Vermont Continues Excluding Religious Schools from State Tuition Program Despite Legal Settlement

Vermont has been accused of engaging in a pattern of religious discrimination against religious schools and their families. The Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA) expelled Mid Vermont Christian School after it forfeited a game due to its religious beliefs about male and female, in response to another girls’ team with a male athlete over six feet tall. Following a court ruling, the athletic association paid $556,000 to settle its part of the lawsuit. Despite this financial burden, state officials have continued to exclude Mid Vermont and its students from the state’s tuition program.

The state-sponsored athletic association’s actions have drawn criticism for their religious hostility toward the Christian school’s girls’ basketball team. The school’s beliefs about biological sex and its impact on sports were cited as the reason for the forfeit. This incident highlights a broader pattern of discrimination against religious institutions in Vermont, where state officials have repeatedly sought to limit access to public benefits for religious schools and their students.

Vermont’s exclusion of religious schools from the state’s tuition program and other public benefit programs has sparked legal challenges. Courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have consistently ruled that religious schools should not be denied access to resources available to secular institutions. Yet, the state continues to enforce policies that effectively discriminate against religious families and schools.

Mid Vermont Christian School, a private, Christian institution serving students from pre-K through 12th grade, is committed to “glorify God by preparing each student for college, career, and Christian ministry through a program of academic excellence established in Biblical truth.” The school’s mission emphasizes biblical values in all aspects of its operations, including athletics and academics.

The school has maintained a strong reputation for both academic and athletic excellence, attracting families who value its Christian education. However, this has not shielded it from state scrutiny. The treatment of Mid Vermont Christian School reflects a broader conflict between religious institutions and state policies that seek to limit their influence and access to public resources.

The situation raises concerns about the treatment of religious schools in Vermont and the potential impact on students and families. Advocates argue that all schools, regardless of their religious affiliation, should have equal access to public benefits. This issue underscores the importance of ensuring that religious institutions are not unfairly targeted or excluded from opportunities available to secular counterparts.

The case of Mid Vermont Christian School serves as a reminder of the need for fairness and accountability in public policy. Ensuring that religious schools are treated equitably is essential for upholding the rights of all families and students. The challenge lies in balancing state authority with the rights of religious institutions to operate without undue discrimination.

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