Vermont Act 170
Vermont Act 170
Act 170 of 2026 is a Vermont law focused on strengthening public education through regional collaboration, improved efficiency, and long-term planning.
The law asks school districts and communities to study ways they may be able to work together more effectively, including shared services, new governance structures, and possible district mergers. It also establishes Cooperative Educational Service Areas (CESAs) to support regional planning.
The goals of Act 170 include improving educational opportunities, expanding access to programs and student supports, reducing duplication of services, supporting long-term financial sustainability, and promoting greater equity across communities.
Act 170 does not automatically merge school districts or close schools. It does set up a process - called merger committees - where regional groups are created to explore voluntary merger possibilities. These potential mergers MUST be approved by the member towns later in the process (March 2028).
At WCSU, we will do our best to keep our communities up to date with the workings of the two merger groups to which our districts belong by sharing meeting agendas, minutes, and other information.
Additional information and opportunities for public participation will be shared as the process moves forward.
Act 170 Merger Committees
As part of Vermont Act 170, school districts are required to participate in regional merger committees that will study whether forming larger unified school districts would be advisable.
Each participating school district appoints at least one current school board member to serve on its assigned merger committee. The committees are organized with the assistance of regional facilitators and may include districts from different supervisory unions, provided the districts are geographically contiguous.
The purpose of the merger committees is to study possible governance structures, review the potential benefits and challenges of district mergers, and develop recommendations. The process is exploratory and does not automatically merge school districts. Any proposed new district resulting from this work would ultimately require local voter approval.
Merger committees are expected to begin meeting in fall 2026, with recommendations developed during 2027. Opportunities for community involvement and additional information will be shared as the process moves forward.
Group 3 Committee
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Group 5 Committee
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