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WOODBURY, Vt. (AP) — Vermont with its rural communities and small schools has been discussing for years how to address declining enrollment and rising education costs.
Now legislation under consideration would create larger school districts and do away with state grants to some small schools in 2020 to encourage them to join other school districts.
House Education Committee Chairman David Sharpe says the aim is to create larger school districts to give students more educational opportunities, while saving money through efficiencies.
For places like Woodbury, where the elementary school has about 50 students, including just one third grader, the prospect is alarming. The school could lose a $74,000 grant.
Schools that would require long or difficult drives to reach and that offer educational opportunities that meet standards set by the State Board of Education would be exempt.
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