Message from Montpelier: House passes education reform bill

Message from Montpelier is a recurring column written by Essex's legislative delegation. This message is from Rep. Lori Houghton (D-Essex Junction). 

Please reach out to me (lhoughton@leg.state.vt.us) or Representative Dolan (kndolan@leg.state.vt.us) at any time. We are always happy to answer questions and share perspectives. Your engagement helps ensure we are informed about what is important to you. You can track our activity at https://legislature.vermont.gov/. We archive all sessions on YouTube which can also be found by following the link above. 

YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SERIES

Please join your Essex House delegation during the legislative session for "Community Conversations," a monthly forum for updates on bills, committees, caucus activities and more. We welcome your concerns, questions and a spirit of open, respectful dialogue. 

Our next conversation is Saturday May 10, 11-12:30 at The Nest.  

EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION REFORM BILL

On Friday, the House passed H.454 an act relating to transforming Vermont’s education governance, quality and finance systems on a tri-partisan vote of 87-55.

The Essex and Essex Junction House Delegation stands in strong support of H.454, a bold and forward-thinking blueprint to modernize and strengthen Vermont’s public education system. We believe this legislation is a major step toward building a more equitable and student-centered public education system and a more stable, resilient financing system.

Vermont’s current education structure is showing signs of strain. Declining enrollment, rising costs, aging facilities, and financial complexity all signal the need for a careful but bold transformation. H.454 provides that path—one that is intentional, incremental, and guided by deep public engagement.

We are particularly encouraged by several key provisions:

• The Commission on the Future of Public Education and its School District Boundary Subcommittee will bring strategic, research-driven thinking to reimagining school district boundaries, ensuring community voices are heard and valued in the process.

• The focus on scale and efficiency, especially in class size standards and the encouragement of sustainable school size, aligns with our goals of equity, fiscal responsibility, and improved student outcomes, while providing important waiver options for rural and geographically isolated schools.

• The commitment to state aid for school construction is not only timely but essential. Our schools must reflect the educational and infrastructure standards of the 21st century, and H.454 ensures this work can begin in earnest with the necessary state partnership.

• Efforts to promote statewide cohesion, including a statewide school calendar, unified graduation standards, and improved data systems,  will all bring greater clarity and coordination to our education system.

• The emphasis on transparent and independent governance by enhancing the role and structure of the State Board of Education and ensuring legislative voices are part of that process.

• H.454 takes on education finance reform by strengthening the tax base, increasing fairness, and removing the “cliffs” that have made funding unpredictable for so many communities. With the statewide property tax as our largest source of education funding, meaningful tax reform is not just timely—it’s essential. 

• The proposals contained in the bill are sweeping changes to our current school system to be enacted on a deliberate, sustainable pace. It is a responsible and realistic plan that does not cripple our ability to serve students in the transition. 

By taking a measured, research-based approach, this bill lays out a map leading to a more stable and equitable future, and it supports improvements in both urban and rural communities. This document outlines the implementation timeline. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Workgroups/House%20Ways%20and%20Means/Bills/H.454/W~Jon%20Gray~Education%20Transformation%20Timeline~4-8-2025.pdf

Essex and Essex Junction community members—like those across Vermont—deserve a public education system that is equitable, modern, and sustainably funded where all students have the chance to learn, grow and explore their interests. H.454 takes significant steps in that direction.

We appreciate the thoughtful and intentional approach the House took to develop this comprehensive bill, and we look forward to working with our colleagues, stakeholders, and communities to continue moving H.454 through the legislative process to create an education system that sustainably and predictably elevates Vermont’s education system. H.454 now moves to the Senate. Please continue to reach out to us with your thoughts and questions. 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community.