Vermont education transformation · Community hub

Act 170: Clear information, a local process, and your vote at the end.

Vermont’s new education law asks every school district to study whether merging into a larger district would serve students and taxpayers. This page is where Lamoille South will post every update, meeting, agenda and document along the way, in plain language.

Get Act 170 updates by email See upcoming meetings
Our study group
Group 15Lamoille County region
First committee meeting
Sept. 30, 2026Group 15 Merger Committee
Voters decide
March 7, 2028Town Meeting Day
Earliest change
2029–30Only if voters approve a merger

Latest update

A message to our community

Read past updates

Sept. 25, 2026, from the Superintendent’s Office
Act 170 is law. Here’s what it means for Elmore, Morristown and Stowe this fall.

Governor Scott signed Act 170 on June 18, 2026. Rather than having the state redraw district lines, the law asks local school boards to study mergers together and bring a recommendation to voters. Our two districts, Elmore-Morristown and Stowe, are part of Merger Study Group 15, alongside neighboring districts across Lamoille County and nearby.

As many of you know, in 2025 both of our school boards passed resolutions saying that if the state required a merger, they would support a joint Elmore-Morristown and Stowe district. The committee process will now look at that and other options in public, with data, and with your input. We will post every agenda, set of minutes and presentation here as soon as it’s available.

Ryan Heraty, SuperintendentDownload as PDF

Act 170 in plain language

What the new law does

Act 170 of 2026 builds on Act 73 of 2025. Together they are reshaping how Vermont organizes and funds its public schools. Four pieces matter most for our communities.

Local merger study committees

Every district must join a merger committee made up of appointed school board members. Committees study costs and educational impacts, hear from the public, and make a recommendation.

Regional shared services (CESAs)

New Cooperative Educational Service Areas let districts share behind-the-scenes work such as special education, technology and business services. A CESA is a partnership, not a new school district.

Voters have the final say

Any recommended merger goes to a vote in each district. Recommendations are due in September 2027, with votes on Town Meeting Day, March 7, 2028.

Funding changes still ahead

The new per-student funding formula and statewide tax rate from Act 73 now depend on further action by the Legislature in 2027 and 2028. We’ll explain each step as it happens.

What is not changing right now

The questions we hear most from families and staff.

  • Your child’s schoolStudents keep attending the same schools. Act 170 does not close any school.
  • Your school boardsThe Elmore-Morristown and Stowe boards continue to govern, budget and hold regular meetings.
  • This year’s budget voteEach district still votes on its own budget in March. No merger vote happens before 2028.

The road ahead

Act 170 timeline

Dates are set by state law. Local meeting dates are posted below.

  1. We are here
    June 18, 2026 · Done

    Act 170 signed into law

    The state shifts from drawing new districts to a district-led study process.

  2. We are here
    July 1, 2026 · Done

    Regional CESAs established

    Seven shared-service regions formed statewide.

  3. We are here
    Sept. 30, 2026

    Merger committees begin meeting

    Group 15 holds its first meeting with a regional facilitator.

  4. We are here
    Fall 2026 – Summer 2027

    Study and public input

    Data review, community forums and draft options.

  5. We are here
    September 2027

    Recommendations due

    Committees report to the Secretary and State Board of Education.

  6. We are here
    March 7, 2028

    Community vote

    If approved, a new district begins in the 2029–30 school year.

Our merger study group

Who’s at the table in Group 15

Act 170 suggests which districts should study together. A state-appointed regional facilitator can adjust the groups, so this list may change. We’ll update it if it does.

Representing Lamoille South
Elmore-Morristown boardDavid Bickford
Stowe boardTiffany Donza
Regional facilitatorBrad Morgan
  • Elmore-Morristown UUSDLamoille South SU
  • Stowe School DistrictLamoille South SU
  • Lamoille North MUUSDLamoille North SU
  • Cambridge ElementaryLamoille North SU
  • Hazen UnionOrleans Southwest SU
  • Mountain View Union ElementaryOrleans Southwest SU
  • Stannard School DistrictOrleans Southwest SU
  • Wolcott School DistrictOrleans Southwest SU

Green Mountain Technology & Career Center participates in an advisory role. Our shared-services region is [CESA name].

Open to the public

Upcoming meetings

Everyone is welcome. Each meeting includes time for public comment.

Date
Meeting
Location
Materials
Sept. 30
[4:00 - 6:00 p.m.]
Group 15 Merger Committee, first meeting
Introductions, facilitator overview, meeting schedule
[Location - Green Mountain Tech], hybrid
AgendaJoin remotely

Document library

Agendas, minutes and key documents

Need a document in another language or an accessible format? Contact us and we’ll provide it.

Common questions

Frequently asked

Don’t see your question? Send it to us. We add new answers every month.

Does Act 170 mean Stowe and Elmore-Morristown will merge?

Not automatically. The law requires our districts to study the question with our neighbors. Any merger would need to be recommended by the committee and approved by voters in each district.

Weren’t these districts merged before?

Yes. Under Act 46, the State Board of Education merged Stowe and Elmore-Morristown in 2018, and Stowe voters later chose to withdraw. That history matters, and the committee’s work will be public so every community can weigh the facts.

How will this affect my property taxes?

It’s too early to say. The statewide funding formula and tax rate depend on future legislation. As the committee develops cost estimates, we’ll post them here with clear explanations.

Can I attend or speak at committee meetings?

Yes. Meetings are open to the public, with time for public comment. Agendas are posted in advance on this page, with remote options whenever possible.

Will my child’s teacher or bus route change?

Not as a result of Act 170 this year or next. Any change would come only after a voter-approved merger, no earlier than the 2029–30 school year.