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 APRIL 22, 2025
REGULAR BOARD MEETING – 6:00 PM
WRCC CUSICK CONFERENCE ROOM AND REMOTELY VIA ZOOM
DRAFT MINUTES
Present
Deborah Stanford (DS), Kim Price (KP), Anne Beekman (AB), Jessica Everlith (JE), Jocelyn Fritts (JF), Tim Maciel (TM), Ruby McAdoo (RM), Brian Remer (BR), remote, Matt Schibley (MS),
WSESD staff and administration present (includes remote attendance) and BCTV, Mark Speno, Stacey Sawyer, Nancy Wiese, Mary Kaufmann, Brin Tucker, Julianne Eagan, John Gagnon, Hannah Parker, Kerri Beebe, Janet Slesinski
Others present
Jody Normandeau, Curtis Clough, Liz Adams, Keith’s personal phone, Michelle Green, Kerry Amidon, Liz Adams
Absences
Laiba Eager (LA), Theia Wepaolki (TW), Colleen Savage (CS)
Summary
● A statement was read into the minutes shared by the Dummerston LC related to their commitment to DEI.
● The Finance Committee updated the Board about their regular meeting time: second Monday of the month at 5 pm. Location to be determined.
● The Board moved to approve a reimbursement of up to $100.00 per annum per Board Member to purchase publications for professional development as deemed pertinent to their work on the Board.
● A draft was approved regarding the composition of the Harassment, Hazing and Bullying Advisory Committee that will be sent to Secretary Saunders, Ms. Watterson, and Chair McBroom.
● A presentation was made related to the Education Quality Standards (EQS) and District Quality Standards (DQS) which will go into effect on 7/1/25.
● Two hires and three resignations were approved
● The Board entered an Executive Session resulting in an action.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
DS called the WSESD meeting to order at 6:01 pm
– Hybrid Statement
– 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
DS would like to remove the minutes from 4/10/25 as they are not linked on the website at the moment.
TM MOTIONED TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE MINUTES FROM 4/8/25 TO INCLUDE THE
STATEMENT HE MADE REGARDING DEI IN THE DISTRICT. SECONDED.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
II. Student Matters
None noted at this time.
III. 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.
Jody Normandeau, Dummerston resident, asked if the letter from the students has been shared with the legislators regarding education reform.
Curtis Clough, President of Teamsters Local 597 in Barre came this evening to speak about the transportation RFP (request for proposal) that is currently underway for our district. He expressed concern about FM Kuzmeskus/Beacon Mobility, WSESU’s current contracted company.
IV. Board Matters Part 1:
A. Leadership Council Updates
MS shared a statement from the Dummerston LC that was requested be read into the record today regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The statement can be found here. RM suggested that this statement be shared with all the leaders from the other school Leadership Councils. RM inquired about the Gender Freedom policy. DS noted that the proposed policy has been sent to the district’s attorney for feedback. The Gender Freedom policy is actively in discussion.
Upon inquiry about the next LC Chair summit, Mark Speno indicated it would likely be held in early May.
B. Board Sub-Committees and SU Updates
The Finance Committee had a reorganizational meeting. Moving forward, the meetings will be held on the second Monday of the month at 5 PM. The location is yet to be determined. RM encouraged Board members to attend even if they are not on the committee.
DS shared that the Policy Committee will be discussing the policy related to the contract and annual evaluation of the Superintendent.
Update from the WSESU
● Created the position of the Assistant Director of the Food Services
● Hires, Resignations, Retirements
● Curriculum and Assessment gave a very informative presentation. (link to presentation)
● Determined to sign the open letter to the AOE in response to the DEI conversation being held in the State
C. Update on legislative issues related to education (Tim & Jocelyn)
TM updated on legislative issues including:
● The Governor’s proposed plan for education in VT
● Bill S.15 Enhance Literacy
● Bill S.21 – Cell phone free environments in school
● Bill H.122 State Aid for School Construction Program
● Bill H.130 – Advisory Council on addressing harassment, hazing and bullying in the schools (HHB)
D. Feedback concerning $100 annually (per Board Member) for relevant texts/publications
DS reviewed where the conversation was left at the last meeting.
TM MOTIONED THAT UP TO $100.00 PER ANNUM BE REIMBURSED TO EACH BOARD MEMBER TO
PURCHASE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PUBLICATIONS THAT THEY DEEM PERTINENT TO THEIR
WORK ON THE BOARD. THE BOARD CLERK WILL BE NOTIFIED OF ALL PURCHASES. SECONDED.
A discussion followed about the types of materials permissible for purchase, accountability, and steps to be taken. It was suggested that Board members email the Board Clerk what they are purchasing so it can be read into the minutes.
Kerri Amidon suggested that this lie with the Personnel Committee.
Michele Green asked for clarification that these funds are for professional development.
The motion was discussed and revised as a group, and then was seconded.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
E. Review draft to AOE regarding composition of Harassment, Hazing and
Bullying Advisory Committee (Matt)
RM MOTIONED THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT THE DRAFT AS WRITTEN. SECONDED.
This draft will be sent to Secretary Saunders, Ms. Watterson, and Chair McBroom. This draft can be reviewed here.
The Communications Council suggested they as a committee take steps to share to the public through social media, letter to the editor in the paper, ect.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
F. Consider annual review as per WSESD Ongoing Social Justice and Anti-Racist Commitment (Matt, Jocelyn, Mikaela)
Ongoing Commitment to Social Justice
This topic will be postponed until a future meeting as this past week was school break.
G. Discuss potential statement to affirm District’s commitment to Social Justice and DEI
The work currently occuring by the Administration and the Board related to the district’s commitment to DEI is already effectively being addressed. A discussion was held about how to utilize pieces already established to review and update. The updated statement was requested to be shared at the 5/13/25 Board meeting. Mark Speno shared that he and Mikaela Simms are visiting each school with the specific intent of discussing DEI.
Entered Break at 7:10 pm
Rose from Break at 7:20 pm
Board Matters Part 2:
H. Consider Education Quality Standards (EQS) and District Quality Standards (DQS) Effective July 1, 2025
– Education Quality Standards (EQS)
– District Quality Standards (DQS)
TM shared a presentation providing information about these two standards.
Discussion ensued regarding both EQS and DQS vis-a-vis the board and districts obligations and practices.
I. Plans for the Admin/Board Retreat on June 24, 2025
A planning session for the agenda and the CIP goals for academic year 25-26 will be held on 4/24/25 from 1:30 – 3:30 pm at the Central Office. DS, AB, KP, RM & TM will participate in this session.
J. Discussion of Board Goals
It was suggested that the Board goals be aligned with the District goals. Concern was expressed about the challenge of accomplishing this task as a larger group. A task force of KP, TM, RM and JE will meet to discuss potential suggestions for Board goals.
K. Follow-up on student comments on Panorama Survey
Administration was queried as to their take away from the responses given through the Panorama Survey. Mark Speno shared that the learning environment was identified in many student responses.
V. Administrative Report
– Hires, Resignations, Retirements
Resignations
Allison Paquette, Oak Grove – Grade 1
Katherine Raduen, Guilford – Grade 5
Kristin Deslauriers, Guilford – Grade 2
AB MOTIONED TO ACCEPT, WITH REGRET, THE RESIGNATIONS OF ALLISON PAQUETTE,
KAHTERINE RADUNE AND KRISTIN DESLAURIERS. SECONDED.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Retirements
None Noted
Hires
Skylar Mead, Green St. – Grade 5
Kristin Deslauriers, Academy – AST Teacher
AB MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE HIRING OF SKYLAR MEAD AND KRISTIN DESLAURIERS.
SECONDED.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
– Update on Return from Spring Break
Mark Speno shared that major areas of focus upon returning from Spring Break are:
● productive hiring season
● finishing the year strong academically, social-emotionally and behaviorally
● accountability at all levels
– Request for Universal Pre-K additional partner: Wild Strawberry Forest School Kerri Beebe, the District’s Pre-K Coordinator, presented the Wild Strawberry Forest School as a universal Pre-K (UPK) provider.
AB MOTIONED TO ACCEPT WILD STRAWBERRY FOREST SCHOOL AS A PARTNER IN THE
UNIVERSAL PRE-K PROGRAM. SECONDED.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
VI. Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes for April 8, 2025 and April 10, 2025
MS MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. SECONDED
VOTE CALLED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
VII. Unfinished Business
MS shared that the Putney and Brattleboro Co-Ops will partner with the Board to provide fruit, pastries, etc. on 5/12/25 to deliver to the schools for teacher appreciation. A letter will also be drafted by BR. These Board members volunteered to help distribute items: BR, RM, DS & MS.
VIII. New Business
none presented at this time.
IX. Executive Session
1 V.S.A. §313 (a)(7) the academic records or suspension or discipline of students
KP 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 1VSA §313 (a)(1)(7) REVIEWING THE ACADEMIC RECORDS OR SUSPENSION OR
DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS. SECONDED.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
KP MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER 1 V.S.A. § 313 (A)(7) THE ACADEMIC
RECORDS OR SUSPENSION OR DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS, INVITING MARK SPENO, KERRI BEEBE
AND STACEY SAWYER. POTENTIAL ACTION.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Entered Executive Session at 8:28
Rose from session at 9:03
AB MOVED TO ACCEPT ADMINISTRATIONS RECOMMENDATION REGARDING A STUDENT
MATTER. SECONDED.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
AB MOTIONED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. SECONDED.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted on 4/27/25 by Board Clerk with special recognition to Tracey Drotts, Board Recorder.
A recording of this meeting is available on the WSESU website
