Vermont

Scott’s plan to cut school spending worries some educators

Published

1 year ago

January 10, 2025

Scott’s plan to cut school spending worries some educators

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont educators are leery of plans from Gov. Phil Scott to control costs in Vermont’s education system. In Thursday’s inaugural address, Scott pitched sweeping plans to rein in spending which has led to skyrocketing property tax rates.

Last year, one-third of Vemont’s school budgets failed and voters sent more Republicans to Montpelier in years in what some dubbed a tax revolt.

Democrats say everything should be on the table to fix the tax troubles, but some in the education community remain wary.

In his address, the governor outlined a multiyear plan to overhaul how we fund public schools and rein in the cost of spending which has skyrocketed to $2.3 billion.

“In too many districts, teachers aren’t paid enough, administrators are tied up in bureaucracy, schools have too much empty space and many are in disrepair,” said Scott, R-Vermont.

He proposes consolidating dozens of school districts and supervisory unions, putting guardrails on local school spending and completely rewriting the school funding formula with the aim of cutting back on staff and the 80% of school costs that go to wages and benefits.

But some in Vermont’s education community see it another way.

“We have to be clear what is the problem we’re trying to solve. We’re not spending too much money in public education; we’re having a difficult time funding it,” said Don Tinney the executive director of the Vermont NEA.

The Vermont teachers union contends the state has enough taxing capacity to fund schools and students’ complex needs. But they say the state should instead fund schools through state and income tax instead of a property tax.

“We believe the income tax is the fairest way of doing that because people are paying what they can afford to pay,” Tinney said.

As for the funding formula, Scott argues more affluent towns that can afford higher property taxes spend more and approve their local budgets, which drives up costs in the statewide education fund.

“Those higher spenders can actually increase the rates of those districts whose kids and teachers are getting less,” Scott said.

The governor is expected to introduce a formula where districts are paid a flat rate and any additional spending would have to be raised locally.

But some worry that will lead to inequitable opportunities for kids.

“There are states that use foundation formulas to keep poor people poor and drive down public education costs and allow for more opportunities for private schools and school choice schemes. I can’t see Vermont allowing that to happen,” said Jay Nichols of the Vermont Principals’ Association.

Vermonters are still staring down a 6% property tax increase if school budgets as drafted pass on Town Meeting Day.

Scott says in the weeks ahead, he will unveil ideas to hold taxpayers harmless and keep taxes flat.

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Related Topics:education Educators Featured gov news Phil plan property School scott Spending taxes taxpayers teachers vermont WCAX

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Vermont

Swanton honors WWI soldier with new historic marker

Published

5 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

Swanton honors WWI soldier with new historic marker

A new roadside historic marker was unveiled outside Riverside Cemetery, honoring Cpl. Leonard A. Lord, the first Vermonter killed in action during World War I.The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation dedicated the marker during a ceremony held at the site, recognizing Lord’s service and sacrifice more than a century after his death.Lord was killed in April 1918 in France during heavy artillery fire while serving with the 26th “Yankee” Division. He had enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1917 at Fort Ethan Allen.After his death overseas, Lord’s remains were later returned to Swanton in 1921 and reinterred at Riverside Cemetery, just yards from where the new marker now stands.Officials say the marker is part of Vermont’s long-running effort to preserve local history and highlight individuals who shaped the state’s past.U.S. Army SSgt. Stephen Prochniak reflected on the importance of remembrance.“History is alive in all of us,” Prochniak said. “It’s something that will probably be here longer than any of us are alive. And that’s important. It preserves it not just for us, but for our kids and their kids.”The marker now stands as the 335th installed through the state’s historic preservation program.

SWANTON, Vt. —

A new roadside historic marker was unveiled outside Riverside Cemetery, honoring Cpl. Leonard A. Lord, the first Vermonter killed in action during World War I.

The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation dedicated the marker during a ceremony held at the site, recognizing Lord’s service and sacrifice more than a century after his death.

Lord was killed in April 1918 in France during heavy artillery fire while serving with the 26th “Yankee” Division. He had enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1917 at Fort Ethan Allen.

After his death overseas, Lord’s remains were later returned to Swanton in 1921 and reinterred at Riverside Cemetery, just yards from where the new marker now stands.

Officials say the marker is part of Vermont’s long-running effort to preserve local history and highlight individuals who shaped the state’s past.

U.S. Army SSgt. Stephen Prochniak reflected on the importance of remembrance.

“History is alive in all of us,” Prochniak said. “It’s something that will probably be here longer than any of us are alive. And that’s important. It preserves it not just for us, but for our kids and their kids.”

The marker now stands as the 335th installed through the state’s historic preservation program.

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Vermont

New Vermont soccer club makes home debut in the Green Mountain State

Published

17 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

New Vermont soccer club makes home debut in the Green Mountain State

Vermont has a new soccer team in town. Vermont Clover FC, a United Premier Soccer League club, made its official home debut at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester on Saturday, April 11. Clover FC put on a show for its first set of home fans, completing a 4-0 shutout win against the Maine Mystics and expanding its record to 2-0. The UPSL pits Clover FC against multiple clubs featuring college talent, designed as a pro-development league to improve those players across America. Clover FC features a lot of local talent on its roster in its debut season, including Westport, NY native Henry Gibson. The former Section VII standout for Boquet Valley High School and current player for the Clinton Community College Cougars scored his team’s second-ever home game goal after finishing a header from former Champlain Valley Union High School and VPA standout Miles Bergeson’s free kick. Clover FC will look to expand on its winning streak in its next home game at Duffy Field on Saturday, April 18, at 7 p.m. against Dorchester City FC.

COLCHESTER, Vt. —

Vermont has a new soccer team in town.

Vermont Clover FC, a United Premier Soccer League club, made its official home debut at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester on Saturday, April 11.

Clover FC put on a show for its first set of home fans, completing a 4-0 shutout win against the Maine Mystics and expanding its record to 2-0.

The UPSL pits Clover FC against multiple clubs featuring college talent, designed as a pro-development league to improve those players across America.

Clover FC features a lot of local talent on its roster in its debut season, including Westport, NY native Henry Gibson. The former Section VII standout for Boquet Valley High School and current player for the Clinton Community College Cougars scored his team’s second-ever home game goal after finishing a header from former Champlain Valley Union High School and VPA standout Miles Bergeson’s free kick.

Clover FC will look to expand on its winning streak in its next home game at Duffy Field on Saturday, April 18, at 7 p.m. against Dorchester City FC.

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Vermont

Rep. Balint comments on ask for anti-poverty funding from White House

Published

1 day ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

Rep. Balint comments on ask for anti-poverty funding from White House

RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont’s federal delegation is demanding the White House release funding for local community action groups.

Vermont congressional leaders wrote the Trump administration earlier this week to urge the release of community service block grant funding for the state. Vermont would have received $4 million, helping fund community action organizations. There are currently 5 scattered across the state.

Congresswoman Becca Balint told WCAX: “Any funding that we secured was not taking into account the fact that prices were going to go up even more because of the war. The whole reason the Republicans said they needed to pass the so called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ last summer was to get people’s tax cuts.”

The funding provides financial aid and helps administer head start and energy assistance programs.

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