Representative Dobrovich’s Newsletter

Week of February 10, 2026

Dear Constituents,

This week was quieter on new bills but continued with important work on Act 73, chronic absenteeism, school governance, and PCB testing in schools. Here’s a concise recap to keep you updated. I’ll share more as things progress. Thank you for your continued trust and support.

Week in Review

Only 10 new bills were introduced this week, bringing the biennium total to 900.
(Full bill texts: https://legislature.vermont.gov — enter the bill number.)

Two bills passed over to the Senate for review (possible amendments, then Senate debate/vote; if changed, back to House):

  • H.611 — Updates to Department of Vermont Health Access (prescription drug transparency, Medicaid oversight/eligibility, doula services timelines)
  • H.527 — Extends sunset of 30 V.S.A. § 248a (telecommunications siting reviews) until July 1, 2029

House Education Committee

We continued testimony and discussion on several key topics:

  • Chronic absenteeism bill (miscellaneous proposal under review)
  • H.640 — Adding voting student members (grades 9–12) and nonvoting (grades 7–8) to school district boards
  • H.542 — Ending PCB testing requirements in schools

We also advanced work on Act 73 and related policy changes, including Draft 2.1 (February 12, 2026) on school designation and contracting under 16 V.S.A. § 827. This builds on Act 73 (2025), which already reduced eligible independent schools for public tuition to about 18 (with grandfathering for current students).

The draft would further limit eligibility for independent schools receiving public tuition, requiring them to meet at least three of four specific criteria (such as serving as a regional CTE center or being chartered by the General Assembly). It would also require formal contracts with districts and other requirements that align operations more closely with public schools, which they are not.

Vermont's independent school system predates the establishment of the state's public-school framework—town-supported schools began emerging in the late 1700s and early 1800s (with compulsory attendance not mandated until 1867), while many independent academies were already operating in the 1700s and 1800s to serve local needs. These independent schools already follow strict state oversight through the State Board of Education's Rule Series 2200, which sets requirements for program approval, curriculum, staffing, facilities, non-discrimination, and more—ensuring they meet high standards for operation and educational quality. In many cases, they deliver strong results, often outperforming many public schools in student outcomes (e.g., high graduation rates, college placement, and community satisfaction) while serving rural or specialized needs efficiently and effectively, without the same bureaucratic overhead. This long history and proven track record make further restrictions particularly concerning for families who rely on these options.

Paired with the recent proposed district consolidation map (reducing from 119 districts to around 27), this would reduce options for many families, particularly in areas without local public high schools where tuitioning has long provided access to suitable schools.

Vermont's tuitioning system has supported strong educational outcomes in many communities for generations. When a colleague on my committee noted the uneven access to choice across the state, I suggested considering an expansion of public-school choice so more students—potentially all in grades 7–12—could access options among public schools. This would promote greater fairness without eliminating existing successful arrangements. The existing public tuitioning system for approved independent (private) schools remains unchanged and operates as a separate, parallel lane. This proposal creates no new pathways to independent schools, imposes no additional prohibitions, and does not alter eligibility, payment rules, restrictions, or any provisions under current law (including Act 73’s criteria for independent school eligibility to receive public tuition). To be clear, I do support full choice and a parent, caregiver, or family's right to make the best decision for their child/children, Unfortunately, I also understand that this or any expansion of choice would never fly with the majority on the House Education Committee. The proposal of full public-school choice was met with scoffing and complete dismissal. If we are supposed to be working to provide as many opportunities to our students as possible, shouldn't all options be on the table?

The goal should be to ensure every Vermont student has strong opportunities. Restricting proven pathways risks limiting access rather than broadening it.

Eyes Up: Looking Ahead

Next week’s House Education Committee agenda includes:

  • Tuesday, Feb 17: Introduction/walk-through of new bills; Act 73 discussion.
  • Wednesday, Feb 18: Testimony on school mental health supports; update from Vermont School Boards Association.
  • Thursday, Feb 19: Joint hearing with Senate Education on Act 73 implementation progress and governance options.
  • Friday, Feb 20: Committee discussion on H.542 (PCB testing) and related environmental/health issues in schools.

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:

I will continue my strong effort to provide important and timely updates on a weekly basis, however, there may be occasional weeks when an update isn’t possible due to workload or scheduling, but I’ll do my best to keep you informed on a regular basis.

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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Representative Dobrovich’s Newsletter Week of March 23, 2026 Dear Constituents, The land you think is “your land” might well become heavily regulated under the new Act 181 (think Act 250 2.0). This law was enacted over Governor Scott’s veto by the Democratic supermajority in 2024. The time is NOW for you to find out exactly how Act 181 may impact your use of your own land. The Land Use Review Board (LURB), created by Act 181, is currently working through the rule-making process to divide all land in Vermont into designated Tier 1A/1B, Tier 2, and Tier 3 areas. The goal is to encourage development in concentrated downtown areas (Tiers 1A and 1B) while discouraging it in environmentally sensitive zones (Tier 2 and especially Tier 3). The real challenge is striking the right balance between human thriving, affordability, equity, property rights, and environmental stewardship. This is no trivial task. The uncertainty around how Act 181 will be implemented is creating fear across t...
Read more
Representative Dobrovich’s Weekly Newsletter Week of June 16th Dear Constituents, With the legislative session concluding yesterday, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of serving as your representative at the State House. This newsletter (a rather long one), focusing on the pivotal education reform bill, begins my brief review of the session. In the coming days and weeks, I’ll share further updates to reflect on the work done in the legislature. Thank you for your continued trust and support. H.454 Transforming Vermont’s Schools: A Bold Plan for Fair Access and Economic Growth House Bill H.454, titled "An act relating to transforming Vermont’s education governance, quality, and finance systems," is a comprehensive effort to overhaul Vermont’s public education system. It addresses declining enrollment, unequal access to educational opportunities, rising property taxes, and inefficiencies, aiming for a system that ensures fair access to education for all...
Read more
Representative Dobrovich’s Newsletter Week of January 27th Dear Constituents, This week saw increased floor activity, more bill introductions, continued Act 73 discussions in Education, and valuable input from superintendents. Here’s a concise recap to keep you updated. I’ll share more as things progress. Thank you for your continued trust and support. Week in Review 72 new bills were introduced this week, bringing the biennium total to 846. (Full bill texts: https://legislature.vermont.gov — enter the bill number.) The floor picked up with six bills passed over to the Senate for review (possible amendments, then Senate debate/vote; if changed, back to House): H.648 — Banking, insurance, and securities H.516 — Amendments to Town of Essex charter H.270 — Confidentiality in peer support for emergency providers H.532 — Mandatory retirement of college professors H.508 — Amendments to City of Burlington charter H.790 — Budget Adjustment Act (mid-year ...
Read more