Factual Background
In the spring of 2011, the Vermont Independent Schools Association discovered and reported to the Education Department an apparent error in its computation of the high school Average Announced Tuition (AAT) rate. The Education Department subsequently acknowledged its error.

By Vermont statute, the AAT sets the minimum amount Vermont school districts must pay to an independent school for students on tuition vouchers.

The errors span two school years: 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. In each year, the published AAT figure is too low. The error is approximately $78 per student for 2010-2011 and approximately $93 per student for the 2011-2012 school year.

Though the Education Commissioner has acknowledged these Education Department errors, he has offered no measures to compensate schools underpaid as a result of the errors.


VISA’s Position
The AAT computation errors have deprived independent high schools of funds to which they legally were entitled for educating publicly funded students.

The state should correct the underpayments caused by these errors.