MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Supreme Court has upheld a state law that requires some school districts to merge.
The high court found in its 3-2 ruling released Friday that the State Board of Education’s implementation of the education reform law, known as Act 46, did not violate Vermont’s constitution as some had said in their legal challenge to the law.
The law was passed in 2015 to address declining enrollments and was designed to make school operations more efficient, reduce costs and expand educational opportunities.
About 30 school districts sued, saying the law was unnecessary and violated local voters’ control.
“Plaintiffs’ arguments are inconsistent with the legislative intent underlying” the law, the court ruled in its decision.
The decision was welcomed by the state.
“While it may not be the outcome some districts wanted, I hope they can move forward under these new structures to achieve greater equity and value for students, parents, voters and taxpayers,” Vermont Secretary of Education Dan French said in a statement Friday.
Associate Justice Harold Eaton wrote the dissenting opinion.
“When small districts are involuntarily merged, their votes are diluted, and they lose control over education in their towns. This is contrary to our history and to the express provisions of Act 46,” he said.
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