Current News

Parent Co., formed in Summer 2014, builds technology for internet connected parents around the world, a market that is both massive and surprisingly underserved. After raising an initial seed round of $1.8 Million from private investment, the company acquired Notabli(www.notabli.com). The mobile-first app, which just launched on desktop today, allows parents to save, organize, and share their kids' most memorable moments (photos, video, audio, quotes and notes) with those who care most.

The Vermont Lottery, in a partnership with the Vermont Agency of Education, announces a new twice annual program to provide a competitive grant to K-12 public schools in the form of a cart of computing devices. The program will provide one set of 20 devices and a mobile cart to one awardee school. The devices will consist of either Apple iPads, or Google Chromebooks, (choice made by the school) and the devices will become the property of the school.

Schools must follow guidelines in the application process to create or support an innovative program or project at a local school with the addition of the 20 devices to a school’s technology program. Special consideration is being given to schools that are highly rural and have a significant population of qualified students in the Free and Reduced lunch program.

Vermont Federal Credit Union will be awarding four $2,000 educational scholarships to students with a history of strong academic achievement and service to the community. The credit union is accepting scholarship applications from now until April 6, 2015. Two $2,000 scholarships will be granted to graduating high school seniors who have been accepted to an accredited undergraduate program at a college, trade school or university for the fall of 2015 or spring of 2016. Additionally, two $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to students already enrolled in or looking to go back to an undergraduate program at a college, trade school or university during the fall of 2015 or spring of 2016.

by Tom Pelham It’s a mathematical and fiscal fact. In 2010, state spending from the general fund was $1.087 billion. Given the annual budget adjustment just passed by the House, state general fund spending for fiscal 2015 will be $1.406 billion. That equates to an annual spending growth rate of 5.3 percent. If, however, since 2010 state general fund spending had increased at a 3 percent rate, spending would be $1.26 billion or $146 million less than the House passed budget adjustment.

by Governor Peter Shumlin Pursuing clean energy policies in Vermont isn’t just about doing what is right for our environment and protecting our unrivaled quality of life. A thriving clean energy sector is also integral to our economy, keeping young people in Vermont, and making the state a more affordable place to live. That is why I feel so strongly that we must lead on creating a clean energy economy based on Vermont values. If we do so, we will add to the 15,000 jobs already supported by the clean energy industry, help homeowners save hundreds of millions on energy costs, and do our part to help combat climate change.

The Barre Town School District was chosen to receive $60,000 from EPA to pay for three new school buses that emit less pollution than the older buses. The Vermont school district will receive the rebates through EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act funding. Barre Town School District was among five fleets in New England and 76 fleets in 30 states that will receive more than $3 million in rebates through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, administered by EPA. Nationwide, the funds will pay to replace 210 older diesel school buses with new buses that are more than 90 percent cleaner. The replacements will reduce pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that are linked to health problems including asthma and lung damage.

Norwich University’s Career Services Center has received $12,000 in grant funding from the Vermont Department of Labor to support student internships by providing partial reimbursements for gas mileage. The funding is calculated to support 50 students with up to $500 in mileage reimbursement during the calendar year of 2015. Students qualify by applying to the Career Services Center. Eligible students will receive $.25/mile after the first 20 miles.

“Even though gas prices continue to fall, many students at Norwich find it difficult to pay fuel costs to commute to internships in Burlington, and that can be a barrier to even pursuing those opportunities,” said Jim Graves, internship coordinator. “This grant funding will support more internship options for more Norwich students.”

by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org Lawmakers have just 10 weeks to resolve a widening budget gap that could run as high as $130 million, and no one knows at this point where the money will come from. Five days after Governor Peter Shumlin proposed a budget on January 15 that addresses a $94 million potential deficit, state tax revenues were downgraded by $18.6 million. In the intervening weeks, the Shumlin administration has yet to present a proposal to fill the hole.

AFT Vermont released a report entitled "Reclaiming the Promise for Affordable Public Higher Education in Vermont" Friday at the Vermont State House. Faculty members, a student, and Vermont legislators gathered to highlight the decades of disinvestment in the Vermont State Colleges and University of Vermont and to call for renewed commitment to funding from the state.

"For 35 years the state has neglected public higher education, placing a significant burden on Vermont families as they struggle to pay one of the highest tuitions in the country," explained Linda Olson, vice president of higher education for AFT Vermont. "When the Vermont State Colleges were created, the state's commitment was to fund them 'in whole or substantial part.' We are here to reclaim that promise."

As expected, the Burlington Board of School Commissioners introduced Yaw Obeng as the new, permanent Superintendent of Burlington Schools on Thursday. Obeng comes to Burlington with more than 20 years educational experience as a teacher, principal, and district administrator in the Toronto and Halton, Ontario Schools. School Board Chair Patrick Halladay announced the hiring decision.

"Throughout our thorough and inclusive search process, we worked diligently to find the best leader for our school district. We sought a leader with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to help us build on our considerable strengths and address our challenges. Yaw Obeng has the experience and enthusiasm we wanted for our District."

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) has been active in the media with talks on whether or not he will decide to run for presidency in 2016. Records from the Federal Election Commission confirmed that Ready for Bernie Sanders 2016 Super PAC is live and active to support a possible run to be the next US president.

New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU), as part of its ongoing mission of community support, recently made contributions to four important Franklin County organizations. “NEFCU is committed to giving back to the communities that support us,” noted Senior Marketing Executive Cindy Morgan. “We appreciate the opportunity to help these four wonderful organizations fulfill their helping missions.”

Recipients of $5,000 donations included:

• Franklin-Grand Isle United Way

• Franklin County Home Health Agency

• Tim’s House

• Martha’s Kitchen