Representative Dobrovich’s Weekly Newsletter

Week of April 15–18, 2025

Dear Constituents,

As we conclude another week at the State House, I’m pleased to share updates on our legislative activities, focusing on the House Education Committee, House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, and House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs.

Weekly Recap

House Education Committee

  • H.54, An Act Relating to Phone-Free Schools
     This week the House Education Committee heard testimony on H.54, a bill to create phone-free schools, brought compelling insights. Harwood Union Middle and High School’s principal, Megan McDonough, and students Elelliana Buckingham and Celia Wang shared how their phone-free policy boosts focus: 63% of students reported better classroom engagement, 55% noted an improved learning environment, and bullying cases fell from 9 to 1. Using Yondr pouches, Harwood fosters real connections without strict enforcement. Mike McRaith of the Vermont Principals’ Association tied phone use to anxiety, noting 9 states have bans and 41, including Vermont, are suing Meta. H.54 has support, but the VPA raised concerns about wording that might limit parent communication apps. Key takeaways from the bill and testimony are, cell phone-free schools encourage kids to engage more fully in face-to-face interactions, fostering stronger social skills and friendships, while also reducing distractions that can hinder participation in extracurricular activities like sports or clubs. Additionally, limiting phone use during school hours has been shown to promote mental well-being by giving students a break from the constant pressure of social media and notifications, allowing them to be more present in the moment.

  • Basis of School Board Powers
     Legislative Counsel Beth St. James briefed us on school board powers under Title 16, exploring how they’d shift with larger districts. We discussed whether current laws can govern expanded districts and how annual meetings would work, setting the stage for redistricting.

  • Education Transformation: Big Questions and Timeline
     We focused on timelines for education transformation, aiming to set larger district boundaries by July 1, 2027. This summer, we’ll study district governance, legal considerations like the Vermont Constitution’s Common Benefits and Education Clauses, and employee transitions under Title 16 and Act 46 to prepare for next session’s redistricting efforts.

  • Budgetary Requests and Priorities
     We reviewed funding requests for programs like Building Bright Futures, Vermont Career Hub, and Adult Literacy, plus a new proposal for cardiac emergency training in schools. With a tight budget, prioritizing these will be challenging but essential.

Week in Review

  • Synthetic Media in Elections
     On Wednesday, the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs continued discussions on S.23, an act relating to synthetic media in elections. Representatives from the ACLU testified, raising concerns about the bill’s unconstitutional application. The provisions touch on a larger national question about the future of synthetic media, artificial intelligence, and how to address this new Pandora’s box.

  • Further Efforts in Career and Technical Education
     On Thursday, the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development heard testimony on expanding career and technical education in Vermont. They discussed revisions to the funding model to ensure proper funding for technical centers, collaboration between high schools and tech centers, the role of guidance counselors, and the early introduction of CTE in middle school.

Eyes Up: Looking Ahead

  • H.54 Walkthrough
     Next week, the Education Committee is expected to conduct an official legislative walkthrough of H.54, An Act Relating to Phone-Free Schools, and hear testimony from a child psychologist. We expect to gain a fuller understanding of the second- and third-order effects of this act and adjust it to ensure the best outcome for our students.

  • H.130 Hearings
     The Committee will also hold hearings on H.130, An Act Relating to Expanding the Membership and Duties of the Advisory Council on Harassment, Hazing, and Bullying Prevention in Schools. We expect to hear from the current chair, Mrs. Rebecca McBroom, and representatives from the Vermont Human Rights Commission.

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:

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

Warm regards,
Joshua Dobrovich
jdobrovich@leg.state.vt.us


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