Governor seeks applicants for state Board of Education

June 18, 2021  |  Waterbury Roundabout 

Gov. Phil Scott has announced that he is seeking applications for an opening on the State Board of Education.

In May, board Chair John Carroll of Norwich announced he was stepping down at the end of June. A former Republican state senator, Carroll served on the board since 2017. 

The board is responsible for the establishment, advancement, and evaluation of public education policy. Board duties include making regulations governing attendance and records of attendance of all pupils, standards for student performance, adult basic education programs, approval of independent schools, disbursement of funds, and equal access for all Vermont students to a quality education. 

The new member will be appointed by the governor to fill the remainder of an unexpired term until February 2022 and will be eligible for reappointment.

The board consists of eight regular members who serve six-year terms. In addition, two high school students -- a junior and a senior -- are appointed to serve two-year terms. The student members vote in their senior year. The state secretary of education also is a non-voting member. 

All of the current board members have been appointed by Gov. Scott. The legislature this year took steps to call for more diverse membership on the board. Although the board is evenly split between men and women, the board is predominantly white. 

Those interested in the position should complete the Application for Gubernatorial Appointment to State Boards and Commissions.