Culture

The board rose from Executive Session at 8:17.

Sherri Keefe commented that she is here to bear witness for all those who are waiting for the resolution to these issues and for the transparency that the board has promised. For healing for survivors, their family members, and all community members that have been affected, and have been waiting for answers, some for over 50 years. She expressed hope that we can achieve this through this process.

Summary:
● Student representative concerns included a question of whether the compost materials are going into the trash and concerns about students feeling inhibited in expressing their identity and differences in learning styles.
● Administrators provided an update on Early Education Services and a proposed new public Pre-K classroom in Brattleboro at the Canal Street School
● The superintendent initiated the search process for two administrative positions, The Director of Curriculum and Principal of Brattleboro Union High School, by inviting board members to select representatives for the screening committees.
● The Board awarded a bid for the Oak Grove heat pump improvement project to BG Mechanical, for $2,453,438.
● The Board did a second review of the FY2025 draft budget. The budget is less than a 3% increase from the previous year but changes in the yield and the Common Level of Appraisal are projected to have a large impact on the tax rate for homeowners making more than $140,000 in annual income.

AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m. – Kelly Young, Board Chair
II. Warning Article for School Director Elections – Action Needed

Agenda
I. Call to order
II. Approve minutes
III. Discuss budget, review tax rate explanation rough draft
IV. Other business
V. Adjourn

Mark introduced Rebecca, Jean and Nicole, who gave a presentation around the Wellness Programs available in our SU that promote healthy lifestyles for our employees, both physical and mental. An interesting statistic provided was that $1 spent on wellness can reap a $5.81 return. The full presentation can be found here:

AGENDA
I. Call to Order / Introductions / Recognition of Visitors
II. Review of minutes
III. Focus item for discussion:
a. Food Services in the district: how can the board assess equity in food access across schools in the district? (review of recent conversations at board meetings)

Due to anticipated poor weather/driving conditions, the following meetings of the Windham Southeast School District have been re-warned as remote-only for this evening, January 9, 2024. 

WSESD Board Meeting 6:00 pm

Eva Nolan called the meeting to order at 10:09.

The committee welcomed a visitor, Claire Halverson from the NAACP Education Committee. This committee has recently re-activated and is reaching out to strengthen connections with other local organizations with a related mission.

The Windham Southeast School District Finance Committee will meet Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 5:00pm at Oak Grove School, 15 Moreland Avenue, Brattleboro  and remotely via Zoom

AGENDA
I. Call to Order [6:00 to 6:05]
II. Executive Session [8:30]
1VSA §313 (a)(1)(F) confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal services to the body.

● Eva Nolan has officially withdrawn as a voting board member of the Policy and Amendment Committee.

● The following policies were presented for a first reading on 12/12/23 and will go for a second reading on 1/9/24:
o D7 Volunteers and Work Study Students
o F36 Student Freedom of Expression in School Sponsored Media