By Polly Mikula Vermont lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban cell phones and other electronic devices in public and independent schools from the start of the school day until dismissal — often called bell-to-bell — and prohibits schools from using social media to communicate with students. The bill, H.54, is intended to reduce the burden on…

By Polly Mikula Since first announcing what they’ve coined the “education transformation” plan on Jan. 22. Governor Phil Scott and his top education officials have gradually unveiled more and more details.  Democratic lawmakers have mostly welcomed Republican Gov. Phil Scott’s grand proposal with cautious optimism. Yet while broad support for a new funding formula and…

By Polly Mikula A first look at the Town Meeting Day ballot was presented at the Killington Select Board meeting, Monday, Jan. 27 — and there were some surprises with two contested races, two bonds and an article to change the governing structure of the Select Board.  The first article on the ballot asks voters…

By Polly Mikula After a narrow vote to save all unified arts (UA) programs and positions at the last school district board meeting, Dec. 16, the Mountain Views School District (MVSD) easily approved a revised budget Monday, Jan. 6, with a vote of 13-3. The approved budget reinstated all UA programs and positions and made…

Jan 11. from 10 to 11:30 a.m.—WOODSTOCK—Billings Farm & Museum invites the community to join local fiber artist Tiana St. James for a hands-on workshop, “Visible Mending,” on Saturday from 10 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a 30-minute Q&A session. Part of the Billings Backyard Workshop series, this session focuses on transforming worn garments and…

Vermont experienced a net gain of 7,500 residents moving from other states, according to a Treasurer’s Office analysis of recent U.S. Census data.  The report highlights Vermont’s strong appeal in the post-pandemic era. In 2023, Vermont had the highest per capita net migration in New England and the third-highest per capita net migration of any U.S. state. Over…

By Polly Mikula A motion to save all unified arts (UA) programs and positions in Mountain Views School Distict passed in a tiebreaker vote Monday night, Dec. 16. Ryan Townsend from Bridgewater made the motion, with seven district board representatives voting for and seven voting against. The chair of the board, Keri Bristow of Woodstock,…

By Polly Mikula Megan Wagner, owner of Dream Maker Bakers, announced Saturday Dec. 7, that she will be closing her bakery in Killington.  “With a mix of emotions, I’m announcing that Dream Maker Bakers will be permanently closing on December 22, 2024,” she posted on Facebook. “This is something that I have known I wanted…

By Polly Mikula  While the Killington Cup did not go as many expected and all hoped it would, with Mikaela Shiffrin set up to win her 100th World Cup race but instead crashing just seconds before the finish line, the Alpine superstar (still recovering) recently reflected with pride on her runs at Killington.  “My GS…

By Polly Mikula Over 100 district residents attended the last Mountain Views Supervisory Union (MVSU) board meeting Monday, Dec. 2, to object to the proposed elimination of 17 teaching and staff positions, including both full- and part-time roles, five of which are in unified arts programs — visual and performing arts, music and world languages —…

By Polly Mikula On Monday, Dec. 2, the Mountain Views Supervisory Union met to discuss a proposed $2.5 million budget cut.  “These cuts were necessary to stay under the penalty threshold,” Superintendent Sherry Sousa explained. “The proposed cuts are across all schools and the central office,” she said.  The proposed budget is just below the…

By Polly Mikula For the eighth time the women’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup came to Killington Resort over Thanksgiving weekend. The first day of racing, a Giant Slalom on Saturday, was marked by a combination of jubilation and heartbreak as U.S. Ski team members Nina O’Brien and Paula Moltzan posted their best World Cup…

By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger and Polly Mikula Vermonters can expect a 5.9% average increase in education property taxes next year absent major changes, according to the annual forecast from Craig Bolio, Vermont’s tax commissioner. The news arrived Monday, Dec. 2, in the form of the “Dec. 1 letter,” an annual projection required by law that represents the…

Organization funds programs that help more people fall in love with winter sports By Polly Mikula  Last month Mikaela Shiffrin announced a partnership with Share Winter, a foundation that brings winter sports to kids and communities that historically have not had access to them — she plans to expand her commitment with another announcement made in…

By Polly Mikula “Watching world-class skiing isn’t the only reason to attend the Stifel Killington Cup,” said Director of Brand Marketing and Events Amy Laramie. “I am really looking forward to this year’s lineup of music, with high-energy bands that will keep the party going all weekend long.” The action begins Friday on the Kona…