Culture story sections
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.
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.
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!
● 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
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.
The next hybrid In-Person and Zoom meeting of the Windham County Genealogy Interest Group will focus on “Using an AI Assistant for Genealogy & Do You Know About Elephind? The Free Newspaper Search Portal,” on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 12:30PM, Zoom and at Brooks Memorial Library. In case of inclement weather, it will be Zoom only, Free and open to all.
The Windham Southeast School District Independent Budget Review Committee will meet Monday, November 24, 2025 at 5:00PM at the WSESU Central Office, 53 Green Street, Brattleboro, and remotely via Zoom.
The Windham Southeast School District Finance Committee Meetingwill meet Monday November 24, 2025 at 5:00pm in the WSESU James Kane Conference Room, 53 Green St. Brattleboro, VT, and remotely via Zoom.
“The biggest challenge that some employers face is getting applicants. Not just qualified applicants, but applicants. Communication follow-up by applicants isn’t happening. Applicants are looking to tweak the job to meet the applicants work-life balance. Young workers do not have an understanding of the professional nuances…”
I. Approval of Minutes from 11/12/25
II. Evaluate
2:15:
– Asthma Friendly School Policy
Invited: Rebecca Olmstead
– C8 Board Relations with School Personnel
– C7 Board Relations with the Administrators
Check out this show to hear Deborah Luskin talk about her new book “Reviving Artemis – The Making of a Huntress”. She also talks about her kinship with Vermont, the land, hiking the Long Trail, and life as a locavore. Deborah has led writing workshops, programs for the Vermont Humanities Council, been a commentator on VPR and lectured widely.
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board will meet at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at the Windham Regional Career Center, Cusick Conference Room, 80 Atwood St, Brattleboro VT, and remotely via Zoom.
Superintendent Speno kicked off the start of the board’s budget season. He and the team have been meeting with individual principals and next week will work with the teams at BUHS and the WRCC. Draft budgets are expected to be ready to share by the end of the week.
Business Administrator Frank Rucker shared the calendar of the budget process as well as the Guiding Principles and Background Data for FY27 Budget Planning document. The WSESU is scheduled to meet next Wednesday for our first dedicated budget meeting.
The Windham Southeast School District Finance Committee will meet Monday November 17, 2025at 5:00pm WSESU James Kane Conference Room, 53 Green St. Brattleboro, VT and remotely via Zoom.
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board will meet at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at the Windham Regional Career Center, Cusick Conference Room, 80 Atwood St, Brattleboro VT, and remotely via Zoom.
Summary
● The Board approved a new Universal PreK partner, The Pumpkin Patch.
● The Board committed to a $2,000 donation from their professional development line to support the continued advocacy work of the RSCA.
● The Member Slate for this year’s LCs was approved as is.
● Policy E19, Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams, was adopted, and policies D12, Prevention of Harassment of Employees Policy, F37 District Equity Policy, and G13, Responsible Computer, Network & Internet Use Policy, were re-adopted.
Back by popular demand, Vermont Suitcase Company returns with The Continuing Adventures of King Wenceslas and His Page Edith at Next Stage Arts in Putney on Friday, December 19 at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:15 PM.
Join King Wenceslas and his loyal page as they embark on snowy new adventures filled with humor, heart, and holiday cheer. The evening opens with festive songs by Heedless of the Gale, setting the perfect mood for laughter and song.
