Vermont Senate approves conference report on H.454 to overhaul school funding despite objections

The Vermont Senate voted to accept the conference committee report on H.454, the bill described as transforming the state’s education governance, quality and finance systems, after extended debate and two roll-call votes.

Senator from Bennington said the current system has “some fatal flaws,” arguing it focuses on “equalizing tax capacity rather than educational opportunity” and leaves “nobody … responsible.” The floor debate centered on switching to a uniform, weighted per‑pupil funding model, limits on supplemental local spending, and changes to property tax classifications and homestead relief.

The conference report would start a foundation-style system in fiscal year 2029 under which every district receives a base amount multiplied by student weights; the senators described specific weights and transition rules during debate. The report sets a multi-year transition to the new payments, provides targeted grants for small and sparse schools, creates three property-tax classifications (homestead, non-homestead residential/second homes, and non-homestead nonresidential), and establishes a fallback tax-rate mechanism if future legislatures do not fully fund required payments. Senators also said several reports on issues such as free education, transportation and early-care programs are required under the bill and are due by the end of the year.

Opponents raised procedural and substantive concerns. A point of order from the Senator from Chittenden Central argued the conference…