People in Vergennes and Addison have forced a re-vote on a decision to govern their schools with a unified union.
Two-thirds of the voters in the five towns of Addison Northwest Supervisory Union approved a measure to consolidate their school districts on Town Meeting Day.
The union’s three elementary schools and high school would be governed by one board instead of eight, a measure that supporters say would save money and stream-line services. The district was held up as a leader by school officials in Vermont.
But petitions in two of the towns have gathered enough signatures to put the measure to voters again.
Addison Northwest Superintendent Tom O’Brien says he’s disappointed, but not surprised by the petitions. Boards will meet next week to decide the date of the re-vote. If either town votes down the measure this time, the entire consolidation effort will fail.