+-Note: These proposed minutes should be considered preliminary until they are approved as
reflected in the minutes of the next board meeting.
WINDHAM SOUTHEAST SCHOOL DISTRICT (WSESD) BOARD
TUESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2025
REGULAR BOARD MEETING – 6:00 PM
GUILFORD CENTRAL SCHOOL, 374 SCHOOL ROAD, GUILFORD AND REMOTELY VIA ZOOM
DRAFT MINUTES
Present
Deborah Stanford (DS), Anne Beekman (AB), Kim Price (KP), Riley Bristol (RB), Jessica Everlith
(JE), Jocelyn Fritts (JF), Tim Maciel (TM), Ruby McAdoo (RM), Brian Remer (BR), Colleen Savage
(CS), Matt Schibley (MS), Willow Sharma (WS)
WSESD staff and administration present (includes remote attendance)
Mark Speno, Brin Tucker, Mary Kaufmann, Kelly Dias, John Gagnon, Jon Sessions, Kate Margaitis,
Nancy Wiese, Hannah Parker, Keith Lyman, Stacey Sawyer, Tate Erickson
Others present
BCTV, Sam Thatcher, Jodi Nutting, Mary Gannon, Sam Thacher, Kerry Amidon
Absences
None noted
Summary
● Committed support for the Student Representatives to the Board on their initiative to explore the process of transitioning from elementary to middle to high school.
● The next two WSESD meetings are:
○ 10/28/25 – A Summit meeting with WSESD, WSESU and Vernon
○ First Monday in November, 11/4/25, at Putney Central (will not be meeting 11/11/25 as school is not in session that day)
● The WSESD Board has been awarded the BCTV Government/Education Partner Award. All are invited to a celebration at the Producer Party on 11/14/25 at 6 pm at the Stone Church.
● Linda Alvarez was recognized by the Board for being awarded the Vermont Teacher of the Year Award.
● The Board voted to follow the Administration’s recommendation for administering the Panorama survey.
● The resignation of Tom Daughton was accepted, with regret.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
DS called the meeting of the WSESD Board to order at 6:02 pm.
– If appropriate, agenda items are subject to Potential Action.
– If any Board Member feels that an item on the Consent Agenda warrants discussion,
that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be set aside for
discussion. In this way the Consent Agenda will be approved in one motion. That
request should be made now – or before the vote on the Consent Agenda.
– Amendments to the Agenda
Amendment to the 9/30/25 minutes was requested – add Jessica Everlith as present.
Amendment to the 10/10/25 minutes was requested – add Kelly Young as invited.
II. Student Matters
Student voices on the process of transitioning from elementary to middle to high school (Riley Bristol and Willow Sharma)
WS and RB shared concerns about assisting in engaging students as they progress from school to school, keeping students engaged in their education. A proposal was presented for an active plan to meet with students, learn about barriers. They are requesting 10 minutes each board meeting to present updates on this initiative.
TM strongly encouraged enlisting an advisor. RM suggested meeting with the programmatic performance and equity committee as this is a topic they are currently addressing. The Board expressed appreciation for this proposed work, and indicated their excitement in hearing their reports on this project.
Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
This is a time for the Board to listen and to take notes. It is not a time for the Board to respond to comments or to engage in dialogue with the public. If appropriate – the Board and Administration will work on next steps
None noted from the public body.
DS noted the following in regards to the upcoming board schedule.
– Next meeting on Oct 28 in WRCC, Summit starting at 5, warned meeting starts at 6
– The following meeting is Nov 4th at Putney Central
III. Board Matters
Announcement: BCTV Government/Education Partner Award
The WSESD Board has been awarded the BCTV Government/Education Partner Award. There will be a celebration on 11/14/25 at 6 pm, all are welcome to attend. DS noted that the hard work and dedication of the BCTV staff should be lauded.
A. Leadership Council Updates
TM – a recommendation was offered by a BAMS teacher asking for a “common Board update” for leadership councils. RM shared that the Communications Committee is planning to discuss similar topics and sharing out to the public work that is happening in the district, which would fold in leadership councils.
DS remarked that the Dummerston School ribbon cutting ceremony for the community walking trail as well as additional physical plant updates to the campus. Additionally she reported the school based theme of “Disability Justice” and how this walking path supports this theme.
B. Board Sub-Committees and SU Updates
The Communications Committee will be meeting on Thursday evening remotely. RM will connect with student reps regarding the Programmatic & Performance Equity next meeting details
The WSESU Board toured the Canal Street building providing a helpful foundation of understanding the way the district is supporting rising students. AB shared that a presentation was given by the Special Education team, and the Multi-lingual team, the slide deck can be viewed here. Also approved a contract with the VSBA for the superintendent evaluation. The WSESU Board also presented a first reading of the Superintendent Evaluation and Contract Negotiation policy.
AB recognized Linda Alverez for winning the Vermont teacher of the year award.
C. Update on legislative issues related to education (Tim & Jocelyn) Legislative Update and Webinar.
The BOCES (Boards Of Cooperating Educational Services) map has been presented by the statewide taskforce. BIMS, (BOCES + Intentional Merger Solution) was also presented, which would be driven by districts as opposed to the Legislature Taskforce. There is a need to determine if it is best to head into a Supervisory Union (SU) or a Supervisory District (SD). There was a preference for SU presented at that meeting.
Further discussion regarding a the AOE Survey (Vermont’s Public Education System
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCF831rVyoJLv0n-1-wLy6Vf6cfknsBEbbL5oWYmly
3651yg/viewform) and subsequent committee meetings
Upcoming Public Hearing Login Information
Leland & Gray High School, 2042 VT-30, Townshend, Thursday, October 16 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
To participate virtually: Microsoft Teams | Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 296 732 012 312 5 Passcode: cw3gJ7v5
Rutland High School, 22 Stratton Rd, Rutland October 22 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
To participate virtually: Microsoft Teams | Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 232 302 482 854 2 Passcode: rf2gs3PG
For full details please review the recording of this meeting, found here.
D. Update concerning Board Goals and WSESD Task Force re Redistricting (Jessica, Ruby, Kim, Tim)
There was information sent out regarding DQS vs. EQS for review to provide information so there is shared knowledge among the board.
Further discussion regarding dates and board goals ensued, including potential listening sessions and partnership with the communication council for full details please review the recording of this meeting, found here.
E. Update on Hazing, Harassment and Bullying (HHB)
– Agency on Education (AOE) Council on HHB – Mary Gannon
DS invited commentary from Mary Gannon who attends the AOE Council on HHB.
Mary Gannon noted appreciation for the Board’s commitment to addressing HHB. Mary encouraged the Board to consider what is working well, and what needs to be changed.
Mary noted two cases of HHB that the NAACP is engaged with in another district. She shared information regarding the history of, along with, what the Advisory Council is, and how it is utilized. She noted the nationwide issue of school climate and culture along with HHB and encouraged a preventative approach. For full details please review the recording of this meeting, found here.
Mark Speno shared that information will be brought to the Board on 11/4/25 which will be shared in Executive Session.
Entered break at 7:15 pm
Rose from break at 7:25 pm
F. Discussion of the role of the Board as established in policies
– C7 Board Relations with the Administrators
– C8 Board Relations with School Personnel
The Policy Committee meeting will be discussing these two policies. There are concerns that the policy errs on the side of negative language and consideration to update the language with more positive interactions with the Administration and school personnel. MS recommended using caution when undertaking this wordsmithing to not change the intent of the policy while making updates.
The discussion that ensued can be reviewed on the recording of this evening’s meeting, found here.
G. Confirmation of the timing of Panorama Student Climate Surveys (Fall and Spring?)
TM raised the topic of the administration of the Panorama Student Climate Survey and the schedule of administering it one time this year. He referred back to the minutes from 9/22/24 where a motion was passed related to administration of the survey in the fall and the spring. KP noted that this was on the administrative recommendation, the prior year the admin and board agreed to administer the survey once.
Mark Speno talked about the work the district undertook last year by creating a committee to review the administration of the Panorama survey. It was determined to administer the survey two times. Post that experience, administration noted that giving the survey two times in one school year was time consuming and did not provide significant data. Feedback from the teachers was that their preference was to administer the survey one time a year.
WS remarked that the student perspective supports decreasing from twice to once a year administration of the survey.
Sam Thatcher – Brattleboro resident and educator in the district, questioned if this is the best tool for gathering this data.
Brin Tucker spoke to how the data is being used at the building level.
MS MOTIONED THAT THE BOARD SUPPORT THE ADMINISTRATIONS DECISION ON PANORAMA
SURVEY DELIVERY. SECONDED.
RM noted that this motion is not necessary.
Liz Adams, asked if any school saw significant changes, and if there was, what can be learned from that school.
To hear this discussion in its entirety, refer to the recording of this meeting found here.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION PASSED 8-2.
H. Board Collaboration in creating Continuous Improvement Goals (CIP)
This agenda item will be delayed until 11/4/25.
IV. Administrative Report
Today there was a district wide professional development day for certified staff. At that meeting Mark Speno shared a document outlining the core values of the Central Office. He also shared that Secretary Saunders and five other AOE representatives were in attendance. There was a recognition of Linda Alvarez, winner of the Vermont Teacher of the Year award. He recapped the work that was done, sharing that many of the sessions offered were facilitated by our very own educators.
– As per Policy C7, #3 – Update on goals and objectives for administrators for the 2025-26 academic year Mark Speno and Mo Hart have developed a document outlining the plan, timeline and process for evaluation of administrators. To review the information presented, refer to the recording of this evening’s meeting, found here.
Hires, Resignations, Retirements
Tom Daughton, Assistant Principal at BAMS, will be retiring as of 12/31/25.
MS MOTIONED TO ACCEPT WITH APPRECIATION AND REGRET, THE RESIGNATION OF
TOM DAUGHTON AS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF BAMS. SECONDED.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
– Update from the committee charged with evaluating class ranking on transcripts Joe Gruta, head of the counseling department. He will be leading this work. They will be meeting next week to begin this work. The plan is to provide an update on 11/4/25.
V. Fiscal Report
No fiscal report this evening
VI. Consent Agenda
– Approval of Minutes for September 23, 2025, September 30, 2025, October 10, 2025
Warrant of September 8, 2025
BUHS ENDOWMENTS FAST 1091 in the amount of $6,000.00
WSESD FAST 1097 in the amount of $6,053.27
SAF 1098 in the amount of $105.61
WSESD REGULAR 1099 in the amount of $252,360.09
Total Accounts Payable $264,518.97
Payroll #5 of 9/5/25 in the amount of $1,731,635.00
Warrant of September 15, 2025
WSESD ARBITER PYMT 9/09/2025 in the amount of $1,220.20
WSESD FAST 1101 in the amount of $6,149.90
WSESD FAST 1102 in the amount of $33,626.99
WSESD FAST 1103 in the amount of $808.91
CAPITAL PROJECTS 1104 in the amount of $2,127.50
BUHS ENDOWMENTS 1105 in the amount of $1,350.00
SAF 1106 in the amount of $846.23
WSESD REGULAR 1107 in the amount of $212,486.67
Total Accounts Payable $258,616.40
Warrant of September 22, 2025
WSESD CREDIT CARD PYMT 9/11/25
in the amount of $25,035.24
WSESD ARBITER PYMT 9/15/25 in the amount of $1,122.40
WSESD FAST 1108 in the amount of $2,290.61
WSESD BUILDING TRADES 1117 in the amount of $4,265.50
SAF 1118 in the amount of $3,276.42
WSESD REGULAR 1119 in the amount of $1,271,578.19
Total Accounts Payable $1,307,568.36
Payroll #6 of 9/19/25 in the amount of $1,794,813.64
Warrant of September 29, 2025
WSESD ARBITER PYMT 9/23/25 in the amount of $2,160.00
WSESD ARBITER PYMT 9/23/25 in the amount of $378.00
WSESD FAST 1116 in the amount of $11,387.07
SAF FAST 1121 in the amount of $500.00
WSESD FAST 1122 in the amount of $6,400.00
WSESD FAST 1123 in the amount of $109,567.50
WSESD FAST 1124 in the amount of $6,744.53
WSESD FAST 1125 in the amount of $1,391.23
SAF 1127 in the amount of $722.16
WSESD REGULAR 1128 in the amount of $215,977.47
Total Accounts Payable $355,227.96
Warrant of October 6, 2025
WSESD ARBITER PYMT 9/30/25 in the amount of $1,081.20
WSESD FAST 1134 in the amount of $13,580.03
BUHS ENDOWMENT 1135 in the amount of $922.00
SAF REGULAR 1136 in the amount of $872.92
WSESD REGULAR 1137 in the amount of $1,204,906.88
Total Accounts Payable $1,221,363.03
Payroll #7 10/03/2025 $1,758,803.44
MS MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. SECONDED.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
VII. . New Business
Policy and Amendment Committee presents for a 1st Reading
– F5 Searches, Seizures, and Interrogation of Students By Law Enforcement Personnel or Other Non-School Personnel
VIII. Proposed Executive Session
1 V.S.A. §313 (a)(7) the academic records or suspension or discipline of students
AB CALLED FOR A MOTION TO FIND THAT THE PREMATURE GENERAL PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE
WOULD CLEARLY PLACE THE PUBLIC BODY OR PERSON INVOLVED AT A SUBSTANTIAL
DISADVANTAGE WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
UNDER 1 V.S.A. §313 (a)(7) THE ACADEMIC RECORDS OR SUSPENSION OR DISCIPLINE OF
STUDENTS. SECONDED.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
KP MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER 1 V.S.A. §313 (a)(7) THE ACADEMIC
RECORDS OR SUSPENSION OR DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS. INVITING IN MARK SPENO, KEITH
LYMAN AND A PARENT SECONDED, POTENTIAL ACTION ANTICIPATED
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Entered into Executive Session at 8:37pm.
Exited Executive Session at 9:18pm.
AB MOTION TO ACCEPT RECOMMENDATION OF ADMINISTRATION ON A STUDENT MATTER
SECONDED, MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
AB MOVED TO AJOURN. SECONDED
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
AJOURNED AT 9:18 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted on 10/19/25 by Board Clerk with special recognition to Tracey Drotts, Board Recorder.
A recording of this meeting can be found here as well as on the WSESU website.
