BILL AS INTRODUCED S.52
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VT LEG #380360 v.2
S.52 1
SHORT FORM 2
Introduced by Senator Watson 3
Referred to Committee on 4
Date: 5
Subject: Education; Agency of Education; school district merger; school 6
closure 7
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the 8
Agency of Education to develop a framework for considerations a school 9
district is required to make when considering merging with another district, as 10
well as require the Agency to provide advice on each consideration, including 11
cultural considerations when the districts considering merger have different 12
course offerings; how the community will navigate the cultural, social, and 13
identity implications of closing a school; how a district will help prepare 14
students for the transition if a school closes; how to help students through the 15
transition when they are attending school in a new building; how to repurpose 16
a school building after closure, including how to account for maintenance 17
costs; and how to factor in geographic proximity and transportation 18
considerations. This bill also proposes to create funding sources to assist with 19
the repurposing of closed school buildings; for facilitation around cultural 20
differences; and to support municipalities or districts that close a school 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.52
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VT LEG #380360 v.2
building with the operational costs of that building for a period of time after it 1
is closed, until it can be sold or repurposed. 2
An act relating to consolidation pathways 3
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 4
(TEXT OMITTED IN SHORT-FORM BILLS) 5