For a bill that only sets the stage for small school consolidation and offers no immediate property tax relief, the Vermont state Senate debated for hours Thursday before giving the education bill initial approval in a 27-3 vote. If H361 is given final approval by the Senate, it would then need to be reconciled with the version passed earlier by the House. Governor Peter Shumlin indicated his support for the Senate version after the vote Thursday.
“I want to thank the Senate for their hard work in passing this bill. With 20,000 fewer students than we had in 1998, a 4.7 to 1 staff to student ratio, and property taxes that are rising faster than Vermonters' income, it’s clear that we must act. Both the House and Senate have now passed legislation to enhance the quality of education in Vermont and bend the cost curve on education spending. I look forward to working with the House and Senate to reconcile their respective bills, and I feel confident we will emerge with legislation that makes meaningful reforms to promote quality education at a price Vermonters can afford.”
SEE STORY: Senate Backs School District Consolidation