The bill S.244, introduced by Senator Vyhovsky, seeks to repeal significant portions of the 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 73 while maintaining certain provisions related to tuition eligibility for approved independent schools, the appointment authority of the State Board of Education, and the creation of regional assessment districts. It aims to reform Vermont's education governance by promoting the merger of school districts into larger entities, establishing boards of cooperative education services (BOCEs), and prioritizing funding for regional high school construction. The bill also introduces new property tax classifications, including a higher rate for residential properties used as second homes and short-term rentals, as well as a classification for nonhomestead seasonal residential properties.

Key changes include the repeal of sections concerning the Commission on the Future of Public Education, school district redistricting, and class size minimums. The bill raises the required percentage of students attending approved independent schools on a district-funded tuition basis from 25% to 51%. It establishes a new School Construction Aid Special Fund, funded by half of the revenue from the education property tax on nonhomestead residential properties, to support school construction initiatives. Additionally, it sets a new tax rate for nonhomestead residential properties and outlines the calculation of statewide education tax yields, mandating the Commissioner of Taxes to create property classification forms by 2027 and publish guidance on statutory definitions. Certain provisions of the bill will take effect immediately, while others will begin on January 1, 2028.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 16-828, 16-3444, 32-4152, 32-5402, 32-5402b, 16-4025