Ethan Weinstein

After a week of secret meetings, Democrats, Republicans and the governor's office agreed a compromise was close.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Democratic leaders reach a compromise on education funding and governance reform, avoiding forced district mergers.

In a significant change of stance, Gov. Phil Scott and his team appeared likely to agree not to push for mandated mergers if lawmakers agreed to accelerate the path to voluntary mergers and a new education funding formula.

A deal between Republican Gov. Phil Scott and Democratic leadership on the year’s massive education funding and governance reform bill took a big step forward Friday, May 22, after a week of secret meetings. Some signaled a deal could even be solidified early this week.

Sen. Seth Bongartz, D-Bennington, speaks on the floor of the Senate at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. GLENN RUSSELL / VtDigger

Also in Final Reading: Eye doctors and health insurance

Big questions remain, such as what shape a new education funding formula could take, and how many districts will actually decide to consolidate.

May 10, 2026: The day the Wizards franchise changed forever. When Mark Tatum opened up the 13th envelope, showing a purple music note, the Wizards had officially gotten the first pick in the NBA Draft for the first time in 16 years. After three seasons of tanking, the rebuild was complete. But a time that […] The post Wizards Must Take the Simple Path and Draft AJ Dybantsa appeared first on The Lead.

Vermont's education reform bill H.955 aims to facilitate voluntary district consolidation, limit school district spending, and introduce a new funding formula.

The Wizards have done it. The culmination of a brutal three-year tank, resulting in a combined 50 wins, is that AJ Dybantsa is a Washington Wizard. The first-ranked prospect in his class for years, Dybantsa has been touted as a franchise-changing level prospect. Now he will get to show it. DC has been looking for […] The post AJ Dybantsa Will Save the Washington Wizards appeared first on The Lead.