Town Meeting Day 2026: Vermont Voters Tackle School Budgets and Local Issues

Town Meeting Day 2026 has concluded, with Vermont communities weighing in on crucial decisions regarding school budgets, municipal governance and local projects. Unofficial results reveal a mix of approvals and rejections, setting the stage for further discussion and potential revotes in some areas.

School Budget Results

School budgets were a central focus for many voters, with several districts facing difficult choices regarding funding and potential school closures. Here’s a breakdown of some key results:

• Alburgh Town School District: Budget failed, 201 to 256.
• Barre Unified Union School District: Budget failed, 991 to 1,362.
• Burlington School District: Budget passed, 5,900 to 2,879.
• Champlain Islands Unified Union School District (Grand Isle): Budget passed, 440 to 417.
• Champlain Valley School District: Budget passed, 4,085 to 2,210.
• Colchester School District: Budget passed.
• Craftsbury School District: Budget passed, 101 to 29.
• Danville School District: Budget passed, 167 to 98.
• Fletcher School District: Budget passed, 153 to 85.
• Maple Run Unified School District: Budget passed.
• Milton Town School District: Budget failed, 1238 to 1266.
• Missisquoi Valley School District: Budget failed, 721-843.
• Mount Ascutney School District: Budget passed, 351-300.
• St. Johnsbury School District: Budget passed, 627 to 606.
• South Burlington: Budget passed, 1,915 to 1,777.
• Winooski School District: Budget passed, 662 to 221.

Districts whose budgets failed will need to submit new proposals for voter consideration. If a school district cannot pass a budget by July 1st, they may have to borrow money from the state, up to 87% of their most recently approved budget.

Other Notable Votes

• Burlington: Residents voted to increase the public safety tax and approved a charter change to formally establish the ‘Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging’ Department within the municipal government.
• Brattleboro: Voters decided to discontinue the traditional town meeting format, where a body of voting members votes on municipal laws and appropriations, by a margin of less than 100 votes.
• Montpelier: Marc Gwinn was appointed as the new mayor, succeeding Jack McCullough.
• Rutland: Tom Donahue won the write-in mayoral election, completing the term left by former mayor Mike Doenges, who resigned unexpectedly.
• South Burlington: Voters approved a $2,300,000 bond to construct a 2,333 square foot addition to the fire station on Dorset Street.
• Williston: A $13.9 million bond passed for renovations at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library.
• Winooski: Thomas Renner won the uncontested mayoral race, becoming Vermont’s first black mayor. Voters also approved $950,000 in bonds for upgrades to the Winooski Police Department building and City Hall.