WSESD Board Meeting Agenda and Meeting Minutes

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m. – David Schoales, Board Chair

II. Executive Session (approximately 20-30 minutes) – 1 V.S.A. §313(F) – Confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal services to the body.

III. Unfinished Business
• Sexual Abuse Investigation Update


WSESD Board Public Statement

We, the members of the WSESD School Board (the Board), are grateful for the opportunity to serve our community and, like you, are horrified by the revelations shared in Ms. Haskins-Rogers’ August 2021 article in the Commons and other information reported to us since then.

Our strong personal reactions made all of us open to taking many of the steps that were suggested by members of the community. In particular, we have been impacted by the open letter signed by 167 people which has called for, among other things, an open investigation and an assessment of the district’s present-day climate and functioning.

Since this letter, we have heard your concerns about the speed with which we have proceeded; frustrations we have also felt personally. But as quickly as we might wish to bring accountability and healing to what many of you have described as an institutional betrayal, we feel bound by our roles as elected officials to proceed with due diligence—a stepwise process, but one inspired by empathy for all those affected. We remain committed to a prudent process that:


WSESD Board Meeting Agenda and Meeting Minutes

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m. – David Schoales, Board Chair

II. CONSENT AGENDA
• CLERK’S REPORT – Approval of Minutes – November 9, November 16, November 19, November 30, December 9, 2021

III. Public Comment on Non-agenda Items (10 minutes)


WSESD Special Board Meeting Agenda

AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m. – David Schoales, Board Chair

II. Executive Session – 1VSA §313(a)(1)(E) – Pending or Probable Civil Litigation or a Prosecution, Which the Public Body is or May be a Party


WSESD Special Meeting Agenda

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER – 4:00 p.m. – David Schoales, Board Chair

II. Executive Session – 1VSA §313(a)(1)(E) – Pending or Probable Civil Litigation or
a Prosecution, Which the Public Body is or May be a Party


WSESD Independent Budget Review Committee Meeting Agenda and Minutes

This committee historically reviewed three budgets: the Brattleboro Town, the Brattleboro Town Schoolboard, and BUHS. Franz explained the review process was done slightly differently based upon the size of the budget and the work done by the board. The School Budget Review historically concentrated on an explanation of the complex educational funding formula, and the size of the BUHS budget made it very difficult to review every budget line item. The review committee looked at the overall line items on the budget, and not every line item as was scrutinized. Franz recommended Dick DeGray as a citizen capable of dissecting a complex school budget to the precise line item.