Education section
New policy: Behavior Threat Assessment Teams
The committee reviewed the draft of the Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams policy from the VSBA and looked at the Vermont statutes referenced within it. The policy codifies what the district is already doing. The Behavior Threat Assessment Team is a new title, but schools have school safety teams in place.
III. Evaluate
– Prioritize mandated policies as per recent legislation
– VSBA Policy Update Review List
– Gender Freedom in Schools – Proposed new policy
F34 Transgender and Gender Creative Students Policy
– F5 Searches, Seizures, and Interrogation of Students by Law Enforcement Personnel or Other Non-School Personnel
– G4 Selection of Library Materials – Compare with Required Policy to be adopted as of 7/1/25
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.
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.”
V New Business
– Recommendation to the Redistricting Task Force
– Letter to Redistricting Task Force
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
I. Call to Order – Anne Beekman, Chair
II. Approve minutes from 07/21/2025 meeting
III. New hires/resignations
IV. Other business
V. Adjourn
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 5:00pm on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in-person only, at the WRCC Cusick Conference Room, Brattleboro.
Summary
– The Board welcomed two new student representatives for the 25-26 school year.
– Universal Pre K contracts were approved for the upcoming school year.
– A summary will be requested from Legal Counsel of work and cases litigated, settled or considered for litigation or currently awaiting resolution involving WSESD/SU in the past three years.
– In light of the approval of bill H.454 by the Senate and House of Representatives on June 16, 2025, the WSESD board voted to remain within a Supervisory Union within a larger governance region to the extent practical to the new redistricting task force.
Motion that the legal counsel prepare in writing a summary of all cases involving the WSESD/SU within the past 3 years. The summary should include all cases litigated, settled, considered for litigation, or currently awaiting resolution. The summary should also include the nature of the matter and any financial or policy implications to the extent permissible by law. It is understood that this summary will be discussed only in Executive Session by the WSESD Board and not revealed to the general public.
Updates
Gender Freedom in Schools: There is a call being scheduled for Thursday with the specialist lawyer who has reviewed the proposed policy.
DS forwarded two emails from the VSBA regarding legislative updates. Several policy issues are coming our way, as well as changes to Open Meeting law.
BILL HOLIDAY’s teaching style was outside the box and outside the classroom – taking students on Field Studies to the places where history happened. He is the author of two books. Bill also gives tribute to his late nephew Reggie Martell through stories of their travels together.
II. Consider
– Proposed Asthma Policy
Rebecca Olmstead and Susan Grabowski
– Wellness Policy
E11 Federal Child Nutrition Act Wellness Policy
Rebecca Olmstead and Susan Grabowski
The Advisory Board aims to strengthen CTE programs by providing input for curriculum and related district program activities. The Advisory Board also helps increase community awareness and participation in CTE programs. The Advisory Board makes recommendations but is not responsible for funding or program implementation or supervision.
a. Connection with Young Eagles program in Rutland. The group discussed a number of flight opportunities connected with the Young Eagles program within a reasonable drive from Brattleboro. One of the biggest obstacles is the fact that free Young Eagles intro flights are age limited to 17 years old. Six of the nine students in the program are older than 17. Additionally, we discussed the possibility of scheduling introductory flight, at a cost, with a local flight school as a means to get students in the air in a light GA aircraft.
Updates
DS noted that Tim Maciel sent an email regarding HHB and C7 and C8. That email and her reply are below:
On Jun 11, 2025, Tim Maciel wrote:
I’m sorry not to be able to call in or attend the Policy meeting in person as a non- member, but I’m asking you to consider two requests:
BEATRICE BIRCH has created a place where folks recovering from addictions and trauma can find health, solace, direction and community. Listen to her story and how INNER FIRE Healing Community helps to connect each person to their own inner fire.
V. Summit Presentation:
– Continuous Improvement Plan in Review – CIP In Review
This presentation can be viewed from the recording of this evening’s meeting, found here.
Mark Speno discussed this afternoon’s end of year family picnic at Brattleboro Early Education Center, the new Canal Street School Pre-K facility. It was a great family event celebrating the work of the new Pre-K program. Parental feedback was great and they look forward to expanding next year. Mark thanked the board for their support of this endeavor.
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, Windham Southeast School District, and Vernon Town School District Boards will meet at 5:00 PM on Monday, June 9, 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.
