By Guy Page

The South Burlington School District is bringing in an outside investigator to examine allegations about a “black book” — a handmade notebook reportedly containing critical comments about former superintendent Violet Nichols — that was allegedly circulated among teachers at social gatherings, according to an August 7 report by Libby Darr in The Other Paper, the community newspaper for South Burlington.

The investigation follows a July 23 complaint from Kristin Romick, the district’s Executive Director of Educational Support Services and now acting superintendent. Romick claims the book, which includes questions and commentary about district leadership, was passed around at a June 13 post-graduation party and other “Payday Friday” gatherings. One question allegedly read, “What is the next lie the superintendent will tell us?”

Romick alleges the book was distributed at the party by Beth Adreon, co-president of the South Burlington Educators’ Association, and that conversations there hinted at a coordinated effort to oust certain district leaders, including Nichols. Nichols resigned Aug. 1 amid tensions between the teachers’ union and district leadership.

Union leaders deny possessing a “burn book,” calling the complaint retaliation for protected union activity. They acknowledge a book exists but describe it as a space for teachers to share thoughts unrelated to the union.

School board chair Seamus Abshere confirmed a third-party probe is underway, saying the board will await the facts before drawing conclusions.

Sanders blasts Trump cut of $7 bil ‘Solar for All’

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Monday condemned the Trump administration’s decision to cancel $7 billion in funding for the Solar for All program, a measure Sanders authored to help working-class families afford rooftop solar panels or join community solar projects.

Sanders said the initiative could cut household electric bills by up to 80%, create thousands of jobs, and advance efforts to combat climate change. He accused President Trump of trying to “illegally kill” the program to protect profits for the oil and gas industry.

“At a time when working families are getting crushed by skyrocketing energy costs and the planet is literally burning, sabotaging this program isn’t just wrong — it’s absolutely insane,” Sanders said, vowing to fight to preserve the program.

First step in Rutland city infrastructure upgrade gets OK

The Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC) has approved the City of Rutland’s first phase filing in its Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, paving the way for an October 7 bond vote that would allow the City to move forward with critical infrastructure upgrades along Center and Wales Streets in support of the proposed hotel.

VEPC unanimously approved the first phase filing during its July 31 meeting. It outlines the City’s plans to begin work on burying overhead electrical lines, as well as upgrades to water, sewer and stormwater systems. Streetscape enhancements, such as wider sidewalks, improved lighting and landscaping, are also included in the scope.

The Center Street improvements represent the beginning of a series of infrastructure and development projects that will occur within the TIF District over the next decade. Future phases will include redevelopment at sites such as the Downtown Plaza, the area known as “Key West” at the intersection of Wales and West Streets, and several others.

Tax Increment Financing allows municipalities to fund public infrastructure projects through a bond, which is then repaid over time using a portion of property tax revenues generated by the new development. Rutland’s TIF District was created with the goal of unlocking new economic opportunities, while also addressing long-standing infrastructure needs, without increasing the tax burden on current residents.

Approval of the first phase filing enables the City to hold a bond vote, which is scheduled for October 7. This bond vote will authorize the City to move forward with the first round of infrastructure projects on Center Street.

Rodgers picked for national LG post

Lt. Governor John Rodgers was appointed by his peer lieutenant governors as an at-large member of the 2025-2026 Executive Committee of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) at the NLGA Annual Meeting last month.

“I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve in a national leadership role with NLGA, where I can participate in the exchange of ideas and solutions to the shared challenges we face in the states and territories,” said Lt. Governor Rodgers. “I look forward to the bipartisan dialogue with my lieutenant governor peers in the year ahead.”

The NLGA Executive Committee is the governing body of NLGA. NLGA is the nonpartisan, professional association for the elected officials who are first in line of succession to governor the 50 states and five U.S. territories.

Scott balks at Dem pix for Mari Cordes seat

VPO columnist John Walters spills the beans on a recent Addison Independent news story: Gov. Scott isn’t happy with either the candidates or the selection process to replace Addison-4 Dem. Rep. Mari Cordes, who resigned her seat to move to Canada. (VDC readers may remember that Cordes accused editor Guy Page of child abuse following our coverage of the detransitioning seminar shouted down at the Vermont State House,) Walters writes:

“The normal process for filling a legislative vacancy is for a local committee of the party of the departed lawmaker to get together and provide three names for the governor, who customarily chooses one of them. It’s standard practice to replace a lawmaker with one who represents the same political party. In this case, the Addison District Representative Committee considered five people as potential Cordes successors — including former state rep David Sharpe. They forwarded three names to the governor, including Sharpe…

“…And now the governor is balking at appointing any of the three. Instead, he has asked the ADRC to provide him with contact information for the two individuals who were not put forward. He hasn’t explicitly rejected the three names submitted, but his request is highly unusual and the ADRC is dismayed by it.”

Well, that is a puzzle, John. Could it be that the governor remembers when Sharpe championed the legislature’s most recent failed attempt to reduce school spending?