The Vermont government meeting on June 12, 2025, focused on a significant amendment to the state's education funding structure, specifically regarding tuition for grades 9 through 12. The proposed changes aim to modify Section 27 of Title 16, which currently governs elementary tuition, expanding it to encompass all grade levels.

Key discussions centered on the introduction of a new fee structure for receiving schools. Under the proposed amendment, a receiving school may charge an additional fee, calculated based on a base amount, for students in grades 9 through 12. This fee can only be implemented if specific conditions are met, including approval from the State Board of Education and consent from the electorate of the sending school district for supplemental spending.

The amendment stipulates that the additional fee must be uniform across all school districts, ensuring that no receiving school can charge different fees based on district affiliation. Furthermore, the State Board of Education is tasked with developing rules to govern the approval process for these fees, ensuring they are necessary for the education of the students they apply to and not used to offset other budgetary costs.

The timeline for these changes is structured, with the State Board required to adopt the necessary rules by July 1, 2027. The new fee structure is set to take effect on July 1, 2028, contingent upon the operational status of new school districts.

This amendment represents a significant shift in how tuition is managed for secondary education in Vermont, aiming to provide more flexibility for schools while ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of additional fees. The implications of this change will be closely monitored as the State Board prepares to implement the new regulations.