State Aid for Capital Construction Costs

V.S.A. tit. 16, ch. 123

in effect

16 V.S.A. § 3440 Statement of policy

3440. Statement of policy (a) It is the intent of this chapter to encourage the efficient use of public funds to modernize school infrastructure in alignment with current educational needs. School construction projects supported by this chapter should be developed taking consideration of standards of quality for public schools under section 165 of this title and prioritizing cost, geographic accessibility, 21st century education facilities standards, statewide enrollment trends, and capacity and scale that support best educational practices. Further, it is the intent of this chapter to encourage the use of existing infrastructure to meet the needs of Vermont students. Joint construction projects between two or more school districts and consolidation of buildings within a district where feasible and educationally appropriate are encouraged. (b) It is further the intent of this chapter to prioritize school construction projects that align with the creation of new school governance structures under legislation enacted by the General Assembly in 2026 that requires each school board to participate in a merger committee to study the advisability of forming a unified union school district. It is the intent of this chapter to leverage additional State bonding capacity to support the construction of these projects while the State identifies the total school construction need to be supported by State aid offered under this chapter. Added 2025, No. 73, § 12, eff. July 1, 2026; amended 2025, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 69, eff. July 1, 2026.

16 V.S.A. § 3441 Facilities Master Plan Grant Program; report [Repealed effective June 30, 2029]

3441. Facilities Master Plan Grant Program; report [Repealed effective June 30, 2029] (a) Intent. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Facilities Master Plan Grant Program established pursuant to this section shall enable supervisory unions and independent career and technical education districts to develop a supervisory union level vision for all school buildings that meets the educational needs and goals of the supervisory union. The goal of a facilities master plan shall be to facilitate an evaluation of the capacity of existing facilities to deliver on identified 21st century educational goals. A facilities master plan shall also enable and require supervisory unions to engage in intentional and robust conversations with the larger community that will hopefully lead to the successful passage of bonds needed to support the renovation or construction needs of the supervisory union. It is the intent of the General Assembly that awards shall be granted in accordance with this section and in a manner that allows a maximum number of supervisory unions and independent career and technical education districts to successfully complete facilities master plans. (b) Definition. As used in this section, “supervisory union” has the same meaning as in subdivision 11(a)(23) of this title and includes supervisory districts and independent career and technical education districts. (c) Establishment. There is established the Facilities Master Plan Grant Program to be administered by the Agency of Education, from funds appropriated for this purpose to supervisory unions and independent career and technical education districts to support the development of educational facilities master plans. Grant funds may be used to hire a consultant to assist in the development of the master plan with the goal of developing a final master plan that complies with State construction aid requirements. (d) Standards for the disbursement of funds. The Agency shall develop standards for the disbursement of grant funds in accordance with the following: (1) Grants shall be awarded to applicants with the highest facilities needs. The Agency shall develop a prioritization formula based on an applicant’s poverty factor and average facilities condition index score. The Agency shall develop or choose a poverty metric to use for the prioritization formula. The Agency may give priority to applications with a regionalization focus that consist of more than one supervisory union or independent career and technical education district that apply as a consortium. (2) Award amounts shall be commensurate with the gross square footage of buildings located within the applicable supervisory union or career and technical education district. (3) The Agency shall develop minimum requirements for an educational facilities master plan, which shall include, at a minimum, the following elements: (A) a description of the educational mission, vision, and goals of the supervisory union; (B) a description of educational programs and services offered by the supervisory union; (C) the performance of a space utilization assessment; (D) the identification of new program needs; (E) the development of enrollment projections; (F) the performance of a facilities assessment; and (G) information regarding the various design options explored to address the supervisory union’s identified needs. (e) Report. Annually on or before December 31, the Agency shall submit to the House and Senate Committees on Education a written report with information on the implementation of the grant program created in this section. Added 2023, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2024; repealed by 2023, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 30, 2029.

16 V.S.A. § 3442 State Aid for School Construction Program

3442. State Aid for School Construction Program The Agency of Education shall be responsible for implementing the State Aid for School Construction Program according to the provisions of this chapter. The Agency shall be responsible for: (1) reviewing all preliminary applications for State school construction aid and issuing an approval or denial in accordance with section 3445 of this chapter; (2) adopting rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 pertaining to school construction and capital outlay, including rules to specify a point prioritization methodology and a bonus incentive structure aligned with the legislative intent expressed in section 3440 of this title; (3) including as part of its budget submitted to the Governor pursuant to subdivision 212(21) of this title its annual school construction funding request, including any projects contemplated under subsection 3440(b) of this chapter for funding through State bonding; (4) developing a prequalification and review process for project delivery consultants and architecture and engineering firms specializing in prekindergarten through grade 12 school design, renovation, or construction and maintaining a list of such prequalified firms and consultants; (5) providing technical assistance and guidance to school districts and supervisory unions on all phases of school capital projects; (6) providing technical advice and assistance, training, and education to school districts, supervisory unions, general contractors, subcontractors, construction or project managers, designers, and other vendors in the planning, maintenance, and establishment of school facility space; (7) maintaining a current list of school construction projects that have received preliminary approval, projects that have received final approval, and the priority points awarded to each project; (8) collecting, maintaining, and making publicly available quarterly progress reports of all ongoing school construction projects that shall include, at a minimum, the costs of the project and the time schedule of the project; (9) recommending policies and procedures designed to reduce borrowing for school construction programs at both State and local levels; (10) conducting a needs survey at least every five years to ascertain the capital construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and other capital needs for all public schools and maintaining such data in a publicly accessible format; (11) developing a formal enrollment projection model or using projection models already available; (12) encouraging school districts and supervisory unions to investigate opportunities for the maximum utilization of space in and around the district or supervisory union; (13) collecting and maintaining a clearinghouse of prototypical school plans, as appropriate, that may be consulted by eligible applicants; (14) retaining the services of consultants, as necessary, to effectuate the roles and responsibilities listed within this section; and (15) notwithstanding 2 V.S.A. § 20(d), annually on or before December 15, submitting a written report to the General Assembly regarding the status and implementation of the State Aid for School Construction Program, including the data required to be collected pursuant to this section. Added 2025, No. 73, § 13, eff. July 1, 2026; amended 2025, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 70, eff. July 1, 2026.

16 V.S.A. § 3443 State Aid for School Construction Advisory Board

3443. State Aid for School Construction Advisory Board (a) Creation. There is hereby created the State Aid for School Construction Advisory Board, which shall advise the Agency on the implementation of the State Aid for School Construction Program in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, including the adoption of rules, setting of statewide priorities, criteria for project approval, and recommendations for project approval and prioritization. (b) Membership. (1) Composition. The Board shall be composed of the following eight members: (A) four members who shall serve as ex officio members: (i) the State Treasurer or designee; (ii) the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services or designee; (iii) the Executive Director of the Vermont Bond Bank or designee; and (iv) the Chair of the State Board of Education or designee; and (B) four members, none of whom shall be a current member of the General Assembly, who shall serve four-year terms as follows: (i) two members, appointed by the Speaker of the House, each of whom shall have expertise in education or construction, real estate, or finance and one of whom shall represent a supervisory union; and (ii) two members, appointed by the Committee on Committees, each of whom shall have expertise in education or construction, real estate, or finance and one of whom shall be an educator. (2) Members with four-year terms. (A) A member with a term limit shall serve a term of four years and until a successor is appointed. A term shall begin on January 1 of the year of appointment and run through December 31 of the last year of the term. Terms of these members shall be staggered so that not all terms expire at the same time. (B) A vacancy created before the expiration of a term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. (C) A member with a term limit shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. A member appointed to fill a vacancy created before the expiration of a term shall not be deemed to have served a term for the purpose of this subdivision (C). (c) Duties. The Board shall advise the Agency on the implementation of the State Aid for School Construction Program in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, including: (1) rules pertaining to school construction and capital outlay; (2) project priorities; (3) proposed legislation the Board deems desirable or necessary related to the State Aid for School Construction Program, the provisions of this chapter, and any related laws; (4) policies and procedures designed to reduce borrowing for school construction programs at both State and local levels; (5) development of a formal enrollment projection model or the consideration of using projection models already available; (6) processes and procedures necessary to apply for, receive, administer, and comply with the conditions and requirements of any grant, gift, appropriation of property, services, or monies; (7) the collection and maintenance of a clearinghouse of prototypical school plans that may be consulted by eligible applicants and recommended incentives to utilize such prototypes; (8) the determination of eligible cost components of projects for funding or reimbursement, including partial or full eligibility for project components for which the benefit is shared between the school and other municipal and community entities; (9) development of a long-term vision for a statewide capital plan in accordance with needs and projected funding; (10) collection and maintenance of data on all public school facilities in the State, including information on size, usage, enrollment, available facility space, and maintenance; (11) advising districts on the use of a needs survey to ascertain the capital construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and other capital needs for schools across the State; and (12) encouraging school districts and supervisory unions to investigate opportunities for the maximum utilization of space in and around the district or supervisory union. (d) Meetings. (1) The Chair of the State Board of Education shall call the first meeting of the Board to occur on or before September 1, 2025. (2) The Board shall select a chair from among its members at the first meeting. (3) A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum. (4) The Board shall meet not more than six times per year. (e) Assistance. The Board shall have the administrative, technical, and legal assistance of the Agency of Education, the School Construction Division, and the School Construction Program Director. (f) Compensation and reimbursement. Members of the Board shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of expenses as permitted under 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for not more than six meetings per year. (g) [Repealed.] Added 2025, No. 73, § 14, eff. July 1, 2025; repealed by 2025, No. 73, § 15, eff. July 1, 2035; 2025, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 71, eff. July 1, 2026.

16 V.S.A. § 3444 School Construction Aid Special Fund

3444. School Construction Aid Special Fund (a) Creation. There is created the School Construction Aid Special Fund, to be administered by the Agency of Education. Monies in the Fund shall be used for the purposes of: (1) awarding aid to school construction projects under section 3445 of this title; (2) awarding grants through the Facilities Master Plan Grant Program established in section 3441 of this title; (3) funding administrative costs of the State Aid for School Construction Program; and (4) awarding emergency aid under section 3445 of this title. (b) Funds. The Fund shall consist of: (1) any amounts transferred or appropriated to it by the General Assembly; and (2) any interest earned by the Fund. Added 2025, No. 73, § 16, eff. July 1, 2026.

16 V.S.A. § 3445 Approval and funding of school construction projects

3445. Approval and funding of school construction projects (a) Construction aid. (1) Preliminary application for construction aid. A school district eligible for assistance under section 3447 of this title that intends to construct or purchase a new school, or make extensive additions or alterations to its existing school, and desires to avail itself of State school construction aid shall submit a written preliminary application to the Secretary. A preliminary application shall include information required by the Agency by rule and shall specify the need for and purpose of the project. (2) Approval of preliminary application. (A) When reviewing a preliminary application for approval, the Secretary shall consider: (i) regional educational opportunities and needs, including school building capacities across school district boundaries, and available infrastructure in neighboring communities; (ii) economic efficiencies; (iii) the suitability of an existing school building to continue to meet educational needs; and (iv) statewide educational initiatives. (B) The Secretary may approve a preliminary application if: (i)(I) the project or part of the project fulfills a need occasioned by: (aa) conditions that threaten the health or safety of students or employees; (bb) facilities that are inadequate to provide programs required by State or federal law or regulation; (cc) excessive energy use resulting from the design of a building or reliance on fossil fuels or electric space heat; or (dd) deterioration of an existing building; or (II) the project results in consolidation of two or more school buildings and will serve the educational needs of students in a more cost-effective and educationally appropriate manner as compared to individual projects constructed separately; (ii) the need addressed by the project cannot reasonably be met by another means; (iii) the proposed type, kind, quality, size, and estimated cost of the project are suitable for the proposed curriculum and meet all legal standards; (iv) the applicant demonstrates proficiency in the school district quality standards regarding facilities management adopted by rule by the Agency; (v) the applicant has completed a facilities master planning process that: (I) engages robust community involvement; (II) considers regional solutions; (III) evaluates environmental contaminants; and (IV) produces a facilities master plan that unites the applicant’s vision statement, educational needs, enrollment projections, renovation needs, and construction projects; and (vi) if the applicant school district is applying for construction aid for a school building that was constructed or renovated before 1980, the applicant has completed indoor air quality testing for polychlorinated biphenyls that was conducted according to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s standards for testing. (3) Priorities. Following approval of a preliminary application and provided that the district has voted funds or authorized a bond for the total estimated cost of a project, the Agency, with the advice of the State Aid for School Construction Advisory Board, shall assign points to the project as prescribed by rule of the Agency so that the project can be placed on a priority list based on the number of points received. (4) Request for legislative appropriation. The Agency shall submit its annual school construction funding request to the Governor as part of its budget pursuant to subdivision 212(21) of this title and shall clearly identify those projects contemplated under subsection 3440(b) of this chapter for funding through State bonding. Following submission of the Governor’s recommended budget to the General Assembly pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 306 and submission of the Governor’s recommended capital budget to the General Assembly pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 309, the House Committees on Education and on Ways and Means and the Senate Committees on Education and on Finance shall recommend a total school construction appropriation for the next fiscal year to the General Assembly for inclusion in the education payment under subsection 4011(a) of this title. (5) Final approval for construction aid. (A) Unless approved by the Secretary for good cause in advance of commencement of construction, a school district shall not begin construction before the Secretary approves a final application. A school district may submit a written final application to the Secretary at any time following approval of a preliminary application. (B) The Secretary may approve a final application for a project provided that: (i) the project has received preliminary approval; (ii) the district has voted funds or authorized a bond for the total estimated cost of the project, provided that the district shall not issue the bond until the Secretary notifies the district of its State bonding support; (iii) the district has made arrangements for project construction supervision by persons competent in the building trades; (iv) the district has provided for construction financing of the project during a period prescribed by the Agency; (v) the project has otherwise met the requirements of this chapter; (vi) if the proposed project includes a playground, the project includes a requirement that the design and construction of playground equipment follow the guidelines set forth in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Handbook for Public Playground Safety; and (vii) if the total estimated cost of the proposed project is less than $50,000.00, no performance bond or irrevocable letter of credit shall be required. (C) The Secretary may provide that a grant for a high school project is conditioned upon the agreement of the recipient to provide high school instruction for any high school pupil living in an area prescribed by the Agency who may elect to attend the school. (D) A district may begin construction upon receipt of final approval. However, a district shall not be reimbursed for debt incurred due to borrowing of funds in anticipation of aid under this section. (6) Award of construction aid. (A) The base amount of an award shall fund 30 percent of the total approved cost of a project. Projects for which the applicant is a consolidated school district are eligible for additional bonus incentives as specified in rule to fund up to an additional 45 percent of the total approved cost. (B) Construction aid shall be awarded as a debt service subsidy, as support through State bonding, or as a combination of both. Amounts shall be awarded annually and are subject to an annual appropriation for the purposes of the program. (C) Annually, the Capital Debt Affordability Advisory Committee (CDAAC) shall recommend to the House Committees on Education, on Ways and Means, and on Corrections and Institutions and the Senate Committees on Education, on Finance, and on Institutions the annual total State bonding support available for the capital budget and this program and the annual debt service subsidies to be awarded under this chapter. The recommendation shall include an analysis of how the use of State bonding support for school construction under this program affects overall capital budget capacity. (D) As used in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (a)(6), “consolidated school district” means either of the following: (i) a school district that results from a merger identified as advisable in a merger committee’s final recommendations offered pursuant to Sec. 13(b) of legislation enacted by the General Assembly in 2026 that requires each school board to participate on a merger committee to study the advisability of forming a unified union school district; or (ii) a school district with an average daily membership of at least 2,000 students. (b) Emergency aid. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary may grant aid for a project the Secretary deems to be an emergency in the amount of 30 percent of eligible project costs, up to a maximum eligible total project cost of $300,000.00. (c) Wage requirements. Any contract awarded for school construction that is paid for with State aid shall adhere to the higher of: (1) the prevailing wage requirements established for State construction projects under 29 V.S.A. § 161(b); or (2) the prevailing local wage requirements as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor under the Davis-Bacon Act, 40 U.S.C. §§ 3141–3148, and related federal acts and regulations. Added 2025, No. 73, § 17, eff. July 1, 2026; amended 2025, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 72, eff. July 1, 2026; 2025, No. 130 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. July 2, 2026.

16 V.S.A. § 3446 Appeal

3446. Appeal Any municipal corporation as defined in section 3447 of this title aggrieved by an order, allocation, or award of the Agency of Education may, within 30 days, appeal to the Superior Court in the county in which the project is located. Added 2025, No. 73, § 18, eff. July 1, 2026.

16 V.S.A. § 3447 School building construction; State bonds; city as school district

3447. School building construction; State bonds; city as school district The State Treasurer may issue bonds under 32 V.S.A. chapter 13 in such amount as may from time to time be appropriated to assist incorporated school districts, joint contract schools, town school districts, union school districts, regional career technical center school districts, and independent schools meeting education quality standards that serve as the public high school for one or more towns or cities, or combination thereof, and that both receive their principal support from public funds and are conducted within the State under the authority and supervision of a board of trustees, not less than two-thirds of whose membership is appointed by the selectboard of a town or by the city council of a city or in part by such selectboard and the remaining part by such council under the conditions and for the purpose set forth in sections 3447-3456 of this title. A city shall be deemed to be an incorporated school district within the meaning of sections 3447-3456 of this title. Added 1995, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 71, eff. May 22, 1996; amended 2001, No. 8, § 14; 2001, No. 33, § 5; 2011, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. May 11, 2012; 2015, No. 23, § 28.

16 V.S.A. § 3448e Construction of career technical education facilities; approval and funding

3448e. Construction of career technical education facilities; approval and funding (a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section: (1) “Construction” includes the purchase of career technical education facilities. (2) “School district” means, unless otherwise provided: (A) a school district that manages a regional career technical center or a comprehensive high school; or (B) a regional career technical center school district authorized under subchapter 5A of chapter 37 of this title. (3) “Career technical education facilities” means regional technical centers and those portions of comprehensive high schools that are designed to provide State board-approved career technical education programs and services. (b) Application of chapter. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of chapter 123 of this title shall apply to the construction of career technical education facilities. (c) Approval of regional advisory board. The Secretary may approve a preliminary application for a project involving career technical education facilities if, in addition to meeting the other requirements of this chapter, the project has received the approval of the regional advisory board as defined under section 1542 of this title. This subsection shall not apply to a project proposed by a regional career technical center school district authorized under subchapter 5A of chapter 37 of this title. (d) Involvement of the Department of Buildings and General Services. The Department of Buildings and General Services shall be available to consult with and share its expertise with the school district regarding the design and construction of any new career technical education facility or any alterations to existing career technical education facilities and for the analysis of any lease or lease-purchase proposal. (e) Award of construction aid. The amount of an award shall be 50 percent of the approved cost of the project. Where the construction of career technical education facilities is undertaken in conjunction with the construction of noncareer technical education facilities, the approved costs of the project shall be allocated as determined by the Secretary. Added 2001, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 61, eff. June 27, 2002; amended 2005, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), § 48, eff. May 15, 2006; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 218, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.

16 V.S.A. § 3448f Energy performance contracting; authorization; State aid

3448f. Energy performance contracting; authorization; State aid (a) Definitions. As used in this section: (1) “Cost-saving measure” means any facility improvement, repair, addition, or alteration or any equipment, fixture, or furnishing to be constructed or installed in any facility that is designed to reduce energy consumption and operating costs or to increase the operating efficiency of facilities for their appointed functions, that is cost effective, and that is further defined by State Board rule. (2) “District” means a district or independent school eligible for assistance under section 3447 of this title. (3) “Energy and operational cost-savings” means any expense that is eliminated or decreased on a long-term basis as a result of any cost-saving measure, but does not include shifting personnel costs or similar short-term cost-savings. (4) “Performance contract” means a contract for the valuation, recommendation, and implementation of one or more cost-saving measures for the purpose of realizing energy and operational cost-savings where payment by the district is contingent on energy or operational cost-saving results. (b) Authorization. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a district may enter into a performance contract pursuant to this section for a period not to exceed 20 years. Cost-saving measures implemented under the contract shall comply with all State and local building codes. (c) Selection of qualified contractor. (1) Request for proposals. The district shall issue a request for proposals from individuals or entities interested in entering into a performance contract (who shall become the “contractor”), shall consider the proposals, and shall select a qualified contractor to engage in final contract negotiations. In developing the request for proposals and in selecting a qualified contractor, the district should make use of any assistance available from Efficiency Vermont, the School Energy Management Program of the Vermont Superintendents Association, and other similar entities. Factors to be considered in the final selection shall include contract terms, comprehensiveness of the proposal, comprehensiveness of cost-saving measures, experience of the contractor, quality of technical approach, and overall benefits to the district. (2) Financial grade audit. The person selected pursuant to this subsection shall prepare a financial grade energy audit that, upon acceptance by the district, shall be part of the final performance contract executed with the district. If after preparation of the financial grade energy audit the district decides not to execute a performance contract with the contractor, the district shall pay the qualified contractor for costs incurred in preparing the financial grade energy audit. If, however, the district decides to execute a performance contract with the contractor, the costs of the financial grade energy audit shall be part of the costs of the performance contract. (3) [Repealed.] (d) Installment payment and lease-purchase agreements. A district may enter into a performance contract structured as an installment payment contract or lease-purchase agreement for the purchase and installation of cost-saving measures. Financing implemented through the contractor or a person other than the contractor is authorized. (e) Payment schedule and savings. Each performance contract shall provide that all payments between parties, except obligations on termination of the contract before its expiration, shall be made over time, and that the objective of the performance contract is implementation of cost-saving measures and energy and operational cost-savings. (f) State funding for energy conservation measures. (1) Application for construction aid. A district that intends to construct or install cost-saving measures under a performance contract and wishes to receive State school construction aid in connection with those measures shall submit a written application to the Secretary that: (A) specifies the need for and purpose of the project, including details of the cost-saving measure or measures proposed; (B) provides details concerning the qualifications of the person with whom the district has entered or intends to enter into a performance contract and concerning the district’s adherence to the selection process required by subsection (c) of this section, including detailed information regarding the assistance received from Efficiency Vermont, the School Energy Management Program, and similar entities; (C) provides detailed information concerning the energy and operational cost-savings projected to result from the proposed cost-saving measures; (D) provides detailed information concerning the amount and schedule of payments to be made under the terms of the performance contract; and (E) provides any other information the Secretary deems necessary for consideration of the application. (2) Approval of application. After consultation with the Department of Buildings and General Services and any other expert resources that may be available, including Efficiency Vermont and the School Energy Management Program, the Secretary may approve a complete application. (3) Priorities. Following approval of a district’s application, the State Board shall assign points, established by Board rule, to the project so that the project can be placed on a priority list distinct from but similar to the list established under section 3448 of this title, based on the number of points received. Once a project receives points, if it does not receive funding in a given year, it shall not lose points in subsequent years and, pursuant to Board rule and provided the scope of the project remains the same, it shall gain points due to the length of time on the list and may gain points for any other reason. Prioritized projects under this section shall be included in the State Board’s request for legislative appropriation as a separate and distinct line item under section 3448 of this title. Any legislative appropriation made to fund the line item for performance contracts shall not exceed 20 percent of the appropriation made in the same year to fund State aid for school construction under section 3448. (4) Award of State aid. A district shall not be reimbursed for debt incurred due to borrowing funds in anticipation of aid under this section. The total amount of an award shall be 20 percent of the approved total cost of the project, provided the total award shall not exceed the total payment that would be due from the district, less interest. (5) Eligible costs. A project or portions of a project under this section shall be eligible for aid pursuant to criteria established by State Board rule. (6) Payment. Upon completion of the construction or installation of the cost-saving measure, determination by the Department of Buildings and General Services that implementation of the cost-saving measures is expected to result in energy and operational cost-savings, and legislative appropriation sufficient to fund the State aid due under this section, the State Board shall certify an award for the project to the Commissioner of Finance and Management who shall issue a warrant for the payment of the award. A district awarded State aid under this section shall use the State aid solely for the purpose of paying all or a portion of the obligation due under the performance contract at the time the award is received. (g) Refund upon sale. Upon the sale by a district of any energy-saving measure or building in which an energy-saving measure was constructed or installed, for which State aid was awarded under this section, the district shall refund funds equal to the aid received. All refunds shall be deposited with the State Treasurer and used for awards under this section and section 3448 of this title. No district shall receive any State general aid unless the district complies with this subsection. Added 2003, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 58, eff. June 8, 2004; amended 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 219, eff. Feb. 14, 2014; 2021, No. 20, § 65; 2025, No. 72, § 14, eff. June 27, 2025; 2025, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. July 1, 2026.

16 V.S.A. § 3453a Emergency operation centers and shelters

3453a. Emergency operation centers and shelters Any school building that may be designated as a local, regional, or State emergency operation center or shelter shall be designed for use as an emergency operations center or shelter. For this purpose, the proposed project shall include the installation of a wiring harness capable of being connected to emergency electric power generation to provide for emergency heating, lighting, and communications. The wiring installation cost to upgrade emergency facilities shall be included in the budgets submitted to the General Assembly for capital funding pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 309. The State shall pay 100 percent of such costs, which shall at the Agency level be itemized and accounted for separately from those costs in which the State only shares in the project cost. The State shall not pay for the costs of purchasing the generator. Added 1999, No. 29, § 43, eff. May 19, 1999; amended 2009, No. 43, § 47, eff. May 27, 2009; 2021, No. 20, § 66.

16 V.S.A. § 3455a Computer aided design

3455a. Computer aided design Whenever a school district or independent school makes final application for construction aid pursuant to subdivision 3448(a)(5) of this title, the district or school shall submit to the Secretary copies of site plans and building plans either in computer-aided design (CAD) format, if used, or, if not, in the form submitted by the architect or engineer to the school board or board of trustees. Added 1995, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 77, eff. May 22, 1996; amended 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 221, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.

16 V.S.A. § 3456 Limit of indebtedness

3456. Limit of indebtedness The amount of indebtedness of an incorporated school district, town school district, or union school district incurred to finance any project approved under sections 3447-3456 of this title shall not be considered a part of the indebtedness of such local district for the purpose of determining its debt limit, as provided by 24 V.S.A. § 1762, or otherwise. Added 1953, No. 256, § 10; amended 1955, No. 266, § 2; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 222, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.

16 V.S.A. § 3468 [Reserved for future use.]

16 V.S.A. §§ 3477-3479 [Reserved for future use.]

16 V.S.A. §§ 3482-3485 [Reserved for future use.]

16 V.S.A. §§ 3488-3490 [Reserved for future use.]

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/16/123Fetched: 10/21/2026