In light of new state policy, local schools reconsidering masks

After Gov. Scott recommended lifting school masking recommendations, some Addison County schools are making tentative plans to do so.

The group discussing the merger of Vergennes- and Bristol-area schools is not ready to commit to local control of elementary schools.

RIPTON — With the town of Ripton essentially home-free in its bid to separate from the Addison Central School District (see vote story), the tiny town now faces the huge task of finding an entity that could help it secure special education, transportation … (read more)

ADDISON — Addison residents have successfully petitioned for a revote on whether the town should leave the Addison Northwest School District.A petition containing 135 signatures, not all of which had been verified as of late Thursday afternoon, arrived at … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — There were more empty desks than usual in county classrooms after this past week’s Thanksgiving break. School officials said there were two reasons for what Addison Central School District Superintendent Peter Burrows called a “slight upt … (read more)

Editor’s note: This story first appeared in Monday’s Addison Independent newsletter and was updated Wednesday morning for the print edition. ADDISON COUNTY — Though the Vermont Agency of Education has given them the option to do so, officials in Addison C … (read more)

The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, Vermont Academy of Family Physicians and Vermont Medical Society join Governor Scott and the Vermont Department of Health in calling on Vermonters to refrain from any social gathering in order to protect … (read more)

As in-person instruction goes on at area schools despite a raging pandemic, Vermont is tracking COVID cases among K-12 students and teachers. But the state’s data, provided in a weekly report, can be hard to read, and doesn’t include some of the most rece … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — Tuesday’s announcement by Secretary of Education Daniel French that Vermont schools would move on Saturday into Step 3 of their pandemic reopening will not necessarily mean immediate changes, but schools will have more options on the tabl … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury-area parents have been looking ahead to the start of school on Sept. 8 with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. Returning to campus will represent a return to “normal” for many families, even if it’s only for two days each w … (read more)

District leaders began releasing plans last week for bringing students back this fall. But their proposals for reopening the state’s preK-12 schools diverge in significant ways, and some fear Vermont’s uncoordinated approach will require officials to go b … (read more)

UPDATED to include the new opening date for Vermont schools. ADDISON COUNTY & BRANDON — It will be “back to school” in the truest sense of the phrase in Addison County this fall, albeit with a few twists. The Addison Central, Addison Northwest and Mount A … (read more)

BRISTOL — Mount Abraham Union School District released its plans for the fall reopening yesterday: Read them here.

ORWELL — The Slate Valley Unified Union School District (SVUUSD) on Tuesday announced students would return to Orwell Village School this fall.  It is part of a school re-entry plan in which students in kindergarten through 8th grade will attend classes o … (read more)

I don’t know who needs to hear this. Apparently, our leaders will not. How do you justify opening the college or schools when you are holding all of the planning meetings virtually? Does it make sense to anyone that our local government is not open for bu … (read more)