Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Speaker of the House, Representative Jill Krowinski, announced her appointments to the School District Redistricting Task Force which was created in H.454 (Act 73) of 2025. The legislation gave the Speaker authority to appoint three members of the House, one former superintendent, and one former school business manager or school board member. The Senate appointments were named yesterday (see below).
The Speaker’s appointees include:
- Rep. Edye Graning (D - Chittenden 3) as one of three members of the House
- Rep. Rebecca Holcombe (D - Windsor Orange 2) as one of three members of the House
- Rep. Beth Quimby (R - Caledonia 2) as one of three members of the House
- Dr. Jay Badams, as a former superintendent
- Kim Gleason, as a former school board member
"This task force is an important step in building a public education system that is more equitable, more sustainable and more responsive to the needs of students and communities," said Vermont Speaker of the House, Representative Jill Krowinski. "I am grateful to each of these appointees for bringing their experience, values, and thoughtful perspective to this work.”
“Much of my work as a superintendent over the past 18 years has involved balancing the needs of students, school systems, and the taxpayers who support them, and having served school districts at both ends of the economic spectrum, I feel that my experience controlling costs while maintaining high quality educational programs may be helpful to the committee,” said appointee Dr. Jay Badams. “As a Vermont citizen and taxpayer I believe that a high quality education is the key to a healthy society, a thriving economy, and a strong democracy.”
Dr. Jay Badams recently retired as Superintendent of SAU 70, the nation’s first interstate school district, where he led the Hanover and Norwich school systems through strategic planning, curriculum reform, and financial transitions. He brings decades of experience in rural education leadership and a deep commitment to thoughtful, equity-driven governance.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the task force, to share my experiences, and to represent the important voices of school boards in governance and community engagement as these systemic changes in the Vermont education landscape are being considered,” said appointee Kim Gleason.
Kim Gleason has been a leader in Vermont education since 2007, serving on local, regional, and statewide boards, including a six-year term on the State Board of Education where she co-led the update of the Education Quality Standards. A Grand Isle resident with a background in finance and a passion for education equity and transparency, Kim currently serves on the Vermont Pension Investment Commission and the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network board.
Yesterday from the Vermont Senate, the Vermont Senate Committee on Committees, which includes Senator Phil Baruth (D/P, Chittenden-Central), Senator Ginny Lyons (D, Chittenden-Southeast), and Lt. Governor John Rodgers (R-Vermont), announced their appointments to the School District Redistricting Task Force.
The Committee was charged with appointing one retired or former Vermont superintendent, one retired or former Vermont school business manager, and three current members of the Vermont Senate, not all from the same party nor the same school district.
The appointees include:
- Dr. Jennifer Botzojorns, retired superintendent for the Kingdom East School District
- Chris Locarno, retired director of finance and facilities for the Central Vermont Supervisory Union
- Senator Scott Beck (R-Caledonia)
- Senator Martine Gulick (D-Chittenden Central)
- Senator Wendy Harrison (D-Windham)
On the appointments to the Task Force, Senator Lyons said, “I look forward to this next step forward to advance Vermont's educational goals for our communities, educators, and kids.”
"Transforming the governance, funding, and quality of our schools is a herculean, once-in-a-generation undertaking,” said Lt. Governor John Rodgers. “We are fortunate to have so many dedicated and qualified Vermonters who are willing to serve our state in this effort. I am extremely optimistic that we have the best and brightest working to strengthen public education for our children, our taxpayers, and the future of our democracy and our state."
"Vermonters have called on us to thoughtfully transform our education system to increase equity, educational opportunity and create a funding structure that is more transparent and predictable," said Senator Baruth. "We've made significant progress and there's much more work ahead. I'm confident in the Task Force's ability to lead the next stage of this important work."
In creating the district proposals, the Task Force’s goal is to increase equitable access to educational opportunity for all of Vermont’s students. The Task Force will hold public hearings, in consultation with the Commission on the Future of Public Education, to receive and consider feedback from members of the public regarding school district consolidation and proposed boundaries.
“I am both honored and excited to be appointed to the School District Redistricting Task Force,” said Dr. Jennifer Botzojourns. “I look forward to the important work of shaping options for the future of Vermont's public education system."
“I’m honored to have been appointed to the School District Redistricting Task Force and look forward to contributing to this important effort,” said Chris Locarno. “I understand the complexities school districts face and I’m committed to helping find practical, equitable solutions that serve students, families, and communities across the state."
On his appointment to the Task Force, Senator Beck said, “I look forward to this important work and providing Vermont students from all corners of Vermont with an excellent education.”
“We’ve established the framework and our success in improving the system will depend on getting the details right,” said Senator Harrison. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on those details.”
“I look forward to working with colleagues to create an educational landscape that is right-sized and provides equity within a thriving public education system,” said Senator Gulick.
The first meeting of the Task Force will be called by Governor Scott’s appointee, David Wolk, on or before August 1, 2025, with district proposals due to the legislature on December 1, 2025.
To read the full text of H.454 (Act 73) of 2025 or learn more about the legislation, please visit https://legislature.vermont.gov.
7.8.2025. MONTPELIER, VT - Speaker. 7.7.2025. Office of the Vermont Senate President Pro Tempore
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