Education section
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.
● 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 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.
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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
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.
NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 04, 2025 – in person at the Putney Central School, and remotely via Zoom.
Summary: The committee reviewed three policies during the meeting (Gender Freedom in Schools, D15 Travel Reimbursement, and C7 Board Relations with Administrators). Gender Freedom and D15 will be sent for a first reading at the next full Board meeting on November 4. C7 remains on hold. Rebecca Olmstead was not able to attend the meeting, so Asthma Friendly Schools and E11 Federal Child Nutrition Act Wellness Policy were not reviewed; these policies will be put on the agenda for November 12.
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, Windham Southeast School District, and Vernon Town School District Boards will meet at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at the Cusick Conference Room, 80 Atwood Street, Brattleboro, and remotely via Zoom. The boards will convene at 5pm for dinner, during which time no business will be conducted. The agenda begins at 6pm, at which time the Zoom link will open to the public.
Summary
● Committed support for the Student Representatives to the Board on their initiative to explore the process of transitioning from elementary to middle to high school.
● The WSESD Board has been awarded the BCTV Government/Education Partner Award. All are invited to a celebration at the Producer Party on 11/14/25 at 6 pm at the Stone Church.
● Linda Alvarez was recognized by the Board for being awarded the Vermont Teacher of the Year Award.
In 2024, the Vermont legislature created the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont, with the intent to study and make recommendations for the vision, structure and funding of education in Vermont with input from the public and other stakeholders. The Commission is reaching out for feedback on Act 73, a law which was enacted in response to residents’ concerns about high and rising property taxes and a desire to increase quality educational opportunities for students. The intent of the law is to strengthen the public education system, mitigate costs, and improve educational opportunities for students.
Policies
Note: The committee did not review two policies that were at the top of the agenda (the proposed Asthma Friendly Schools policy and D15 Travel Reimbursement) as the invited guests were unable to attend the meeting.
Gender Freedom in Schools
The committee reviewed and discussed the final section of the policy, School Activities.
