House Committee on Education (Room M103)

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

9:15 AM

H.480 - An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to education law

Walk-through and committee discussion

• Lindsey Hedges, Interim Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Agency of Education
• Beth St. James, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

10:00 AM

H.179 - An act relating to the membership of the State Board of Education and the reestablishment of the Vermont Department of Education

Introduction and walk-through

• Representative Kate McCann, Sponsor
• Beth St. James, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

10:15 AM

H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools

Testimony from students and advocates

• Elijah Renner, Student, Thetford Academy
• David Thaxton, Student, Thetford Academy
• Oliver Ranson, Student, Thetford Academy
• Eliza Knowlten-Young, Student, Thetford Academy
• Ulysses Junker, Student, Thetford Academy
• Dr. Rebecca Yukica, Pediatrician, Bradford and East Thetford
• Dr. Robin Osborne, Clinical Psychologist, East Thetford
• Rima Carlson, Family Physician, Montpelier
• RN Laura Derrendinger, Advocate, Middletown Springs, Vermont
• Benjamin Clark, Member, Harwood Unified Union School District Board, Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School

10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

Education Transformation Proposal: Language

Committee discussion

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:15 PM

Governor's Proposed FY2026 Budget

Follow-up discussion on Agency of Education FY2026 Proposal

• Zoie Saunders, Secretary, Agency of Education

2:00 PM

Education Transformation Proposal: Language

Joint hearing with Senate Education. Hearing will be hosted in room 11 in the State House and livestreamed on the House Education YouTube channel.

• Beth St. James, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

3:00 PM

House Floor

3:45 PM

Committee Discussion

Continued discussion of budget letter planning

4:10 PM

Adjourn