Vermont Legislature Delays Recess as Education Bill H.454 Remains in Limbo
As of May 31, 2025, no final agreement has been reached, leaving educators, parents, and policymakers awaiting a resolution.
The Vermont legislature has postponed its planned recess as negotiations over H.454, a transformative education reform bill, continue in a high-stakes conference committee. Titled "An act relating to transforming Vermont’s education governance, quality, and finance systems," the bill aims to overhaul the state’s education system but faces significant hurdles due to disagreements between the House and Senate. As of May 31, 2025, no final agreement has been reached, leaving educators, parents, and policymakers awaiting a resolution.
Bill’s Current Status: Conference Committee Gridlock
H.454 is currently stalled in a conference committee tasked with reconciling differences between the House and Senate versions. The House passed its version with tri-partisan support on April 11, 2025, while the Senate followed with its own version on May 23, 2025, after contentious debates. The committee, appointed on May 28, has held meetings through May 30, with testimony from legislative counsel, fiscal analysts, and aides to Governor Phil Scott. However, no final report has emerged, signaling ongoing challenges in reaching a compromise. The legislature’s decision to delay recess underscores the urgency of resolving the bill before the session ends.
Key Concessions: Signs of Progress
Despite the deadlock, both chambers have made notable concessions. Both the House and Senate agreed on a four-year transition period for a new education funding formula, set to take effect on July 1, 2029, providing a clear timeline for implementation. The Senate also softened its stance on tuition for independent schools, lowering the required percentage of public school students from 51% (House) to 25% and maintaining current supervisory structures. Additionally, the Senate granted the state secretary of education more discretion over enforcing class size minimums, addressing concerns about rigid standards. These compromises reflect a willingness to find common ground, though significant gaps remain.
Sticking Points: What’s Holding Up the Bill
Several contentious issues continue to divide the House and Senate. The new "foundation" funding formula, starting at $15,033 per student in the House version, raises concerns about potential tax hikes for districts with lower per-student spending, with some facing increases of 30% or more. Class size minimums are another flashpoint, with the Senate proposing 10 students for kindergarten and 1st grade and 12 for grades 2-5, compared to the House’s 12 for kindergarten and 15 for grades 1-4. School district consolidation plans also differ, with the Senate favoring a maximum of 8,000 students per district and the House setting a minimum of 4,000. The Senate’s removal of the House’s uniform school calendar requirement and disagreements over tuition thresholds for independent schools further complicate negotiations.
Next Steps: Path to Passage
The conference committee is expected to continue its work in the coming days, with the goal of producing a reconciled bill for final votes in both chambers. If approved, the bill will head to Governor Phil Scott, whose aide, Jason Maulucci, has been actively involved in discussions. Scott has previously expressed reservations about the bill’s cost and timeline, suggesting he may push for additional tweaks. The legislature’s extended session indicates a strong push to finalize H.454, but the complexity of the remaining issues means passage is not guaranteed.
Who’s Compromising? A Balancing Act
Both the House and Senate have shown some flexibility, but the Senate appears slightly more willing to compromise. Its adjustments to independent school tuition and class size enforcement demonstrate responsiveness to stakeholder concerns. The House, while securing tri-partisan support early on, has held firmer on issues like class sizes and the uniform calendar, potentially requiring further concessions to align with the Senate. Governor Scott’s involvement adds another layer, as his office may influence the final compromise to ensure fiscal restraint. The delicate balance of these negotiations will determine whether H.454 becomes law.
Why It Matters: Vermont’s Education Future
H.454 represents a bold attempt to modernize Vermont’s education system, addressing funding inequities, governance inefficiencies, and educational quality. With the state facing rising costs and declining enrollment, the bill’s outcome will shape schools for years to come. Stakeholders, from rural districts to independent schools, are watching closely as the legislature grapples with these complex reforms. As negotiations continue, Vermonters await a resolution that balances innovation with practicality.