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The story of Vermont’s schools these days is largely defined by a declining number of school-aged kids. But the state’s 17 career and technical education centers are beating the odds � and seeing an increase in applicants.

Since the beginning of the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers in both the House and Senate have been working on their counterproposal to Gov. Phil Scott’s sweeping plan to overhaul public education. But it’s become clear that the two chambers are moving in very different directions.

This will likely come as welcome news to property taxpayers, who saw bills rise an average of almost 14% this year. But the use of $118 million one-time funds to buy down rates is a risky move � and one that could set schools and taxpayers up for a financial cliff in the following year.

Thursday’s vote was 22 to 8 in favor of her confirmation. All 13 Republicans and nine of 16 Democrats voted for Saunders.

The most recent edition of the state’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which is conducted in partnership with the state and the federal government, saw about a fifth of all high school students report bullying in 2023, and about one in seven make a suicide plan.

Budgets passed in at least 101 districts on Tuesday, according to preliminary data compiled by the state’s superintendent and school boards associations, and failed in just nine districts, many of which typically have trouble passing budgets.

Samantha Sheehan, a lobbyist for the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, told lawmakers Friday that, practical considerations aside, such services were the state’s job to deliver � not cities and towns.

Education officials argue that without intervention, health costs will only continue to cannibalize ever-larger shares of local school budgets � no matter what cost-containment measures Montpelier decides to impose on districts.

Like most school districts across Vermont, Essex Westford is facing dwindling enrollment and intense inflationary pressure, mostly notably in health care. Insurance costs are projected to reach approximately $16 million next year � about 14% of the district’s total budget.

Breaking down Rutland’s mayoral race, which has recently generated some controversy for the well-known candidates. Plus, Democratic legislative leaders decry the Scott administration’s efforts to roll back climate policy, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital support staff have unionized, University of Vermont officials generally expect research to continue like normal despite Trump administration efforts to cut federal funding, and a Barre granite quarry is no longer offering public tours.