Gender Freedom in Schools
At the last meeting, the committee reviewed Pietro’s remarks on the draft policy. After that session, SK and AH met with stakeholders to further discuss legal’s response. Today, SK and AH when through Pietro’s comments point by point and shared potential revisions
Page 1, Philosophy, second paragraph. Remove reference to Title IX and strike through footnotes 1 and 2.
Summary
● A statement was read into the minutes shared by the Dummerston LC related to their commitment to DEI.
● The Finance Committee updated the Board about their regular meeting time: second Monday of the month at 5 pm. Location to be determined.
● The Board moved to approve a reimbursement of up to $100.00 per annum per Board Member to purchase publications for professional development as deemed pertinent to their work on the Board.
● A draft was approved regarding the composition of the Harassment, Hazing and Bullying Advisory Committee that will be sent to Secretary Saunders, Ms. Watterson, and Chair McBroom.
● A presentation was made related to the Education Quality Standards (EQS) and District Quality Standards (DQS) which will go into effect on 7/1/25.
● Two hires and three resignations were approved
● The Board entered an Executive Session resulting in an action.
The agenda was amended to discuss recent events with directives given by VT Agency of Education, Zoie Saunders regarding a Trump Administration Executive Order. There was much energy and activation in our community regarding the directives. More to come as it is a developing situation.
As state legislators and Governor Phil Scott draft and release plans for drastic education reform, the Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Board voted unanimously to join the Rural School Community Alliance (RSCA) on February 11, 2025. RSCA is a coalition of Vermonters that advocates for the importance of rural community public schools and for a democratic voice in decision-making about their future. The RSCA’s goal is to encourage legislators to pursue meaningful property tax reform that strengthens Vermont’s future while maintaining support for high-quality, equitable, cost-effective rural schools.
Summary
● 3 Executive Sessions were held regarding student academic records and disciplinary matters, and labor relations. Board motioned to ratify the contract for certified employes as negotiated
● Significant public comment and board discussion occurred concerning Title VI and recent
federal DEI-related directives from the state; a special board meeting was scheduled for April 10 to continue the conversation.
● Board subcommittees and leadership councils shared updates, including ongoing work in social justice, goal setting, and community engagement through the Rural School Alliance.
● Personnel updates included multiple hires, two resignations, and one retirement, all accepted with appreciation.
● Board voted to ratify the contract for certified staff.
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday,
April 08, 2025 at the Guilford Central School and remotely via Zoom.
The Windham Southeast School District Policy and Amendment Committee Meeting will take place Wednesday, April 09, 2025 at 2:00pmin the WSESU Central Office, 53 Green Street, Brattleboro
Gender Freedom in Schools
This policy has been reviewed by counsel. The attorney counsels caution, and points out that the law is always fluid, and that there are consequences for not following the law. The Agency of Education counsels the use of district policy on HHB.
Summary
● Leadership Council and Committee assignments were established.
● The Board determined that they will follow Robert’s Rules for Small Boards and confirmed Board Norms.
● A committee was established to explore the Board goal setting process.
● Donation of $4,626,00 made to the Rural Community School Alliance was approved.
● Approved 3 policies.
Attached, please find the minutes from the 03/11 Re-Organizational and Public Info meeting of the WSESD Board
F8 Student Medication
Invited Attendee: Rebecca Olmstead, Nurse Leader
Since the last meeting, RO met with the district doctor regarding this policy, and the doctor approved the draft brought to the committee today. The committee read the new draft aloud, and in consultation with RO, made a number of edits for clarity, consistency, and accuracy. The last two paragraphs (non-prescriptions medications and the concluding paragraph) were reviewed after RO had to leave the meeting, and these will need to be reviewed again. The procedures section was not reviewed.
Official recount results are in, for the Guilford seat on the Board of Directors of the Windham Southeast School District: There has been no change to the number of votes for each candidate from Guilford. Jocelyn Fritts has been duly elected to the Board of Directors.
V. Presentation
– What is our Supervision/Evaluation Process to ensure quality staff for our students?
The Town Clerks of Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford and Putney have confirmed that they and members of their Boards of Civil Authority will come together in each town for a recount of the contested Guilford 3-year seat on the Board of the WSESD.
Candidates and members of the public are welcome to observe the recount. Time and locations for the re-count:
III. Evaluate
– F8 Student Medication (2:00-3:00) Invited attendee: Rebecca Olmstead, Nurse Leader
– Assess Draft of statement re Students with Immigration Status [Mikaela and Shannon]
– Gender Freedom in Schools – Proposed new policy
The unofficial tallies are in, from Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, and Putney.
The unofficial election results for the WSESD Board of Directors are as follows:
Summary
● The Board debriefed two important Summits held in the past two weeks, 2/12/25 with the three School Boards and 2/24/25 with local legislators.
● The Board accepted, with regret, the resignation of Christopher Brewer, Dean of Students at BUHS.
● Three policies (D1, F16, F28) were presented to the Board for a first reading.
● The Board entered Executive Session under 1VSA §313 (a)(1)(A) Contracts.
On a Motion by Elie and seconded by Maggie the committee unanimously approved the draft for publication pending any comments from Frank Rucker, WSESD business manager.
Kristina referred the committee to the motion from the past meeting authorizing Maggie and Kristina to incorporate edits before releasing the report if Frank has minor changes. The committee agreed to let the motion stand, and Kristina agreed to hold an emergency meeting if any issues arise in the next few days which would require substantive rewrites.
II. Evaluate
– Assess Draft of statement re Students with Immigration Status [Mikaela and Shannon]
– Gender Freedom in Schools – Proposed new policy
F34 Transgender and Gender Creative Students Policy
The committee discussed the question of whether a policy in support of immigrant students should be developed, a topic that was also under discussion at the board meeting on 2/11/25. MS cautioned that Pietro has advised to stay away from a new policy, and instead to focus on law and procedure. A vision statement would be fine and would be a way to send a message to the community.
I. Call to Order
II. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items [6:05-6:15]
III. Purpose of tonight’s Special Board Meeting
Introduction of invited Legislators and other guests
IV. Overview of Governor Scott’s “ Education Transformation Proposal: a proposed reform of Vermont’s current system of education and funding.”
