<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2NpGjp_1FPQCsQy00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2NpGjp_1FPQCsQy00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>The Milton Town School District shared information about the upcoming school merger study during the Milton Activities Fair. MTSD is seeking community input through a new survey as the district prepares to participate in the state-required merger study process under Act 170. Shannon Gunderson</figcaption></figure>MILTON — Milton residents are being asked to weigh in on which neighboring school districts they would prefer to study merging with as Vermont moves forward with a statewide overhaul of its public education system.The Milton Town School District Board of Trustees recently launched a merger preference survey as the district prepares to participate in a merger study committee required under Act 170, the education transformation law enacted earlier this year.MTSD is currently grouped with Colchester School District and Grand Isle Supervisory Union for the merger study process, but the district has an opportunity to request placement in a different group. The survey asks community members to share their preference before those groups are finalized.Board Chair Karen Stout said the survey gives residents an opportunity to make their preferences known early in the process, before Milton begins formally studying a possible merger with other districts.Stout said community surveys are particularly useful when they receive strong participation, giving the board and those involved in the merger process more information about what residents want as discussions move forward.The merger studies stem from Act 170, which Gov. Phil Scott approved in June. The law requires every Vermont school district to participate in an exploratory merger committee as the state considers a shift toward larger school districts.Under the law, merger committees will examine whether participating districts could form a larger unified union school district. Each committee will include school board representatives from participating districts and work with a trained facilitator. Committees are expected to analyze the strengths and challenges of their existing structures as well as potential efficiencies, educational opportunities and governance under a merger.The process does not mean Milton has already agreed to merge.Merger committees are required to submit final reports by Sept. 1, 2027. If a committee recommends creating a new unified district, the proposal will undergo additional state review before going to voters in the affected communities on March 7, 2028. Any approved new districts are expected to take effect for the 2029-30 school year.MTSD stated after its final merger-study group is determined, the board plans to continue seeking community input about the values and priorities that should guide Milton through the process.The merger preference survey is available through the Milton Town School District website. </div></body>

Block Source: miltonindependent.com

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MILTON — Milton residents are being asked to weigh in on which neighboring school districts they would prefer to study merging with as Vermont moves forward with a statewide overhaul of its public education system. The Milton Town School District Board of Trustees recently launched a merger preference survey...

MTSD seeks community input ahead of potential school district merger

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MILTON — Milton residents are being asked to weigh in on which neighboring school districts they would prefer to study merging with as Vermont moves forwar

MTSD seeks community input ahead of potential school district merger

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