In 2013, Vermont held the distinction of having the lowest student-teacher ratio in the nation (10:1).  This might be a good thing — if it were affordable.  This bloat in school administrators relative to student population is a national infection, but Vermont's intractable bureaucrats are particularly agile.  Recently, Vermont enacted sweeping consolidation (Act 46) of its public schools, closing many small rural schools under the pretense of saving money — yet costs instead increased substantially.  In 2018, the Green Mountain State's schools' administration expenses were exceptionally expensive: Vermont's relatively highest spending category per pupil was in school administration ($1,296; US average $651), which was second highest only to DC ($1,447). Vermont ranked sixth in teacher salaries ($6,743, US average $4,603 ...) Vermont's anemic economy, struggling under high...(Read Full Post)