MANCHESTER — A State Board of Education meeting in Manchester on controversial new rules for private schools was postponed until Dec. 12 after a request from an opponent of the proposed changes.
State Rep. Oliver Olsen, I-Londonderry, had written to Stephan Morse, chairman of the state board, seeking postponement of a Nov. 22 session in Manchester on the proposed changes, which have prompted vociferous opposition from private schools, including Burr and Burton Academy and others in the Northshire region.
Citing the opposition and great amount of interest in the proposal in this area, Olsen said in his letter that “a public meeting on Nov. 22 — two days before Thanksgiving — will make it difficult for many who wish to attend.”
Asked last week about Olsen’s request, Morse said the meeting would instead be held Dec. 12 at Burr and Burton.
Olsen said his hope is that the board will further refine the rules proposed for private schools receiving public tuition funding, based on the expected public meetings in several communities around the state.
Mounting opposition boiled over last week during an Interagency Committee on Administrative Rules hearing in Montpelier on the proposed changes, which drew a large crowd that included many representing private schools.
The rules would require private schools accepting public funding to have an open enrollment policy, provide special education and be accredited by an approved body. Schools would also need to supply more financial documentation.
ICAR sent the proposal back to the state board, asking for more information on the economic impacts and more input from stakeholders and the general public.
Board members have since indicated they intend to push forward with submission of the proposal to the secretary of state’s office after responding to those two points.
