FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 10th, 2025
Media Contact
Molly Moore, Office of the Speaker
802-424-6111
HOUSE GIVES PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO H.454, THE VERMONT HOUSE’S EDUCATION REFORM BILL
MONTPELIER, VT - Today, the Vermont House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to H.454, the House’s comprehensive education reform bill. The legislation marks a major step in building a more equitable and student-centered public education system and a more stable, cost-effective financing system.
“Today’s vote is an important step in seizing the best chance we’ve had in a generation to modernize a system that hasn’t kept up – not because our teachers or students are failing, but because the structure around them hasn’t changed,” said Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski. “This plan was built with input from Vermonters, including; educators, school leaders, finance experts, parents, and Vermonters. And it reflects what we’ve heard in every corner of the state: the system needs to be more predictable for taxpayers and better for our kids.”
H.454 includes major policy reforms to education finance, governance, and infrastructure. Key components of the bill include:
- Moving to a foundation funding model which gives school districts funding based on the cost to educate a student
- A process to update school district boundaries
- Establishing statewide class size minimums, shared calendars, data systems, and shared resources between schools
- Creating clearer rules for the use of public tuition dollars
- Planning for long-term school construction investments and projects
- Strengthening the State Board of Education to ensure transparent, accountable oversight with public input
The bill is up for its third and final reading on the House floor on Friday, April 11th, and if passed, the bill will proceed to the Senate.
For more information on H.454, please visit the legislative website.
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