Ruby McAdoo noted that the next step in the budget development process will be at the full WSESD Board meeting 12/16/25. Working with the Board Chair, the budget review will be earlier on the agenda to encourage public involvement. The Communications Committee will be spreading the word about this meeting.
A. Leadership Council Updates
B. Board Sub-Committees and SU Updates
C. Staff Appreciation: Proposed date
D. Update on legislative issues related to education (Tim & Jocelyn) Legislative Update and Webinar.
This country has faced a critical nursing shortage for years. The situation was made worse as a result of the COVID pandemic when health care workers were burned out and left professions that already needed to increase their numbers. Now, the Trump administration has created a new threat to the nursing profession by changing its definition of a professional degree to exclude nursing.
This a gut punch to the 5.86 million nurses in this country. Of that number, 920,000 are LPNs and 5 million are RNs. These are significant numbers, and I hope that all nurses are reminded of the disrespect that this Republican administration is showing to nurses when it comes time to vote.
Despite the weather conditions, the Brattleboro Selectboard went forth with their first meeting of December. Being a very long meeting, I decided to jump in somewhere around the time of the discussion of health care changes and voting on RTM, which appeared on the agenda for roughly 8:15, which was actually more like 9pm.
The board covered the DPW, Rec & Parks, Library and DID budget requests. Interestingly, they decided to hold public hearing to gather important feedback from the public about declaring an emergency and making it more difficult for social service and charitable use organizations to exist. This will be at a special meeting of the selectboard to be held December 22nd, overseen by Mr. Potter.
November was an overall dry month but seemed wet at times. There was measurable precipitation on 13 of the first 17 days but only in small amounts. Less days of moisture the second half of November. The monthly total is 2.36 inches compared to the normal of 3.53″. More than an inch below the average. Year to date with just one month to go my total is 43.42″, just a few hundreds above the NOAA normal of 43.24″.
Frank Rucker reviewed the proposed budget summary (linked above). The percent change is currently at a 2% change. When developing a budget, meeting student needs as well as inflation rates are heavily considered in order to put forth a fiscally responsible budget.
Nancy Wiese shared information about the budget development for WRCC. She spoke to the challenge specific to WRCC; if a position is reduced, then a program is eliminated. Using carefully designed solutions, this year she is able to present a zero increase budget. This will not be sustainable in the future, but is the case this year. Currently the culinary program is being rebuilt and will be offered again next year.
Dec. 1 Mac & Cheese
Stewed Tomatoes
Green Beans
Pineapple
Our local Dance Ecology is alive and well – and thriving! MICHAEL BODEL’s innovative dance projects open our minds and hearts to explore ideas, concepts and beauty in new ways through movement, sound, objects…even fragrance!
To order, just follow these three simple steps!
1. Place your order at http://ledaskitchen.com by Tuesday at 7PM on weeks when I’m cooking.
2. Look for your confirmation email with the pickup address.
3. Collect your meals on Thursday between 4 PM to 7 PM or by special arrangement.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will continue work on the FY27 budget at their first regular meeting in December. From the way it is scheduled, this could be a VERY long meeting. The agenda-setters have the final item beginning AFTER 10 PM, and we all know how good they are at estimating agenda starting times.
In addition to hearing from Rec & Parks, the Library, the downtown organization, and Public Works about their budgets for FY27, the board will take up the bigger items of a change of health care providers, a discussion of options for voting to end Representative Town meeting, a new potential zoning change to start controlling “social assistance or charitable services” through conditional use permits, a monthly budget update, and anything else the public wants to bring up during public participation.
Now that the Brattleboro Selectboard has begun budget development for the next fiscal year, it’s time for a District 9 forum. Bob Oeser and David Levenbach are organizing this opportunity for district residents to come together to share information, ask questions about the budget and other Town affairs, and express preferences and concerns. We’ll meet at 6:30 pm on Monday 1 December in the third floor Community Room of the Brooks Memorial Library. For more information, contact fideladelphia@gmail.com, phone 413.559.1533.
Now that the Brattleboro Selectboard has begun budget development for the next fiscal year, it’s time for a District 9 forum. Bob Oeser and David Levenbach are organizing this opportunity for district residents to come together to share information, ask questions about the budget and other Town affairs, and express preferences and concerns. We’ll meet at 6:30 pm on Monday 1 December in the third floor Community Room of the Brooks Memorial Library. For more information, contact fideladelphia@gmail.com, phone 413.559.1533.
The Brattleboro Human Services Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 6:30pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.
The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 4:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.
The Connecticut River Joint Commissions (CRJC) is pleased to announce that it has received a $40,000 grant through the State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation. This grant funds CRJC’s work program for November 2025 to October 2026.
These funds enable the CRJC to continue its grassroots, locally focused work to preserve and protect the visual and ecological integrity and sustainable working landscape of the Connecticut River Valley through implementation of its river management plan. The CRJC focuses on the key issues facing the Connecticut River watershed of Vermont and New Hampshire and plays the vital bi-state role of convening, catalyzing, and leading dialogue on these regional issues.
Brattleboro NH PC 25(6) and Brattleboro-Putney STP PS 25(11)
Work is finishing up throughout the project limits for the season and crews will be accessing the shoulders of all project routes as well as approach routes during day time hours Monday through Friday next week.
● WSESU’s poverty level has been decreasing over the past three years relative to the national rate. As a result, Title I funding for FY27 is projected to drop to about 80% of current levels.
● The Vermont AOE has also indicated that there is no reliable information yet about the status of any Title grants for FY27.
1. Approval of Minutes
2. FY27 Preliminary Budget Development – WSESD District Revenues and Capital Plan Proposal
The annual All Souls Unitarian Universalist Holiday Bazaar will take place on Saturday, December 6, from 9 am to 3 pm, at the West Village Meeting House in West Brattleboro.
The Bazaar will feature beautiful artisan wreaths and ornaments, handmade and decorated, as well as traditional holiday baked goods, including gluten-free, and other edibles, such as jams, jellies, chocolates, and baking mixes. Also planned are a gift emporium featuring handcrafted items and a raffle of gift baskets. A silent auction includes a hand-crafted cherry table by woodworker Bruce Berg and a weekend getaway in Maine. A holiday brunch of quiche, fruit, and pastries will also be available.
PUTNEY — Next Stage Arts invites the community to gather for an afternoon of light, music, and togetherness at its Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday, December 20. The event features hands-on activities, a festive cookie swap, and a joyful community sing-along, all free and open to all ages.
The celebration begins from 2:00–3:00 pm with luminaria decorating, offering families and individuals a chance to create glowing artworks to brighten the darkest time of year. At the same time, community members are invited to participate in a cookie swap drop-off, bringing a batch of homemade treats to share.
PUTNEY – Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present contemporary folk singer/songwriters Antje Duvekot and Seth Glier on Saturday, December 20 at 7:30 PM at Next Stage. Together, Antje and Seth create an evening of luminous storytelling—songs of heart, conscience, and connection that illuminate both the inner and outer landscapes of our lives.
Antje Duvekot is a German-born, American-raised singer/songwriter whose work has been critically praised for its hard-won wisdom, dark-eyed realism, and street-smart romanticism. Her bicultural upbringing and relative newness to English have shaped a unique poetic voice, giving her songs a startlingly original palette. These qualities underpin the powerful, empathetic perspective that informs everything she writes. Antje has won top songwriting honors, including the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, the Kerrville Folk Festival Best New Folk Award, and the Boston Music Award for Outstanding Folk Act.
