Commission on the Future of Public Education says it will prioritize foundation-formula and consolidation work, seeks modeling and engagement support

Megan Roy, chair of the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont, told the House Education Committee on Feb. 5 that the commission will prioritize two topics — a possible shift to a foundation funding formula and consolidation of school districts and buildings — but has not made recommendations and needs additional modeling, staffing and public engagement support to evaluate impacts.

Roy said the commission has framed its work around the 29 policy areas enumerated in Act 183 and is trying to prioritize work within that scope. "These are not recommendations," she said, adding that the commission "does not agree that it should be disbanded." Roy told the committee the commission wants to remain neutral and provide a distinct, deliberative perspective separate from administration proposals.

The commission met Feb. 3 and spent the first half of that meeting discussing the two administration-proposed policy areas that are already included in Act 183: "to analyze and recommend the most efficient and effective number and location of school buildings, districts, and supervisory unions, and…