A Vermont Senate committee has approved its version of a bill that would encourage school districts to merge into larger ones.
The Senate Education Committee unanimously approved the bill Wednesday night that would increase financial incentives for school districts to merge and remove some support for districts that don't.
The measure is aimed at trimming costs and expanding the range of class offerings available to students.
The vote came after about 100 people turned out for a public hearing on the bill. The Burlington Free Press reports that some voiced concern about the fate of small schools and districts. Others requested that the state focus on students and education quality rather than school-board structures.
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