SDSR | Friends Of Vermont Public Education

A campaign for fairness, safety, and consistent standards in Vermont’s publicly funded schools

March 8, 2026

Dear friends,

On Town Meeting Day, Vermonters once again showed their commitment to public education. Eighty-two percent of school budgets passed statewide. Communities across Vermont voted to support their schools, their teachers, and the students they serve.

When voters approve school budgets, they are supporting schools that operate under clear public rules. Public schools follow state education standards. Their budgets are public. Their boards meet under the Open Meeting Law. Their records are available to the public.

But Vermont also sends public dollars, your tax dollars, to private schools. These schools receive public funding, yet they are not required to follow the same basic rules that apply to public schools.

H.813 addresses that gap.

The bill would ensure that all schools receiving public tuition follow the same core expectations Vermonters already apply to public schools, including transparency, governance standards, and basic student protections.

Right now H.813 is sitting in the House Education Committee and has not yet been taken up for serious consideration. Hearing from Vermonters will influence whether the committee decides to advance the bill.

Please take a moment to contact the House Education Committee and ask them to take up H.813 this session.

Here is a messaging guide to use when you email the committee:

Opening lines

• I’m writing to ask the House Education Committee to take up H.813 this session.
• Please schedule H.813 for discussion in House Education.
• I hope the committee will review H.813 and consider advancing it.

Key points

• Vermont sends public tuition dollars to some independent schools, but those schools are not required to follow the same rules as public schools.

• H.813 addresses that gap by applying basic expectations such as transparency, governance standards, and student protections to schools receiving public tuition.

• Public schools already operate under these rules, including open meetings, public budgets, and state education standards.

• When public dollars fund a school, families and communities should be able to see how decisions are made and how funds are used.

• Students attending publicly funded schools should be guaranteed basic protections such as due process for discipline and safe school facility policies.

• H.813 ensures that publicly funded schools meet consistent expectations across Vermont’s education system.

Closing lines

• I encourage the committee to take up H.813 and give it a full hearing.
• Please bring H.813 forward for consideration this session.
• Thank you for your work on Vermont education and for considering this legislation.

Committee emails:

pconlon@leg.state.vt.us
cataylor@leg.state.vt.us
ebrady@leg.state.vt.us
jbrown@leg.state.vt.us
jdobrovich@leg.state.vt.us
lharple@leg.state.vt.us
rhunter@leg.state.vt.us
elong@leg.state.vt.us
kmccann@leg.state.vt.us
lmorgan@leg.state.vt.us
bquimby@leg.state.vt.us

Or, a single line for quick emailing:

pconlon@leg.state.vt.us; cataylor@leg.state.vt.us; ebrady@leg.state.vt.us; jbrown@leg.state.vt.us; jdobrovich@leg.state.vt.us; lharple@leg.state.vt.us; rhunter@leg.state.vt.us; elong@leg.state.vt.us; kmccann@leg.state.vt.us; lmorgan@leg.state.vt.us; bquimby@leg.state.vt.us

The Issue

In Vermont, some private/independent schools receive public funding, but aren’t required to follow the same rules as public schools.

That means public money can be used at schools that do not guarantee the most basic guardrails like qualified teachers or fair discipline policies. Some are allowed to deny admission to students with disabilities or expel them without clear process or oversight.

It’s inconsistent.
It’s irresponsible.
It’s dangerous.
And most Vermonters don’t even know it’s happening.

If public dollars are paying for a child’s education, that school should follow the same basic rules we expect of every public school.

What We Believe

This campaign is based on one simple idea:

All schools receiving public funds should follow the same rules.

We believe all children, no matter where they go to school, deserve the same protections, transparency, and accountability, especially when taxpayer dollars are involved.

We are not against private or independent schools.
We are for consistency.
We are for making sure public dollars serve the public good.

What Needs To Change

Right now, many publicly funded private/independent schools in Vermont are not required to:

Accept all students
Follow nondiscrimination laws
Hire licensed educators
Report on how public funds are spent
Provide due process for student discipline
Meet statewide academic and accountability standards

We’re working to change that.

We’re calling on lawmakers to pass a bill in 2026 to require the same baseline standards for any school receiving taxpayer money.

Who We Are

The Same Dollars Same Rules Coalition is led by Friends of Vermont Public Education and supported by Vermonters who care about fairness, transparency, and protecting all students.

Our coalition includes a growing list of Vermont education organizations, advocates, and citizens. Together, we’re pushing for common-sense changes in policy that reflect Vermont values.

How You Can Help

Sign the Petition
Add your name to show support for consistent standards in all publicly funded schools.

Share Your Story
Have you seen the impact of unequal rules? Were you or your child denied access, support, or fair treatment at a publicly funded private/independent school? Your voice matters.

Support this work by making a donation to Friends of Vermont Public Education. Every dollar helps us power the Same Dollars Same Rules campaign, from outreach to organizing to legislative action.

Stay Connected

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