Bill H.454 seeks to reform Vermont's education governance, quality, and finance systems to address ongoing challenges in public education. It emphasizes the constitutional right to public education and aims to provide equal educational opportunities for all students. Key provisions include the establishment of larger school district boundaries, the creation of the Commission on the Future of Public Education to study and recommend improvements, and the formation of a School District Voting Ward Task Force to ensure equitable representation in school board elections. The bill also introduces new minimum class size standards for various grade levels and allows for waivers under specific circumstances, while prohibiting school consolidations that would incur excessive costs if class size standards are not met.

Additionally, the bill outlines significant changes to the funding and budgeting processes for school districts, including the introduction of a Supplemental District Spending Reserve and a supplemental district spending tax. It mandates the Agency of Education to report on special education costs and develop a strategic plan for services, while also amending definitions related to small schools and funding models. The bill aims to streamline property tax classifications and assessment processes, shifting the assessment date from April 1 to January 1, and introduces changes to the compensation structure for hearing officers involved in education tax appeals. Overall, the legislation is designed to enhance educational equity, efficiency, and transparency in Vermont's public education system.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 16-43, 16-212, 16-164, 16-165, 16-166, 16-241, 16-242, 16-563, 16-11, 16-821, 16-822, 16-824, 16-1071, 16-1121, 16-133, 32-5401, 32-5402, 32-5402b, 32-5404a(b)(1), 32-5404a, 32-5404a(b), 32-5405(g), 32-5405, 32-5410(g), 32-5410, 32-5400, 32-154, 11-1608, 32-3102(j), 32-3102, 32-3206(b), 32-3206
As Passed By the House -- Official: 16-43, 16-212, 16-164, 16-165, 16-166, 16-241, 16-242, 16-563, 16-11, 16-821, 16-822, 16-824, 16-1071, 16-1121, 16-133, 32-5401, 32-5402, 32-5402b, 32-5404a(b)(1), 32-5404a, 32-5404a(b), 32-5405(g), 32-5405, 32-5410(g), 32-5410, 32-5400, 32-154, 11-1608, 32-3102(j), 32-3102, 32-3206(b), 32-3206, 16-3448a, 16-828, 16-161, 16-162, 16-823, 16-4011, 16-4001, 16-4010, 16-4025, 16-4026, 16-4028, 16-4031, 32-5414, 32-4152, 32-3481(1)(B), 32-3481, 32-3481(1), 32-3482, 32-3485, 32-3603(a), 32-3603, 32-3610(b), 32-3610, 32-3613, 32-3618(c)(2), 32-3618, 32-3618(c), 32-3651, 32-3691, 32-3692(b), 32-3692, 32-3708, 32-3755, 32-3756(c), 32-3756, 32-3758, 32-3802a, 32-3850(d), 32-3850, 32-4001(a), 32-4001, 32-4041, 32-4044, 32-4045, 32-4052(c), 32-4052, 32-5401(7), 32-5404a(a)(6), 32-5404a(a), 32-5406(b), 32-5406, 32-6066a(f)(1), 32-6066a, 32-6066a(f), 32-5252, 32-4465, 32-5402(c)(2), 32-5402(c)
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 16-165, 16-3448a, 16-828, 16-161, 16-162, 16-823, 16-4011, 16-4001, 16-4010, 16-4025, 16-4026, 16-4028, 16-563, 16-4031, 32-5401, 32-5402, 32-5402b, 32-5404a(b)(1), 32-5404a, 32-5404a(b), 32-5405(g), 32-5405, 32-5400, 32-154, 11-1608, 32-3102(j), 32-3102, 32-3206(b), 32-3206, 32-5414, 32-4152, 32-3481(1)(B), 32-3481, 32-3481(1), 32-3482, 32-3485, 32-3603(a), 32-3603, 32-3610(b), 32-3610, 32-3613, 32-3618(c)(2), 32-3618, 32-3618(c), 32-3651, 32-3691, 32-3692(b), 32-3692, 32-3708, 32-3755, 32-3756(c), 32-3756, 32-3758, 32-3802a, 32-3850(d), 32-3850, 32-4001(a), 32-4001, 32-4041, 32-4044, 32-4045, 32-4052(c), 32-4052, 32-5401(7), 32-5404a(a)(6), 32-5404a(a), 32-5406(b), 32-5406, 32-5410, 32-6066a(f)(1), 32-6066a, 32-6066a(f), 32-5252, 32-4465, 32-5402(c)(2), 32-5402(c)