VSYC Update #1
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Hi, Vermonters!
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Vermont State Youth Council Newsletter! As the council begins a new year of advocacy and collaboration, we're eager to share the work we’re doing to represent youth perspectives statewide. This is where we’ll share updates on what we're discussing and the issues that matter most to young people in our state. The council is committed to bringing youth voices into every corner of the decision-making process, and this newsletter is one way we’ll make sure those voices are heard loud and clear. Thank you for following along. We look forward to keeping you connected as we continue to advocate for youth perspectives in Vermont’s government.
As we begin Vermont’s 2026 legislative session, the Vermont State Youth Council would like to make sure Vermont youth are familiar with some of the bills that passed in the last session and which ones we should keep an eye on in the upcoming session. By sharing this information, we hope to make education and news around the bills in the State House more accessible and understandable for all youth.
H.54 – Cell Phone-Free Schools
What is it?
This bill would prohibit the use of cell phones and all personal devices during the school day in Vermont pre-K through 12th grade educational institutions, including public, private, and technical schools.
What does this mean for youth?
While this bill was introduced to encourage focus, reduce distractions, and respond to concerns about social media’s impact on mental health, youth have been very vocal about their concerns. Some youth particularly feel that the phone ban is an infringement upon their personal freedoms and that they would be unable to contact their loved ones and emergency services in case of an emergency.
Status:
This bill remains as introduced to the Education Committee, but has since been enacted under bill H.480 (Act 72), which related to “miscellaneous amendments to the education law.” Act 72 requires Vermont schools to implement the phone ban by July 2026.
H.454 – Education Transformation Bill (Act 73)
What is it?
Simply put, this is a sweeping reform of Vermont’s K-12 governance, quality, and finance systems. This transformation would include a major consolidation of existing school districts in the hopes to reduce the disparities in funding between Vermont’s rural and urban schools; there would be a School District Redistricting Task Force created. This bill was introduced with the goal of stabilizing and lowering property taxes and would move Vermont towards a foundation formula for school funding. There are other aspects that this bill touches on, such as tuition adjustments, education quality, and equity within systems.
What does this mean for youth?
This act is implying that there will be more consistent funding across districts, property tax stabilization, and expanded support for special education. This act would also consolidate schools and districts. While the outcomes of lower taxes and a well-financed school do sound appealing to the public, there are many concerns that youth have regarding the consolidation, particularly relating to stress put onto faculty, the shutting down of small, local schools, and the lack of transportation in Vermont to name a few.
Status:
H.454/Act 73 was passed as is at the end of the 2025 session. The Education Committee of the VSYC and many other organizations are working to make sure that legislators are made aware of youth’s concerns.
Since the beginning of the VSYC’s ‘25–’26 term, we have as a group and in our committees been focusing on and discussing the redistricting of Vermont’s school districts. We have gone over some of our concerns like long bus rides, cuts on support systems for students with special needs, and the closure of small schools in rural communities that give Vermont its own special character. We also talked about some of the good things that could come out of this change like lower taxes, more racial diversity in schools, and more experienced teachers. We have been looking at some of the proposed maps, and recently we had a visit from State Representative Harple to further our conversation and understanding of what is to come in the next few years. We have been following the most recent turn of events in the process of redistricting Vermont's school districts by reading news articles. We have learned and talked about how the team working to build the redistricting maps has decided to scrap their only finished map and has said that they will incentivize small schools to merge by their own decision and will help them access construction aid and other resources.
Looking to get more involved in Vermont and meet other youth with similar interests and passions like yours? Our state is the perfect place for youth to get involved in their community because it hosts a wide variety of events that are youth focused!
VSYC Public Hearing
Join the Vermont State Youth Council at its regular virtual meeting on Thursday, February 5th from 4:30–6:00pm! The VSYC is looking to learn more about what youth want and need across the state. Please come to share your concerns, ideas, and perspective with the Council. Click here to register for the forum and to receive a Zoom link.
Statewide Youth Gathering
The Education Justice Coalition is hosting its second Statewide Youth Gathering during mid-April at Goddard College in Plainfield. This is the perfect event for clubs that focus on both social and racial justice within their school communities and want to take action. To learn more, take a look at their website.
Youth Lobby Day of Action
Another big event is the Youth Lobby Day of Action, an event in Montpelier that calls for climate advocacy from students. This event is organized by youth and meant for youth to gather and support each other. For more information on this day, visit their website!
For other events, be sure to check out the sites of both Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) and Outright Vermont! Stay active, youth!
Historically, youth-led movements drive change in our small state. As a group of youth who value hard work and change-making, we would like to highlight some youth who are making big differences across the state. Thank you to all the youth working to make Vermont a better place.
CVU Students Push for Women’s History Curriculum
Students at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg are calling for the school to formally include women’s history and women’s rights in their curriculum. Their message highlights that while topics like the suffrage movement, gender pay gap, and sexism are all central and necessary to understand society and history, they are too often overlooked or not thoroughly taught by school administrations. The H.E.R. club has hosted events to educate their community, and their mission is to start the requirement at CVU and expand to a statewide requirement, ensuring that all Vermont students are provided with an education that includes the struggles and contributions made by women. Click here to learn more.
First-Ever Kid Governor of Vermont Elected
Vermont fifth graders recently elected their fellow fifth grader, Roslyn Fortin, a 10-year-old from Highgate Elementary, as the first Kid Governor of Vermont. This initiative, founded and led by the Vermont Secretary of State’s office in partnership with the Connecticut Democracy Center, is designed to introduce civics and civic duty to youth in a nonpartisan, hands-on way. Kid Governor-elect Fortin ran on a platform focused on combating homelessness, outlining a three-point plan for young Vermonters to engage in: Donation Drives, Awareness Campaigns, and Community Support.
The Kid Governor program empowers young students to research issues, campaign, and vote, building civic skills and increasing their awareness of the issues their community is facing. Roslyn’s cabinet includes the other six candidates and highlights collaboration and the importance of young people leading impact for issues affecting our state. Roslyn and the cabinet were inaugurated on January 12th in Montpelier at the State House.
