Vermont Governor Signs Education Reform Bill, Reviving Voluntary School Merger Process

June 20, 2026 - 11:51

Twenty groups of school districts across Vermont will begin exploring voluntary mergers starting Oct. 15, following Gov. Phil Scott's signing of a new education reform bill on Monday. The legislation revives a process that many educators and local officials say feels like "Act 46 all over again," referring to the 2015 law that pushed for school district consolidation.

The new law encourages districts to form study committees and weigh the benefits of merging administrative structures, sharing resources, and potentially closing smaller schools. Supporters argue the move will reduce property tax burdens and streamline educational spending, which has climbed steadily in recent years. Opponents worry about losing local control and the character of small community schools.

Under the timeline laid out in the bill, interested districts must notify the state by Oct. 15 if they intend to form a merger study committee. Those committees will then have until early 2026 to produce recommendations. The state will provide technical support and some funding to cover the costs of the studies.

Critics have pointed to the mixed results of Act 46, which led to some successful mergers but also sparked bitter fights in towns that resisted consolidation. Scott, a Republican, has made education cost containment a central priority of his administration. He said the new bill offers a more flexible approach than its predecessor, allowing districts to move at their own pace.

School boards in several regions have already expressed interest. The coming months will test whether the voluntary model can achieve what the earlier mandate could not.