Students and families should prepare for uncertainty in public education, taxpayers should prepare to see more of their dollars spent with little to no oversight, and the state should prepare for lawsuits.
Vermont lawmakers have not resolved a constitutional question raised by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last year on public funding of religious schools.The Legislature’s inaction raises the possibility that the state could face further legal action.
If private or independent schools want to use taxpayer funds to operate their institutions, they must abide by the same requirements as public schools.
Bills filed in both the state House and Senate this month would require Vermont towns that pay tuition for some or all grades to designate up to three public schools for their students to attend.