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Subchapter 001: GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 1521. Purpose
(a) It is the policy of the State of Vermont that all Vermonters should receive educational
services that enable them to master the skills essential for further education and
training or for successful entry into or advancement in the workplace.
(b) It is further the policy of the State of Vermont that Vermont’s career technical education
system shall be based on clear standards for student performance and career technical
education program performance and that achievement of these standards shall be measured
on a regular and ongoing basis. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1997, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. April 27, 1998.)
§ 1522. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Secondary CTE student” means a resident of this State, of any age, who has not completed
high school and is enrolled in a secondary career technical education program.
(2) “Adult student” means a resident of this State, of any age, who has completed high
school and who needs additional career technical education for entry into the labor
force or who needs to upgrade skills to qualify for higher pay or for more dependable
employment.
(3) “Secondary career technical education” or “secondary CTE” means an educational program
leading to a high school diploma, designed to provide students with career and technical
knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will prepare them for further education, enhance
their employment options, or lead to an industry-recognized credential.
(4) “Regional CTE center” means any of the 16 regional CTE centers operating with State
support on January 1, 1984 and any other centers so designated thereafter by rule
of the State Board.
(5) “Sending district” means a school district paying tuition on behalf of a student to
a school district that provides CTE courses.
(6) “Receiving district” means a school district, inside or outside of this State, receiving
tuition on behalf of a student to whom it provides career technical education. The
classification of a school district as a receiving district is not altered by reason
of the participation of that district in a contract for management of the regional
CTE center under section 1543 of this title.
(7) “Service region” means, for each regional CTE center, a region surrounding it designated
by rule of the State Board under section 1531 of this title. The State Board may designate a service region for two or more comprehensive high
schools if that region is not served by a career technical center.
(8), (9) [Repealed.]
(10) “CTE tuition” means the amount calculated by subtracting from total regional technical
CTE center costs all expenditures from State and federal grants except for incentive
grants, adult education grants, or other State grants as defined by State Board rule,
then dividing the result by the sum of the actual number of full-time equivalent out-of-state
students and the average of the full-time equivalent Vermont students for the three
prior years.
(11) “Adult career technical education” or “adult CTE” means an educational program that
is not part of a postsecondary degree program, that does not award postsecondary credit,
and that provides students with career and technical knowledge, skills, and attitudes
that will prepare them for further education, enhance their employment options, or
lead to an industry-recognized credential.
(12) “Postsecondary career technical education” or “postsecondary CTE” means an educational
program or course of study that awards postsecondary credit and is designed to provide
students with career and technical knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will prepare
them for further education, enhance their employment options, or lead to an industry-recognized
credential.
(13) “Postsecondary CTE student” means a resident of this State, of any age, who desires
to enroll in, or is enrolled in, a postsecondary CTE program.
(14) “Comprehensive high school” means a public or independent school other than a career
technical center that provides secondary career technical education approved under
section 1533 of this title. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1987, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1993, No. 233 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 49a, 49b, eff. June 21, 1994; 1997, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 24, eff. July 1, 1999; 2001, No. 63, § 164d, eff. July 1, 2002; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 140, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)
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Subchapter 002: STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
§ 1531. Responsibility of State Board
(a) The State Board has overall responsibility for the effectiveness of career technical
education. This requires the Board to collect suitable information and to take appropriate
steps within its legal, financial, and personnel resources to ensure that:
(1) Career technical education is equally available to students and is of consistent quality
in all parts of the State, including areas remote from career technical centers.
(2) The timing and content of career technical education is properly and flexibly coordinated
with academic instruction.
(3) Career technical education is available to adult students, particularly in areas where
unemployment is high or occupational retraining needs are great. This includes entering
into contracts with postsecondary educational institutions or with any resource supplier
to provide adult programs at career technical centers.
(4) Career technical education programs and courses of study are demonstrably useful to
their graduates in obtaining employment or improving the quality of their employment.
(5) Career technical education programs are well coordinated with related State programs
in education and training. This includes ensuring that career technical education
graduates receive appropriate credit toward requirements in apprenticeship programs
and professional licensing programs.
(b) In order to provide regional career technical education services efficiently, the
State Board shall designate a service region for each career technical center. However,
the Board may designate a service region for two or more comprehensive high schools
if that region is not served by a career technical center.
(c) For a school district that is geographically isolated from a Vermont career technical
center, the State Board may approve a career technical center in another state as
the career technical center that district students may attend. In this case, the school
district shall receive transportation assistance pursuant to section 1563 of this title and tuition assistance pursuant to subsection 1561(c) of this title. Any student
who is a resident in the Windham Southwest Supervisory Union and who is enrolled at
public expense in the Charles H. McCann Technical School or the Franklin County Technical
School shall be considered to be attending an approved career technical center in
another state pursuant to this subsection, and, if the student is from a school district
eligible for a merger support grant pursuant to section 4015 of this title or a small school weight pursuant to section 4010 of this title, the student’s full-time equivalency shall be computed according to time attending
the school. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1987, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 14; 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 1993, No. 233 (Adj. Sess.), § 49c, eff. June 21, 1994; 1999, No. 10, § 1; 1999, No. 29, § 49, eff. May 19, 1999; 2001, No. 142 (Adj. Sess.), § 188a; 2003, No. 66, § 183a; 2013, No. 56, § 28; 2021, No. 127 (Adj. Sess.), § 22, eff. July 1, 2024.)
§ 1532. Minimum standards; measurement of standards
(a) The State Board shall adopt by rule:
(1) Minimum standards for the operation and performance of career technical centers that
include the education quality standards adopted by the State Board under subdivision
164(9) and section 165 of this title.
(2) Standards for student performance based on the standards adopted by the State Board
under subdivision 164(9) of this title and standards for industry recognized credentials.
(3) The minimum number of days of career technical instruction for each academic year.
(4) The minimum number of hours of instruction for each course of study within career
technical education.
(5) The availability of remedial programs offered to students by career technical centers
or by another school, agency, or program.
(6) Accounting procedures and standards, including methods for calculating tuition for
career technical education.
(7) A system of equipment inventory, amortization, and maintenance.
(8) Procedures and requirements for measurement of student knowledge and skill upon entry
into and exit from the career technical program. The purpose of the measurement shall
be to determine student achievement in relation to the standards for academic and
career technical competence as adopted under subdivision (2) of this subsection. Aggregate
results shall be reported to the communities in the service region along with other
items reported pursuant to subdivision 165(a)(2) of this title.
(b) The following shall be adopted by procedure or rule:
(1) competencies that graduates of each kind of career technical program should be able
to demonstrate, including career technical competencies necessary for the student’s
intended employment;
(2) minimum admissions competencies for entrance into each career technical course of
study;
(3) procedures by which the Secretary will review and comment on the employment qualifications
of candidates for positions at career technical centers for whom State salary assistance
will be requested;
(4) requirements for career technical centers to provide programs designed to acquaint
prospective students with career technical courses of study;
(5) procedures by which the Secretary will review and approve use of course of study credits
in career technical education to meet State graduation requirements;
(6) procedures, including communications with the sending school districts, to identify
unique or specific circumstances relative to a student’s progress or safety. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1987, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 1a; 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.); 1997, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. April 27, 1998; 2015, No. 23, § 27.)
§ 1533. Career technical center evaluation
(a) At least once in each period of five years, and in coordination with the Vermont Advisory
Council on Career Technical Education, the Secretary shall evaluate the effectiveness
of each career technical center in the State. The State Board by rule shall prescribe
the method for conducting these evaluations.
(b) Evaluations of career technical centers shall consider at least the following areas:
(1) compliance with this chapter and the rules of the State Board;
(2) the condition and suitability of the facility and its equipment;
(3) the quality of the course of study, including faculty development policies and instruction;
(4) the overall success of the center at combining academic education, skill training,
and employability trait development into its program;
(5) the overall success of the center in providing regionwide services and a flexible
response to student needs, integrating its courses of study into a coherent program,
and coordinating its program with postsecondary career technical education services;
(6) the satisfaction of the center’s customer groups, including graduates, sending schools,
and local industry;
(7) the adequacy and effectiveness of the center in meeting the educational and employment
needs of all its eligible students, including its success in taking steps to encourage
each student to consider enrolling in courses not traditional for that student’s gender.
(c) [Repealed.] (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 3, 7; 2003, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 294w; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 142, eff. Feb. 14, 2014; 2015, No. 23, § 33.)
§ 1534. Course of study evaluation
(a) At least once in each period of five years, and in coordination with the Vermont Advisory
Council on Career Technical Education, the Secretary shall evaluate the effectiveness
of each course of study offered by any career technical center in the State. The State
Board by rule shall prescribe the method for conducting these evaluations.
(b) Evaluations of courses of study shall consider at least the following areas as they
apply in every center offering that course:
(1) the content and quality of the program, including the scope of instruction and the
academic and practical competencies required for completion;
(2) the length of the course;
(3) the adequacy of equipment used in the course;
(4) the appropriateness of the program and its content in light of later career and higher
education choices made by recent graduates;
(5) the usefulness of the program to recent graduates;
(6) coordination with other State programs, especially licensing, job training, and apprenticeship
programs;
(7) possibilities for decentralization of the program.
(c) [Repealed.] (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2003, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 294w; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 143, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)
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Subchapter 003: LOCAL CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
§ 1541. Responsibility of local school boards that operate career technical centers
(a) A school board that operates a CTE center has responsibility for providing secondary
and adult career technical education services within its service region.
(b) A school board that operates a CTE center shall establish a regional advisory board.
It shall give due regard to the policy and financial recommendations of its regional
advisory board. When the school board rejects a written recommendation of a regional
advisory board, or fails to adopt a recommendation after 30 days, it shall notify
the advisory board and the Secretary in writing, stating its reasons. If the State
Board designates a service region for two or more comprehensive high schools, the
boards of the high schools shall establish a joint regional advisory board.
(c) In consultation with its regional advisory board, a school board that operates a regional
CTE center shall:
(1) annually set the budget for operation of the center;
(2) establish the secondary and adult curriculum of the regional center, including courses
of study offered;
(3) whenever advantageous to the service region, provide for the decentralization of its
career technical programs, including the creation of rotating and satellite programs;
(4) employ and, as need requires, dismiss an assistant director for adult education and,
subject to section 243 of this title, a director of career technical education;
(5) establish admission and program completion policies;
(6) periodically evaluate the success of the center in serving all parts of its service
area and in offering useful adult training and education programs;
(7) periodically evaluate the quality of each course of study offered by the center;
(8) coordinate use of the center with the Vermont State Colleges; with other State programs,
including licensing, job training, and apprenticeship programs; and other approved
institutions, for the provision of postsecondary career technical education programs,
and charge fees not exceeding actual direct and indirect costs of the use of the center;
(9) offer programs designed to acquaint prospective students with CTE programs that do
not require an enrollment commitment; and
(10) after giving due consideration to efficient and cost-effective use of the center,
establish fees for building and equipment use.
(d) A school board that operates a CTE center:
(1) shall establish a CTE tuition;
(2) shall make the center’s facilities and equipment available for providing CTE education
to adults; and
(3) shall use and maintain all facilities designed and constructed for career technical
education in a manner consistent with that purpose, except when those facilities are
not needed for CTE and the Secretary consents. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1987, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 2, 3; 1989, No. 243 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 4, 7; 1993, No. 233 (Adj. Sess.), § 49d, eff. June 21, 1994; 2007, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.), § 6.004, eff. June 7, 2008; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 145, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)
§ 1541a. Responsibility of local boards in sending districts
(a) A school board of a sending district that offers public education in grade 11 or 12
shall:
(1) Provide students enrolled in grades 11 and 12 with a genuine opportunity to participate
fully and to benefit from career technical education.
(2) Provide students enrolled in programs at career technical centers transportation between
its high school building and the career technical center or centers in its designated
service region or regions.
(3) If the career technical center for the region does not offer a course of study desired
by a student, pay tuition on behalf of that student who applies and is accepted to
another career technical center that does offer such a course of study. The district
of residence is not responsible for providing transportation for a student attending
a career technical center under this subdivision.
(b) A school district that maintains a secondary school shall provide the names and addresses
of enrolled students to the CTE center for its region for the limited purpose of the
CTE center providing information to students and their parents about CTE center offerings.
An approved independent school shall provide to the CTE center the names and addresses
of enrolled secondary students for whom it receives publicly funded tuition dollars. (Added 1987, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; amended 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 1997, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. April 27, 1998; 2013, No. 56, § 5, eff. May 30, 2013.)
§ 1542. Regional advisory board
(a) Each regional advisory board shall consist of:
(1) one member from each public high school in the center’s service region, elected by
and from among the members of that high school board for a term determined by that
high school board; and
(2) the superintendent or his or her designee of each supervisory union within the center’s
service region; and
(3) one member elected for a term of three years by and from among the school board of
each sending district in the center’s service region that does not have a public high
school represented on the advisory board under subdivision (1) of this section; except
that, if there are more than three such districts in the center’s service area, the
advisory board shall select three school boards to represent the interests of all
such districts, shall rotate its selections among the districts, and shall stagger
the expiration of initial terms; and
(4) one member of the board of each independent comprehensive high school within a service
region, elected by the members of that board for a term determined by that board;
and
(5) once constituted, the regional advisory board shall elect three additional members
for terms of three years to represent the interests of employers or employees, provided
that no two terms shall expire in any year.
(b) A regional advisory board, with the consent of the State Workforce Development Board,
may delegate its responsibilities to the grantee that performs workforce development
activities in the region pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 542. In this case, the grantee shall become the regional advisory board unless and until
the school board that operates the career technical center requests that the regional
advisory board be reconstituted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1987, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1993, No. 233 (Adj. Sess.), § 49e, eff. June 21, 1994; 2001, No. 33, § 2; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 147, eff. Feb. 14, 2014; 2015, No. 23, § 34; 2015, No. 157 (Adj. Sess.), § K.3.)
§ 1543. Repealed. 2001, No. 33, § 6.
§ 1544. Career technical courses in other schools
Subject to any direction as to courses, teachers, or equipment that the State Board
may prescribe by rule, high schools may include within their courses of study pretechnical
or career technical courses, or both. Before establishing such a program, a high school
shall consult with the regional advisory board for its CTE service region. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1987, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 148, eff. Feb. 14, 2014; 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 76.)
§ 1545. Credits and grades earned
(a) Grades earned in a course offered within a CTE program approved by the State Board
shall not be altered by any public school or approved or recognized independent school
in Vermont and shall be applied by the school toward any State graduation requirements
in accordance with rules adopted by the State Board. Any State Board rules regarding
earning of credits shall allow flexibility with respect to the integration of CTE
education and other academic courses.
(b) The credits earned for a career technical education program approved by the State
Board shall be honored by any public or independent school within Vermont. If necessary
to enable a student to participate in career technical education and graduate with
his or her class, the credits earned shall be applied toward any school district or
independent school graduation requirements exceeding the minimum number of credits
required by the State Board. The school board of the high school from which the student
wishes to graduate shall make a determination as to whether the credits shall be applied
toward graduation requirements. A decision of a school board may be appealed to the
Secretary who shall construe this section to favor participation in career technical
education.
(c) For any student attending the Vermont Academy for Science and Technology pursuant
to subsection 4011(e) of this title, the credits and grades earned shall, upon request of the student or the student’s
parent or guardian, be applied toward graduation requirements at the Vermont high
school that the student attended prior to enrolling in the Academy. (Added 1997, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; amended 2001, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 68, eff. June 27, 2002; 2003, No. 36, § 20; 2013, No. 77, § 9; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 149, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)
§ 1546. Comprehensive high schools
(a) In the sections referenced in this section, when applied to an independent comprehensive
high school, the term “school board” or “school district” means “the school’s board
of trustees.”
(b) A comprehensive high school shall charge and receive tuition pursuant to section 824 of this title. A comprehensive high school shall be a career technical center for the purposes
of receiving funding for grants per full-time equivalent student under section 1561 of this title, for tryout classes under section 1562 of this title, and for reporting requirements under section 1568 of this title. Funds received under this section shall be used for support of career technical
education programs within the comprehensive high school.
(c) Two or more comprehensive high schools for which the State Board has designated a
service region shall be a career technical center for the purposes of accountability
to the State Board under subchapter 2 of this chapter, responsibilities of the career
technical center under subchapter 3 of this chapter, and receiving State financial
assistance under subchapter 5 of this chapter, excluding the general State support
grant under subsection 1561(b) of this title. The regional advisory board shall determine
how funds received under subchapter 5 shall be distributed. A comprehensive high school
aggrieved by a decision of the regional advisory board may appeal to the Secretary
who, after opportunity for hearing, may affirm or modify the decision. (Added 1999, No. 10, § 2; amended 2001, No. 63, § 164a, eff. July 1, 2002; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 150, eff. Feb. 14, 2014; 2015, No. 23, § 35; 2021, No. 127 (Adj. Sess.), § 23, eff. July 1, 2024.)
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Subchapter 004: ELIGIBILITY AND TUITION
§ 1551. Secondary student eligibility
(a) A secondary student shall be enrolled in a program of part-time or full-time career
technical education at a career technical center if he or she:
(1) applies for the program; and
(2) is accepted into the program by the career technical center.
(b) A secondary student who is eligible to enroll in a career technical center, but who
resides in a sending school district, and who so applies, shall be enrolled for academic
education in the high school associated with the career technical center if:
(1) the sending school district operates a high school but does not provide daily transportation
at its expense to and from the career technical center; or
(2) the sending school district does not operate a high school.
(c) A secondary student who enrolls in a career technical center may enroll part-time
in any school to which he or she would otherwise be entitled to enroll for full-time
attendance. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1987, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 7.)
§ 1551a. Secondary students not enrolled in a high school
(a) Enrollment in a high school shall not be a precondition for enrollment in a career
technical center for a student of any age without a diploma. For the purposes of this
section, a general education development credential shall not be considered a high
school diploma.
(b) A school district may establish reasonable procedures to require its resident students
to discuss educational opportunities within career technical centers or the high school.
Procedures shall not interfere with enrollment in a career technical center. If a
student without a diploma who is not enrolled in a high school enrolls in a career
technical center, within 10 days of enrollment, the career technical center shall
notify the school district of residence of the enrollment. (Added 1997, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 9.)
§ 1552. Secondary student tuition
(a) Each career technical center shall establish a tuition charge for secondary career
technical education. The amount shall reflect the actual cost, as defined by rule
of the State Board, of attendance in the career technical courses offered by the center.
The tuition charge shall be reduced proportionally for students enrolled in a part-time
program.
(b) Secondary students are eligible for tuition assistance in career technical education
provided in another state when the State Board determines that such career technical
education can properly serve the needs of Vermont students.
(c) For students from a school district within Vermont, funds received under subsection 1561(c) of this title shall be subtracted when calculating the tuition charge. For students who are not
Vermont residents, funds received under subsections 1561(b) and (c) of this title
shall not be subtracted when calculating the tuition charge.
(d) The tuition charged to a school district within Vermont shall be based on the average
of the district’s three prior years’ full-time equivalent student enrollment in the
career technical center. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1987, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 1997, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 10, 25, eff. July 1, 1999, eff. July 1, 1999; 2005, No. 54, § 11.)
§ 1553. Adult students
An adult student who is academically qualified for career technical education, who
applies and for whom space is available shall be enrolled in a program of secondary
career technical education at a career technical center at a rate not to exceed 40
percent of the announced tuition. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1987, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 1997, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. April 27, 1998.)
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Subchapter 005: STATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
§ 1561. Tuition reduction
(a) In this section:
(1) “Student” means a Vermont secondary student without a diploma regardless of age and
regardless of whether the student is enrolled in a high school in Vermont.
(2) “Full-time equivalent student” means the average of a Vermont school district’s three
prior years’ full-time equivalent enrollment of students in the career technical center.
(b) On behalf of a sending school district within Vermont, a career technical center shall
receive from the Education Fund for each full-time equivalent student from the district
87 percent of the base education amount, and an equivalent amount shall be subtracted
from the amount due to the sending district under section 4011 of this title. The amount sent to the career technical center and subtracted from the sending district
shall be considered a revenue and an expenditure of the district and shall be reported
as such in appropriate accounts and in the district’s annual budget.
(c) Annually, the General Assembly shall appropriate funds to pay for a supplemental assistance
grant per full-time equivalent student. The amount of the grant shall be equal to
35 percent of the base education amount for that year.
(d) In any year following a year in which fall semester full-time equivalent enrollment
of students at a career technical center increased by 20 percent or more over the
previous fall semester, in addition to other aid, the career technical center shall
receive an extra supplemental assistance grant equal to two-thirds of the 35 percent
of the base education amount for that year, multiplied by the actual full-time equivalent
enrollment increase. The next year, if the increase in fall semester full-time equivalent
enrollment is less than 20 percent, in addition to other aid, the career technical
center shall receive an extra supplemental assistance grant equal to one-third of
the 35 percent of the base education amount for the year, multiplied by the actual
full-time equivalent increase of the previous fall semester. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1987, No. 46, § 3, eff. May 13, 1987; 1987, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 10, 10a; 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 6, 7; 1997, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. July 1, 1999; 2001, No. 63, § 164b; 2003, No. 68, § 18, eff. June 18, 2003; 2003, No. 76 (Adj. Sess.), § 26, eff. Feb. 17, 2004; 2003, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 188; 2005, No. 54, § 12; 2009, No. 44, §§ 18, 19, eff. May 21, 2009.)
§ 1562. Tryout classes
From the monies annually available for use in career technical education, the State
Board may reimburse part of the program cost attributable to programs designed to
assist students in deciding whether to enroll in career technical courses. As a condition
of such assistance, the program shall demonstrate that it has taken steps to encourage
each student to consider enrolling in courses not traditional for that student’s gender. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2015, No. 23, § 36.)
§ 1563. Transportation assistance
(a) It is the policy of the General Assembly to encourage Vermont students to enroll in
career technical education courses. In furtherance of that policy, transportation
assistance is provided for in this section to facilitate the enrollment of Vermont
students in career technical education programs.
(b) Transportation assistance shall be paid from the Education Fund to school districts
that provide transportation to and from career technical education programs, regardless
of whether the program is offered in a career technical center in the district’s designated
service region or regions or is offered within the career technical center region
at a location other than at a career technical center. Assistance shall be $1.50 per
mile for actual number of miles traveled, in 1998 dollars adjusted annually by the
annual price index for state and local government purchases of goods and services.
Payments shall be made on or before December 10 and June 10. Requests submitted on
or following May 15 shall be reimbursed in the next payment.
(c) The State Board may adopt rules necessary to implement this section. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 1997, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. July 1, 1999; 2007, No. 66, § 7.)
§ 1564. Repealed. 2009, No. 1 (Sp. Sess.), § E.511.1.
§ 1565. Salary assistance
(a) The State Board shall reimburse a school district operating a career technical center
for a portion of its cost in paying the salary of the following persons:
(1) the director of career technical education;
(2) a person whose principal duty is to provide guidance services for career technical
students;
(3) a person whose principal duty is to find job training opportunities for students during
the time they are enrolled at the career technical center;
(4) an assistant director for adult education;
(5) an assistant director of career technical education, if the career technical center
has full-time equivalent enrollment of at least 150 and the sending school population
is at least 30 percent of the career technical center’s total full-time equivalent
enrollment.
(b) Assistance under this section shall be determined by a formula and standards established
by rule of the State Board. The formula and those standards:
(1) Shall provide different levels of support for different positions as follows:
(A) Directors and guidance coordinators’ salary assistance shall be 50 percent of the
State average salary and benefits for each position, or 50 percent of the actual salary
and benefits for each individual, whichever is less.
(B) Assistant directors, except for assistant directors for adult education, if the district
is eligible, and co-op teachers’ salary assistance shall be 35 percent of the State
average salary and benefits for each position or 35 percent of the actual salary and
benefits for each individual, whichever is less.
(C) Salary assistance for assistant directors for adult education shall be up to 50 percent
of the State average salary and benefits paid to full-time assistant directors for
adult education; salary assistance shall be prorated for part-time assistant directors.
Salary assistance under this subdivision (1)(C) shall not be paid from the Education
Fund to the extent that the obligation is not fully funded from the General Fund.
State General Fund assistance shall be divided so that each district employing an
assistant director receives the same base amount of State salary support. The base
support shall be pro-rated for part-time assistant directors. Payment under this subsection
(b) does not preclude a district from using other State and federal grants to supplement
the actual salaries and benefits of assistant directors for adult education.
(2) Shall require as a condition of assistance that the director:
(A) Is responsible for the overall administration of all career technical programs.
(B) Reports administratively to the superintendent of schools for the supervisory union
of the school district that operates the center, or to a headmaster if the career
technical center is not managed by a school board. (Added 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1987, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 12; 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2007, No. 46, § 5a, eff. May 23, 2007; 2007, No. 66, § 8; 2007, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.), § 6.004.1.)
§ 1566. Repealed. 2013, No. 56, § 15(3), eff. May 30, 2013.
§ 1567. Repealed. 2001, No. 63, § 164d, eff. July 1, 2002.
§ 1568. Reporting of information
(a) Annually, in accordance with a timeline, format, and process established by State
Board rule, each CTE center shall report its costs and student enrollment, achievement,
and performance measures to the Secretary. CTE center financial accounts shall be
kept separately from those of the host high school in accordance with rules adopted
by the State Board, which shall clearly delineate relevant costs and revenues.
(b) If a CTE center fails to file financial or student information required under this
section within the timelines established by rule of the State Board, the Secretary
may withhold funds due under this chapter and shall subtract $100.00 per business
day from funds due the center under this chapter. The Secretary may waive the $100.00
penalty upon appeal by the center for good cause. (Added 1997, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 14; amended 1999, No. 10, § 4; 2001, No. 63, § 164c, eff. July 1, 2002; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 151, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)
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Subchapter 005A: REGIONAL CAREER TECHNICAL CENTER SCHOOL DISTRICTS
§ 1571. Definitions
In this subchapter:
(1) “Regional career technical center school district” and “regional CTE center school
district” mean a district that maintains a regional career technical center under
a governance structure approved by vote of the electorate pursuant to this subchapter.
(2) “School district” means a school district that maintains a high school. (Added 2001, No. 33, § 3; amended 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 153, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)
§ 1572. Formation of a planning committee
(a) Any two or more of the following may establish a committee to plan the formation of
a regional CTE school district with an alternative governance structure for governance
of the regional CTE center: either the school board of a school district that operates
a regional CTE center or all the school boards that operate a comprehensive high school
that have been designated as the regional CTE center; the majority of the school boards
of the other school districts in the CTE center region; or an entity that performs
workforce development activities pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 542 in a CTE center region. The planning committee shall consist of representatives of
the school district that operates a regional CTE center, the school districts that
send students to the regional CTE center, regional employers, and residents of the
CTE center region.
(b) The planning committee may determine that no change to the governance structure is
needed, or it may prepare a report in the form of an agreement between the school
districts that are located in the CTE center region. The report shall describe:
(1) The makeup of the governing board. At least 60 percent of the board members shall
be elected by direct vote of the voters or chosen from member school district boards
by the member school district boards, or a combination of the two. If the board is
to have additional members, who may constitute up to 40 percent of the board, the
additional members shall be appointed by the elected and chosen members from member
school district boards for the purpose of acquiring expertise in areas they consider
desirable. The appointed members may be selected from nominations submitted by the
entity that performs workforce development activities pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 542 or other workforce organizations, or may be chosen without nomination by an organization.
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a resident of an unorganized
town, grant, or gore that sits within the regional CTE center school district who
is otherwise eligible to vote under 17 V.S.A. § 2121 may vote for the board members and may be elected to or appointed as a member of
the governing board.
(2) [Repealed.]
(3) Proposed bylaws.
(4) A plan for transition from the existing governance structure.
(5) The disposition of the existing CTE center land and facilities.
(6) How existing collective bargaining agreements and employee contracts will be addressed.
(7) Transportation to be provided.
(8) The term of office of the board members and other officers, how other officers are
selected, and how board members will be replaced when a vacancy occurs.
(9) The date on which the proposal will be submitted to the voters and whether the votes
will be commingled.
(10) A process for amending or dissolving the governance structure.
(11) Any other matter that the committee considers pertinent. (Added 2001, No. 33, § 3; amended 2005, No. 32, § 3; 2005, No. 130 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2011, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. May 11, 2012; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 154, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)
§ 1573. Approval by State Board of Education
The planning committee shall transmit the report to the Secretary who, after consultation
with the chair of the entity that performs workforce development activities pursuant
to 10 V.S.A. § 542, shall submit the report with his or her recommendations to the State Board. The
State Board, after notice to the planning committee and after giving the committee
and other interested parties an opportunity to be heard, shall consider the report
and the Secretary’s recommendations and decide whether the establishment of an alternative
governance structure will be in the best interests of the students and the region.
The State Board may request the Secretary or the planning committee, or both, to make
further investigation and may consider any other information deemed by it to be pertinent.
If, after due consideration and any further meetings as it may deem necessary, the
State Board finds that establishment of the alternative governance structure is in
the best interests of the students and the region involved, it shall approve the report
submitted by the committee, together with any amendments, as a final report of the
planning committee and shall give notice of its action to the committee. The chair
of the planning committee shall file a copy of the final report with the clerk of
each town school district, incorporated school district, unified union school district,
and city school district in the region at least 20 days prior to the vote to adopt
the alternative governance structure. (Added 2001, No. 33, § 3; amended 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 155, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)
§ 1574. Vote to adopt the alternative structure
Each town school district, incorporated school district, unified union school district,
and city school district within the career technical center region shall vote on adoption
of the alternative governance structure and formation of a regional career technical
center school district. The vote shall be held on the date specified in the final
report. The vote shall be by Australian ballot at separate school district meetings
held on the same day and during the same hours. The polls shall remain open at least
eight hours. Absentee voting as provided by 17 V.S.A. §§ 2531-2550 shall be permitted. Ballots may be commingled. The meetings shall be warned as a
special meeting of each school district voting on the proposal. (Added 2001, No. 33, § 3.)
§ 1575. Certification
Within 10 days of any vote held in accordance with this subchapter, the clerks of
the participating school districts shall certify the results of the vote to the Secretary
of Education, or, if the ballots are to be commingled, each municipal clerk shall
appoint a member of the Board of Civil Authority to transport the uncounted ballots
to a predetermined location where the appointed members of each participating school
district shall count the commingled ballots. If a majority of the voters vote to approve
the formation of the governance system and creation of a regional career technical
center district, the Secretary shall declare the existing governance structure of
the career technical center to be void, the region to be designated a career technical
center school district, and the new governance system to be authorized, all as of
the date specified in the application, and shall certify the declaration to the Secretary
of State. (Added 2001, No. 33, § 3; amended 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 156, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)
§ 1576. Effect of certification; application of other laws
(a) Upon certification under section 1575 of this title, the career technical center region shall become a public school district and shall
constitute a body politic and corporate, with all the rights and responsibilities
pertaining to a public school district, as specified in this subchapter, and as specified
in the approval granted by the State Board. The career technical center school district
shall also be a supervisory district for the purpose of providing the planning and
administrative functions of a supervisory union for the programs offered.
(b) The provisions of this subchapter are intended to be in addition to the general provisions
of law pertaining to schools and school districts, including any laws relating to
school choice, and not a limitation upon them, and, in the event there is no provision
in this subchapter to cover a situation and the situation is covered by the general
school law or municipal law, the provisions of the general school law or municipal
law apply.
(c) A career technical center governed under a structure adopted under this subchapter,
except with respect to inconsistent provisions related to methods of governance, shall
be subject to all other provisions of this chapter and any other State or federal
laws related to the operations of career technical centers and provision of secondary
and adult technical education. (Added 2001, No. 33, § 3; amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 77.)
§ 1577. Duties and authority of Alternative Governance Board
The governance board of a CTE center authorized under this subchapter, in addition
to other duties and authority specifically assigned by law to the governing authority
of a CTE center, shall have the following duties and authority:
(1) To determine the educational policies of the career technical center. Policies shall
be of general application to the center and shall be in writing, codified, and made
available to the public. Board policies shall be adopted at regular or special meetings.
A board shall give public notice of its intent to adopt a board policy, stating the
substance of the proposed policy, at least ten days prior to its adoption. A board
may also approve or disapprove rules and regulations proposed by the director for
the conduct and management of the center.
(2) To take any action required for the sound administration of the center. The Secretary
of Education, with the advice of the Attorney General, upon application by a board,
shall decide whether any action contemplated or taken under this subdivision is required
for the sound administration of the center and is consistent with law. The Secretary’s
decision shall be final.
(3) To have the possession, care, control, and management of the property of the center,
subject to the provisions of any agreement between the former board of the center
and the alternative governing board.
(4) To keep the center buildings and grounds in good repair, suitably equipped, insured,
and in safe and sanitary condition at all times. The center shall regulate or prohibit
firearms or other dangerous or deadly weapons on school premises. A board’s policies
in this regard shall be, at minimum, consistent with section 1166 of this title and 13 V.S.A. § 4004, relating to a student who brings a firearm to or possesses a firearm at school.
(5) To lease or purchase real and personal property, and to sell, relocate, or discontinue
use of real and personal property, subject to the terms and conditions of the approval
granted to it by the State Board.
(6) To establish and maintain a system for receipt, deposit, disbursement, accounting,
control, and reporting procedures that meets the criteria established by the State
Board pursuant to subdivision 164(15) of this title and that ensures all payments are lawful and in accordance with the budget adopted
pursuant to terms approved by the State Board. The Board may authorize a subcommittee,
a superintendent of schools, or a designated employee of the Board to examine claims
against the district for center expenses and draw orders for such as shall be allowed
by it payable to the party entitled to the payment. Such orders shall state definitely
the purpose for which they are drawn and shall serve as full authority to the treasurer
to make such payments. It shall be lawful for a board to submit to its treasurer a
certified copy of those portions of the board minutes, properly signed by the clerk
and chair, or a majority of the board, showing to whom, and for what purpose, each
payment is to be made by the treasurer, and the certified copy shall serve as full
authority to the treasurer to make the approved payments.
(7) To establish, with the advice and consent of the Auditor of Accounts and the Secretary
of Education, a system of accounts for the proper control and reporting of center
finances and for stating the annual financial condition of the center.
(8) To sue and be sued.
(9) To execute contracts on behalf of the center, including contracts providing for binding
arbitration, by its chair or any person designated whose appointment is recorded in
the minutes of the board.
(10) [Repealed.]
(11) To employ persons to carry out the work of the center and dismiss any employee when
necessary. The board shall consider the recommendation of the director or superintendent
before employing or dismissing any person.
(12) To provide, at the expense of the center, subject to the approval of the director
or superintendent, all textbooks, learning materials, equipment, and supplies.
(13) To employ a public accountant every year to audit the financial statements of the
regional career technical center school district.
(14) To establish policies and procedures designed to avoid the appearance of board member
conflict of interest.
(15) To borrow money by issuance of bonds or notes, not in excess of anticipated revenue
for the school year.
(16) To apply for grants and to accept and expend grants and gifts.
(17) To present informational materials, at the expense of the center, to the electorate
on any matter to be voted; provided, however, that the materials shall be limited
to those that are reasonably designed to inform, educate, and explain to the electorate
the board’s position on the matter. (Added 2001, No. 33, § 3; amended 2003, No. 107 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; 2005, No. 130 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2005, No. 182 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 157, eff. Feb. 14, 2014; 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 78; 2021, No. 20, § 61.)
§ 1578. Regional career technical center school district meetings
The checklist for a regional career technical center school district and records of
proceedings shall be made and maintained in the same manner as those functions are
carried out in a union school district under sections 706u and 706v of this title. (Added 2001, No. 33, § 3.)
§ 1578a. Establishment of a regional career technical center budget
(a) The board of directors of the regional career technical center school district shall
at each annual meeting present an estimate of the expenses for the ensuing year, and
the district shall appropriate that sum that it deems necessary for the expenses,
together with the amount required to pay any balance left unpaid from the preceding
year, expressing the sum in dollars in its vote. If a budget for the operation of
the district is not approved, a subsequent meeting or meetings shall be warned.
(b) If a budget has not been approved on or before June 30 of any year, the school board
may borrow funds pursuant to the authority granted under section 566 of this title.
(c) Following adoption of a budget, the board shall calculate each member district’s share
pursuant to section 1552 of this title. Upon receipt of the notice of the amount, the share shall become a legal obligation
of the member district without need for further vote of the member district electorate
and shall be included in the member district’s education spending amount. (Added 2005, No. 130 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
§ 1579. Incurring debt
(a) If authorized by a majority of the qualified voters voting on the question in accordance
with this section, a regional career technical center school district may incur indebtedness
for improvements or the acquisition of capital assets for the purposes for which the
district is established as provided in this chapter.
(b) Each town school district, incorporated school district, unified union school district,
and city school district within the regional career technical center school district
shall vote on a decision to incur indebtedness for improvements as provided by 24
V.S.A. chapter 53, subchapter 1. The vote shall be determined by Australian ballot
or voting machine on the same day and during the same hours at each regular polling
place in each town school district, incorporated school district, unified union school
district, and city school district within the regional career technical center school
district. Absentee voting in accordance with 17 V.S.A. chapter 51, subchapter 6 shall
be permitted. The Board of Civil Authority of each town within the regional career
technical center school district shall be responsible for determining the eligibility
of persons to vote, the supervision of the election, and the transportation of ballots
in its district to a central point designated by the governing board of the regional
career technical center school district. The ballots shall be commingled. Counting
of ballots by representatives of the Boards of Civil Authority of the towns in the
regional career technical center school district shall be supervised by the regional
career technical center school district clerk or his or her designee.
(c) Obligations incurred under 24 V.S.A. chapter 53, subchapter 1 shall be the joint and
several obligations of the regional career technical center school district and of
each of the town school districts, incorporated school districts, the member towns
of unified union school districts, and city school districts within the career technical
center region. Any joint or several liability incurred by a town school district,
incorporated school district, the member towns of a unified union school district,
or city school district within the career technical center region under the provisions
of this subchapter shall not be considered in determining its debt limit for its own
separate purposes. (Added 2001, No. 33, § 3.)