Rebuild Status

Where we stand

We've raised 80% of the funding and new state law says we're eligible for at least 30%, but they haven't funded the program or written the rules on how it works.

For the last 10 years, we followed state guidelines to fund the reconstruction of WUHSMS, which the state classified as the worst facility condition in Vermont. That process has cost Video coming soon nearly $2 million, took hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours, and included two Agency of Education pre-approvals.

$90M secured of the $112M needed

75% funded by the March 2026 bond (61% yes)

5% funded by private pledges

30% State share we qualify for under Act 170

2 State pre-approvals

What have we done to secure State funding?

We have asked the Agency of Education, the Governor's office, and our legislators for a path forward.

1. We asked the Agency of Education for final approval, contingent on funding and rulemaking. On July 17, we asked Agency of Education Secretary Zoie Saunders to grant final approval under Act 170, contingent on completed rulemaking and future legislative appropriations. This would create no immediate financial obligation for the State. It would let us bond now, with the State paying its share over the next 20 years. The Secretary declined, saying rulemaking should be complete in 2028 and that we could begin seeking approval then. The Agency of Education also said our earlier preapprovals and 10-year process no longer apply. We asked to meet to discuss the cost of the delay, and that request was declined.

2. We appealed to the Governor's office. The Governor's office declined our request.

3. We asked our legislative delegation to step in. On August 9, we asked our legislative delegation to appeal to the Governor, requesting that he "support a solution that will allow the district to begin building in 2027." Four of our six legislators signed on: Senators Joe Major and Becca White, and Representatives Michael Hoyt and Valorie Taylor. Senator Alison Clarkson and Representative Charlie Kimbell did not. Representative Kimbell has said he is willing to work with us on legislation for the next session that could help, and we are beginning to work with him.

4. We are pursuing federal funding. We are seeking a federal clean-energy tax credit tied to eligible geothermal and connected building-system costs, which could cover a significant portion of the project. There are Vermont precedents: Burlington Integrated Arts Academy and Mount Mansfield High School received $6–15 million for similar projects.

Why does 2027 matter?

Waiting 3 years for final approval could cost Vermont taxpayers about $35 million.

• Construction costs keep rising. Every year of delay adds inflation to the price of the same building.

• We would keep repairing a building that will be demolished. Patchwork repairs are money spent on a school we are planning to replace.

• We may need emergency modular space. If conditions worsen, temporary classrooms add costs that do not go toward the new school.

• Regional consolidation efforts would be delayed.

• Students and teachers stay longer in unsafe and unhealthy conditions.

What's next?

We will keep this page updated as the situation develops.

• Send a letter to your legislators and the Governor asking them to support building in 2027.

• We will work with Representative Kimbell on legislation for the next session and report on next steps soon.

• We will continue to pursue the federal clean-energy tax credit.

• We will continue to press the Agency of Education and the Governor's office for a path to build in 2027.

We are hopeful that state leaders will listen to their communities and support a commonsense solution.

To view information about the March 3rd School Bond vote click here.