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1 S.282
2 Introduced by Senator Clarkson
3 Referred to Committee on
4 Date:
5 Subject: Education; diversity, equity, inclusion
6 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create an
7 Education Equity Team Pilot Project by creating the Equity Team Commission
8 to choose pilot project participants and oversee and support the work of Equity
9 Teams created at the supervisory union or school district level. Equity teams
10 will focus on antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion by reviewing equity-
11 related policies and curriculum and will each receive a stipend of $10,000.00
12 to support their work.
13 An act relating to the Education Equity Team Pilot Project and Report
14 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
15 Sec. 1. EDUCATION EQUITY TEAM PILOT PROJECT; REPORT
16 (a) Creation. There is created the Education Equity Team Pilot Project that
17 shall support equity work in schools by providing stipends to up to five
18 supervisory unions or school districts to fund the work of equity teams.
19 (b) Equity Team Commission.
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1 (1) Creation. There is created the Equity Team Commission to oversee
2 the pilot project.
3 (2) Membership. The Commission shall be composed of the following
4 members:
5 (A) one student equity leader, appointed by the Governor;
6 (B) one representative from the Social Equity Caucus, appointed by
7 the chair of the Caucus;
8 (C) the Chair of the State Board of Education or designee;
9 (D) the Director of the Office of Racial Equity or designee; and
10 (E) one member of the House Committee on Education, appointed by
11 the Speaker of the House.
12 (3) Powers and duties. The Commission shall identify up to five
13 supervisory unions or school districts to participate in the pilot project and
14 shall manage the distribution of stipends. The Commission shall provide open
15 support to the Equity Teams created under the pilot project.
16 (4) Assistance. The Commission shall have the administrative,
17 technical, and legal assistance of the Office of Racial Equity.
18 (5) Report. On or before September 1, 2025, the Commission shall
19 submit a written report to the General Assembly detailing the work of the
20 Equity Teams, demonstrating the learning that occurred and the shifts made as
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1 a result of such work. The report shall also include a recommendation on
2 expansion of the pilot project and any resources needed for such expansion.
3 (6) Meetings. The Director of the Office of Racial Equity or designee
4 shall call the first meeting of the Commission to occur on or before August 1,
5 2024. The Commission shall select a chair from among its members at the first
6 meeting. A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum. The
7 Commission shall meet quarterly once participating supervisory unions or
8 school districts have been chosen. The Commission shall cease to exist on
9 October 1, 2025.
10 (c) Equity Teams.
11 (1) Membership and purpose. A supervisory union or school district
12 chosen to participate in the pilot project by the Commission shall create an
13 Equity Team to focus on antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion by
14 reviewing equity-related policies and curriculum. Teams shall include an
15 equity coordinator or other school administrator, three students, and two
16 teachers. The superintendent shall appoint Team members.
17 (2) Stipends. Each Equity Team shall receive a $10,000.00 stipend to
18 support its work. The stipend may be used for transportation reimbursement,
19 food and supplies for meetings, and other resources to support the work of the
20 Team. Students shall be reimbursed at the same rate as staff.
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1 Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION
2 The sum of $50,000.00 is appropriated to the Office of Racial Equity from
3 the General Fund in fiscal year 2025 to be used for stipends for the Education
4 Equity Team Pilot Project pursuant to Sec. 1 of this act.
5 Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
6 This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
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