The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 16 : Education

Chapter 010 : Cooperative Educational Service Areas

• § 604. Powers of cooperative educational service areas

  [Subsection (a) effective until July 1, 2027, see also subsection (a) effective July 1 2027, set out below.]

  (a) In addition to any other powers granted by law, a CESA shall have the power to provide educational programs, services, facilities, and professional and other staff that, in its discretion, best serve the needs of its members, including professional development, curriculum coordination and development, and transportation. A CESA shall follow all applicable State and federal laws in its provision of services, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400–1482. At a minimum, a CESA shall offer services in the following areas to its members, when requested and when approved by the CESA board:

  (1) special education, including implementation and maintenance of tiered systems of support and the provision of low-incidence, high-cost services;

  (2) business, information technology, and administrative services; and

  (3) union school district creation consultation and facilitation.

  [Subsection (a) effective July 1, 2027, see also subsection (a) effective until July 1 2027, set out above.]

  (a) In addition to any other powers granted by law, a CESA shall have the power to provide educational programs, services, facilities, and professional and other staff that, in its discretion, best serve the needs of its members. A CESA shall follow all applicable State and federal laws in its provision of services, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400–1482. At a minimum, a CESA shall offer services in the following areas to its members, when requested and when approved by the CESA board:

  (1) special education, including implementation and maintenance of tiered systems of support and the provision of low-incidence, high-cost services;

  (2) business, information technology, and administrative services;

  (3) union school district creation consultation and facilitation;

  (4) professional development;

  (5) curriculum coordination and development;

  (6) transportation; and

  (7) facilities master planning.

  (b) A CESA shall employ an executive director who shall serve under the general direction of the board and who shall be responsible for the care and supervision of the CESA. The board shall annually evaluate the executive director’s performance and effectiveness in implementing the programs, policies, and goals of the CESA. The executive director shall not serve as a board member, officer, or employee of any related for-profit or nonprofit organization.

  (c) A CESA shall be a body politic and corporate and shall have standing to sue and be sued to the same extent as a school district. A CESA may enter into contracts for the purchase of supplies, materials, and services and for the purchase or leasing of land, buildings, and equipment as considered necessary by the board of directors. Section 559 of this title shall apply to the procurement of services or items with costs that exceed $40,000.00, as well as high-cost construction contracts, as defined by subsection 559(b) of this title.

  (d) The board of directors of a CESA may apply for State, federal, or private grants, for which a CESA may be otherwise eligible, to obtain funds necessary to carry out the purpose for which the CESA is established. Nothing in this chapter is intended to create an entitlement to federal funds distributed by the Agency of Education to local education agencies. (Added 2023, No. 168 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 2024; amended 2025, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 2026; 2025, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 2a, eff. July 1, 2027.)