A long awaited report on school financing in Vermont concludes that the current system has been effective in providing equal educational opportunities for students throughout the state. And both supporters and opponents of Act 68 found something to praise about the report.

Governor Douglas wants to use new federal education money to reduce a deficit in the teacher's retirement fund. But Senator Sanders says Congress directed that it be used to avert teacher lay-offs.

Governor Douglas wants to deposit new federal education money directly into Vermont's teachers' pension fund. But the state's teachers oppose that plan. They argue the money should be used to help preserve teaching positions throughout the state.

Anti-hunger advocates in Vermont are upset because a bill funding education and Medicaid will be paid for by cutting Food Stamp spending.

We learn about Vermont's application process, and talk about whether or not the program is the right fit for the state.  Also, federal and state lead laws don't match up, and we celebrate the return of the cluster fly.

A group of Addison County towns will vote on Town Meeting Day whether to merge their school boards and possibly save money. Voters considered and killed the idea five years ago. But supporters say, with increasing costs and declining programming, this might be the year to try again.

VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with three school board members from different Vermont towns about managing and passing school budgets.

We check in with school board members across the state about the prospects for school budgets at Town Meeting next week.  Also, we learn about New York Governor David Paterson's re-election campaign, and we read from your letters.

When the legislature returns in January, education funding will be one of the many budget issues lawmakers will be dealing with.  Administration officials and the teachers' union are clashing over proposed restructuring and financing.

We talk to Martha Allen, the newly elected president of the VT-NEA, about the teachers' perspective on school funding and budget cuts. Also, Vermont Law School delegates in Copenhagen report back on the climate change conference. And, how to make igloos.

VPr's Jane Lindholm talks with Vermont's Education and Finance Commissioners about their ideas for changing school funding, in light of a declining state budget. 

We hear from Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca and Finance Commissioner James Reardon about their school budget cutting suggestions, and how they would change the school funding system.  Also, a new report looks at how charities fundraise.

Tax Commissioner Richard Westman says Vermont's reliance on the statewide property tax to help fund education isn't sustainable, and he wants lawmakers to address the issue before it becomes a major crisis.

VPR's Bob Kinzel talks with Commissioner Richard Westman and Paul Cillo, executive director of the Public Assets Institute about rising property taxes.

It's likely the state-wide property tax rate will go up for the first time since 1997. Tax commissioner Richard Westman discusses the reasons for the increase and his concerns for the future.

For school districts that don't have their own high school, families choose which school their kids attend. But as school boards look for ways to save money, limiting school choice might be an answer.

Twelve years ago next week, the Vermont Supreme Court handed down the Brigham decision, marking a major shift in the way that Vermont pays for public schools. This week Vermont Edition looks at the state's education funding law, Act 60: a method of ensuring that school opportunities are equal across the state, regardless of a town's wealth.