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Senate education committee reviews governor—s proposed foundation funding formula
Summary
State education officials and consultants walked senators through a proposed foundation funding formula that sets a $13,200 base per student, new weights for economically disadvantaged and English-learner students, and a multi-year implementation plan intended to reduce funding variation across districts.
Secretary Zoe Sonder and consultants from APA Consulting presented the administration—s proposed foundation funding formula during the Senate Education Committee—s Feb. 4 meeting, laying out a $13,200 base per pupil and a set of additional weights and adjustments designed to equalize resources across Vermont schools.
The formula, as described by APA consultants Justin Silverstein and Amanda Brown, would start with a base funding level of $13,200 per student and add targeted weights: a 0.75 weight for economically disadvantaged students, a 1.5 weight for English learners and a 1.3 CTE center weight. Special education and other categorical funding would remain in place, and a size-based adjustment would apply to schools below 450 students.
The administration framed the proposal as both an evidence-based calculation of what schools need and a policy package to reduce current disparities. "A base funding amount going to every student of 13,200," Justin Silverstein said while describing the proposal's components. APA noted that once all weights and adjustments are applied, the statewide per-student figure in the model is roughly $20,726 on average.
Why it matters: committee members were shown that the recommended funding mix would narrow the gap in per-weighted-student spending between low- and high-need communities. APA—s analysis compared FY2025 spending to the recommended model and concluded the recommended total funding statewide would be about 8% lower than current total spending, largely because of expected efficiency from larger regional districts and reduced duplication. The consultants emphasized the proposal is a multi-year rollout with protections so districts can continue existing services during transition.
Supporters and staff said the structure combines a broad base with targeted funding for high-need groups. "We are putting forward a more generous base to ensure that there's ample resources for all students to have this robust education," Amanda Brown said.
Committee members asked for more detail about state-by-state comparisons, the concentration of economically disadvantaged students and how the proposed weights would be counted if districts participate in federal programs. APA pointed committee members to Appendix B of the funding formula report for comparisons and noted Vermont—s rural enrollment profile would require special attention.
Implementation and next steps: officials said the administration will submit a governance recommendations report this week and provide scenario planning in subsequent briefings showing how a district of roughly 12,000 students might deploy the new funding. No formal vote or statutory change occurred in the hearing; the presentation was delivered for committee review and questions.
Ending: Senate members signaled interest in follow-up detail on modeling and requested meetings with legislative fiscal staff to examine the spreadsheets and scenario tools cited by APA.
