Education

Education section

Windham Southeast Supervisory Union School Board Special Meeting Minutes — June 11, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

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.

WSESU, WSESD, Vernon Town School Boards “Summit” Agenda June 9, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

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.

Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Policy and Amendment Committee Meeting Minutes May 28, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

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:

WSESD Board Minutes May 27, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

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.

WSESU Board Meeting Minutes May 14, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

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.

WSESD Board Meeting Agenda – May 27, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

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)

WSESU Sends Letter Supporting Inclusive Representation on HHB Prevention Advisory Council

by Not Signed In | Education

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.

Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Policy and Amendment Committee Meeting Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

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.

WSESD Board Meeting Minutes April 22, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

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.

Leo Mousseau on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Education

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…..

WSESD Joins Rural School Community Alliance

by Not Signed In | Education

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.

WSESD Board Meeting Minutes – April 8, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

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.

WSESD Board Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Education

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