Representative Dobrovich’s Weekly Newsletter

Week of February 25, 2025 - February 28, 2025

Dear Constituents,

As we conclude another week at the State House, I'm pleased to share updates on our legislative activities.This week’s newsletter will be a special issue regarding the Governor’s Education Transformation Proposal, which entered the House as bill H.454.

 

Weekly Recap

H.454 Key Provisions

● Unified School Districts

H.454 in its current form shifts Vermont away from the current system with 118 School Districts and 51 Supervisory Unions, implementing 5 Unified School Districts in their place. These school districts are drawn along pre-existing lines so as not to disrupt normal operations as much as possible. These new Unified School Districts will also serve to improve state-wide education standards and their implementation at the community level.

● School Advisory Committees

Within each of these Unified School Districts there are various School Advisory Committees, one for each school. These committees are made up of parents, faculty, staff, and students at their respective schools, empowering each school and school district to understand and act towards the greater needs of the communities they serve. The key focus of these groups is the equitable budgeting of schools at the community level.

● District Leadership Training

Another new initiative for these school districts is the implementation of contracted leadership training. Providing leadership training from an external source can create a better environment for understanding. The goal is to create an environment of sustainable communication between advisory committees, schools, and school districts. 

● Expanded School Choice/Education Equity

H.454 also updates regional school choice to be a district-level provision. Independent high schools that live up to the standards of local public schools will be granted school choice status and offered equal access at the state level. Independent middle schools that meet the standard will be treated as district-level school choice. An unbiased and non-discriminatory lottery will be used for independent schools with over-registration.

● Revised and Updated Funding Formula

H.454 sets forth a new funding program that’s student-focused and facts-based. Foundation formulas have been used nationwide in successful school systems. By focusing on the students, we can ensure the best opportunities are provided for the best possible outcomes. This foundation formula also accounts for extenuating circumstances for students, including English language learners and special education students.

● Community-Based Quality Standards

Among the above changes, H.454 also tasks the director of the Agency of Education with the development of District Education Standards. Each of the 5 newly created school districts will be empowered to fit into this curriculum standard in line with their communities’ needs and desires. These quality standards stand as the blueprint for the education infrastructure that each of these measures looks to develop and implement.

 

These discussions and hearings provide action for the critical insights the House Education Committee has gained over the past couple of months. These funding strategies, school governance structures, and program implementation, shaping the committee’s approach to future legislative action.

 

Conclusion

Ultimately, this bill is necessary to bring the Governor's education proposal to the table so the legislature can start to formally take it up for discussion. The current system isn’t efficient, and it isn’t providing all of Vermont’s students with the education and opportunities they deserve. The district sizes, funding formula, curriculum, and the governance all need to be addressed at the same time to create a robust system that is also affordable.

Additionally this week, the Chair and Democrats of the House Education Committee decided to avoid working to come up with district lines to continue this very important step in the process, therefore also stalling discussions around the funding formula as the two are intertwined. In response, the Senate Education Committee put forth a new district map to take testimony on and work from, as they understand the necessity of starting this process. The Republicans are ready and eager to have these conversations and work to provide the opportunities they deserve.

I co-sponsored H.454 to bring it to the table to start these hard, but necessary discussions. If you’d like to read the bill, you can find a link to the text here.

 

Eyes Up: Looking Ahead

Next week, the Legislature will be on break for Town meeting week. Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it. However, someone I’ve worked closely with for the past few months will be there to share on my behalf.

Stay Engaged

For more detailed information about all things happening in the legislature, please refer to the official Vermont General Assembly website. Here are some helpful links:

Home | Vermont General Assembly | Vermont Legislature

House Calendar

House Committee List

Senate Calendar

Senate Committee List


Your input is invaluable. Please feel free to reach out with your questions, concerns, or suggestions. Together, we can work towards a better future for our community and state.

Warm regards,

Joshua Dobrovich

jdobrovich@leg.state.vt.us

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