[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6116446,"mediaKeyId","2732848-995b29bd463ebb783ec7b2a4f481f5c6","parentId",2732848,"title","VSA urges broader appointment structure for State Board to increase stability and education expertise","audioSeconds",189,"startMs",3431000,"endMs",3620000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732848-995b29bd463ebb783ec7b2a4f481f5c6&start=3431&end=3620","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732848-995b29bd463ebb783ec7b2a4f481f5c6/thumbnail_3431000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6116446/Vermont/VSA-urges-broader-appointment-structure-for-State-Board-to-increase-stability-and-education-expertise","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116446-fd68074cacfad996852c859b41918a47/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154212&Signature=Xb0FAVLe6ZHqmT2F0m9fUjpK7ZZoa4H5htQ0D~fM5uacnJayK8J63iDxHrHiNRDXd7le-0U3XCtHG7kT4yvlKGh8eeqEy5Bonck9-Gy9Nt9YiageK-Py0N0Z2Vu62sr0pTWQS79HbvVE5~jP3DKIjWzI9yh7AgUfGVMbZctsfBf-buDaFBzYcSTEthdSL5d1HZICOumPOorW-pGvJR37GgA2p~KcIn9wNFO09KH6sotzK4zJWjZ98igcWqDxmtBrHSb14XvAUpyrSCKyFI-CItsA83OthFFMFrmWMIJ-sFKz3FXbP06p1e4ucu3hurxnL4ZU7apxvS82ARU9zKhEzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-22T04:47:07.11Z","article","The Vermont Superintendents Association told the Senate Adaptation Committee that statewide education leadership appointments should be structured to provide stability and to include public-school educational experience.

VSA recommended revising the current appointment process so it includes a broader appointing structure (for example, representation beyond sole gubernatorial appointment) and that appointees include people with public-education experience. \"It is important to create stability irrespective of changes to the political landscape, and that is inclusive of public school education experience,\" Myers said.

Presenters argued that the authority and structure for the State Board of Education and the position of Secretary of Education should include checks and balances to avoid large policy swings with each gubernatorial transition. Speakers said other states with long-term education reform efforts have arrangements that reduce partisan swings and create sustained policy effort.

Committee members asked for clarification; presenters said they were recommending checks and representation rather than eliminating gubernatorial appointment entirely. The association asked lawmakers to consider appointment mechanisms that would ensure statewide reform remains consistent through election cycles.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Education 2025-03-20 2:25PM","oneSentenceSummary","Vermont Superintendents Association recommended changing the appointment process for the State Board of Education to include more diverse appointing authorities and public-school experience to improve continuity and checks and balances during multi-year education reform.","taxTitle","Education, SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",37663,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6116451,"VSA urges limits on out-of-state tuitioning, statewide systems for calendar and credits",128,3212000,3340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732848-995b29bd463ebb783ec7b2a4f481f5c6&start=3212&end=3340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732848-995b29bd463ebb783ec7b2a4f481f5c6/thumbnail_3212000.jpg","/articles/6116451/Vermont/VSA-urges-limits-on-out-of-state-tuitioning-statewide-systems-for-calendar-and-credits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116451-6b4832dca8918fb4dcf648fa9a723fea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154212&Signature=jCO0YfV1vHv7oXE3iP6lJJCPgX~8RJ8-8Gx4VSocXYG5Rr-Yd-WX9MMD5tnly-yYvcchTvfx1Zzs2NkYLutCDg7z6pGbqNbUN3gN0aLE0I~2JI~BD9TlOkK8SAbmYO3r-Z3xgUYE6~LrwIaBfW9OOX-oZx3p6trXHypRp3WZbqUwBwJY~fjKLFxA3SBMNelotgNtIp~JlJ3Nep~1brU2vn2Tf2t6qkMTDWga6WHchcqYEK0-3mf4DMeCO1T76m4gWp8uzY3ugWlATQdf8SEryrJS7xsv7eNANwP8F1JLtFSLq7ajWayq-3MlOt0gPgPfanDC5GbTiJdBcWpR8Npbkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chelsea Myers and other VSA representatives told the Senate Adaptation Committee the state should limit tuition dollars leaving Vermont and hold any independent schools receiving public funds to the same standards as public schools.

The association recommended limiting tuition payments to out-of-state schools except when public schools are unavailable within a defined proximity (they suggested a 25-mile public-school exception near state borders). Presenters said that public oversight and accountability are difficult to ensure when public dollars pay schools outside the state or to unaccredited programs.

VSA also recommended statewide coherence in several systems: a consistent statewide school calendar (important for tech centers that serve multiple sending districts), common finance and student-information systems, and statewide graduation standards tied to a future-focused common vision led by the Commission on the Future of Public Education. The association proposed a timeline of work from 2025 to 2029 for these changes.

Committee members probed how residency rules and existing approvals for independent schools would apply. Presenters said the policy goal is to keep public education dollars in programs that meet Vermont standards and that local education agencies retain responsibility for students who attend contracted or tuition programs.

The presenters cited Carson v. Macon as background on court decisions that affect tuitioning arrangements and said legal vulnerabilities should factor into policy decisions.","The Vermont Superintendents Association asked the Senate Adaptation Committee to tighten rules on tuitioning to prevent public dollars from leaving the state, to pursue common statewide systems (calendar, finance and student information) and to align graduation standards under a future-focused vision.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6116455,"Superintendents warn facilities limit scale gains; say construction funding must be part of reform",272,780000,1052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732848-995b29bd463ebb783ec7b2a4f481f5c6&start=780&end=1052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732848-995b29bd463ebb783ec7b2a4f481f5c6/thumbnail_780000.jpg","/articles/6116455/Vermont/Superintendents-warn-facilities-limit-scale-gains-say-construction-funding-must-be-part-of-reform","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116455-aff97d54058a96ba5719a0d01bbea771/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154212&Signature=f5Fy~pjjT6Ec8OwnTEV0rjX7p57~8can5j1YKurGAQBfjg~YBZjyAiyAbADG9dhQri0keuQ0LrrIeK89yh~qcHesrfRf6m6FLOJXuDT8DiMOfHhBxmPzZ~cpWOgGCi43v7rd30Y5-gZ2~ttrZYH6h1cePsLDiYAq~ujctE2szJG26kIdwDhIr74Xv~SlKX~PiT-2A13fx8Hk4D1vfajOWTqBOk-JFsE02iMxh1zxvo1W5hnucvkB~Nrs9sf7GEX4~51P8QYNUxuxhKXBOHKIbUad-F9MzXFf~XO2tjMgTTOZp-lD~TktXLW7h3tjYYbu1~SOLJXqRiSO9U7DRZm1yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Presenters from the Vermont Superintendents Association told the Senate Adaptation Committee that facilities are a limiting factor for consolidating districts and achieving school-size economies of scale.

The presenters said existing building footprints in many towns cannot accommodate larger enrollments without renovations or additions. \"To have larger schools, we need to acknowledge that we do not have facilities that can currently support larger student enrollment,\" Chelsea Myers said, arguing that any school-size policy must include a school construction aid program prioritized for efficient scale.

Speakers said reusing existing buildings within a larger district can sometimes produce savings without immediate new construction, but other reconfigurations will require capital investments. One presenter referenced an analysis — discussed in committee — that identified approximately $180 million in reallocations or savings in the administration's proposal, suggesting money might be repurposed to support construction where needed; presenters stressed those choices would involve trade-offs.

Committee members and superintendents discussed voter willingness to support bonds for construction in local towns, noting that even where consolidation yields systemwide efficiency, local voters may reject local bond measures. The presenters recommended options that combine state-level construction aid with local financial tools and urged clearer timelines and plan elements so communities can evaluate the local impact before votes.

The presenters also raised the need to model district staffing as districts scale up: larger districts may require more central-office staff (for HR, special education, finance) even if some per-student administrative costs decline. They asked the committee to include staffing models in any consolidation or foundation-formula work.","Vermont superintendents told the Senate Adaptation Committee that larger district sizes and school reconfigurations will often require construction or renovations and urged the legislature to pair consolidation with a school construction aid program and funding plan.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6116460,"Superintendents back class-size minimums and school-size planning to expand student opportunities",2620,615000,3235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732848-995b29bd463ebb783ec7b2a4f481f5c6&start=615&end=3235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732848-995b29bd463ebb783ec7b2a4f481f5c6/thumbnail_615000.jpg","/articles/6116460/Vermont/Superintendents-back-class-size-minimums-and-school-size-planning-to-expand-student-opportunities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116460-d5479bee1fb259f430934416c1020786/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154212&Signature=HVxslyBkOB6L8s1k9CxdwSYhnOA2uWboIBqtjhK5kKqBCImFxZavEyDASsmwxdHrDSM8S9Lmwu3fbFl4S8R9R7F2ybmgloiHAtBZBz7yGIUU90gIYodUny4S~zKcST9PbdJS~dV3-uF0PoCHcaREAD02q1ykXUL1sITsBgpqAvICXX4wikB259rQ3xpYmjz-2m78Zf1TI54NTAbp~U4z0twVEyDzGe88yLtXsWQc6Ayi6vlENdaanZOmvOWhJRE0wcUbPRj2yb7hdYf5FagBbq40cvY6Atse90stl4FzmZv5-agQhhOOGL~mYGnFSmJdhz7rkUyeMJMrEC4kW5TTYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Vermont Superintendents Association told the Senate Adaptation Committee that setting class-size minimums, tied to school-size planning, would increase opportunities and instructional quality across the state.

Amy Minor, president of the Vermont Superintendents Association, said the association recommends statutory minimums to be included in the Vermont Education Quality Standards and local school board policy. The association proposed minimum average class sizes by grade band: kindergarten minimum 12 students; grades 1–5 minimum 15; grades 6–12 minimum 18. The presenters said intervention services and multi-tiered supports pursuant to Act 173 should be excluded from those counts and that technical education (CTE) programs may need different safety-based limits.

The association urged the Legislature and Agency of Education to define a \"small-by-necessity\" standard in law (for example, maximum reasonable travel time to the nearest school) and to pair class-size rules with school-construction planning so facility footprints can support larger enrollments where appropriate. \"Any consideration of school size minimums must address funding for school construction and renovation,\" the presenters said.

Superintendents and committee members discussed the interaction between class size and school size: administrators said class-size minimums are difficult to meet in many small schools unless district scale and facility capacity allow reconfiguration. Several presenters said local school boards often lack political cover to close or reconfigure small schools without legislative clarity and support.

VSA recommended that class-size minimums be phased in with an effective date of July 1, 2026 to allow districts to plan and budget. Committee members asked for more detail on exemptions, CTE-specific rules and how collective bargaining agreements would be handled.","The Vermont Superintendents Association recommended statutory class-size minimums and linked them to school-size and facilities planning, proposing minimums by grade band and a July 1, 2026 implementation date to allow budgeting time.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6116464,"Vermont superintendents propose data-driven working group, timeline to study district consolidation",255,337000,592000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732848-995b29bd463ebb783ec7b2a4f481f5c6&start=337&end=592","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732848-995b29bd463ebb783ec7b2a4f481f5c6/thumbnail_337000.jpg","/articles/6116464/Vermont/Vermont-superintendents-propose-data-driven-working-group-timeline-to-study-district-consolidation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116464-8865d2d93bba92e75712401ff387f5d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129482&Signature=oNTQEp9l4y5AzjnIgSlC~-8CJZfgNuv6x9GCX437ypgDJpqOo0pXjR0~mbA4lPLvbhydaaRxMyZ8-uyHwcbAnkz-eIUTl1vUD9r-jFXLlc~ka1Hr-txZ0xSfFS89lSutWlO5NJvn5QNUkDhFp-Vc22IcAujP6j3bDLVTvb3GOXNWqkw5h40dZxeAGpk6MPQOi2SKOIzj3npdKzWoYPoiyEqVj~~6gzb9WCcR-pudeui1dpCbcIz-v0P2auMkfhrYMoEQjw4lfV5Jok9uYRQoLr2FLUhoyFvVKds~wdF7wcvJhGj~kMY7fumm30qqIWxwm9o0lJXHq~zgDulUbpWNpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chelsea Myers, executive director of the Vermont Superintendents Association, told the Senate Adaptation Committee that district consolidation should be guided by research and by Vermont-specific data rather than arbitrary targets.

The association recommended creating a working group charged with determining the most efficient number of districts and proposed boundary lines based on an analysis of school locations, building condition and capacity, and Vermont’s topography. \"District size goals must be data and research driven, not arbitrary, and enhance efficiency, equity, and educational opportunities,\" Myers said.

The proposal said the working group should quantify cost savings, identify expanded opportunities for students, and use GIS mapping and other tools to ensure equitable outcomes. The group should also consider governance changes, including eliminating supervisory unions so district resources flow directly to student programs, and must address collective bargaining agreements and other contracts before consolidation proceeds.

The VSA recommended a tentative schedule: establish the working group in June; publish redistricting proposals in December; have the Legislature consider enabling legislation from January through May; and move to a staged transition from 2026 through 2029, with new districts operating by July 1, 2029. The presenters noted that short-term transition costs could temporarily increase spending even if long-term efficiencies are achieved.

Supporters in the room said consolidation offers potential gains in opportunity and affordability but cautioned that Vermont’s rural geography and building footprints complicate decisions about school size and boundaries. Speakers pointed to research they had reviewed suggesting diseconomies of scale increase around 6,000 students, with other literature supporting district ranges of roughly 2,000–4,000 students in many contexts.

Committee members asked the presenters to provide the source studies and to work with the Agency of Education, local boards and labor representatives to model contract and staffing implications. The presenters said those steps are essential because any consolidation that ignores contracts and facilities will be incomplete.

The association framed the working-group recommendation as an effort to create an impartial, research-driven process that would produce viable district configurations and an implementation plan for transition costs and bargaining agreements.","Representatives from the Vermont Superintendents Association asked the Senate Adaptation Committee to form a working group to analyze optimal district size, boundaries, and transition costs; they proposed a timeline targeting operational consolidated districts by July 1, 2029.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

VSA urges broader appointment structure for State Board to increase stability and education expertise

VSA urges limits on out-of-state tuitioning, statewide systems for calendar and credits

Superintendents warn facilities limit scale gains; say construction funding must be part of reform

Superintendents back class-size minimums and school-size planning to expand student opportunities

Vermont superintendents propose data-driven working group, timeline to study district consolidation