School superintendent outlines Act 170 requirements; Milton assigned to Group 19

Amy Rex, Milton Town School District superintendent, told the joint Selectboard and School Board meeting that Act 170 requires two separate efforts: District Merger Study Committees, which are mandatory and charged with studying potential mergers, and voluntary Cooperatives of Educational Service Areas (CESAs) that can pool services or run specialized programs.

Rex said Milton has been assigned to Group 19 alongside Colchester School District and Grand Isle Supervisory Union, and that "the first meeting must be held by October 15, 2026." Nick DeVita was designated by the School Board as Milton's representative to the study committee. Rex and board members also noted Milton belongs to the Champlain Valley North CESA, which had its first meeting in early August and is working on bylaws and asset mapping.

Board members discussed legacy debt treatment during the study process; officials said State aid was discussed informally as potentially covering "up to 75%" of legacy debt but that details remain unconfirmed. The boards did not adopt formal positions during the Aug. 31 session; the study committee and future meetings will develop recommendations and clarify financial responsibilities.