Education section
Superintendent Mark Speno, Curriculum Coordinator Brin Tucker, BUHS teacher Celena Romo, Oak Grove Principal Mary Kaufmann, Putney Central School Principal Jon Sessions, and Academy School teacher Laureen Reavey presented an update on the implementation of Multi-Layered Systems of Support (MLSS)
CALL TO ORDER—6:03 p.m. – Anne Beekman, Chair
On a motion by the chair the board voted to amend the agenda to include retirements.
On a motion by Deborah Stanford the board moved to approve the minutes of November 8, 2023.
Mark announced the upcoming retirements of Sue Mitchell, a Special Education para at BAMS, and Paul Smith, the WSESU Curriculum Coordinator.
WSESU Business Administrator Frank Rucker shared and reviewed a document: “Windham Southeast School District General Ledger – Elementary FY25 Proposed Budget [By School].” Highlights included:
• This document is on the website.
• It contains two different summary formats: by school site, and detailed.
• An explanation of how the two different summary formats are organized.
• The total spending on this part of the proposed budget is $26,450,000, up from the current year’s budget of $26,437,000. This is for all three secondary school sites: BUHS, BAMS, and WRCC. This budget is almost level-funded.
• FY25 goes from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
The Windham Southeast School District Independent Budget Review Committee Meeting will take place Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 5:00pm in the Cusick Conference Room at BUHS
WSESD Policy and Amendment Committee will meet Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 2:30pm
in the WSESU Central Office, 53 Green Street, Brattleboro and remotely via Zoom
I. Approval of Minutes and confirmation of next meeting date
The minutes of 11/7/23 meeting approved by assent.
Agenda was amended to correct the date of next scheduled meeting.
The next Policy and Amendment Committee meetings are scheduled for:
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board will meet at 6:00 PM on Wednesday,
November 29, 2023 in the WRCC, Cusick Conference Room, and remotely via Zoom.
Summary:
● Student representatives spoke about bullying and inappropriate behavior that is going unaddressed in classes at BUHS, and the need to cultivate a positive and loving culture in the community.
● Superintendent Speno introduced a book, “Introduction to the Governance Code,” that Board members and administrators will read and discuss at next June’s retreat.
● Putney Central School Principal Jon Sessions and Guilford Central School Principal John Gagnon gave presentations about family and community engagement via the leadership council and parent-teacher organization.
● WSESU Business Administrator Frank Rucker gave an outline of the timeline for the budget development process over the next few months.
● The Board voted to approve pre-qualification for four firms to bid on the Oak Grove School HVAC project.
● The Board approved payrolls and warrants that included the final payment on the 22-year bond for renovations to BUHS.
The Windham Southeast School District Finance Committee will meet Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 5:00pm at Guilford Central School, 374 Schoolhouse Road, Guilford.
The meeting was called to order at 5pm by Jaci.
On a motion made by Jaci and seconded by Maggie the agenda was amended to table all other agenda items until after the finance committee meeting.
All members were contacted multiple times announcing the meeting time, place and agenda. No members were able to attend.
D1 Personnel Recruitment, Selection, Appointment, and Background Checks
• Reviewed edits from prior meeting.
• D1 will go for a first reading at the 11/14 Board meeting.
On a motion by Tim Maciel the board moved to enter the consent agenda for action.
On a motion by Tim Maciel the board approved the minutes of October 11, 2023.
Frank Rucker reviewed the Budget Development Overview process including the preliminary timeline, FTE ratios, and projections in the area of Special Education. Frank walked through the previous year’s budget giving an overview of the majors sections, both the summary data and the more detailed information that is available for both revenue and expenditures.
With teens like this, who needs adults ?!! A sophomore at BUHS, Mariam Diallo is grounded, talented and enthusiastic. She’s involved in bringing more youth voices and perspectives to all aspects of our community.
AGENDA
I. Call To Order, Kelly Young, Board Chair [6:00 – 6:05]
II. Student Matters [6:05 – 6:15]
III. Administrative Report [6:15 – 6:35]
– Introduction of The Governance Core [5 Minutes]
Agenda
1. Discussion of governance/responsibilities
2. Election of chair and clerk if desired by IRBC members
3. Discussion of goals, timeline, responsibilities
4. Attend FC meeting
Agenda
1. Approval of Minutes
2. FY25 Preliminary Budget Development Planning Discussion
3. Capital Project Implementation updates, discussion to include; Recommendation on selection of prequalified Contractors eligible to bid on the Oak Grove Heat pump & HVAC controls project
4. Recommendation to Board to Approve Warrants and Payrolls
1. Call to Order – Welcome new members
2. Approve the agenda
3. Approve Meeting Minutes from September 21, 2023
4. Administrative Report
III. Updates
Mike Kelliher gave an update on efforts to recruit a more diverse staff. The district has just launched an employee referral program. For certain positions, if an employee refers a candidate who doesn’t already work for the organization, and they end up being hired, the referring employee will receive a bonus: $250 at time of hiring and $250 after six months of employment. There have already been a couple of inquiries. As of today there are 38 open positions but not all are part of this referral program – it is reserved for positions which the leadership team has identified as difficult to fill.
The WSESD Windham Regional Career Center’s ADVANCED MANUFACTURING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING will be held on Thursday, November 9th at 2:30 p.m. at the WRCC TIC building.
