Vermont education commission asks legislature to clarify role as lawmakers weigh governor's proposal

Meghan Roy, chair of the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont and coordinator of the School Leadership Program at St. Michael's College, told the Senate Finance Committee on Jan. 23 that the commission has produced preliminary findings and short‑term cost‑containment options and now needs legislative direction to be most useful.

Roy said the commission was convened after Act 183 and tasked with studying statewide education provision and making recommendations for “an efficient, sustainable, and stable education system.” She told senators the panel has concentrated its work on three intersecting policy areas: education finance, education governance and administration, and resources and service delivery.

"To some extent, the ground is shifting underneath the work of the commission," Roy said, adding that the commission must decide whether to generate independent recommendations or focus on vetting and reacting to proposals that the Legislature or administration put forward. The commission…