VT H0813

Approved independent schools accepting publicly tuitioned students must comply with the same education quality standards (16 V.S.A. § 165) currently required of Vermont public schools, including continuous improvement plans, annual reporting, and class size minimums.

Independent schools must maintain open enrollment for publicly tuitioned students without using interviews, entrance exams, academic history, campus visits, or ability-to-pay considerations in admissions.

Governing bodies of approved independent schools must hold meetings under Vermont's Open Meeting Law and comply with public records access requirements as if they were public agencies.

Independent schools cannot charge publicly tuitioned students any fees or additional tuition beyond what the sending school district pays, and must recognize and bargain in good faith with teachers' and administrators' unions under existing collective bargaining law.

State Board of Education must initiate rulemaking by January 1, 2027 to update independent school approval rules; the act takes effect July 1, 2026.