[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6199108,"mediaKeyId","3840728-78ff2aff9584fbdc5da2c210895335e8","parentId",3840728,"title","Conference committee trims school-closure language, narrows tuition rules for approved independent and receiving schools","audioSeconds",2492,"startMs",292000,"endMs",2784000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3840728-78ff2aff9584fbdc5da2c210895335e8&start=292&end=2784","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3840728-78ff2aff9584fbdc5da2c210895335e8/thumbnail_292000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6199108/Vermont/Conference-committee-trims-school-closure-language-narrows-tuition-rules-for-approved-independent-and-receiving-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199108-f9c1b86c292338c63810ee15c62dcafb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545423&Signature=PgeYu86yPeBBWsPZHcQUnQL3PRg4V5mAX79rATJmg14spTwaf4SbnQH1dE6fUbhybg~T4E~KmcVG7kL9n0Kui64bOoTtqmnW8GdsIrghhSWF4fu3eEtDT0IQrygq-cwhKVl~xskKalWzSMewZDTARd~AakLPA4irleAAVNV-hupPkIgyEwrPB8XU~eGjBhwsHf5d4cYKnp04SI8VomNEBoWNFDHdvJ35QbqKvdKvDNgWtV9ovSO~aNgn8W8yrdrmcwOM85njTZ20Sk4bYxh9q1WEOFkENCaNWL1PvM14KGPa14KLAXglaVJBWH8v0OtFo2ABlLW9rVc0HSqQyZbl~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-16T12:23:57Z","article","Conference committee members reviewing H.454 circulated a house counterproposal on June 13 that removes a previously contested school-closure section and narrows the bill’s tuition provisions for approved independent and receiving schools.

The counterproposal would require an approved independent school to have at least 25% of its total student enrollment composed of students attending on a publicly funded tuition basis to be eligible for public tuition. The bill would also let a receiving school charge an additional fee for students in grades 9–12 equal to the base tuition multiplied by up to 0.05 (5%) only if three conditions are met: the receiving school has State Board of Education approval to charge the fee under rules the board adopts; each sending district’s electorate approves supplemental district spending sufficient to cover the fee; and the fee is demonstrably necessary for educating the affected students. The supplemental fee requirement appears in proposed subsection b of amended section 8 23 (tuition calculation).

The counterproposal prohibits a receiving school from charging different supplemental fees to different sending districts under subsection c. It also excludes an approved independent school that is functioning as an approved area career and technical center (CTE) from the supplemental-fee process; districts would pay the full tuition charge for students attending such CTE schools under subsection d. A grandfathering provision would allow students already enrolled or accepted for next year to remain under current tuition eligibility rules until they graduate.

Effective dates in the draft tie the tuition provisions to the broader foundation-formula transition: subsections setting the base and weights and the CTE exception would take effect contingently on July 1, 2028, under the same conditions as the foundation formula. The supplemental high-school fee provisions would also be contingent on July 1, 2028, but only if (1) school districts are operational and (2) the 45a report demonstrates secondary students cost more to educate and the Legislature has failed to enact a secondary student weight.

Committee staff emphasized that the supplemental fee would only be available if future studies and legislative choices make it necessary; the language is written as a conditional authority rather than an immediate change to tuition practices. The draft also tasks the State Board with adopting rules by July 1, 2027, to govern approval for charging the fee and requires the board’s rules to demonstrate the fee will be used solely for educating affected students and not to shift costs within the receiving school’s general budget.

The conference draft contains additional detail on administration and enforcement, including a waiver process for complying with class-size minimums and cross-references to other sections of the bill that change tuition calculations under the foundation formula. No formal vote occurred during the June 13 session; the committee continued working through other sections of the bill.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","H.454 CoC - 2025-06-13 - 9:50AM","oneSentenceSummary","Conference committee members reviewing H.454 circulated a house counterproposal on June 13 that removes a contested school-closure provision and narrows tuition rules for approved independent and receiving schools, including a 25% enrollment threshold and a conditional supplemental high-school fee of up to 5%.","taxTitle","Education, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",30651,"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},6199104,"Committee advances foundation formula framework, homestead exemption and new property classification study",1045,2818000,3863000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3840728-78ff2aff9584fbdc5da2c210895335e8&start=2818&end=3863","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3840728-78ff2aff9584fbdc5da2c210895335e8/thumbnail_2818000.jpg","/articles/6199104/Vermont/Committee-advances-foundation-formula-framework-homestead-exemption-and-new-property-classification-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199104-8e5095fac9ca1a094ebad40c3f787784/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545423&Signature=CuPZuAeVIS~hm8X8Bo7UL7rudiSm4C3emb8AIC938VmB-4fFbiOqnLD4V0xF2qiy7MrsvtspTutlG7JMLPEnlD1zLajGfYcuY0VW3txEqPR~zd50CemlFGHihGLb~X0YzUMroBObL~HzZzVUu0jxFfV9qz7cZAHJ1xC80I7B5OExrTiXrBStR2v3fflSQBpU9OjWlboDLb~pAeR9zZx2-0-x~cE9kf~KmDBr4eldjrwmkVyBbyuYqKdhmhZKZV-hKwYTr5NPugLxrog2FC-kAXfRbdkf4pO0n9gFpCk~B3TFDGAwaKkp2yfuoyqJP6S3Nrsr9jH4SPIHoSFmsP1ETA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the conference committee walked through the finance and tax components of H.454 on June 13, presenting a consolidated draft that sets the base education amount, weights, transition rules and a redesigned property tax relief system.

The draft sets a base amount of $15,033 per pupil and converts future per-pupil funding to an Educational Opportunity Payment (EOP) equal to the base multiplied by weighted long-term membership. Weights would include special education categories, tiered English-learner weights, and a new pre-K weight of negative 0.54 that appears in the draft’s weights table. The bill requires periodic reevaluation of inputs to the foundation formula and calls for AOE (Agency of Education) and JFO work informed by a professional judgment panel.

On district spending and local control, the draft creates a supplemental district spending (SDS) tax and reserve. The SDS cap would be 5% of the product of the base amount and a district’s long-term membership once full transition is complete; the conference draft phases that cap in, starting with a higher transitional cap (10%) in earlier years and stepping down to 5% by fiscal year 2038. The draft also adjusts the education fund and reserve mechanics so unreserved funds at fiscal year end reduce next year’s statewide education property tax rate rather than being transferred to the school-construction special fund.

The tax-relief system in the draft replaces the current property tax credit (PTC) with a homestead exemption structure. The draft presents income brackets and an exemption limited to the first $425,000 of homestead site value; the Department of Taxes is directed to report back with recommended multipliers and implementation details, including options to use nonhomestead classifications to offset the exemption’s costs. The bill also establishes a new tax-classification category—nonhomestead residential—to capture second homes and short-term rentals and directs the Department of Taxes to propose rate multipliers for those classifications.

Conference counsel explained the homestead exemption table reflects negotiations to protect homestead taxpayers from tax increases during transition and asked the Department of Taxes to analyze income sensitivity measures with household incomes up to $175,000. The draft includes several reporting deadlines and transition letters, including a December 1 recommendation to set statewide education property tax rates and a December 15, 2027 report from the Department of Taxes with recommendations and an implementation plan to prevent increases in education property tax rates during rollout.

No formal votes were taken on June 13; counsel said the draft remains unedited and will be refined before final committee approval.","Conference committee guidance on H.454 circulated June 13 proposes a $15,033 per-pupil base, new weights (including a pre-K weight), a phased cap on supplemental district spending, replacement of the property tax credit with a homestead exemption capped at the first $425,000 of homestead site value, and creation of a new nonhomestead-residential tax classification.",{"_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},6199094,"Draft sets class-size minimums and directs State Board rulemaking and compliance review",332,1889000,2221000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3840728-78ff2aff9584fbdc5da2c210895335e8&start=1889&end=2221","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3840728-78ff2aff9584fbdc5da2c210895335e8/thumbnail_1889000.jpg","/articles/6199094/Vermont/Draft-sets-class-size-minimums-and-directs-State-Board-rulemaking-and-compliance-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199094-640e0892ad34fd6cf561accbe555bceb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545423&Signature=JtE3Qn4o-AuQ9tDQYy5MJGS7CT7nG0GLFnpYAhT0ZnKf4JTw~P-QuvXaNjaO2PBtP9hDtWAwEsgrWXQcYY~h5A1s27FYQTmdAOzK8kRHfPA~jw3SyQPqMLBQyiNdiMJl9EPbaQeaoEJXkw1O-ADkFYmzlkfO~t~9FJZEGohZKExIar~8MzsSCXpT~gG5PdaRMYT2OuhxzyVnnKsAzqibMByNDGK0om9rKGOHNcNQa1OwL6w6RsrBCbn19Kq78J27tB8jTUHqhyRTsfwYoUHu2hlK8vgbwKLcxmFYFQrx8j-6HjHjzoYmVBBRIQH-bGXdOQ2c2VW0sTNcZMXo3~GNIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Conference counsel summarized class-size provisions and State Board duties in the H.454 draft on June 13. The bill would set minimum class sizes, create a waiver process, and require the State Board of Education to update rules and take action if schools fail to comply over multiple years.

Under the draft’s class-size minimums, kindergarten would be excluded; first grade minimum would be 10 students; grades 2–5 minimum 12 students; grades 6–8 minimum 15 students for all content areas; and grades 9–12 minimum 18 students in required content areas. The bill includes a waiver process and provides that State Board action for noncompliance would be discretionary and would not be triggered unless noncompliance persisted for three consecutive school years.

The draft requires the State Board to initiate rulemaking to update education quality standards (the 2000 series) to reflect class-size minimums and to adopt statewide standards for graduation requirements. It would require the State Board to provide substantially similar opportunity for an approved independent school not complying with class-size minimums to come into compliance as public schools receive. The draft also states that consolidation as a remedy is off the table if resulting construction costs would exceed the district’s capital reserve.

Committee counsel said some language remains to be edited and that kindergarten exclusion will be reflected in an edited draft. No vote occurred during the June 13 session; the committee continued to other bill sections.","The conference draft includes class-size minimums (grade 1 = 10; grades 2–5 = 12; grades 6–8 = 15; grades 9–12 required content areas = 18), excludes kindergarten, creates waiver and enforcement procedures, and directs the State Board of Education to update education quality standards and graduation requirements.",{"_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},6199098,"Bill preserves school-district redistricting task force and sets voting-ward work ahead of new districts",468,1500000,1968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3840728-78ff2aff9584fbdc5da2c210895335e8&start=1500&end=1968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3840728-78ff2aff9584fbdc5da2c210895335e8/thumbnail_1500000.jpg","/articles/6199098/Vermont/Bill-preserves-school-district-redistricting-task-force-and-sets-voting-ward-work-ahead-of-new-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199098-a7ecf94ec9da4512a7f7a46bbd79ce92/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545423&Signature=YlMxKdzCXNE-dlUBytBFmhI6WztPQWoI8Tu91JiHBq6J5OsC-AZ8VamLpkJV~Qo8yyMJsoSgxTX0XCbNGCSVV0nnUijPSL9DAs5NXkSrZ6bgBFHokTg536whWo40phJ5GWad4PoREMn8psFbyKumA3VMaFSKLH4bA-9FXnwowYl5YXnHCikqtRaQO3Z-elP4aZi8LvNo4hR5pdr50wXQLUMjIz6KUm8EdiVKT2XfjxGrce8km4~A~4NqkA1x4qfTS7RjhvyakC-m7jueWKURi5NbPG2mxylvJZ5UogRvxrTs-SAWlCxlQ~zDZFutUeuqT08Ly0d5XV969fSCfh-rGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Conference committee counsel described the bill’s provisions on school-district boundary work and voting-wards planning during the June 13 session. The draft retains a school-district redistricting task force and a separate working group to design voting wards for newly formed school districts.

The redistricting task force is composed of six legislative members (three from the House, three from the Senate) and five nonlegislative members (a mix of former superintendents, school board members or school business managers). The nonlegislative appointments would include two appointees of the Speaker of the House, two appointees of the Committee on Committees (Senate), and one appointee of the governor. Legislative appointees may not all be from the same political party or the same school district. The task force must start meetings on or before Aug. 1 and cease on June 30, 2026, and its final report is due Dec. 1, 2025.

The task force’s charge is to recommend district boundary proposals that, to the extent practical, create school districts with average daily membership (ADM) of approximately 4,000–8,000 pre-K–12 students, are demographically equitable, logistically feasible, and minimize disruption to students. One required boundary proposal must include supervisory unions/districts, permit continuation of the tuitioning system, and avoid splitting geographic areas that contain nonoperating districts.

Separately, a school-district voting-ward working group—composed of the secretary of state, municipal clerk-treasurer association appointees, school boards association appointees and the director of a mapping office—must convene by Oct. 15, 2025, to consult with the redistricting task force and prepare recommended voting-ward configurations and proportional-representation options for newly drawn districts. The draft appropriates $50,000 to the Agency of Administration for facilitation consultants, $100,000 to the Agency of Digital Services for mapping support, $10,000 to the Agency of Administration for nonlegislative compensation/reimbursement, and $10,000 to the General Assembly for legislative reimbursement to support the task force and mapping work.

Committee counsel said the language represents a negotiated compromise that combines house and senate concepts and that staff will continue editing for clarity before the committee signs off. No formal decision or vote occurred during the June 13 discussion.","The conference draft keeps a redistricting task force (report due 12/01/2025), requires collaboration with a public- engagement commission, sets average-district-size guidance (approx. 4,000–8,000 ADM), and funds mapping and facilitation supports for implementation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conference committee trims school-closure language, narrows tuition rules for approved independent and receiving schools

Committee advances foundation formula framework, homestead exemption and new property classification study

Draft sets class-size minimums and directs State Board rulemaking and compliance review

Bill preserves school-district redistricting task force and sets voting-ward work ahead of new districts