Education section
Agenda
1. Approve minutes
2. Review and edit the IRBC tax calculation section
3. Approval of report or delegation of authority to make minor final report
revisions to two members and release the report
4. Other Business
After a very close race for the two 3-year Brattleboro School Director seats, a re-count will likely be initiated for votes cast in Brattleboro, Dummerston, Putney and Guilford for those two seats.
The three candidates, and the number of votes each candidate received from the four member towns of the Windham Southeast School District are as follows: Timothy “Tim” Maciel – 1,677 votes; Colleen Savage – 1661 votes; Rich Leavy – 1659 votes.
Bethany Ranquist of Brattleboro commented that she found some of the comments made by board members and board candidates that were quoted in the press regarding empathy for or resilience of survivors of abuse to be disrespectful, considering the board’s silence regarding what was reported in the sexual abuse investigation. She asked that board members be more thoughtful about this and not share their thoughts about survivors if they are not going to make any further comment on the investigation. KY added that she understood this comment to be in relation to answers that board members gave to questions at the recent Candidate Forum where they were directly asked about their perspectives.
A former BAMS parent whose daughter experienced sexual assault by another student spoke about being dissatisfied with the school’s response and wanting to pursue further action. KY asked him to notify the Superintendent of this request by email and to copy herself and DS so they can initiate this process.
BUHS student Iris Mayer spoke about the same student and other peers having harmful experiences of sexual harassment and assault by other students during their time at BAMS and how they did not feel served by the school’s response to these incidents. She expressed concern about attention to students’ mental health and well-being.
BUHS student Rei Ranquist pointed out that some students have reported harm to counselors, as directed, and could not perceive that their concerns were addressed. They expressed concern that students do not feel confident that they can get help by going to their counselor.
III. Policies
E6 Emergency Closings
● Policy was reviewed and minor edits made, including:
o Under Implementation, first paragraph: bomb threats safety threats.
o Under Implementation, first paragraph: health problems health emergencies.
• Call to Order – 6:00 pm
• Review of minutes from January 4, 2024
• Confirm Notetaker for future meetings
• School Update from BAMS Principal
The Dummerston School Leadership Council will meet at 5:00pm on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Dummerston School. DLC will meet each month in person in the 4th grade classroom, and via Google Hangouts (unless there is an unforeseen interference). Future meetings-2024: Apr. 11, May 16, Jun. 13.
Dummerston Leadership Council Monthly Communication to School Board
1-3 Things we celebrate/appreciate this month about our school:
Successful winter sports program. Black lives matter/black history/let me be great campaign underway
AGENDA
I. Call to Order [6:00 to 6:05]
II. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items [6:05 to 6:15]
III. Executive Session [6:15]
1VSA §313 (a)(1)(F) confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal services to the body.
Leadership Council organization
Stephanie was elected as Leadership Council Chair. Renee will continue to take minutes as Clerk.
Discussion of old business. Agree to leave issues from last year regarding the Athletic Department and Union with previous LC. Any issues with AD or department should be brought individually to Hannah directly. Winter Sports parent meeting set for 11/27.
AGENDA – 2/28/2024
I. Approval of Minutes from 1/14/24 (5 minutes)
Update: 1st Reading on Thurs. 2/29/24
F22 Student Assessment
G1 Curriculum Development and Coordination
H2 Parental Involvement Policy (Family Engagement Policy)
The committee discussed the pending legislative changes to Act 127, and the challenges for the district with the removal of the 5% cap.
The committee reviewed the Guilford tax rate, and on a motion by Laura and seconded by Jaci, the committee unanimously agreed to have Maggie contact Chloe Wexford to try and understand how the reappraisal affects the upcoming tax rate.
2. VT Legislative developments affecting FY25 Budget; Review State Funding Formula updates
Shaun Murphy started off saying that in this time of uncertainty, his suggestion is that this committee is “Steady at the helm through these rocky waters”. The budget development started on 10/6/23. The work done by Frank Rucker and his team along with the Finance Committee has been thoughtfully and carefully developed, been through a process of presenting to the Board three times as well as to the finance committee an additional three times. This FY25 budget proposal has increased by 3%, which is in alignment with previous budget increases. Frank Rucker spoke about the lack of information from the legislature that would be needed to make assumptions on how this budget could be adjusted to affect the CLA equalized tax rate.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order [5:00 to 5:05]
II. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items [5:05 to 5:15]
III. Board Retreat for the Purpose of Training in Order to Effectively Plan for the Upcoming Year [5:15 to 8:45]
IV. Public Discussion [8:45 to 9:00]
The legal voters of the Windham Southeast School District (the “District”), comprising the voters of the Towns of Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, and Putney are hereby notified and warned to meet at Brattleboro Union High School in Brattleboro, Vermont on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in the gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. to conduct the following business:
Article 1. To act on reports of Officers.
Article 2. To elect the following officers of the District, which officers shall assume office upon election and serve for a term of one year:
I am Brian Remer, I live in Guilford and I am asking for your vote for the WSESD School Board. As an educator and facilitator, I am able to listen to many viewpoints, and find the common thread that leads to collaborative action. I want to bring that ability to our school system.
The way people learn has been at the core of my professional life. Whether teaching adults in non-profit organizations, children in middle school, or staff of the state of Vermont, I know that education needs to be engaging – especially for young people today. I care deeply that we provide the opportunities for students and prepare them for the world. Our daughter Tilden graduated from BUHS so I’ve always had a stake in our local public-school system. Well-educated young people energize our communities with passion, optimism, and creativity.
AGENDA – 2/14/2024
I. Approval of Minutes from 1/31/24
Update: G8 Continuous Improvement Plan – presented for second reading on 2/13
II. Evaluate (50 minutes)
F1 Student Conduct and Discipline in conjunction with model policy
G1 Curriculum Development and Coordination
F22 Student Assessment
H2 Parental Involvement Policy
H6 Annual School Reports
Agenda
1. Call to order
2. Approve minutes
3. Discuss considerations and review rough drafts that are available
4. Other Business
Agenda
1. Approval of Minutes
2. VT Legislative developments affecting FY25 Budget; Review State Funding Formula updates
3. Approval of Warrants
4. Other Business
The legal voters of the Windham Southeast School District (the “District”), comprising the voters of the Towns of Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, and Putney are hereby notified and warned to meet at Brattleboro Union High School in Brattleboro, Vermont on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in the gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. to conduct the following business:
Agenda
1. Call to order
2. Approve minutes of 2/1 and 2/4
3. Review comments from Frank and any additional edits made by committee Members
4. Other Business as required
