Culture story sections
Official recount results are in, for the Guilford seat on the Board of Directors of the Windham Southeast School District: There has been no change to the number of votes for each candidate from Guilford. Jocelyn Fritts has been duly elected to the Board of Directors.
V. Presentation
– What is our Supervision/Evaluation Process to ensure quality staff for our students?
Michael Cruz Kayne is a comedian and writer on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. However, his life isn’t always funny. The loss of his young son profoundly changed his world and his family. In this hilarious, difficult, and touching show about grief, Cruz finds moments of humor, compassion, and ultimately some assemblance of acceptance. If everyone dies, why does nobody talk about it?
A Q&A will follow the performance.
The Town Clerks of Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford and Putney have confirmed that they and members of their Boards of Civil Authority will come together in each town for a recount of the contested Guilford 3-year seat on the Board of the WSESD.
Candidates and members of the public are welcome to observe the recount. Time and locations for the re-count:
III. Evaluate
– F8 Student Medication (2:00-3:00) Invited attendee: Rebecca Olmstead, Nurse Leader
– Assess Draft of statement re Students with Immigration Status [Mikaela and Shannon]
– Gender Freedom in Schools – Proposed new policy
The Windham Southeast School District announces that a recount has been requested in the election results for the three-year Guilford seat on the WSESD Board of Directors. Candidates were Jocelyn Fritts, having received 1128 votes and Kelly Young, having received 1100 votes.
The total vote tallies are reported in a “commingled” manner, as per 16 V.S.A. § 741(3). “The articles of agreement as initially approved by the voters on or before July 1, 2019 explicitly provide that the board of civil authority of each town within the unified union school district shall count Australian ballots cast in that town and report that town’s results to the district clerk, who shall calculate total votes cast within the unified union school district and report the result of the vote to the public.”
The unofficial tallies are in, from Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, and Putney.
The unofficial election results for the WSESD Board of Directors are as follows:
The Mike Block Trio will perform live at Next Stage Arts on Saturday, April 5, at 7:30 pm, bringing their unique blend of American roots music and contemporary international influences to the stage. The trio, led by the pioneering cello player, singer, and composer Mike Block, will feature the virtuosic talents of Joe K. Walsh on mandolin/vocals and Zachariah Hickman on bass/vocals. The performance will take place at 15 Kimball Hill in Putney, with tickets available in advance for $20, $25 at the door, or $10 for the livestream.
Nani, the world’s first millennial Ladino songwriter, will bring her distinctive fusion of Flamenco drama, world music, and the endangered Ladino language to Putney for an unforgettable concert at Next Stage Arts on Friday, March 28 at 7:30 pm.
With a ship’s-horn powerful voice and an irresistible stage presence, Nani defends and revitalizes Ladino, the ancient language of the Sephardic Jews, which she learned from her Moroccan grandmother in hiding. Her music, which blends the sounds of the marketplace with socially poignant lyrics, celebrates migration, gender, and female empowerment. Nani’s unique soundscape captures the essence of the Mediterranean through raw, flamenco-like vocals, mariachi guitar, choral trombone, and a rich combination of piano and percussion.
“I am constantly creating, that’s what keeps me alive and happy”, says Ines Zeller Bass. Tune in to hear stories of how her artistic imagination and talents help manifest the special magic that makes SANDGLASS THEATER so well-known and well-loved.
Summary
● The Board debriefed two important Summits held in the past two weeks, 2/12/25 with the three School Boards and 2/24/25 with local legislators.
● The Board accepted, with regret, the resignation of Christopher Brewer, Dean of Students at BUHS.
● Three policies (D1, F16, F28) were presented to the Board for a first reading.
● The Board entered Executive Session under 1VSA §313 (a)(1)(A) Contracts.
(Town Meeting Day is March 4th, will homeless people attend?)
Song for Homeless People in Vermont, by Cris Ericson (C)(P) 2025
I never believed you would be sleeping
on a park bench at night
but you lost your job and couldn’t pay rent
and shelter beds were full that night.
On a Motion by Elie and seconded by Maggie the committee unanimously approved the draft for publication pending any comments from Frank Rucker, WSESD business manager.
Kristina referred the committee to the motion from the past meeting authorizing Maggie and Kristina to incorporate edits before releasing the report if Frank has minor changes. The committee agreed to let the motion stand, and Kristina agreed to hold an emergency meeting if any issues arise in the next few days which would require substantive rewrites.
IV. Overview of Governor Scott’s “Education Transformation Proposal: a proposed reform of Vermont’s current system of education and funding.”
Dan McArthur Rural School Alliance gave an overview of the Governor’s proposal for educational reforms and gave remarks on behalf of the rural school alliance.
Emilie Kornheiser also gave remarks regarding educational reform proposal and various funding mechanisms
II. Evaluate
– Assess Draft of statement re Students with Immigration Status [Mikaela and Shannon]
– Gender Freedom in Schools – Proposed new policy
F34 Transgender and Gender Creative Students Policy
The committee discussed the question of whether a policy in support of immigrant students should be developed, a topic that was also under discussion at the board meeting on 2/11/25. MS cautioned that Pietro has advised to stay away from a new policy, and instead to focus on law and procedure. A vision statement would be fine and would be a way to send a message to the community.
I. Call to Order
II. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items [6:05-6:15]
III. Purpose of tonight’s Special Board Meeting
Introduction of invited Legislators and other guests
IV. Overview of Governor Scott’s “ Education Transformation Proposal: a proposed reform of Vermont’s current system of education and funding.”
Think Spring and Gardens! JULIE MESSERVY is known world-wide as a stellar innovator in landscape design. She collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma for a public garden in Toronto. Julie also won the 2024 Vermont Woman-owned Business of the Year Award. Check out this show – her presence is dynamic and inspiring!
Next Stage Arts is thrilled to present a special evening of live music on Saturday, March 15, 2025, featuring two dynamic and highly acclaimed musical groups: Sol y Canto and The Soubrettes. The concert will take place at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, Putney, VT, starting at 7:30 PM.
Tickets are available now:
$22 in advance / $25 at the door / $10 for livestream access.
Sol y Canto: A Celebration of Pan-Latin Sound
Sol y Canto is an award-winning, Pan-Latin ensemble led by Rosi Amador (Puerto Rican/Argentine singer and percussionist) and Brian Amador (New Mexican guitarist, singer, and composer). For over 30 years, this innovative duo has brought Latin rhythms, soulful vocals, and evocative lyrics to audiences across the country and beyond.
Get ready to sing your heart out at the Putney Community Song-Along on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 7:15 PM at Next Stage Arts in Putney, VT. This fun-filled evening of music is part of the March Putney Community Supper and invites everyone to join in for a lively sing-along experience!
Led by local musician Rich Grumbine, the song circle will feature a wide variety of well-known tunes, ranging from folk and gospel to Beatles hits, golden oldies, classic pop and rock, children’s songs, and even show tunes. With over 100 songs in the digital songbook, audience members will take turns choosing their favorites, and the lyrics will be projected on a screen so everyone can sing along.
