + | subject property and the amount of education property taxes that would have 4 |
|---|
| 4115 | + | been collected on such property if its fair market value were taxed at the 5 |
|---|
| 4116 | + | equalized nonhomestead rate for the tax year. 6 |
|---|
| 4117 | + | Sec. 29. 32 V.S.A. § 5405(g) is amended to read: 7 |
|---|
| 4118 | + | (g) The Commissioner shall provide to municipalities for the front of 8 |
|---|
| 4119 | + | property tax bills the district homestead property tax rate before equalization, 9 |
|---|
| 4120 | + | the nonresidential tax rate before equalization, and the calculation process that 10 |
|---|
| 4121 | + | creates the equalized homestead and nonhomestead tax rates rate. The 11 |
|---|
| 4122 | + | Commissioner shall further provide to municipalities for the back of property 12 |
|---|
| 4123 | + | tax bills an explanation of the common level of appraisal, including its origin 13 |
|---|
| 4124 | + | and purpose. 14 |
|---|
| 4125 | + | Sec. 30. 32 V.S.A. § 5410(g) is amended to read: 15 |
|---|
| 4126 | + | (g) If the property identified in a declaration under subsection (b) of this 16 |
|---|
| 4127 | + | section is not the taxpayer’s homestead or if the owner of a homestead fails to 17 |
|---|
| 4128 | + | declare a homestead as required under this section, the Commissioner shall 18 |
|---|
| 4129 | + | notify the municipality, and the municipality shall issue a corrected tax bill that 19 |
|---|
| 4130 | + | may, as determined by the governing body of the municipality, include a 20 |
|---|
| 4131 | + | penalty of up to three percent of the education tax on the property. However, if 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4132 | + | 2025 Page 169 of 194 |
|---|
| 4133 | + | |
|---|
| 4134 | + | |
|---|
| 4135 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4136 | + | the property incorrectly declared as a homestead is located in a municipality 1 |
|---|
| 4137 | + | that has a lower homestead tax rate than the nonhomestead tax rate or if an 2 |
|---|
| 4138 | + | undeclared homestead is located in a municipality that has a lower 3 |
|---|
| 4139 | + | nonhomestead tax rate than the homestead tax rate, then the governing body of 4 |
|---|
| 4140 | + | the municipality may include a penalty of up to eight percent of the education 5 |
|---|
| 4141 | + | tax liability on the property. If the Commissioner determines that the 6 |
|---|
| 4142 | + | declaration or failure to declare was with fraudulent intent, then the 7 |
|---|
| 4143 | + | municipality shall assess the taxpayer a penalty in an amount equal to 100 8 |
|---|
| 4144 | + | percent of the education tax on the property, plus any interest and late-payment 9 |
|---|
| 4145 | + | fee or commission that may be due. Any penalty imposed under this section 10 |
|---|
| 4146 | + | and any additional property tax interest and late-payment fee or commission 11 |
|---|
| 4147 | + | shall be assessed and collected by the municipality in the same manner as a 12 |
|---|
| 4148 | + | property tax under chapter 133 of this title. Notwithstanding section 4772 of 13 |
|---|
| 4149 | + | this title, issuance of a corrected bill issued under this section does not extend 14 |
|---|
| 4150 | + | the time for payment of the original bill nor relieve the taxpayer of any interest 15 |
|---|
| 4151 | + | or penalties associated with the original bill. If the corrected bill is less than the 16 |
|---|
| 4152 | + | original bill and there are also no unpaid current year taxes, interest, or 17 |
|---|
| 4153 | + | penalties and no past year delinquent taxes or penalties and interest charges, 18 |
|---|
| 4154 | + | any overpayment shall be reflected on the corrected tax bill and refunded to the 19 |
|---|
| 4155 | + | taxpayer. [Repealed.] 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4156 | + | 2025 Page 170 of 194 |
|---|
| 4157 | + | |
|---|
| 4158 | + | |
|---|
| 4159 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4160 | + | * * * Statewide Property Tax Credit Repeal; Homestead Exemption 1 |
|---|
| 4161 | + | Created * * * 2 |
|---|
| 4162 | + | Sec. 31. 32 V.S.A. § 5400 is amended to read: 3 |
|---|
| 4163 | + | § 5400. STATUTORY PURPOSES 4 |
|---|
| 4164 | + | * * * 5 |
|---|
| 4165 | + | (c) The statutory purpose of the exemption for qualified housing in 6 |
|---|
| 4166 | + | subdivision 5404a(a)(6) of this title is to ensure that taxes on this rent-7 |
|---|
| 4167 | + | restricted housing provided to Vermonters of low and moderate income are 8 |
|---|
| 4168 | + | more equivalent to property taxed using the State as a homestead rate property 9 |
|---|
| 4169 | + | and to adjust the costs of investment in rent-restricted housing to reflect more 10 |
|---|
| 4170 | + | accurately the revenue potential of such property. 11 |
|---|
| 4171 | + | * * * 12 |
|---|
| 4172 | + | (j) The statutory purpose of the homestead property tax exemption in 13 |
|---|
| 4173 | + | subdivision 6066(a)(1) of this title is to reduce the property tax liability for 14 |
|---|
| 4174 | + | Vermont households with low and moderate household income. 15 |
|---|
| 4175 | + | Sec. 32. 32 V.S.A. chapter 154 is amended to read: 16 |
|---|
| 4176 | + | CHAPTER 154. HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION, 17 |
|---|
| 4177 | + | MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX CREDIT, AND RENTER CREDIT 18 |
|---|
| 4178 | + | § 6061. DEFINITIONS 19 |
|---|
| 4179 | + | As used in this chapter unless the context requires otherwise: 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4180 | + | 2025 Page 171 of 194 |
|---|
| 4181 | + | |
|---|
| 4182 | + | |
|---|
| 4183 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4184 | + | (1) “Property Municipal property tax credit” means a credit of the prior 1 |
|---|
| 4185 | + | tax year’s statewide or municipal property tax liability or a homestead owner 2 |
|---|
| 4186 | + | credit, as authorized under section subdivision 6066(a)(2) of this title, as the 3 |
|---|
| 4187 | + | context requires chapter. 4 |
|---|
| 4188 | + | * * * 5 |
|---|
| 4189 | + | (8) “Annual tax levy” means the property taxes levied on property 6 |
|---|
| 4190 | + | taxable on April 1 and without regard to the year in which those taxes are due 7 |
|---|
| 4191 | + | or paid. [Repealed.] 8 |
|---|
| 4192 | + | (9) “Taxable year” means the calendar year preceding the year in which 9 |
|---|
| 4193 | + | the claim is filed. 10 |
|---|
| 4194 | + | (10) [Repealed.] 11 |
|---|
| 4195 | + | (11) “Housesite” means that portion of a homestead, as defined under 12 |
|---|
| 4196 | + | subdivision 5401(7) of this title but not under subdivision 5401(7)(G) of this 13 |
|---|
| 4197 | + | title, that includes as much of the land owned by the claimant surrounding the 14 |
|---|
| 4198 | + | dwelling as is reasonably necessary for use of the dwelling as a home, but in 15 |
|---|
| 4199 | + | no event more than two acres per dwelling unit, and, in the case of multiple 16 |
|---|
| 4200 | + | dwelling units, not more than two acres per dwelling unit up to a maximum of 17 |
|---|
| 4201 | + | 10 acres per parcel. 18 |
|---|
| 4202 | + | (12) “Claim year” means the year in which a claim is filed under this 19 |
|---|
| 4203 | + | chapter. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4204 | + | 2025 Page 172 of 194 |
|---|
| 4205 | + | |
|---|
| 4206 | + | |
|---|
| 4207 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4208 | + | (13) “Homestead” means a homestead as defined under subdivision 1 |
|---|
| 4209 | + | 5401(7) of this title, but not under subdivision 5401(7)(G) of this title, and 2 |
|---|
| 4210 | + | declared on or before October 15 in accordance with section 5410 of this title. 3 |
|---|
| 4211 | + | (14) “Statewide education tax rate” means the homestead education 4 |
|---|
| 4212 | + | property tax rate multiplied by the municipality’s education spending 5 |
|---|
| 4213 | + | adjustment under subdivision 5402(a)(2) of this title and used to calculate taxes 6 |
|---|
| 4214 | + | assessed in the municipal fiscal year that began in the taxable year. [Repealed.] 7 |
|---|
| 4215 | + | * * * 8 |
|---|
| 4216 | + | (21) “Homestead property tax exemption” means a reduction in the 9 |
|---|
| 4217 | + | amount of housesite value subject to the statewide education tax and the school 10 |
|---|
| 4218 | + | district spending tax in the claim year as authorized under sections 6066 and 11 |
|---|
| 4219 | + | 6066a of this chapter. 12 |
|---|
| 4220 | + | § 6062. NUMBER AND IDENTITY OF CLAIMANTS; APPORTIONMENT 13 |
|---|
| 4221 | + | * * * 14 |
|---|
| 4222 | + | (d) Whenever a housesite is an integral part of a larger unit such as a farm 15 |
|---|
| 4223 | + | or a multi-purpose or multi-dwelling building, property taxes paid shall be that 16 |
|---|
| 4224 | + | percentage of the total property tax as the value of the housesite is to the total 17 |
|---|
| 4225 | + | value. Upon a claimant’s request, the listers shall certify to the claimant the 18 |
|---|
| 4226 | + | value of his or her the claimant’s homestead and housesite. 19 |
|---|
| 4227 | + | * * * 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4228 | + | 2025 Page 173 of 194 |
|---|
| 4229 | + | |
|---|
| 4230 | + | |
|---|
| 4231 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4232 | + | § 6063. CLAIM AS PERSONAL; CREDIT AND EXEMPTION AMOUNT 1 |
|---|
| 4233 | + | AT TIME OF TRANSFER 2 |
|---|
| 4234 | + | (a) The right to file a claim under this chapter is personal to the claimant 3 |
|---|
| 4235 | + | and shall not survive his or her the claimant’s death, but the right may be 4 |
|---|
| 4236 | + | exercised on behalf of a claimant by his or her the claimant’s legal guardian or 5 |
|---|
| 4237 | + | attorney-in-fact. When a claimant dies after having filed a timely claim, the 6 |
|---|
| 4238 | + | municipal property tax credit and the homestead exemption amount shall be 7 |
|---|
| 4239 | + | credited applied to the homestead property tax liability of the claimant’s estate 8 |
|---|
| 4240 | + | as provided in section 6066a of this title. 9 |
|---|
| 4241 | + | (b) In case of sale or transfer of a residence, after April 1 of the claim year: 10 |
|---|
| 4242 | + | (1) any municipal property tax credit amounts amount related to that 11 |
|---|
| 4243 | + | residence shall be allocated to the seller transferor at closing unless the parties 12 |
|---|
| 4244 | + | otherwise agree; 13 |
|---|
| 4245 | + | (2) any homestead property tax exemption related to that residence 14 |
|---|
| 4246 | + | based on the transferor’s age and household income under subdivision 15 |
|---|
| 4247 | + | 6066(a)(1) of this chapter shall cease to be in effect upon transfer; and 16 |
|---|
| 4248 | + | (3) a transferee who is eligible to declare the residence as a homestead 17 |
|---|
| 4249 | + | but for the requirement to own the residence on April 1 of the claim year shall, 18 |
|---|
| 4250 | + | notwithstanding subdivision 5401(7) and subsection 5410(b) of this title, be 19 |
|---|
| 4251 | + | eligible to apply for a homestead property tax exemption in the claim year 20 |
|---|
| 4252 | + | when the transfer occurs by filing with the Commissioner of Taxes a 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4253 | + | 2025 Page 174 of 194 |
|---|
| 4254 | + | |
|---|
| 4255 | + | |
|---|
| 4256 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4257 | + | homestead declaration pursuant to section 5410 of this title and a claim for 1 |
|---|
| 4258 | + | exemption on or before the due date prescribed under section 6068 of this 2 |
|---|
| 4259 | + | chapter. 3 |
|---|
| 4260 | + | * * * 4 |
|---|
| 4261 | + | § 6065. FORMS; TABLES; NOTICES 5 |
|---|
| 4262 | + | (a) In administering this chapter, the Commissioner shall provide suitable 6 |
|---|
| 4263 | + | claim forms with tables of allowable claims, instructions, and worksheets for 7 |
|---|
| 4264 | + | claiming a homestead property tax exemption and municipal property tax 8 |
|---|
| 4265 | + | credit. 9 |
|---|
| 4266 | + | (b) Prior to June 1, the Commissioner shall also prepare and supply to each 10 |
|---|
| 4267 | + | town in the State notices describing the homestead property tax exemption and 11 |
|---|
| 4268 | + | municipal property tax credit for inclusion in property tax bills. The notice 12 |
|---|
| 4269 | + | shall be in simple, plain language and shall explain how to file for a homestead 13 |
|---|
| 4270 | + | property tax exemption and a municipal property tax credit, where to find 14 |
|---|
| 4271 | + | assistance filing for a credit or an exemption, or both, and any other related 15 |
|---|
| 4272 | + | information as determined by the Commissioner. The notice shall direct 16 |
|---|
| 4273 | + | taxpayers to a resource where they can find versions of the notice translated 17 |
|---|
| 4274 | + | into the five most common non-English languages in the State. A town shall 18 |
|---|
| 4275 | + | include such notice in each tax bill and notice of delinquent taxes that it mails 19 |
|---|
| 4276 | + | to taxpayers who own in that town a residential property, without regard for 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4277 | + | 2025 Page 175 of 194 |
|---|
| 4278 | + | |
|---|
| 4279 | + | |
|---|
| 4280 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4281 | + | whether the property was declared a homestead pursuant to subdivision 1 |
|---|
| 4282 | + | 5401(7) of this title. 2 |
|---|
| 4283 | + | (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, towns 3 |
|---|
| 4284 | + | that use envelopes or mailers not able to accommodate notices describing the 4 |
|---|
| 4285 | + | homestead property tax exemption and municipal property tax credit may 5 |
|---|
| 4286 | + | distribute such notices in an alternative manner. 6 |
|---|
| 4287 | + | § 6066. COMPUTATION OF HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX 7 |
|---|
| 4288 | + | EXEMPTION, MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX CREDIT, AND 8 |
|---|
| 4289 | + | RENTER CREDIT 9 |
|---|
| 4290 | + | (a) An eligible claimant who owned the homestead on April 1 of the year in 10 |
|---|
| 4291 | + | which the claim is filed shall be entitled to a credit for the prior year’s 11 |
|---|
| 4292 | + | homestead property tax liability amount determined as follows: 12 |
|---|
| 4293 | + | (1)(A) For a claimant with household income of $90,000.00 or more: 13 |
|---|
| 4294 | + | (i) the statewide education tax rate, multiplied by the equalized 14 |
|---|
| 4295 | + | value of the housesite in the taxable year; 15 |
|---|
| 4296 | + | (ii) minus (if less) the sum of: 16 |
|---|
| 4297 | + | (I) the income percentage of household income for the taxable 17 |
|---|
| 4298 | + | year; plus 18 |
|---|
| 4299 | + | (II) the statewide education tax rate, multiplied by the equalized 19 |
|---|
| 4300 | + | value of the housesite in the taxable year in excess of $225,000.00. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4301 | + | 2025 Page 176 of 194 |
|---|
| 4302 | + | |
|---|
| 4303 | + | |
|---|
| 4304 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4305 | + | (B) For a claimant with household income of less than $90,000.00 but 1 |
|---|
| 4306 | + | more than $47,000.00, the statewide education tax rate, multiplied by the 2 |
|---|
| 4307 | + | equalized value of the housesite in the taxable year, minus (if less) the sum of: 3 |
|---|
| 4308 | + | (i) the income percentage of household income for the taxable 4 |
|---|
| 4309 | + | year; plus 5 |
|---|
| 4310 | + | (ii) the statewide education tax rate, multiplied by the equalized 6 |
|---|
| 4311 | + | value of the housesite in the taxable year in excess of $400,000.00. 7 |
|---|
| 4312 | + | (C) For a claimant whose household income does not exceed 8 |
|---|
| 4313 | + | $47,000.00, the statewide education tax rate, multiplied by the equalized value 9 |
|---|
| 4314 | + | of the housesite in the taxable year, minus the lesser of: 10 |
|---|
| 4315 | + | (i) the sum of the income percentage of household income for the 11 |
|---|
| 4316 | + | taxable year plus the statewide education tax rate, multiplied by the equalized 12 |
|---|
| 4317 | + | value of the housesite in the taxable year in excess of $400,000.00; or 13 |
|---|
| 4318 | + | (ii) the statewide education tax rate, multiplied by the equalized 14 |
|---|
| 4319 | + | value of the housesite in the taxable year reduced by $15,000.00. 15 |
|---|
| 4320 | + | (2) “Income percentage” in this section means two percent, multiplied 16 |
|---|
| 4321 | + | by the education income tax spending adjustment under subdivision 17 |
|---|
| 4322 | + | 5401(13)(B) of this title for the property tax year that begins in the claim year 18 |
|---|
| 4323 | + | for the municipality in which the homestead residence is located 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4324 | + | 2025 Page 177 of 194 |
|---|
| 4325 | + | |
|---|
| 4326 | + | |
|---|
| 4327 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4328 | + | (1) An eligible claimant who owned the homestead on April 1 of the 1 |
|---|
| 4329 | + | claim year shall be entitled to a homestead property tax exemption in the claim 2 |
|---|
| 4330 | + | year in an amount determined as follows: 3 |
|---|
| 4331 | + | (A) for a claimant whose household income is equal to or less than 4 |
|---|
| 4332 | + | $47,000.00 and who is 65 years of age or more as of December 31 of the year 5 |
|---|
| 4333 | + | in which the claimant’s household income is taken into account, the exemption 6 |
|---|
| 4334 | + | shall be 70 percent of the claimant’s housesite value, provided the exempt 7 |
|---|
| 4335 | + | amount of housesite value shall not exceed $200,000.00; 8 |
|---|
| 4336 | + | (B) for a claimant whose household income is equal to or less than 9 |
|---|
| 4337 | + | $47,000.00 and who is less than 65 years of age as of December 31 of the year 10 |
|---|
| 4338 | + | in which the claimant’s household income is taken into account, the exemption 11 |
|---|
| 4339 | + | shall be 60 percent of the claimant’s housesite value, provided the exempt 12 |
|---|
| 4340 | + | amount of housesite value shall not exceed $200,000.00; 13 |
|---|
| 4341 | + | (C) for a claimant whose household income is greater than 14 |
|---|
| 4342 | + | $47,000.00 but equal to or less than $90,000.00, the exemption shall be 50 15 |
|---|
| 4343 | + | percent of the claimant’s housesite value, provided the exempt amount of 16 |
|---|
| 4344 | + | housesite value shall not exceed $200,000.00; 17 |
|---|
| 4345 | + | (D) for a claimant whose household income is greater than 18 |
|---|
| 4346 | + | $90,000.00 but equal to or less than $125,000.00, the exemption shall be 10 19 |
|---|
| 4347 | + | percent of the claimant’s housesite value, provided the exempt amount of 20 |
|---|
| 4348 | + | housesite value shall not exceed $50,000.00; and 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4349 | + | 2025 Page 178 of 194 |
|---|
| 4350 | + | |
|---|
| 4351 | + | |
|---|
| 4352 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4353 | + | (E) for a claimant whose household income is greater than 1 |
|---|
| 4354 | + | $125,000.00, no amount of housesite value shall be exempt under this section. 2 |
|---|
| 4355 | + | (3)(2) A An eligible claimant who owned the homestead on April 1 of 3 |
|---|
| 4356 | + | the claim year and whose household income does not exceed $47,000.00 shall 4 |
|---|
| 4357 | + | also be entitled to an additional a credit amount from against the claimant’s 5 |
|---|
| 4358 | + | municipal taxes for the upcoming fiscal year that is equal to the amount by 6 |
|---|
| 4359 | + | which the municipal property taxes for the municipal fiscal year that began in 7 |
|---|
| 4360 | + | the taxable year upon the claimant’s housesite exceeds a percentage of the 8 |
|---|
| 4361 | + | claimant’s household income for the taxable year as follows: 9 |
|---|
| 4362 | + | If household income (rounded then the taxpayer is entitled to 10 |
|---|
| 4363 | + | credit for the 11 |
|---|
| 4364 | + | to the nearest dollar) is: reduced property tax in excess of 12 |
|---|
| 4365 | + | this percent 13 |
|---|
| 4366 | + | of that income: 14 |
|---|
| 4367 | + | $0.00 — 9,999.00 1.50 15 |
|---|
| 4368 | + | $10,000.00 — 47,000.00 3.00 16 |
|---|
| 4369 | + | (4) A claimant whose household income does not exceed $47,000.00 17 |
|---|
| 4370 | + | shall also be entitled to an additional credit amount from the claimant’s 18 |
|---|
| 4371 | + | statewide education tax for the upcoming fiscal year that is equal to the amount 19 |
|---|
| 4372 | + | by which the education property tax for the municipal fiscal year that began in 20 |
|---|
| 4373 | + | the taxable year upon the claimant’s housesite, reduced by the credit amount 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4374 | + | 2025 Page 179 of 194 |
|---|
| 4375 | + | |
|---|
| 4376 | + | |
|---|
| 4377 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4378 | + | determined under subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, exceeds a 1 |
|---|
| 4379 | + | percentage of the claimant’s household income for the taxable year as follows: 2 |
|---|
| 4380 | + | If household income (rounded then the taxpayer is entitled to 3 |
|---|
| 4381 | + | to the nearest dollar) is: credit for the reduced property tax 4 |
|---|
| 4382 | + | in excess of this percent of that 5 |
|---|
| 4383 | + | income: 6 |
|---|
| 4384 | + | $0.00 — 9,999.00 0.5 7 |
|---|
| 4385 | + | $10,000.00 — 24,999.00 1.5 8 |
|---|
| 4386 | + | $25,000.00 — 47,000.00 2.0 9 |
|---|
| 4387 | + | (5)(3) In no event shall the homestead property tax exemption provided 10 |
|---|
| 4388 | + | for in subdivision (1) of this subsection reduce the housesite value below zero. 11 |
|---|
| 4389 | + | In no event shall the municipal property tax credit provided for in subdivision 12 |
|---|
| 4390 | + | (3) or (4) (2) of this subsection exceed the amount of the reduced municipal 13 |
|---|
| 4391 | + | property tax. The credits under subdivision (4) of this subsection shall be 14 |
|---|
| 4392 | + | calculated considering only the tax due on the first $400,000.00 in equalized 15 |
|---|
| 4393 | + | housesite value. 16 |
|---|
| 4394 | + | (b)(1) An eligible claimant who rented the homestead shall be entitled 17 |
|---|
| 4395 | + | to a credit for the taxable year in an amount not to exceed $2,500.00, to be 18 |
|---|
| 4396 | + | calculated as follows: 19 |
|---|
| 4397 | + | * * * 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4398 | + | 2025 Page 180 of 194 |
|---|
| 4399 | + | |
|---|
| 4400 | + | |
|---|
| 4401 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4402 | + | (c) to be eligible for an adjustment exemption or credit under this chapter, 1 |
|---|
| 4403 | + | the claimant: 2 |
|---|
| 4404 | + | (1) must have been domiciled in this State during the entire taxable 3 |
|---|
| 4405 | + | year; 4 |
|---|
| 4406 | + | (2) may not be a person claimed as a dependent by any taxpayer under 5 |
|---|
| 4407 | + | the federal Internal Revenue Code during the taxable year; and 6 |
|---|
| 4408 | + | (3) in the case of a renter, shall have rented property for at least six 7 |
|---|
| 4409 | + | calendar months, which need not be consecutive, during the taxable year. 8 |
|---|
| 4410 | + | (d) The owner of a mobile home that is sited on a lot not owned by the 9 |
|---|
| 4411 | + | homeowner may include an amount determined under subdivision 6061(7) of 10 |
|---|
| 4412 | + | this title as allocable rent paid on the lot with the amount of property taxes paid 11 |
|---|
| 4413 | + | by the homeowner on the home for the purpose of computation of credits the 12 |
|---|
| 4414 | + | municipal property tax credit under subdivision (a)(3)(2) of this section, unless 13 |
|---|
| 4415 | + | the homeowner has included in the claim an amount of property tax on 14 |
|---|
| 4416 | + | common land under the provisions of subsection (e) of this section. 15 |
|---|
| 4417 | + | (e) Property taxes paid by a cooperative, not including a mobile home park 16 |
|---|
| 4418 | + | cooperative, allocable to property used as a homestead shall be attributable to 17 |
|---|
| 4419 | + | the co-op member for the purpose of computing the credit of property tax 18 |
|---|
| 4420 | + | liability of the co-op member under this section. Property owned by a 19 |
|---|
| 4421 | + | cooperative declared as a homestead may only include the homestead and a pro 20 |
|---|
| 4422 | + | rata share of any common land owned or leased by the cooperative, not to 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4423 | + | 2025 Page 181 of 194 |
|---|
| 4424 | + | |
|---|
| 4425 | + | |
|---|
| 4426 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4427 | + | exceed the two-acre housesite limitation. The share of the cooperative’s 1 |
|---|
| 4428 | + | assessed value attributable to the housesite shall be determined by the 2 |
|---|
| 4429 | + | cooperative and specified annually in a notice to the co-op member. Property 3 |
|---|
| 4430 | + | taxes paid by a mobile home park cooperative, allocable to property used as a 4 |
|---|
| 4431 | + | housesite, shall be attributed to the owner of the housesite for the purpose of 5 |
|---|
| 4432 | + | computing the credit of property tax liability of the housesite owner under this 6 |
|---|
| 4433 | + | section. Property owned by the mobile home park cooperative and declared as 7 |
|---|
| 4434 | + | a housesite may only include common property of the cooperative contiguous 8 |
|---|
| 4435 | + | with at least one mobile home lot in the park, not to exceed the two-acre 9 |
|---|
| 4436 | + | housesite limitation. The share attributable to any mobile home lot shall be 10 |
|---|
| 4437 | + | determined by the cooperative and specified in the cooperative agreement. A 11 |
|---|
| 4438 | + | co-op member who is the housesite owner shall be entitled to a property tax 12 |
|---|
| 4439 | + | credit in an amount determined by multiplying the property taxes allocated 13 |
|---|
| 4440 | + | under this subsection by the percentage of the exemption for which the 14 |
|---|
| 4441 | + | housesite owner’s household income qualifies under subdivision (a)(1) of this 15 |
|---|
| 4442 | + | section. 16 |
|---|
| 4443 | + | (f) [Repealed.] 17 |
|---|
| 4444 | + | (g) Notwithstanding subsection (d) of this section, if the land surrounding a 18 |
|---|
| 4445 | + | homestead is owned by a nonprofit corporation or community land trust with 19 |
|---|
| 4446 | + | tax exempt status under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3), the homeowner may include an 20 |
|---|
| 4447 | + | allocated amount as property tax paid on the land with the amount of property 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4448 | + | 2025 Page 182 of 194 |
|---|
| 4449 | + | |
|---|
| 4450 | + | |
|---|
| 4451 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4452 | + | taxes paid by the homeowner on the home for the purposes of computation of 1 |
|---|
| 4453 | + | the credit property tax liability under this section. The allocated amount shall 2 |
|---|
| 4454 | + | be determined by the nonprofit corporation or community land trust on a 3 |
|---|
| 4455 | + | proportional basis. The nonprofit corporation or community land trust shall 4 |
|---|
| 4456 | + | provide to that homeowner, by January 31, a certificate specifying the 5 |
|---|
| 4457 | + | allocated amount. The certificate shall indicate the proportion of total property 6 |
|---|
| 4458 | + | tax on the parcel that was assessed for municipal property tax and for statewide 7 |
|---|
| 4459 | + | property tax and the proportion of total value of the parcel. A homeowner 8 |
|---|
| 4460 | + | under this subsection shall be entitled to a property tax credit in an amount 9 |
|---|
| 4461 | + | determined by multiplying the property taxes allocated under this subsection 10 |
|---|
| 4462 | + | by the percentage of the exemption for which the homeowner’s household 11 |
|---|
| 4463 | + | income qualifies under subdivision (a)(1) of this section. 12 |
|---|
| 4464 | + | (h) A homestead owner shall be entitled to an additional property tax credit 13 |
|---|
| 4465 | + | equal to one percent of the amount of income tax refund that the claimant 14 |
|---|
| 4466 | + | elects to allocate to payment of homestead statewide education property tax 15 |
|---|
| 4467 | + | under section 6068 of this title. 16 |
|---|
| 4468 | + | (i) Adjustments The homestead property tax exemption and the municipal 17 |
|---|
| 4469 | + | property tax credit under subsection (a) of this section shall be calculated 18 |
|---|
| 4470 | + | without regard to any exemption under subdivision 3802(11) of this title. 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4471 | + | 2025 Page 183 of 194 |
|---|
| 4472 | + | |
|---|
| 4473 | + | |
|---|
| 4474 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4475 | + | § 6066a. DETERMINATION OF HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX 1 |
|---|
| 4476 | + | EXEMPTION AND MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX CREDIT 2 |
|---|
| 4477 | + | (a) Annually, the Commissioner shall determine the homestead property tax 3 |
|---|
| 4478 | + | exemption and the municipal property tax credit amount under section 6066 of 4 |
|---|
| 4479 | + | this title, related to a homestead owned by the claimant, based on the prior 5 |
|---|
| 4480 | + | taxable year’s income and for the municipal property tax credit, crediting 6 |
|---|
| 4481 | + | property taxes paid in the prior year, and for the homestead property tax 7 |
|---|
| 4482 | + | exemption, exempting the housesite value in the claim year. The 8 |
|---|
| 4483 | + | Commissioner shall notify the municipality in which the housesite is located of 9 |
|---|
| 4484 | + | the amount of the homestead property tax exemption and municipal property 10 |
|---|
| 4485 | + | tax credit for the claimant for homestead property tax liabilities on a monthly 11 |
|---|
| 4486 | + | basis. The municipal property tax credit of a claimant who was assessed 12 |
|---|
| 4487 | + | property tax by a town that revised the dates of its fiscal year, however, is the 13 |
|---|
| 4488 | + | excess of the property tax that was assessed in the last 12 months of the revised 14 |
|---|
| 4489 | + | fiscal year, over the adjusted property tax of the claimant for the revised fiscal 15 |
|---|
| 4490 | + | year, as determined under section 6066 of this title, related to a homestead 16 |
|---|
| 4491 | + | owned by the claimant. 17 |
|---|
| 4492 | + | (b) The Commissioner shall include in the total homestead property tax 18 |
|---|
| 4493 | + | exemption and municipal property tax credit amount determined under 19 |
|---|
| 4494 | + | subsection (a) of this section, for credit to the taxpayer for homestead statewide 20 |
|---|
| 4495 | + | education property tax and school district spending tax liabilities, any income 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4496 | + | 2025 Page 184 of 194 |
|---|
| 4497 | + | |
|---|
| 4498 | + | |
|---|
| 4499 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4500 | + | tax overpayment remaining after allocation under section 3112 of this title and 1 |
|---|
| 4501 | + | setoff under section 5934 of this title, which the taxpayer has directed to be 2 |
|---|
| 4502 | + | used for payment of property taxes. 3 |
|---|
| 4503 | + | (c) The Commissioner shall notify the municipality of any claim and refund 4 |
|---|
| 4504 | + | amounts unresolved by November 1 at the time of final resolution, including 5 |
|---|
| 4505 | + | adjudication, if any; provided, however, that towns will not be notified of any 6 |
|---|
| 4506 | + | additional credit amounts after November 1 of the claim year, and such 7 |
|---|
| 4507 | + | amounts shall be paid to the claimant by the Commissioner. 8 |
|---|
| 4508 | + | (d) [Repealed.] 9 |
|---|
| 4509 | + | (e) At the time of notice to the municipality, the Commissioner shall notify 10 |
|---|
| 4510 | + | the taxpayer of the homestead property tax credit exemption amount 11 |
|---|
| 4511 | + | determined under subdivision 6066(a)(1) of this title, the amount determined 12 |
|---|
| 4512 | + | under subdivision 6066(a)(3) of this title,; any additional municipal property 13 |
|---|
| 4513 | + | credit amounts amount due the homestead owner under section subdivision 14 |
|---|
| 4514 | + | 6066(a)(2) of this title,; the amount of income tax refund, if any, allocated to 15 |
|---|
| 4515 | + | payment of homestead statewide education property tax liabilities,; and any 16 |
|---|
| 4516 | + | late-claim reduction amount. 17 |
|---|
| 4517 | + | (f)(1) For taxpayers and amounts stated in the notice to towns on or before 18 |
|---|
| 4518 | + | July 1, municipalities shall create and send to taxpayers a homestead property 19 |
|---|
| 4519 | + | tax bill, instead of the bill required under subdivision 5402(b)(1) of this title, 20 |
|---|
| 4520 | + | providing the total amount allocated to payment of homestead statewide 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4521 | + | 2025 Page 185 of 194 |
|---|
| 4522 | + | |
|---|
| 4523 | + | |
|---|
| 4524 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4525 | + | education property tax liabilities and notice of the balance due. Municipalities 1 |
|---|
| 4526 | + | shall apply the amount of the homestead property tax exemption allocated 2 |
|---|
| 4527 | + | under this chapter to current year property taxes in equal amounts to each of 3 |
|---|
| 4528 | + | the taxpayers’ property tax installments that include education taxes and the 4 |
|---|
| 4529 | + | amount of the municipal property tax credit allocated under this chapter to 5 |
|---|
| 4530 | + | current year municipal property taxes in equal amounts to each of the 6 |
|---|
| 4531 | + | taxpayers’ property tax installments that include municipal taxes. 7 |
|---|
| 4532 | + | Notwithstanding section 4772 of this title, if a town issues a corrected bill as a 8 |
|---|
| 4533 | + | result of the notice sent by the Commissioner under subsection (a) of this 9 |
|---|
| 4534 | + | section, issuance of the corrected new bill does not extend the time for 10 |
|---|
| 4535 | + | payment of the original bill nor relieve the taxpayer of any interest or penalties 11 |
|---|
| 4536 | + | associated with the original bill. If the corrected bill is less than the original 12 |
|---|
| 4537 | + | bill, and there are also no unpaid current year taxes, interest, or penalties, and 13 |
|---|
| 4538 | + | no past year delinquent taxes or penalties and interest charges, any 14 |
|---|
| 4539 | + | overpayment shall be reflected on the corrected tax bill and refunded to the 15 |
|---|
| 4540 | + | taxpayer. 16 |
|---|
| 4541 | + | (2) For homestead property tax exemption and municipal property tax 17 |
|---|
| 4542 | + | credit amounts for which municipalities receive notice after November 1, 18 |
|---|
| 4543 | + | municipalities shall issue a new homestead property tax bill with notice to the 19 |
|---|
| 4544 | + | taxpayer of the total amount allocated to payment of homestead property tax 20 |
|---|
| 4545 | + | liabilities and notice of the balance due. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4546 | + | 2025 Page 186 of 194 |
|---|
| 4547 | + | |
|---|
| 4548 | + | |
|---|
| 4549 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4550 | + | (3) The homestead property tax exemption and municipal property tax 1 |
|---|
| 4551 | + | credit amount determined for the taxpayer shall be allocated first to current 2 |
|---|
| 4552 | + | year housesite value and property tax on the homestead parcel, next to current-3 |
|---|
| 4553 | + | year homestead parcel penalties and interest, next to any prior year homestead 4 |
|---|
| 4554 | + | parcel penalties and interest, and last to any prior year housesite value and 5 |
|---|
| 4555 | + | property tax on the homestead parcel. No homestead property tax exemption 6 |
|---|
| 4556 | + | or municipal credit shall be allocated to a housesite value or property tax 7 |
|---|
| 4557 | + | liability for any year after the year for which the claim or refund allocation was 8 |
|---|
| 4558 | + | filed. No municipal tax-reduction incentive for early payment of taxes shall 9 |
|---|
| 4559 | + | apply to any amount allocated to the property tax bill under this chapter. 10 |
|---|
| 4560 | + | (4) If the homestead property tax exemption or the municipal property 11 |
|---|
| 4561 | + | tax credit amount as described in subsection (e) of this section exceeds the 12 |
|---|
| 4562 | + | property tax, penalties, and interest due for the current and all prior years, the 13 |
|---|
| 4563 | + | municipality shall refund the excess to the taxpayer, without interest, within 20 14 |
|---|
| 4564 | + | days of the first date upon which taxes become due and payable or 20 days 15 |
|---|
| 4565 | + | after notification of the exemption or credit amount by the Commissioner of 16 |
|---|
| 4566 | + | Taxes, whichever is later. 17 |
|---|
| 4567 | + | (g) The Commissioner of Taxes shall pay monthly to each municipality the 18 |
|---|
| 4568 | + | amount of municipal property tax credit of which the municipality was last 19 |
|---|
| 4569 | + | notified related to municipal property tax on homesteads within that 20 |
|---|
| 4570 | + | municipality, as determined by the Commissioner of Taxes. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4571 | + | 2025 Page 187 of 194 |
|---|
| 4572 | + | |
|---|
| 4573 | + | |
|---|
| 4574 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4575 | + | § 6067. CREDIT CLAIM LIMITATIONS 1 |
|---|
| 4576 | + | (a) Claimant. Only one individual per household per taxable year shall be 2 |
|---|
| 4577 | + | entitled to a a homestead exemption claim or property tax credit claim, or both, 3 |
|---|
| 4578 | + | under this chapter. 4 |
|---|
| 4579 | + | (b) Other states. An individual who received a homestead exemption or 5 |
|---|
| 4580 | + | credit with respect to property taxes assessed by another state for the taxable 6 |
|---|
| 4581 | + | year shall not be entitled to receive a credit under this chapter. 7 |
|---|
| 4582 | + | (c) Dollar amount. No taxpayer claimant shall receive a renter credit under 8 |
|---|
| 4583 | + | subsection 6066(b) of this title in excess of $2,500.00. No taxpayer claimant 9 |
|---|
| 4584 | + | shall receive a municipal property tax credit under subdivision 6066(a)(3)(2) of 10 |
|---|
| 4585 | + | this title greater than $2,400.00 or cumulative credit under subdivisions 11 |
|---|
| 4586 | + | 6066(a)(1)-(2) and (4) of this title greater than $5,600.00. 12 |
|---|
| 4587 | + | § 6068. APPLICATION AND TIME FOR FILING 13 |
|---|
| 4588 | + | (a) A homestead property tax exemption or municipal property tax credit 14 |
|---|
| 4589 | + | claim or request for allocation of an income tax refund to homestead statewide 15 |
|---|
| 4590 | + | education property tax payment shall be filed with the Commissioner on or 16 |
|---|
| 4591 | + | before the due date for filing the Vermont income tax return, without 17 |
|---|
| 4592 | + | extension, and shall describe the school district in which the homestead 18 |
|---|
| 4593 | + | property is located and shall particularly describe the homestead property for 19 |
|---|
| 4594 | + | which the exemption or credit or allocation is sought, including the school 20 |
|---|
| 4595 | + | parcel account number prescribed in subsection 5404(b) of this title. A renter 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4596 | + | 2025 Page 188 of 194 |
|---|
| 4597 | + | |
|---|
| 4598 | + | |
|---|
| 4599 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4600 | + | credit claim shall be filed with the Commissioner on or before the due date for 1 |
|---|
| 4601 | + | filing the Vermont income tax return, without extension. 2 |
|---|
| 4602 | + | (b)(1) If the a claimant files a municipal property tax credit claim after 3 |
|---|
| 4603 | + | October 15 but on or before March 15 of the following calendar year, the 4 |
|---|
| 4604 | + | municipal property tax credit under this chapter: 5 |
|---|
| 4605 | + | (1)(A) shall be reduced in amount by $150.00, but not below $0.00; 6 |
|---|
| 4606 | + | (2)(B) shall be issued directly to the claimant; and 7 |
|---|
| 4607 | + | (3)(C) shall not require the municipality where the claimant’s property 8 |
|---|
| 4608 | + | is located to issue an adjusted homestead property tax bill. 9 |
|---|
| 4609 | + | (2) If a claimant files a homestead property tax exemption claim under 10 |
|---|
| 4610 | + | this chapter after October 15 but on or before March 15 of the following 11 |
|---|
| 4611 | + | calendar year, the claimant shall pay a penalty of $150.00 and the municipality 12 |
|---|
| 4612 | + | where the claimant’s property is located shall not be required to issue an 13 |
|---|
| 4613 | + | adjusted property tax bill. 14 |
|---|
| 4614 | + | (c) No request for allocation of an income tax refund or for a renter credit 15 |
|---|
| 4615 | + | claim may be made after October 15. No homestead property tax exemption or 16 |
|---|
| 4616 | + | municipal property tax credit claim may be made after March 15 of the 17 |
|---|
| 4617 | + | calendar year following the due date under subsection (a) of this section. 18 |
|---|
| 4618 | + | * * * 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4619 | + | 2025 Page 189 of 194 |
|---|
| 4620 | + | |
|---|
| 4621 | + | |
|---|
| 4622 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4623 | + | § 6070. DISALLOWED CLAIMS 1 |
|---|
| 4624 | + | A claim shall be disallowed if the claimant received title to his or her the 2 |
|---|
| 4625 | + | claimant’s homestead primarily for the purpose of receiving benefits under this 3 |
|---|
| 4626 | + | chapter. 4 |
|---|
| 4627 | + | § 6071. EXCESSIVE AND FRAUDULENT CLAIMS 5 |
|---|
| 4628 | + | (a) In any case in which it is determined under the provisions of this title 6 |
|---|
| 4629 | + | that a claim is or was excessive and was filed with fraudulent intent, the claim 7 |
|---|
| 4630 | + | shall be disallowed in full and the Commissioner may impose a penalty equal 8 |
|---|
| 4631 | + | to the amount claimed. A disallowed claim may be recovered by assessment 9 |
|---|
| 4632 | + | as income taxes are assessed. The assessment, including assessment of 10 |
|---|
| 4633 | + | penalty, shall bear interest from the date the claim was credited against 11 |
|---|
| 4634 | + | property tax or income tax or paid by the State until repaid by the claimant at 12 |
|---|
| 4635 | + | the rate per annum established from time to time by the Commissioner 13 |
|---|
| 4636 | + | pursuant to section 3108 of this title. The claimant in that case, and any person 14 |
|---|
| 4637 | + | who assisted in the preparation of filing of such excessive claim or supplied 15 |
|---|
| 4638 | + | information upon which the excessive claim was prepared, with fraudulent 16 |
|---|
| 4639 | + | intent, shall be fined not more than $1,000.00 or be imprisoned not more than 17 |
|---|
| 4640 | + | one year, or both. 18 |
|---|
| 4641 | + | (b) In any case in which it is determined that a claim is or was excessive, 19 |
|---|
| 4642 | + | the Commissioner may impose a 10 percent penalty on such excess, and if the 20 |
|---|
| 4643 | + | claim has been paid or credited against property tax or income tax otherwise 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4644 | + | 2025 Page 190 of 194 |
|---|
| 4645 | + | |
|---|
| 4646 | + | |
|---|
| 4647 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4648 | + | payable, the municipal property tax credit or homestead exemption shall be 1 |
|---|
| 4649 | + | reduced or canceled and the proper portion of any amount paid shall be 2 |
|---|
| 4650 | + | similarly recovered by assessment as income taxes are assessed, and such 3 |
|---|
| 4651 | + | assessment shall bear interest at the rate per annum established from time to 4 |
|---|
| 4652 | + | time by the Commissioner pursuant to section 3108 of this title from the date 5 |
|---|
| 4653 | + | of payment or, in the case of credit of a municipal property tax bill under 6 |
|---|
| 4654 | + | section 6066a of this title, from December 1 of the year in which the claim is 7 |
|---|
| 4655 | + | filed until refunded or paid. 8 |
|---|
| 4656 | + | (c) In any case in which a homestead is rented by a person from another 9 |
|---|
| 4657 | + | person under circumstances deemed by the Commissioner to be not at arms-10 |
|---|
| 4658 | + | length, the Commissioner may determine the rent constituting property tax for 11 |
|---|
| 4659 | + | purposes of this chapter. [Repealed.] 12 |
|---|
| 4660 | + | * * * 13 |
|---|
| 4661 | + | § 6073. REGULATIONS RULES OF THE COMMISSIONER 14 |
|---|
| 4662 | + | The Commissioner may, from time to time, issue adopt, amend, and 15 |
|---|
| 4663 | + | withdraw regulations rules interpreting and implementing this chapter. 16 |
|---|
| 4664 | + | § 6074. AMENDMENT OF CERTAIN CLAIMS 17 |
|---|
| 4665 | + | At any time within three years after the date for filing claims under 18 |
|---|
| 4666 | + | subsection 6068(a) of this chapter, a claimant who filed a claim by October 15 19 |
|---|
| 4667 | + | may file to amend that claim with regard to housesite value, housesite 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4668 | + | 2025 Page 191 of 194 |
|---|
| 4669 | + | |
|---|
| 4670 | + | |
|---|
| 4671 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4672 | + | education tax, housesite municipal tax, and ownership percentage or to correct 1 |
|---|
| 4673 | + | the amount of household income reported on that claim. 2 |
|---|
| 4674 | + | * * * Conforming Revisions; Property Tax Credit Repeal * * * 3 |
|---|
| 4675 | + | Sec. 33. 11 V.S.A. § 1608 is amended to read: 4 |
|---|
| 4676 | + | § 1608. ELIGIBILITY FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF 5 |
|---|
| 4677 | + | Members of cooperative housing corporations shall be eligible to apply for 6 |
|---|
| 4678 | + | and receive a homestead property tax adjustment exemption and municipal 7 |
|---|
| 4679 | + | property tax credit under 32 V.S.A. § 6066, subject to the conditions of 8 |
|---|
| 4680 | + | eligibility set forth therein. 9 |
|---|
| 4681 | + | Sec. 34. 32 V.S.A. § 3102(j) is amended to read: 10 |
|---|
| 4682 | + | (j) Tax bills prepared by a municipality under subdivision 5402(b)(1) of 11 |
|---|
| 4683 | + | this title showing only the amount of total tax due shall not be considered 12 |
|---|
| 4684 | + | confidential return information under this section. For the purposes of 13 |
|---|
| 4685 | + | calculating credits the homestead property tax exemption and the municipal 14 |
|---|
| 4686 | + | property tax credit under chapter 154 of this title, information provided by the 15 |
|---|
| 4687 | + | Commissioner to a municipality under subsection 6066a(a) of this title and 16 |
|---|
| 4688 | + | information provided by the municipality to a taxpayer under subsection 17 |
|---|
| 4689 | + | 6066a(f) shall be considered confidential return information under this section. 18 |
|---|
| 4690 | + | Sec. 35. 32 V.S.A. § 3206(b) is amended to read: 19 |
|---|
| 4691 | + | (b) As used in this section, “extraordinary relief” means a remedy that is 20 |
|---|
| 4692 | + | within the power of the Commissioner to grant under this title, a remedy that 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4693 | + | 2025 Page 192 of 194 |
|---|
| 4694 | + | |
|---|
| 4695 | + | |
|---|
| 4696 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4697 | + | compensates for the result of inaccurate classification of property as homestead 1 |
|---|
| 4698 | + | or nonhomestead pursuant to section 5410 of this title through no fault of the 2 |
|---|
| 4699 | + | taxpayer, or a remedy that makes changes to a taxpayer’s homestead property 3 |
|---|
| 4700 | + | tax exemption, municipal property tax credit, or renter credit claim necessary 4 |
|---|
| 4701 | + | to remedy the problem identified by the Taxpayer Advocate. 5 |
|---|
| 4702 | + | * * * Education Fund Advisory Committee * * * 6 |
|---|
| 4703 | + | Sec. 36. REPEAL; EDUCATION FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE 7 |
|---|
| 4704 | + | The following are repealed on July 1, 2025: 8 |
|---|
| 4705 | + | (1) 32 V.S.A. § 5414 (Creation; Education Fund Advisory Committee). 9 |
|---|
| 4706 | + | (2) 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 183, Sec. 12 (Education Fund Advisory 10 |
|---|
| 4707 | + | Committee sunset). 11 |
|---|
| 4708 | + | * * * Effective Dates * * * 12 |
|---|
| 4709 | + | Sec. 37. EFFECTIVE DATES 13 |
|---|
| 4710 | + | (a) The following sections shall take effect on passage: 14 |
|---|
| 4711 | + | (1) Sec. 1 (findings and intent); 15 |
|---|
| 4712 | + | (2) Sec. 2 (16 V.S.A. § 43); 16 |
|---|
| 4713 | + | (3) Sec. 3 (16 V.S.A. § 212); 17 |
|---|
| 4714 | + | (4) Sec. 4 (16 V.S.A. § 164); 18 |
|---|
| 4715 | + | (5) Sec. 5 (16 V.S.A. § 165); 19 |
|---|
| 4716 | + | (6) Sec. 7 (therapeutic schools and salary schedule report); 20 |
|---|
| 4717 | + | (7) Sec. 10 (repeal of 16 V.S.A. chapter 7); 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4718 | + | 2025 Page 193 of 194 |
|---|
| 4719 | + | |
|---|
| 4720 | + | |
|---|
| 4721 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4722 | + | (8) Sec. 11 (new union school districts); 1 |
|---|
| 4723 | + | (9) Sec. 12 (16 V.S.A. § 2); 2 |
|---|
| 4724 | + | (10) Sec. 14 (16 V.S.A. chapter 11); 3 |
|---|
| 4725 | + | (11) Sec. 18 (repeals of 16 V.S.A. §§ 822a and 823); 4 |
|---|
| 4726 | + | (12) Sec. 22 (transition year one funding); 5 |
|---|
| 4727 | + | (13) Sec. 23 (transition year two funding); 6 |
|---|
| 4728 | + | (14) Sec. 36 (Education Fund Advisory Committee); and 7 |
|---|
| 4729 | + | (15) Sec. 37 (effective dates). 8 |
|---|
| 4730 | + | (b) The following sections shall take effect on July 1, 2027: 9 |
|---|
| 4731 | + | (1) Sec. 6 (16 V.S.A. § 166); 10 |
|---|
| 4732 | + | (2) Sec. 8 (16 V.S.A. § 241); 11 |
|---|
| 4733 | + | (3) Sec. 9 (16 V.S.A. § 242); 12 |
|---|
| 4734 | + | (4) Sec. 13 (16 V.S.A. § 563); 13 |
|---|
| 4735 | + | (5) Sec. 15 (16 V.S.A. § 564); 14 |
|---|
| 4736 | + | (6) Sec. 16 (16 V.S.A. § 821); 15 |
|---|
| 4737 | + | (7) Sec. 17 (16 V.S.A. § 822); 16 |
|---|
| 4738 | + | (8) Sec. 19 (16 V.S.A. § 824); 17 |
|---|
| 4739 | + | (9) Sec. 20 (16 V.S.A. § 1071); 18 |
|---|
| 4740 | + | (10) Sec. 21 (16 V.S.A. § 1121); 19 |
|---|
| 4741 | + | (11) Sec. 24 (16 V.S.A. chapter 133); 20 |
|---|
| 4742 | + | (12) Sec. 25 (32 V.S.A. § 5401); 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.454 |
|---|
| 4743 | + | 2025 Page 194 of 194 |
|---|
| 4744 | + | |
|---|
| 4745 | + | |
|---|
| 4746 | + | VT LEG #380731 v.5 |
|---|
| 4747 | + | (13) Sec. 26 (32 V.S.A. § 5402); 1 |
|---|
| 4748 | + | (14) Sec. 27 (32 V.S.A. § 5402b); 2 |
|---|
| 4749 | + | (15) Sec. 28 (32 V.S.A. § 5404a); 3 |
|---|
| 4750 | + | (16) Sec. 29 (32 V.S.A. § 5405); 4 |
|---|
| 4751 | + | (17) Sec. 30 (32 V.S.A. § 5410); 5 |
|---|
| 4752 | + | (18) Sec. 31 (32 V.S.A. § 5400); 6 |
|---|
| 4753 | + | (19) Sec. 32 (32 V.S.A. chapter 154); 7 |
|---|
| 4754 | + | (20) Sec. 33 (11 V.S.A. § 1608); 8 |
|---|
| 4755 | + | (21) Sec. 34 (32 V.S.A. § 3102); and 9 |
|---|
| 4756 | + | (22) Sec. 35 (32 V.S.A. § 3206). 10 |
|---|