"We started seeing a decline in our literacy outcomes before the pandemic, and while there continues to be a decline nationwide, we are seeing some really considerable drops in Vermont, which is concerning," said Zoie Saunders, Vermont's education secretary.

The Rutland Herald covered our education savings report this week. rutlandherald.com/news/local/cap…

We will be on the Morning Drive on WVMT (AM 620 & 96.3 FM) tomorrow morning at 8 to discuss education reform and the upcoming legislative session. Tune in! wvmtradio.com/show/the-morni…

"The cost of housing has skyrocketed with median home prices in Vermont more than doubling in the last 10 years, putting both homeownership and rentals out of reach for many... We can say yes to appropriate development while conserving what makes Vermont special. But this

Analysis of the last school consolidation effort in VT found $2550 per student in savings on admin support and contracted services. Unfortunately those savings were wiped out by increases in transportation and compensation. Our plan realizes the administrative cost-savings

This week on VFV, Pat welcomes Alan Rubble, co-author of The Greatest Burden, The Greatest Blessing, a book celebrating caregivers and the blessings found within burdens. The conversation blends personal experience, community service, and practical guidance for caregivers

Are you going without health insurance next year? vtdigger.org/2025/11/19/ver…

The Act 73 Task Force wrapped up their work last week, putting the finishing touches on a plan that would allow school districts to share services to generate immediate savings. sevendaysvt.com/news/redistric…

"Even though most of Act 73 won’t take effect for a few years, the sweeping bill is already prompting school boards to make tough decisions in an effort to get out ahead of any state-imposed changes." vermontpublic.org/local-news/202…

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you are counting your blessings and celebrating with loved ones today. 🦃

⏰December 1 Deadline ⏰ On this weeks episode of VFV, Pat introduces a heartfelt Vermont initiative: Wreaths Across America. The program, rooted in nationwide charity work, honors those who served by placing wreaths on graves of veterans. vote802.com/wreaths_across…

Employers view the business climate in Vermont as okay but not great. The majority agree that policymakers in Montpelier are not hearing voices from the business community. Workforce, housing, and healthcare top the list of challenges businesses face. vermontbiz.com/news/2025/nove…

Compass Vermont digs into the stalemate over the Governor's executive order over housing. Is procedure getting in the way of progress? compassvermont.com/p/vermonts-gov…

Last week we joined Hot Off the Press to talk about the Act 73 Task Force and their plan for how to achieve cost-savings in Vermont's rural education system. vermontdailychronicle.com/hot-off-the-pr… Vermont Daily Chronicle

Early adopters of shared services in Vermont are seeing savings of up to 66%... 💥 "Districts that would otherwise be siloed and forced to pay for duplicative services have been able to access professional development services at a larger scale thanks to their collaborative,

The Co-Chair of the Act 73 Task Force highlights one of the challenges of force school district mergers in a new Seven Days piece: "Since teacher pay varies considerably from district to district, she said, mergers would likely mean “leveling up” lower-paid educators’

This week on VFV, a former Vermont state archaeologist, shares decades of fieldwork, collaboration, and public archaeology to examine how mobility, heritage, and land stewardship shape present-day Vermont Native communities. vote802.com/vt_native_hist…

ICYMI, we published our latest newsletter last week detailing the dual crises of education cost and quality. "We're a resilient people, the sort who jump in with both hands to rebuild after disaster strikes without waiting for handouts. Yet our education system, our proudest

The first look at FY2027 property taxes shows another double-digit increase. School spending is expected to up over 12% and average property tax bills 18.5%. Of course, half of that increase is due to nearly $120 million in one-time funds that were used to buy-down property tax

Despite all of the political posturing over school consolidation, the data says it doesn't work. Vermont has been at the consolidation game for the last 15 years and has yet to demonstrate any cost savings. And, our political leaders are promising more of the same... Here is why