Education section
DST discussed how new policies should come to the committee.
They should come directly from the community to the P&A Committee.
Only time a new or revised policy goes to the full Board for discussion is when it is ready for 1st or 2nd reading for readoption.
All policies up for readoption need to be warned.
Policies are under constant scrutiny and may be revised at any time the P&A Committee decides they should be reviewed.
I. Approval of Minutes from 5/22/23
New Business including reconsideration of current agenda
Confirm date for next meeting
II. Edits and Updates
H7 Leadership Councils
F42 Student Dress Code
SUMMARY: The board heard a presentation by the Superintendent on administrative goals, and a presentation by three principals on the teacher peer observation program that was piloted this year. BUHS administration gave an update on the school branding process: a screening committee composed of students and staff has narrowed down 132 submissions for a new team name to three finalists, which students will be voting on this week. The Finance Director provided an update on the grant application process for funding the Oak Grove School capital improvement projects, which include installing a heat pump, insulation, PCB remediation and window replacements. The board shared news that the sexual abuse investigation will soon be closing the information gathering phase and encouraged anyone who has been considering reporting to do so as soon as possible. The Superintendent provided information on possible improvements to Natowich and Tenney Fields, and the Board voted to direct the administration to resuscitate Natowich as a natural field.
The board heard a presentation from the Office of Diversity Equity and Social Justice about the teacher leader structure and diversity, equity and social justice programming in the district. There was a discussion about how to address and facilitate input from leadership councils. The board approved an updated capital plan, focused on increasing sustainability. The board heard from students that they would appreciate more transparency around the sexual abuse investigation and disclosed that they are in meetings with their attorney in order to gather some data that can be released to the public.
There was a discussion about the need for increasing athletic field capacity which could include resurfacing Natowich Field and improvements to Tenney Field. The superintendent provided an update about the process to select a new name and mascot for BUHS. The board voted to approve the superintendent’s recommendation for a reorganization of leadership roles at BUHS.
Policy wsesdF35AnimalPolicyAdopted4-25-2023.pdf was adopted by the WSESD Board on April 25, 2023.
III Policy discussion
Policy WSESDF42DressCode.pdf
In attendance: Ruby McAdoo, Robin Morgan, Michelle Green
I. Call to Order / Introductions / Recognition of Visitors
The meeting was called to order at 9:33
II. Establish chair, clerk & minutes expectations
CALL TO ORDER—6:01 p.m. – Anne Beekman, Chair
On a motion by Tim Maciel the board approved the minutes of April 12, 2023.
On a motion by Deborah Stanford the board approved the Warrants of April 12, 2023 in the
amount of $843,957.90; April 26, 2023 in the amount of $1,310,582.83; and Payroll of April 21, 2023
in the amount of $576,979.59.
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board will meet at 6:00PM on Wednesday,
May 10, 2023 in the WRCC room 194 and remotely via Zoom.
II. WSESD Board Update
F35 – School Animal Policy (re-adoption 4/25/23)
III. Schedule of policies for discussion – subject to change
2:35-3:00 H7 Leadership Councils (edits and updates from community)
3:00-3:25 F42 Student Dress Code (with flexibility to accommodate student schedules)
BRATTLEBORO, Vermont (May 1, 2023)—The Neighborhood Schoolhouse is pleased to announce that it will have a Primary classroom for the 2023-2024 school year. Children aged 4 to 6 years old will be welcomed into an immersive project- and nature-based environment. Specially trained educators will nurture and respect children’s individual skills and interests, fostering a love of learning through emergent curriculum.
“We cherish our students,” says Jocelyn York, Head of School. “Quality learning occurs best when students feel emotionally safe and know that their efforts will be valued. This is what we provide at Neighborhood. This is why our school is life-changing. I’m excited to once again open our doors to elementary-aged children.”
On a motion by Kerry Amidon, the minutes of March 8, 2023 were approved.
The following 1% applications were approved on a motion by Kerry Amidon:
Putney Central School on Executive Functioning
Putney Central School – spring ephemeral unit – 4 days plus materials for a total of $1250.12
Monday, May 1, 2023
5:00 am Vermont State House – Minimum Salary for Teachers
7:45 am Town of Brattleboro – Brattleboro Police Assistant Chief Swearing-In Ceremony 4/6/23
8:00 am The David Pakman Show – The David Pakman Show – Weekly Broadcast
9:00 am Windham Southeast Supervisory Union – WSESU Bd Mtg 4/12/23
10:00 am Guilford Selectboard – Guilford SB Mtg 4/24/23
Extensive discussion of Leadership Councils:
– Issue of ADA compliance was raised. For full Board meetings, the option of closed captioning is available.
– Issue of posting recordings of meetings discussed. Attorney Shaun Toohey advised that it is better to err on the side of caution and record and post them.
– Burden on CO to collect and post recordings raised. Also, issue of available bandwidth. Suggestion to have individual schools post recordings of LC meetings on school websites rather than WSESD webpage. If additional bandwidth is needed, it is easily purchased.
Superintendent Mark Speno announced updates to the search for a BUHS principal. He shared that a hiring process was conducted and a candidate pulled their name from consideration. He met with staff and received great feedback. He stated that we do have four strong dedicated leaders and the next steps will be determined and shared in the near future.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair KY called the meeting to order at 6:07pm.
KY read the hybrid meeting statement.
KY changed the agenda to move “IX. Fiscal Report” to right after “IV. Administrative Report.”
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board Personnel Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m on Wednesday,April 26, 2023 remotely via Zoom.
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet for an Executive Session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 in WRCC Room 198E and remotely via Zoom
AGENDA – 4/24/2023
The following is a suggested agenda pending approval of the reorganized Committee.
I. Approval of Minutes from 4/3/23
Confirm date for next meeting
II. WSESD Board Update
F35 – School Animal Policy (re-adoption delayed until 4/25/23)
D17 – Policy on Nondiscriminatory Mascots and School Branding (adoption 4/11/23)
I. CALL TO ORDER
Because this is the annual reorganization meeting, it is customary for the Superintendent to act as Chair until the Board elects their own Chair. Superintendent Mark Speno called the meeting to order at 6:04pm.
Mr. Speno congratulated EN, RMA, and KP on their elections to the WSESD Board.
I. CALL TO ORDER
KY called the meeting to order at 6:04pm.
KY amended the agenda to include an executive session to take place at the beginning of the meeting.
DS amended the agenda to add a motion later in the meeting and announced that the consideration of Policy F35 is on hold until April 25.
