The Legislature is considering and the Vermont State Board of Education passed a motion (at its monthly meeting March 25) to support the legislative language in H883 to consolidate school districts.
The legislation would, as of July 1, 2020, eliminate all supervisory unions and reduce the number of school districts to between 45 and 55. Currently there are 46 supervisory unions and 283 districts. The two interstate school districts will not be affected.
“I think it’s the most important piece of educational legislation we have seen in some time,” said State Board of Education Chair Stephan Morse. “We must provide educational opportunities to all children statewide, and this is an essential change to our educational governance system.”
Student Representative and Co-Vice Chair Lachlan Francis made a motion, seconded by Board Member Mark Perrin, that:
“The Vermont State Board of Education goes on record as strongly supporting H.883. The Board believes it is time to modernize Vermont’s educational governance system so that all Vermont students are provided equitable opportunity to prosper and thrive in all Vermont schools. The Board further commits to work with the Vermont legislature and the Agency of education to fairly implement the new governance structure.”
The motion passed (6-1-0). Chair Morse noted that while he doesn’t typically vote as Chairman, he strongly supports this motion. Board member Bill Mathis did not vote in favor of the motion, Margaret MacLean was not in attendance, and Morgan MacIver will be a voting member in June. The Board consists of nine voting members and one non-voting member appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Read the full H.883 bill here: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2014/bills/Intro/H-883.pdf.
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