Vermont H 681: An act relating to government operations in response to the COVID-19 outbreak

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.681
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VT LEG #385429 v.5
H.681 1
Introduced by Representatives Olson of Starksboro, Yacovone of Morristown, 2
Boyden of Cambridge, Burrows of West Windsor, Greer of 3
Bennington, Harple of Glover, Headrick of Burlington, 4
Mrowicki of Putney, and O’Brien of Tunbridge 5
Referred to Committee on 6
Date: 7
Subject: Education; school district board; school closure; power of electorate 8
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require a 9
school district to obtain the affirmative vote of the town within which a school 10
is located before closing the school. 11
An act relating to voter approval prior to school closure 12
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 13
Sec. 1. 16 V.S.A. § 564 is added to read: 14
§ 564. SCHOOL CLOSURE 15
(a) Before closing a school that operates grades prekindergarten through 16
grade 12, or any subset of such grades, or before closing or relocating one or 17
more individual grades, a school district shall obtain the affirmative vote of the 18
town in which the school or grades facing closure are located. 19

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VT LEG #385429 v.5
(b) As used in this section, “school board” and “school district” have the 1
same meanings as in subdivisions 11(a)(9) and (10) of this title. 2
(c) The provisions of this section shall supersede any educational charter 3
provision or school district articles of agreement to the contrary. 4
Sec. 2. 16 V.S.A. § 563 is amended to read: 5
§ 563. POWERS OF SCHOOL BOARDS; FORM OF VOTE 6
The school board of a school district, in addition to other duties and 7
authority specifically assigned by law: 8
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(7) May relocate or discontinue use of a schoolhouse or facility, subject 10
to the provisions of sections 564, 821, and 822 of this title. 11
* * * 12
Sec. 3. 16 V.S.A. § 562 is amended to read: 13
§ 562. POWERS OF ELECTORATE 14
At a school district meeting, the electorate: 15
* * * 16
(7) May authorize the school board to enter into leases of real property 17
for more than three years, to purchase buildings or sites for school purposes, to 18
locate and erect schoolhouses, and to sell, or otherwise dispose of, 19
schoolhouses or sites for same, subject to the provisions of section 564 of this 20
chapter. 21

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VT LEG #385429 v.5
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Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE 2
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026. 3