Dear Editor, In Vermont we hold the belief that every child should have access to an equitable education. Though this promise is a constitutional right, in reality it’s been challenging to fulfill given the outdated funding mechanisms that have historically governed our schools. As a member of both the Burlington School Board and the Coalition…

By Jack Hoffman Editor’s note: Jack Hoffman is Senior Analyst at Public Assets Institute, a non-partisan, non-profit organization based in Montpelier. He is a resident of Marshfield currently living in France. A projected jump in school taxes next year has everyone’s hair on fire in Montpelier. But before taking drastic action, legislators and the administration…

There are about two weeks left in Vermont’s 2024 Legislative Session. This is not a lot of time to negotiate policy differences between the House and the Senate. A great deal of policy work is still not settled, which concerns me. I am not a fan of the work that is often done in the…

The last few weeks of the legislative session often contain a bit of theater, eureka moments, surprises, and just plain old disagreements. With the legislature scheduled to adjourn on May 10, the next two weeks could prove interesting. Major legislation, such as the state budget, education property tax rates, higher electric costs related to the…

By Holly Sullivan, Community News Service Editor’s note: The Community News Service is a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide content for local news outlets at no cost. Ever whizzed through a work zone when it seems no one is looking? Even with no cops around, your speeding could…

By Olivia Wilson, Community News Service Editor’s note: Olivia Wilson is a reporter with Community News Service, part of the University of Vermont’s reporting and documentary storytelling program. After years of absence, the most patriotic bird in the sky returned to Vermont — but it might’ve come at another’s expense. Vermont finally took the bald eagle…

The first week in the Killington Street Hockey League, Sunday, April 21, the Fireballs topped the Meteors with a single goal late in sudden death overtime. Rutland’s Liam Bradley scored to take his team to victory. Both teams played each other very tight the entire game with a few missed opportunities on each end. In the…

  State receives record demand for maple grants The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) has awarded over $540,000 in grants to maple producers and processors through the Maple Agriculture Development Grants program, the agency announced April 26. Eleven producers, ranging in size from 500 to 30,000 taps, received funds for operational efficiency,…

Rutland Area Robotics’ IBOTS FRC team 2370 achieved a program milestone at the 2024 Championship in Houston, Texas, by winning their division (Hopper) and reaching the World Series of robotics competition, the Einstein Finals. Rutland Area Robotics’ IBOTS alliance of four teams placed fourth in a field of more than 600 FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition)…

By Norah White, Community News Service Editor’s note: The Community News Service is a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide content for local news outlets at no cost. Entering another person’s vehicle without their consent — or attempting to steal it — will be a crime under a bill…

Judith Hawley, 71, passed peacefully on April 3, 2024, in her Pittsfield home with her family by her side. Judy was born on Dec. 24, 1952, the daughter of Vernon “Bud” and Kathryn (Feerick) Bonin. She was a graduate of Whitcomb High School in Bethel, Vermont. She attended college at Castleton University and St. Joseph’s…

On Sunday, April 28, Liquid Art hosted and art auction to support the Neil family who’s Killington house burned down Jan. 24.  Liquid Art’s Beth Sarandrea, the whimsical wood wizard Tyson Andrews, and a host of talented local artists outdid themselves with creative contributions raising $13,166. Additionally, Mogul’s owner Sal Salmeri contributed $3,500 from the…

National report ranks Vermont second in the U.S. for 3-year-old education, sixth for 4-year-olds The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) released its annual State of Preschool report, which tracks preschool enrollment, funding, and quality across states. The 2023 State of Preschool Yearbook found that, in the 2022-2023 school year: Vermont served 71% of the state’s 3-year-olds…

By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger After a lengthy and dramatic debate Tuesday morning, April 30, the Vermont Senate voted against the confirmation of Zoie Saunders as state education secretary — but the fight over her appointment appeared far from finished.  Saunders needed a majority of the 29-member Senate to approve her appointment, but 19 senators opposed it. Nine…

Renovations scaled back due tobudget, timeline By Polly Mikula At town meeting day in 2023 voters approved $1.6 million to purchase and renovate the property at 2046 Route 4 to become the new Town Hall (the building that houses the Post Office.) Now, over a year later, that plan will begin to take shape, albeit…