Vermont school mergers urged

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) -- Vermont lawmakers are hoping a new approach will get more school districts to merge.

A plan approved two years ago had one regional school board take the place of local town boards. So far, that’s happened just once and voters in some towns have expressed concern about a further loss of local control.

This year, the Legislature passed a bill that provides more flexibility by creating the opportunity for some towns in a supervisory union to create their own single district, even if others decide not to join.