On October 22, 1782, Vermont passed its first school law. It was a more comprehensive plan regarding education in Vermont and subsequent taxation to pay for it.

This law authorized towns to create school districts to be governed by committees and gave them the authority to raise half the cost of building and supporting schools by taxation.

The other half of the money was to be raised by other taxes or by subscription to the school’s services.

Ironically, towns would not be given the authority to hire teachers for another five years, and nothing was mentioned regarding what subjects these schools should teach.

Historic image courtesy Vermont Historical Society