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Rep. Kate McCann introduces H.179 to shift Vermont education governance to State Board oversight
Summary
On Feb. 26, 2025, Representative Kate McCann introduced bill H.179 to convert the Agency of Education into a Department of Education and make the commissioner accountable to the State Board of Education. The draft would revert governance to the pre-Act 98 (2012) structure and change State Board composition and appointment pathways.
Representative Kate McCann of Montpelier introduced bill H.179 to the House Education Committee on Feb. 26, 2025, proposing to convert Vermont’s Agency of Education into a Department of Education and make the commissioner accountable to the State Board of Education rather than to the governor’s office.
The bill’s sponsor said the change would reduce political influence over education leadership and increase continuity. “This bill proposes a simple but powerful change, transitioning the Agency of Education into a Department of Education with a commissioner who was selected and overseen by the State Board of Education,” McCann said. “This will ensure stability and expertise.”
Legislative counsel Beth St. James told the committee the draft largely restores language that existed before Act 98 of 2012. “The first few sections…transform the Agency of Education with a cabinet member secretary who appoints…
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