Vermont Legislature adjourns 2026 session that centered, again, on education reform

May 30, 2026 - 09:33

The Vermont Legislature wrapped up its 2026 session this week, once again placing education reform at the center of its work after months of debate over school funding and property taxes. Lawmakers passed a series of bills aimed at restructuring the state's education system, including measures to consolidate school districts and cap spending growth.

In his closing remarks to the assembly, Governor Phil Scott struck a conciliatory tone, acknowledging the difficult trade-offs made during the session. "I didn't get everything I wanted, and neither did you," Scott told lawmakers. "But that's the way compromise works." The governor had pushed for deeper cuts to administrative costs and a faster timeline for district mergers, while legislative leaders argued for preserving local control.

The final package includes a two-year pilot program for regional budgeting and a new formula for distributing state aid to towns. Property tax rates, which have risen sharply in recent years, will see a temporary freeze under the plan. Critics on both sides voiced frustration. Some educators warned that consolidation could lead to longer bus rides and fewer elective classes for rural students. Taxpayer advocates said the reforms did not go far enough to rein in per-pupil spending, which remains among the highest in the nation.

Other notable actions from the session include a modest expansion of broadband access funding and a new law requiring paid family leave for state employees. The legislature also set aside money for weatherization programs, though environmental groups had sought a larger investment. With the session now closed, lawmakers will return to their districts ahead of the fall elections, where education policy is expected to remain a top issue for voters.