2012 Bills

This legislative session, two bills of note were passed:

Public School Choice Expansion
H.771 (formerly S.201) was known as the "school choice bill." It started out the session very ambitious, aiming to offer all students grades 1-12, access to any public or approved independent school. The bill was quickly modified and then continuously pared down. The end result was a bill that modestly expanded Act 150 (regional school choice.) It is estimated by the Department of Education that about 300 students currently choose a school through Act 150. This legislation is expected to bring that number to about 600. Students can now choose from participating schools without geographic boundaries, in grades 9-12, but in limited numbers (about 1% of the total VT student body). Details to follow soon.


Excess Spending Penalty Exemption for K-12 Tuitioning Towns
S.113 (formerly H.753) releases K-12 tuitioning towns from the excess spending penalty, unless they have agreed to spend more than the State Average Announced tuition to independent schools. S.113 also makes significant revisions to Act 153. Details to follow soon.