Vermont

Gov. Scott proposes sweeping education property tax reforms for Vermont: How it will work

Published

1 year ago

January 27, 2025

Gov. Scott proposes sweeping education property tax reforms for Vermont: How it will work

Gov. Phil Scott’s highly anticipated “bold” plans to reform the education property tax system were revealed on Jan. 22 — the most notable among them to completely redesign the funding formula and condense Vermont’s 52 school districts and supervisory unions into just five regional districts.

During the almost 50-minute presentation, Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders and Tax Commissioner Craig Bolio pitched the ambitious proposal as a way to make Vermont’s infamously complicated and expensive property tax system more affordable, transparent and predictable, while also improving education quality and equity.

Scott’s proposal comes after years of historic property tax increases, which hit a tipping point last year with an almost 14% jump, Saunders said. In response, an unprecedented 33% of school budgets failed to pass in 2024, especially in less wealthy areas of the state. Vermonters also showed their frustration when they voted in November to reduce Democrats’ legislative power from a supermajority to a slim lead in both the House and Senate.

“There is an urgency to act,” Saunders said.

Scott’s plan received initial positive reactions from House Speaker Krowinski (D-Burlington) and Senate pro tempore Phil Baruth (P/D-Burlington), who in a joint statement thanked the governor for his proposal and said committees in both chambers would pour over it and listen to community feedback in the coming weeks.

The Vermont-National Education Association (NEA), however, criticized the governor’s plan as “big on rhetoric but short on the details.”

“It doesn’t explain how these changes would be better for students,” the NEA said in a statement. “It doesn’t simplify an overly complex school funding system. And it doesn’t provide immediate and ongoing property tax relief for middle-class Vermonters.”

How would this change local school districts?

Scott’s plan seeks to simplify the governance structure of Vermont’s public school system — paring 52 school districts and supervisory unions down to five regional districts — which both Saunders and Bolio say would reduce redundancy, improve efficiency and free up funds for higher priorities, such as increasing teachers’ salaries.

Under the five-district model, each regional district would have one school board with elected members serving in paid part-time roles. Every district would have one central office with “robust” staff, Saunders said.

To maintain local influence under the new model, each school would have a school advisory council comprised of caregivers, educators, staff and students.

What are the five education regional districts?

Vermont’s five regional districts would be divided into the Champlain Valley district, Winooski Valley district, the Northwest region, the Southwest region and the Southeast region.

Each district would support between 10,000 to 15,000 students, except for Champlain Valley (where Chittenden County is located), which would support just over 34,000 students.

How does Scott think this will make schools more equitable and affordable?

Saunders said that Vermont’s current system fails to provide “equitable education for all,” especially for children who are economically disadvantaged, English learners, and children with special needs. But there are also disparities in Vermont’s system based on geography, with schools in poorer areas fielding fewer courses, credits and experienced staff members than wealthier areas, which in turn impacts performance outcomes, Saunders said.

Under the current property tax system, voters decide how much funding their individual communities need and the state raises it through statewide taxes, a system that does not incentivize voters from wealthier areas (who can afford higher taxes) to trim bloat from their budgets, Bolio said.

“The worst part is the lowest-spending, highest-needs communities struggled the most to pass their budgets,” Saunders said.

The new proposed funding formula, called a foundation formula, would put the legislature in charge of setting a base spending rate for each student, with added weights to balance the needs of traditionally disadvantaged students. If some districts want to spend more than what the state proposes, they can do so on an individual level.

“The biggest takeaway is the ability for us to ensure our students receive the same level of resources to meet their needs regardless of geography,” Saunders said.

How much that base rate will be has not been publicly released yet, but will be “very generous” in comparison to other states, while also affordable, according to Saunders.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.

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Vermont

Ugandan torture survivor and UVM Health Network nurse faces uncertain future in Vermont

Published

40 minutes ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Ugandan torture survivor and UVM Health Network nurse faces uncertain future in Vermont

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – We’re digging deeper into the story of Steven Tendo, an asylum seeker living in Vermont who was detained by ICE, but has been released. We spoke with his lawyer about his plan to stay in the states amidst the national immigration crackdown.

Stephen Tendo was a political activist in Uganda. He fled after he was tortured, shot in the leg, and lost two of his fingers. He sought asylum at a port of entry in Brownsville, Texas, in 2018.

In 2019, the Department of Homeland Security denied his application, and Tendo was detained for two and a half years.

The Department of Homeland Security says they denied his application for asylum because of inconsistencies.

“They had to do with his wife’s date of birth, as well as his prior visa application, which asked for all the countries that he traveled through,” said Christopher Worth, Tendo’s lawyer.

A non-profit research group found 69% of asylum applications were denied in 2019 during Trump’s first term. Tendo was released on an order of supervision in 2021, which means he could live and work in the U.S. while awaiting potential removal. Since then, he’s been a pastor and a nursing assistant in Vermont.

“Steven filed three applications for stays of removal, all of which were granted. He was scheduled for a check-in on Friday, February 6th. ICE had been notified that that’s when the stay application was being filed, but yet they took that day as the opportunity to arrest him two days before his check-in,” said Worth.

Tendo spoke with Senator Peter Welch about the conditions of the Dover detention center.

“The circumstances he described in Dover were really — very, very bad,” said Senator Welch.

A New Hampshire judge found ICE violated Tendo’s due process because the federal agency did not provide the required notice for revoking his supervised release. Tendo, who has no criminal record, walked free on February 20th.

“The pattern that we’re seeing is that ICE seems to have a quota for arrests. I’ve heard that they have to make 3,000 arrests every day, and that’s very hard to do. And so, ICE seems to be arresting everyone they possibly can, whether or not that person may be removed or not,” said Worth.

Tendo is expected to check in with ICE on March 20th at their St. Albans office. While his attorneys are hard at work trying to delay his potential removal, it’s unclear if he will be detained again before then.

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Vermont

VT Lottery Mega Millions, Gimme 5 results for Feb. 27, 2026

Published

13 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.

Here’s a look at Feb. 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Vermont Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23

Check Vermont Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Gimme 5 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

03-22-25-35-37

Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 8-7-9

Evening: 5-3-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 3-4-6-6

Evening: 8-5-3-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

03-04-13-28-42, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.

All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.

Vermont Lottery Headquarters

1311 US Route 302, Suite 100

Barre, VT

05641

When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?

Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Vermont

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

How to see a reindeer in Vermont

Vermont Reindeer Farm in West Charleston is home to the only three reindeer, or caribou, living in the state. Here’s what it’s like to visit them.

Looking for ways to enjoy the rest of the cold New England winter?

While staying indoors often seems better than facing the cold, the region has lots of outdoor activities that brighten the winter season, including skiing, snow tubing and, of course, ice skating. From Burlington to Stratton, Vermont has plenty of indoor and outdoor ice rinks, many of which offer lessons, concessions and special events in addition to ice skating.

Here are five places in Vermont where you can go ice skating this winter.

Spruce Peak Village Ice Rink

This outdoor ice rink is located in the heart of the village at Spruce Peak, a ski resort in Stowe formerly known as Stowe Mountain Lodge.

Guests can skate daily surrounded by the majestic ski slopes of the Green Mountains. On Friday nights, the Spruce Peak Village ice rink hosts glow skate parties with a light show, glow sticks and a live DJ. Skate rentals and lessons are also available for purchase.

When: Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday or noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Spruce Peak, 7412 Mountain Road, Stowe

Ice Haus Arena

Located up at Jay Peak Resort near the Canadian border, Ice Haus Arena is the newest ice-skating arena in the state. The indoor rink is complete with bleacher seating, a rental and repair shop, four locker rooms, a pro shop, a snack bar and of course, an NHL-sized rink where guests can participate in public skating or skating with sticks and pucks.

General admission to the rink is $6, with skate rentals available for $6, skate sharpening available for $7 and helmets available for $3.

When: Online schedule updated daily

Where: Jay Peak Resort, 830 Jay Peak Road, Jay

C. Douglas Cairns Recreation Arena

This indoor arena has not one, but two NHL-size ice rinks for hockey, public skating and stick and puck practices. Off the ice, Cairns Arena also offers a pro shop and a cafe with hot food, snacks and drinks.

Skating at Cairns costs $5 for adults or $3 for children and seniors, and skates are available to rent for an additional $5.

When: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Thursday, with exceptions. Check the online schedule at cairnsarena.finnlyconnect.com..

Where: 600 Swift St., South Burlington

Mill House at Stratton Mountain Resort

Surrounded by the scenic Stratton Mountain Resort, Mill House Pond is the perfect outdoor spot for public ice skating or skating lessons.

Public skating costs $20, and bookings can be made online.

When: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday or noon to 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday and Sunday-Monday

Where: Stratton Mountain Resort, 5 Village Lodge Road, Stratton Mountain

Riley Rink at Hunter Park

A large indoor sports facility, Northshore Civic Center has an Olympic-sized ice rink, along with a concession stand and retail shop. The rink offers public skating, stick and puck practice, hockey and skating lessons.

When: Check the online schedule for weekly updates

Where: 410 Hunter Park Road, Manchester Center

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