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Advocate asks committee to clarify moratorium language for converting independent schools
Summary
A representative for a therapeutic independent school asked lawmakers to clarify that converting from for-profit to nonprofit status should not trigger the independent school moratorium, so existing approved schools can change tax status without losing approval.
MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Senate Education Committee on May 6 heard a request to clarify how the 2023 moratorium on new independent schools applies to existing approved schools that convert from for-profit to nonprofit status.
Jody Perchett of the government affairs firm More Strategies testified on behalf of the Mill School, a therapeutic independent school in Bellows Falls (testimony record). Perchett said the school is considering converting from for-profit to nonprofit status and that the current moratorium language is ambiguous about whether such a conversion would cause the school to lose its prior approval. “We’re not trying to undo the moratorium,” Perchett said. “We’re just trying to preserve the schools that are currently in place. And if they wanna change their status, they can do so.”
Committee members asked staff to consult with the Agency of Education and Legislative Council to examine whether the draft language needs a targeted clarification to preserve approvals for existing, approved schools that change corporate status. The committee scheduled further follow-up and testimony on the item.
