Vermont education officials say core K‑12 funding likely safe for 2025–26 but warn of larger risks later

At a joint hearing of the Vermont Senate and House education committees on March 13, Anne Bordenaro, director of Federal and Education Support Programs at the Vermont Agency of Education, told lawmakers the state does not expect major cuts to core K‑12 formula programs for the 2025–26 school year but that uncertainty for fiscal 2026 and later remains high.

"We are not anticipating significant cuts in FY '25 that would impact any of our major formula programs," Bordenaro said, noting that because education programs are forward funded Vermont is still operating on FY‑24 appropriations and expects initial FY‑25 allocations in July and October 2025.

The nut graf: Bordenaro framed two timelines for local schools. If Congress and the administration approve a continuing resolution or pass FY‑25 appropriations that mirror FY‑24 levels, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) programs, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding and Perkins career and technical education dollars would roll forward. But proposed federal budget changes, executive orders and reductions in other federal safety‑net programs could indirectly reduce school resources for school year 2026–27.

Most immediate: a continuing resolution passed by the U.S. House would hold spending at FY‑24 levels and, if the Senate follows, would keep K‑12 formula funding stable for the coming school year. Bordenaro said the agency has procedures—such as preliminary allocations…