MAUSD picks rep for merger committee

The school board appointed Herb Olson as its first representative to the committee set to begin exploring possible school district mergers in the region next month.

Our area’s three unified school districts are struggling to get children to school.

The Mount Abraham Unified School District announced that it has hired 30 new employees for the 2026-2027 school year.

It’s a big week for kids in Addison County, who will see their summer ending and the school year starting this Wednesday, Aug. 26.

After accounting for other figures that factor into the overall homestead tax rate, the total rate will reflect an increase of around 2.5-cents.

The panel will recommend ways of creating savings and efficiencies by combining services delivered individually at area school districts

“What this comes down to is the fact that my child’s mental health and our lack of wealth has created her inability to go,” said Mary Blacklock

The school board received new information about what it could look like for New Haven students to attend another elementary school in the district and discussed more options to explore.

“The (weightier discussion) is going to be the voluntary mergers.” — Wendy Baker

The weeklong tradition showcases visual art, features various performances and welcomes visiting artists.

The board will continue exploring cost-saving opportunities that keep all schools open, moving central office into a school building and potentially closing New Haven’s Beeman Elementary School.

The school board last week decided on which schools it will explore keeping open in each of the education delivery options it’s considering for the district.

The school board decided to table approving that timeline and is expected to revisit it at the board’s April 14 meeting.

Starksboro residents will start exploring what it would require for the town to withdraw from the Mount Abraham Unified School District, should their community decide to pursue that option in the future.

The school board last week discussed an evaluation tool that could be used to help analyze options and a timeline for making decisions.