Potential St. Johnsbury School District Issues

Details: Created on Tuesday, 25 March 2025 05:50; Written by Asher Ballantine

Proposed Vermont Bill Raises Concerns Within the St. Johnsbury School District A proposed Vermont bill is raising concerns within the St. Johnsbury School District. The draft bill, DR25-0937, aims to limit schools like St. Johnsbury Academy from enrolling high school students residing within a 75-minute drive of other schools. This could significantly impact the Academy, which serves many local students through public tuition agreements. The St. Johnsbury School District frequently sends its students to institutions like St. Johnsbury Academy and Lyndon Institute via school choice. If the proposed bill passes in its current form, these students may lose that choice, potentially damaging their access to valuable educational resources. Last Monday, the issue was discussed at a school board meeting, where Colleen Morris made a few statements about the bill and its potential effects. Colleen Morris: “There would be changes to how students are weighted, particularly tied to socioeconomic status and poverty, which would disproportionately affect St. Johnsbury and the Northeast Kingdom. That’s something we should be clear about.” As the bill continues its progress through Vermont’s legislative system, the Northeast Kingdom region and its students remain concerned about the future of their education.