By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger In June, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in a case called Carson v. Makin, finding the state of Maine could not withhold public money from private religious schools simply because those schools might use the […]
Tag: By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger
Vt property tax rates slated to rise despite edu fund surplus
By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger Vermont’s education fund, the pot of money that finances the state’s schools, is brimming with a surplus of nearly $64 million. But despite that windfall — caused primarily by lower-than-expected spending on special education and leftover funds […]
Vermont Agency of Education reaches settlement with religious schools
By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger Vermont’s Agency of Education reached a final settlement in two lawsuits seeking to allow public money to pay for tuition at religious schools. A group of families sued the state in 2020, alleging that their children had been discriminated against […]
Amid confusion, Vt. education officials say that masks can be required in certain school situations
By Peter D’Auria/ VTDigger Late last month, at an event for parents at Burlington’s Flynn Elementary School, a parent distributed copies of a note asking others to consider sending their children to class in masks. “Masking request: A student in […]
Phil Scott signs bills on free school meals, offensive school mascots
By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger Gov. Phil Scott has signed two important bills affecting schools statewide. One create a one-year pilot program of free breakfast and lunch for Vermont students and the other bans offensive school mascots. The governor’s signatures represent victories […]
Gov. Phil Scott signs bill intended to make Vermont’s school funding system fairer
By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill Monday, May 23 to upgrade Vermont’s education funding formula, capping a legislative effort to make the system fairer. “Giving all students an equal chance at success has been a priority […]
School district’s respond to new guidance, many are ready to ditch masks, mandates
By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger and Polly Mikula When Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced that the state would no longer recommend that students wear masks in schools after March 14, a variety of responses flooded through school districts and communities. Among about 50 […]
State expects an ‘unprecedented’ $90 million surplus in the education fund
School tax rates likely to decrease By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger This spring, Vermont lawmakers may have a welcome question on their hands: what to do with a $90 million surplus in the state’s education fund. State tax officials unveiled the projected surplus in the […]