Vermont school associations urge lawmakers to fix funding predictability, health‑care bargaining and school construction aid

Representatives of Vermont’s main K‑12 governance groups told the House Education Committee on Jan. 16 they want lawmakers to prioritize predictable education funding, changes to the statewide bargaining process for employee health benefits, and renewed, stable school construction aid.

"Public education is not a political enterprise," said Laura Diaz Smith, president of the Vermont School Boards Association, describing the association’s view that education is essential to democracy and must remain equitable and accessible. Sue Zaglowski, executive director and general counsel for the VSBA, summarized the group’s legislative platform and cost‑driver concerns.

The associations said the current education funding conversation must center on student outcomes, predictability for district budgeting, and careful modeling of any proposed changes. Zaglowski told the committee the VSBA wants lawmakers to "focus on students by…