The 150-year-old tradition of “tuitioning” to independent schools for Vermont communities unserved by public schools is under threat from legislative leaders who are openly stating that 'school choice needs to end' in order to consolidate the public school system into 5 state wide districts as mandated by Act 73 passed in 2025. The law also addresses minimum class sizes which could force the closure of multiple small local public schools residing in these larger districts. This will result in children no longer have access to over 100 independent schools including the loss of countless small public schools.

School choice in Vermont currently serves 5,700 students directly, and benefits over 8,000 students in over 120 independent schools. Through Vermont’s tuitioning system, families of all income levels instead of just those with means have access to the right educational environment for their kids. We propose that families who have these choice through the tuitioning program not only be protected but extended this kind of access to all families in Vermont be it in a public or independent school.

This is an equity issue, an issue about fairness. This is a students’ rights issue. And this is a parent’s rights issue. Please join us in opposing legislative efforts to take superb educational options away from children.