READING, Vt. (WCAX) - Small towns across Vermont are banding together to try to grow their way out of the state’s growing demographic crisis. It comes as state lawmakers will soon resume talks on a massive education reform bill, which could dramatically alter small schools across the state.

The Windsor County town of Reading is home to just under 700 people and has been declining for the past few decades. While local leaders are working to bring more people to town, they are keeping a very close eye on education reform talks at the Statehouse.

Reading’s elementary school is the beating heart of town and was home to some 80 students 20 years ago. Now, it’s half that.

It’s a demographic problem the state has faced for years. A shrinking pool of working-age Vermonters is shouldering more o

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