Vermont Education Board Chair Has Resigned
State Board of Education chair Jennifer Deck Samuelson stepped down, leaving the board to select new leadership.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Administration
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Jennifer Deck Samuelson has resigned as chair of the Vermont State Board of Education, a position she held for four years. She submitted her resignation to Governor Phil Scott, citing private legal practice and family commitments as her reasons for leaving.
Why it matters
The departure follows significant changes to state oversight, including 2025 legislative shifts that modified how members are appointed to the 10-member board. The board currently faces a busy period of upcoming policy work, including the development of statewide high-school graduation requirements.
Board members receive a $50 stipend per meeting, with two of the ten total seats reserved for student representatives. Jennifer Deck Samuelson's term was originally scheduled to expire in February 2028.
The players
Jennifer Deck Samuelson
She is the former chair of the Vermont State Board of Education who served in that leadership role for four years.
Phil Scott
He is the Governor of Vermont who received the resignation letter from the board chair.
Tammy Kolbe
She is an education board member who will serve as the acting chair following the resignation.
The details
Tammy Kolbe will serve as acting chair while the board prepares for a special election in October to permanently fill the leadership role. Samuelson, who joined the board in 2020, noted that her departure was influenced by the increasing responsibilities required of board members.
Timeline
Samuelson began her service on the board in 2020.
The resignation letter was submitted to Governor Phil Scott on September 15, 2026.
The official announcement occurred during a board meeting on September 16, 2026.
A special election to select a new chair is scheduled for October 2026.
A mandatory election for board chair and vice chair will occur in March 2027.
Culture Shift
This transition aligns with the 2025 legislative changes to board appointment powers that recently altered the selection process for two board seats. The board remains focused on navigating these shifts while managing upcoming statewide high-school graduation requirements.
The change in board leadership may alter the timeline for pending high-school graduation requirements affecting students across Vermont. Residents should monitor upcoming board meetings to see how the new chair influences policy implementation in local school districts.
The takeaway
As board leadership turns over, the primary focus remains on meeting the upcoming deadline for statewide graduation requirements. Stakeholders should track the October election to identify the next official overseeing these educational policy mandates.
What happens next
The board will hold a special election in October 2026 to select a new chair and a mandatory election for chair and vice chair in March 2027.
Further reading
For more information on the board's organizational structure, visit Vermont Administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Seven Days.
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