VT S0039

Establishes a State Aid for School Construction Program within the Agency of Education to provide state debt service subsidies to school districts for eligible construction projects, with a base award of 20% of eligible debt service costs and up to an additional 20% through bonus incentives

Creates an eight-member State Aid for School Construction Advisory Board (set to expire July 1, 2035) with four ex officio members and four appointed members serving four-year terms, responsible for advising on rules, project priorities, and program implementation

Requires the Agency of Education to conduct statewide school facility needs surveys at least every five years, maintain public project tracking data, prequalify architecture and engineering firms, and submit annual reports to the General Assembly by December 15

Eligible projects must address health/safety threats, inadequate facilities, excessive energy use, building deterioration, or consolidation of schools, and applicants must complete a facilities master planning process with community involvement

Takes effect July 1, 2026, and transfers rulemaking authority for school construction from the State Board of Education to the Agency of Education