Note: These proposed minutes should be considered preliminary until they are approved as
reflected in the minutes of the next board meeting.
Windham Southeast Supervisory Union School Board
Minutes — November 19, 2025
Directors present: Anne Beekman, Kerry Amidon, Kim Price, Deborah Stanford.
Absent: Brian Remer
Also present: Mark Speno, Stacey Sawyer, Frank Rucker, Brin Tucker, Ben Coppolo
Public present: List of Zoom attendees as of 5:05 pm
CALL TO ORDER—5:03 p.m. — Anne Beekman
On a motion by Deborah Stanford the board approved the consent agenda as presented.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
On a motion by Kim Price the board approved the administration’s recommendation to hire Corey Grout and Jasmine Martin.
The Superintendent introduced the budget process for FY27. Business Administrator Frank Rucker reshared the budget timeline as well as the Budget Program Summary from FY26 as a starting point.
Brin Tucker, Director of Curriculum and Assessment, gave an overview of the “current” status of the consolidated federal grants program. Highlights from the “Proposed Budget Notes” include:
● WSESU’s poverty level has been decreasing over the past three years relative to the national rate. As a result, Title I funding for FY27 is projected to drop to about 80% of current levels.
● The Vermont AOE has also indicated that there is no reliable information yet about the status of any Title grants for FY27.
Taking this into consideration, the Curriculum department is suggesting moving part of the former Title funded budgets into local funding for FY27.
The Superintendent noted that in the various staff discussions on this budget, they are looking at planning for FY28 as the long game as they anticipate how the moves they make this year will impact the next year. In addition, Mark noted that the budget is an expression of the core values which stand behind our school districts which work to ensure our teachers and staff and best serve our students.
Frank walked the board through the various budget documents which will be available on line at WSESU.org.
Note: These proposed minutes should be considered preliminary until they are approved as reflected in the minutes of the next board meeting.
Frank ended the discussion with the comment that while this lack of federal funding does put pressure on the overall budget, he does not expect a material effect on our final district spending that is fiscally unsustainable.
Given the holiday week, the Board will meet next to review Special Education on December 3rd.
Public Comment on Non-agenda items – there was none
New Business
Policy – Presented for a first reading:
– F8 Student Medication (Adopted by WSESD 11/04/2025)
– D12 Prevention of Harassment of Employees (Adopted by WSESD 11/04/2025)
– E19 Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams Required (Adopted by WSESD 11/04/2025)
On a motion by Kerry Amidon the board entered into Executive Session at 6:03 pm under
1 V.S.A. § 313 (a)(3) the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or
employee, provided that the public body shall make a final decision to hire or appoint a
public officer or employee in an open meeting and shall explain the reasons for its final
decision during the open meeting.
The board rose from Executive Session with no action taken. On a motion by Kerry Amidon the board adjourned at 7:10 pm.
Notes respectfully submitted
Kerry Amidon, Clerk
