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Education section

Howard Prussack on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Education

HOWARD PRUSSACK works hard to produce vegetables, plants and hemp on his farm, High Meadows Farm in Westminster West – he serves our community and beyond. His bounty is available locally and at the Brattleboro Farmer’s Market which he co-founded. Howard also tells wonderful stories of his travels with an international farmer-to-farmer exchange program.

Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Implements Interim Plan to Support Oak Grove School Students During Facility Repairs

by Not Signed In | Education

[WINDHAM SOUTHEAST, BRATTLEBORO, FEBRUARY 12, 2026] — The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union has developed a comprehensive interim plan to ensure continuity of learning for Oak Grove School students while repairs to the school’s heating system are completed.

Oak Grove School was closed on February 9th and 10th as crews worked to identify and repair a heating unit and conduct required safety testing. While progress is being made, the timeline for completion is likely another week.

To minimize disruption to students’ education, Oak Grove School students and staff are temporarily attending Academy School and Green Street School. The interim placements were thoughtfully designed with students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs as the primary consideration.

Maeve Bald on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Education

Always enlightening to hear from our local BUHS students! Maeve has thrived in our local public schools and is a strong voice and presence in many leadership roles, youth activism and sports. She talks about her experiences and influences and looks forward to following a career in Early Childhood education.

WSESU Board Meeting Minutes – Dec 10 and 15, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

Harley Sterling gave the board an overview of the food service programs first months of operation and plans for the future. His team is constantly seeking out additional revenue sources to support the program and last month received $99,000 from the Kendall Foundation’s Food Vision program for kitchen infrastructure. Over the summer the food service team hosted the 3rd largest summer food program in Vermont. They are looking to increase to 15% the percentage of local foods used as well as expanding participation in our schools.

WSESD / Senate Listening Session on Proposed Vermont Education Reform

by Not Signed In | Education

The Board of the Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) invites you to an upcoming WSESD Board meeting that will include a listening session with our local senators. The purpose of the listening session will be to provide an opportunity for comments and concerns regarding changes to the education system and school district redistricting. This listening session will take place during a WSESD Board meeting:

WSESU Board Meeting Minutes Dec 3, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

The main components of the $2 million dollar increase in Special Education funding includes:

● An increase in intensive services at the elementary level including medically fragile students and the need for specialized equipment and technologies.

● An increase of $700,000 in benefits with the majority in health insurance as well as about $500,000 in contractual salary increases. It was noted that it is a new occurrence that an increase in benefits is now larger than salary. The balance of the increase is from the additional need for contracted services for evaluations and specialists such as speech language pathologist and psychologist services.

WSESD Finance Committee Meeting Minutes Dec 1, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

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.

WSESD Finance Committee Meeting Minutes Nov 24, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

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 Board Meeting Minutes Nov 19, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

● 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.

Windham Southeast Supervisory Union School Board Meeting Minutes Nov 12, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

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.