Education section
F5 Searches, Seizures, and Interrogation of Students By Law Enforcement Personnel or Other Non-School Personnel
F5 was readopted last August, but the committee is revisiting the policy due to concerns that it may conflict with the District’s Commitment to Student Safety statement for students with immigration status.
The committee discussed several potentially problematic areas in F5:
Summary
● The Brattleboro Area Youth Council made a presentation to the Board and shared a statement regarding harassment, hazing and bullying.
● The Board voted to adopt the Ongoing Social Justice and Anti-Racist Commitment updated in 2025.
● The Board approved sending the Open Letter to the VSBA.
● The Board voted to send the Resolution presented this evening to the VSBA.
● Following a discussion about having meetings in July or taking a break, the Board voted to meet on 7/8/25 and 7/22/25.
● The Board accepted the resignation of five staff members and approved seven new hires.
Administrative Report – Mark spoke of the ongoing development of the district’s pre-K program.
The Oak Grove pre-K will move to the Canal Street facility giving more opportunities for collaboration and teamwork as well as a specialized program for intensive behavior which may reduce out of district placements. We are in the beginning phase of this new project with an expected start date of the fall. Open house tomorrow night 4-6 pm. Mark gave thanks to Mary Kaufmann for her work on both the intensive services program and the Pre-K.
A. Leadership Council Updates
B. Board Sub-Committees and SU Updates
C. Update on legislative issues related education (Tim & Jocelyn)
D. Update regarding Board Goals (Kim, Tim, Jessica, Ruby)
E. Consider annual review as per WSESD Ongoing Social Justice and Anti-Racist Commitment (Matt, Jocelyn, Mikaela)
1. Greetings/Introductions.
2. Summary of the functions of an Advisory Board.
3. Program Goals and Objectives.
4. Review of topics/action items from the last meeting
a. Connection with Young Eagles program in Rutland
Agenda
1. Call meeting to order
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Legislative Updates on Fiscal Matters
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board will meet at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 in the Windham Regional Career Center, Cusick Conference Room, 80 Atwood St, Brattleboro VT, and remotely via Zoom.
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at the
WRCC Cusick Conference Room and remotely via Zoom.
Summary
● Board voted to sign open letter to AOE
● Board voted to draft a letter to AOE regarding Hazing Harassment and Bullying Advisory council membership
The Board of Directors of the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union sent the attached letter dated April 22, 2025 to Vermont Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders, CMP Assistant Director Tracy Watterson and Rebecca McBroom, Chair of the Harassment, Hazing and Bullying Prevention Advisory Council Vermont-NEA as an urgent call for inclusive representation on the HHB Prevention Advisory Council.
Gender Freedom in Schools
At the last meeting, the committee reviewed Pietro’s remarks on the draft policy. After that session, SK and AH met with stakeholders to further discuss legal’s response. Today, SK and AH when through Pietro’s comments point by point and shared potential revisions
Page 1, Philosophy, second paragraph. Remove reference to Title IX and strike through footnotes 1 and 2.
Summary
● A statement was read into the minutes shared by the Dummerston LC related to their commitment to DEI.
● The Finance Committee updated the Board about their regular meeting time: second Monday of the month at 5 pm. Location to be determined.
● The Board moved to approve a reimbursement of up to $100.00 per annum per Board Member to purchase publications for professional development as deemed pertinent to their work on the Board.
● A draft was approved regarding the composition of the Harassment, Hazing and Bullying Advisory Committee that will be sent to Secretary Saunders, Ms. Watterson, and Chair McBroom.
● A presentation was made related to the Education Quality Standards (EQS) and District Quality Standards (DQS) which will go into effect on 7/1/25.
● Two hires and three resignations were approved
● The Board entered an Executive Session resulting in an action.
Voices from our high school ! A senior at BUHS, LEO MOUSSEAU keeps busy as a teacher’s assistant, acting in local productions and serving on the student-led Restorative Justice panel. Tune in for an inside look…..
The agenda was amended to discuss recent events with directives given by VT Agency of Education, Zoie Saunders regarding a Trump Administration Executive Order. There was much energy and activation in our community regarding the directives. More to come as it is a developing situation.
As state legislators and Governor Phil Scott draft and release plans for drastic education reform, the Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Board voted unanimously to join the Rural School Community Alliance (RSCA) on February 11, 2025. RSCA is a coalition of Vermonters that advocates for the importance of rural community public schools and for a democratic voice in decision-making about their future. The RSCA’s goal is to encourage legislators to pursue meaningful property tax reform that strengthens Vermont’s future while maintaining support for high-quality, equitable, cost-effective rural schools.
Summary
● 3 Executive Sessions were held regarding student academic records and disciplinary matters, and labor relations. Board motioned to ratify the contract for certified employes as negotiated
● Significant public comment and board discussion occurred concerning Title VI and recent
federal DEI-related directives from the state; a special board meeting was scheduled for April 10 to continue the conversation.
● Board subcommittees and leadership councils shared updates, including ongoing work in social justice, goal setting, and community engagement through the Rural School Alliance.
● Personnel updates included multiple hires, two resignations, and one retirement, all accepted with appreciation.
● Board voted to ratify the contract for certified staff.
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday,
April 08, 2025 at the Guilford Central School and remotely via Zoom.
The Windham Southeast School District Policy and Amendment Committee Meeting will take place Wednesday, April 09, 2025 at 2:00pmin the WSESU Central Office, 53 Green Street, Brattleboro
Gender Freedom in Schools
This policy has been reviewed by counsel. The attorney counsels caution, and points out that the law is always fluid, and that there are consequences for not following the law. The Agency of Education counsels the use of district policy on HHB.
Summary
● Leadership Council and Committee assignments were established.
● The Board determined that they will follow Robert’s Rules for Small Boards and confirmed Board Norms.
● A committee was established to explore the Board goal setting process.
● Donation of $4,626,00 made to the Rural Community School Alliance was approved.
● Approved 3 policies.
Mark presented the board with documents detailing our SU’s current system of Supervision, Observation & Evaluation for certified staff. New teachers are evaluated during their 1st and 2nd years and then afterwards on a 3 year cycle. A committee was created including members of the Curriculum office, BAMS and BUHS personnel as well as representatives from the elementary schools so that there was a full Pre-K – 12 lens on this issue. The committee is proposing a newly formatted template that will be discussed at the April Admin meeting. The intent is to create a common structure that can be used across all schools.
