WSESD Board Meeting Minutes Aug 12, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

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.

Brattleboro VTrans Paving Project Construction Update 8/15/2025

by Not Signed In | Town News

Nighttime single-lane closures will be in place next week on Monday night through Saturday morning from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Work will continue on Vermont Route 9 (Western Avenue and High Street), U.S. Route 5 (Canal Street and Main Street), and Vermont Route 30 (Linden Street). Flaggers will be present to direct one-way alternating traffic through multiple work zones. Motorcyclists should watch for grooved and uneven surfaces and all motorists should be aware of raised utility structures and wet paint.

Global Rhythms Meet Old-Time Fiddle: The Gaslight Tinkers + Sammy & Brothers in Putney

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts’ Bandwagon Summer Series continues on Saturday, September 13 at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Road, Putney, VT with a high-energy, genre-blending double bill. Music starts at 5:00 pm (gates open at 4:00 pm), with The Gaslight Tinkers bringing their infectious fusion of African, Caribbean, funk, reggae, and Latin grooves with traditional fiddle music — a joyful mash-up that’s as danceable as it is unexpected.

Since forming in 2012, The Gaslight Tinkers have electrified audiences across the U.S. and the Caribbean, headlining clubs, dances, and major festivals. The Valley Advocate calls their sound “music that consistently fizzes and pops with unexpected textures and turns.” With members Peter Siegel, Garrett Sawyer, I-Shea, Eliezer Martinez, and Clara Constance-Stickney — veterans of stages alongside Pete Seeger, the Soca Monarchs of the Caribbean, Noel Paul Stookey, and The Alchemystics — the band delivers exuberant musicianship that lifts both feet and spirits.

Windham Southeast Supervisory Union School Board Minutes — August 13, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

On a motion by Kim Price, the board voted to amend the minutes of June 11th by adding the words “regarding the ability to extend the contract for an additional year” so the section will now read in its entirety “The board reviewed the proposed new policy – Superintendent Evaluation and Contract. A discussion followed and the chair will reach out to our attorney with a clarifying question regarding the ability to extend the contract for an additional year.”

Puzzling Bird Collages

by ann.newsmith | Arts

Lifelong mixed media collage artist Elizabeth Lewis is showing some “puzzling bird miniatures” at All Souls Church, UU during the month of August. Please join us for a reception on Sunday the 17th at 11:30 AM.

Elizabeth is a resident of Putney and a member of ASC. Her first show was here at the then named West Village Meetinghouse in 1981, the year she moved to Vermont from Los Angeles.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Finance Committee will meet on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 6:00pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.

The Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 8:00am in the Selectboard Meeting Room and over Zoom.

While Looking at Meteors… A Strange Sight

by cgrotke | Nature
strange thing in sky sketch

I saw something strange in the sky last night. I was out looking for Perseid meteors around 10:30 pm. It was a bit on the early side but I thought I might get lucky. And I did. After 10 minutes or so I saw some very faint little shooting stars above me. It was mostly clear, with a bit of high haze in the east.

I looked across a field to try a different direction. It was clear above me and to the west. Almost immediately I saw a big fiery, flaming meteor come whizzing down. It had a long streak and looked great. Whoo hoo! Mission accomplished – I saw a good one. Time to go in. Then I noticed what looked to be a small plane or satellite moving very slowly in the west. It wasn’t blinking like a plane, though, and it seemed to be moving too slowly to be a satellite. I kept watching.

Cai Xi on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

Take a listen and look into Cai Xi’s life – early years in China, her painting heritage from classical to abstract, founding CX Silver Gallery, the arts of Dim Sum cooking and Tai Chi in the community…and she’s doing it all here in Brattleboro.

Solar for All Program Terminated

by cgrotke | State News

The Clean Energy States Alliance has a statement about the (at-least-for-now) termination of the Solar for All Program, of which Vermont was participating:

“The Environmental Protection Agency’s careless and unlawful termination of the Solar for All program destroys a critical effort to expand electricity production at a time when the country desperately needs more power.

The 60 Solar for All awardees—mostly state government agencies—have spent the past two years working creatively and diligently to design and roll out cost-effective low-income solar programs in both red and blue states. Ending this popular bipartisan program squanders both their hard work and valuable federal dollars.

Burn Ban in Effect – Town of Brattleboro

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

Due to current weather conditions and an increased risk of wildfires, a burn ban is now in effect for the Town of Brattleboro until further notice. The area is currently experiencing very high fire danger levels, and even a small spark could lead to a dangerous wildfire.

Explore the Food & Culture of Oaxaca, Mexico, in Brooks Library Presentation

by roadnews | Travel

Long-time resident of Brattleboro and Oaxaca, Mimi Marchev, will lead a presentation on the unique culture and cuisine that has evolved in this ethnically diverse region of southern Mexico. The presentation will be held at Brooks Memorial Library on Wednesday, August 20, at 7:00 pm.

Oaxaca has become a leading culinary destination, both for Mexicans and for visitors from the United States. Its reputation is well deserved, and it is based on much more than a collection of top restaurants. Oaxaca’s cuisine has sprung from the area’s strong indigenous roots; notably from the Zapotec and Mixtec people. Food is not merely sustenance in Oaxaca; it is an expression of heritage, identity, and community.

Leda’s Kitchen Weekly-ish Chef-Prepared Meals (10% off first order with code ibratt)

by LedaS | Food

At Leda’s Kitchen, I draw on my adventures as a private chef, cookbook author, and co-owner of Dosa Kitchen Food Truck to offer weekly-ish gluten-free heat-and-eat meals designed to awaken your senses and fit seamlessly into your schedule. My menus feature curries, stews, nourishing soups and stews inspired by diverse food traditions. I cook with high-quality ingredients including free-range meats and focus on local and organic sourcing. You decide when to eat, as all dishes are designed to reheat beautifully, maintaining or even increasing their original deliciousness.

Lower Canal Street Emergency Repairs

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Utilities Division is working to locate a utility issue in the roadway at the intersection of Main ST, Canal ST, South Main ST and Route 142 (Vernon ST).  Motorists are asked to avoid travel in the area if possible.  This issue could result in a loss of water in the localized area.  The Utilities Division will be releasing updates as soon as they become available.

Brattleboro VTrans Paving Project Construction Update 8/08/2025

by Not Signed In | Town News

Nighttime single-lane closures will be in place next week on Monday night through Saturday morning from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Work will continue on Vermont Route 9 (Western Avenue and High Street), U.S. Route 5 (Canal Street and Main Street), and Vermont Route 30 (Linden Street). Flaggers will be present to direct one-way alternating traffic through multiple work zones. Motorcyclists should watch for grooved and uneven surfaces and all motorists should be aware of raised utility structures in the travel lanes and shoulders.

WSESD Board Meeting Agenda Aug 12, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

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

Deeper Insurance Cuts in Budget Bill

by RDavis | Health

Digging deeper into the 2025 budget bill reveals that Medicaid is not the only insurance that will be in jeopardy. Premiums for people insured under the Affordable Care Act, (ACA or Obamacare) will see steep rises in insurance premiums and the Medicare program will see cuts that will indirectly harm the senior population.

According to a recent article in “The American Prospect”, “The combination of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s (OBBBA) cuts to Medicaid (and, unless Congress does something about it, to Medicare) and the failure to extend enhanced ACA tax credits for exchange participants will cause roughly 15 million Americans to lose their health insurance, according to the latest estimates. Those who hang on to pay the higher rates are disproportionately likely to really need insurance due to medical conditions. This will tend to create sicker insurance pools, meaning more claims payouts by insurers.”