WSESD

Summary
● Amendments to the WSESD Board meeting minutes from 8/26/25 were presented and approved.
● The Board voted to include a ‘parking lot’ on the minutes to capture topics for further discussion that arise during meetings.
● Following a discussion considering the Board’s alignment with the VSBA, a vote passed to remain members at this time.
● The Board reviewed and voted to accept three Board goals,

1. Enhance oversight of the prevention of Hazing, Harassment, and Bullying
2. Understand and implement District Quality Standards and Educational Quality Standards
3. Improve two-way communication and engagement with district Stakeholders
● The Board adopted the Admin/Board Calendar and determined to include alignment of the newly adopted Board Goals to this tool.

I. Call to Order

DS called the meeting of the WSESD Board to order at 6:00 pm

– If appropriate, agenda items are subject to Potential Action.

NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING

The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September
09, 2025 – in person at the WRCC Cusick Conference Room, and remotely via Zoom.

Summary
● The Board voted to rotate the location of the meetings around the district.
● Board representation on the Leadership Councils was determined for this upcoming year.
● The Board determined to have the Policy Committee review and discuss the procedure regarding death that was drafted by BUHS.
● A motion was passed to establish a redistricting taskforce. Six Board members stepped up to serve on this taskforce.
● Three new hires were approved, one full time and two part time teachers.
● The consent agenda was approved.

III. Evaluate
– Prioritize mandated policies as per recent legislation
– VSBA Policy Update Review List
– Gender Freedom in Schools – Proposed new policy
F34 Transgender and Gender Creative Students Policy
– F5 Searches, Seizures, and Interrogation of Students by Law Enforcement Personnel or Other Non-School Personnel
– G4 Selection of Library Materials – Compare with Required Policy to be adopted as of 7/1/25

Summary
● The Board voted to approve the submission of the Non-Federal Waiver request for Head Start and the Supplemental Funds for Nutrition and Healthy Eating for Head Start Children and Families.
● The Board voted on the language added to the statement to the Redistricting Task Force.
● The Board discussed and determined to hold the first Summit meetings with the three Boards.
● Committee membership was reviewed for the upcoming school year. Commitment to Leadership Councils (LCs) will be discussed at the next meeting.
● Board goal setting and the development of a district calendar are two topics that are actively being addressed.
● Discussion of the Board’s oversight related to harassment, bullying and hazing was held.
● Members of the Board will craft language for a statement for future Board consideration to provide information to the public regarding Act 73 and ways to learn more.

IV. Request from Deb Gass for Board approval for the following: [5 minutes]
– Head Start Non-Federal Waiver Request for Approval
– One-Time Supplemental Funds for Nutrition and Healthy Eating for Head Start Children and Families Submission for Approval

The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 5:00pm on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in-person only, at the WRCC Cusick Conference Room, Brattleboro.

Updates

Gender Freedom in Schools: There is a call being scheduled for Thursday with the specialist lawyer who has reviewed the proposed policy.

DS forwarded two emails from the VSBA regarding legislative updates. Several policy issues are coming our way, as well as changes to Open Meeting law.

Updates

DS noted that Tim Maciel sent an email regarding HHB and C7 and C8. That email and her reply are below:

On Jun 11, 2025, Tim Maciel wrote:

I’m sorry not to be able to call in or attend the Policy meeting in person as a non- member, but I’m asking you to consider two requests:

F5 Searches, Seizures, and Interrogation of Students By Law Enforcement Personnel or Other Non-School Personnel

F5 was readopted last August, but the committee is revisiting the policy due to concerns that it may conflict with the District’s Commitment to Student Safety statement for students with immigration status.

The committee discussed several potentially problematic areas in F5:

Summary
● The Brattleboro Area Youth Council made a presentation to the Board and shared a statement regarding harassment, hazing and bullying.
● The Board voted to adopt the Ongoing Social Justice and Anti-Racist Commitment updated in 2025.
● The Board approved sending the Open Letter to the VSBA.
● The Board voted to send the Resolution presented this evening to the VSBA.
● Following a discussion about having meetings in July or taking a break, the Board voted to meet on 7/8/25 and 7/22/25.
● The Board accepted the resignation of five staff members and approved seven new hires.

A. Leadership Council Updates
B. Board Sub-Committees and SU Updates
C. Update on legislative issues related education (Tim & Jocelyn)
D. Update regarding Board Goals (Kim, Tim, Jessica, Ruby)
E. Consider annual review as per WSESD Ongoing Social Justice and Anti-Racist Commitment (Matt, Jocelyn, Mikaela)