Education organizations advocate for ‘Same Dollars Same Rules’

MONTPELIER—A coalition of Vermont education organizations announce the launch of a new campaign, “Same Dollars Same Rules,” aimed at ensuring that all schools receiving public funding in Vermont are held to the same basic standards of safety, transparency, and access.
The campaign is being led by Friends of Vermont Public Education (FVPE), a group of longtime school board leaders, educators, and public education advocates, including past presidents of the Vermont School Boards Association (VSBA), and members and a former chair of the Vermont State Board of Education (SBE). Partners in this work include the Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA), Vermont NEA, Vermont Superintendents Association (VSA), the Vermont School Boards Association (VSBA), and other organizations.
The campaign is based on the premise that schools receiving public funding should follow the same standards that every public school adheres to, standards that protect students and ensure fiscal responsibility.
Vermont’s private/independent schools that receive public tuition dollars are currently not required to meet many of the basic standards that apply to public schools, including requirements for open enrollment, regular safety inspections, licensed educators, and public reporting. This regulatory gap allows taxpayer dollars to be used without the same level of oversight or protections that families and communities rightly expect.
The Same Dollars Same Rules campaign aims to educate the public about the current inconsistencies in how public standards are applied and build support for legislative action in 2026.
To get involved go to savevtpubliced.org/sdsr.