Education section
The Town Clerks of Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford and Putney have confirmed that they and members of their Boards of Civil Authority will come together in each town for a recount of the contested Guilford 3-year seat on the Board of the WSESD.
Candidates and members of the public are welcome to observe the recount. Time and locations for the re-count:
III. Evaluate
– F8 Student Medication (2:00-3:00) Invited attendee: Rebecca Olmstead, Nurse Leader
– Assess Draft of statement re Students with Immigration Status [Mikaela and Shannon]
– Gender Freedom in Schools – Proposed new policy
The Windham Southeast School District announces that a recount has been requested in the election results for the three-year Guilford seat on the WSESD Board of Directors. Candidates were Jocelyn Fritts, having received 1128 votes and Kelly Young, having received 1100 votes.
The total vote tallies are reported in a “commingled” manner, as per 16 V.S.A. § 741(3). “The articles of agreement as initially approved by the voters on or before July 1, 2019 explicitly provide that the board of civil authority of each town within the unified union school district shall count Australian ballots cast in that town and report that town’s results to the district clerk, who shall calculate total votes cast within the unified union school district and report the result of the vote to the public.”
The unofficial tallies are in, from Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, and Putney.
The unofficial election results for the WSESD Board of Directors are as follows:
Summary
● The Board debriefed two important Summits held in the past two weeks, 2/12/25 with the three School Boards and 2/24/25 with local legislators.
● The Board accepted, with regret, the resignation of Christopher Brewer, Dean of Students at BUHS.
● Three policies (D1, F16, F28) were presented to the Board for a first reading.
● The Board entered Executive Session under 1VSA §313 (a)(1)(A) Contracts.
On a Motion by Elie and seconded by Maggie the committee unanimously approved the draft for publication pending any comments from Frank Rucker, WSESD business manager.
Kristina referred the committee to the motion from the past meeting authorizing Maggie and Kristina to incorporate edits before releasing the report if Frank has minor changes. The committee agreed to let the motion stand, and Kristina agreed to hold an emergency meeting if any issues arise in the next few days which would require substantive rewrites.
IV. Overview of Governor Scott’s “Education Transformation Proposal: a proposed reform of Vermont’s current system of education and funding.”
Dan McArthur Rural School Alliance gave an overview of the Governor’s proposal for educational reforms and gave remarks on behalf of the rural school alliance.
Emilie Kornheiser also gave remarks regarding educational reform proposal and various funding mechanisms
II. Evaluate
– Assess Draft of statement re Students with Immigration Status [Mikaela and Shannon]
– Gender Freedom in Schools – Proposed new policy
F34 Transgender and Gender Creative Students Policy
The committee discussed the question of whether a policy in support of immigrant students should be developed, a topic that was also under discussion at the board meeting on 2/11/25. MS cautioned that Pietro has advised to stay away from a new policy, and instead to focus on law and procedure. A vision statement would be fine and would be a way to send a message to the community.
I. Call to Order
II. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items [6:05-6:15]
III. Purpose of tonight’s Special Board Meeting
Introduction of invited Legislators and other guests
IV. Overview of Governor Scott’s “ Education Transformation Proposal: a proposed reform of Vermont’s current system of education and funding.”
The Windham Southeast School District Independent Budget Review Committee will meet Monday, February 17, 2025 at 7:00PM at the Austine Campus and via zoom.
The Windham Southeast School District Finance Committee will meet Tuesday February 11, 2025 at 5:00pm Cusick Conference Room BUHS / WRCC
The Windham Southeast School District Independent Budget Review Committee will meet Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 5:00PM via zoom.
III. Future discussion areas:
a. High School Preparedness: How can this committee support equity regarding middle schoolers being prepared for BUHS? – volunteer for reaching out to Mark again.
II. Evaluate (2:00 – 3:00)
F8 Student Medication
F16 Head Lice
Invited Attendee: Rebecca Olmstead, Nurse Leader
WSESD Board Candidates for Election March 4, 2025
Brattleboro Three-year term candidates (1 seat)
Candidates:
Matthew J. Schibley
At a special meeting on January 21st, the WSESD Board appointed Dummerston resident Jessica Everlith to temporarily fill a vacancy on the board. Ms. Everlith will fill this seat until such time as a candidate can be elected to fill the remaining year of the vacancy created by a recent resignation. On the March 4th Town Meeting Day, registered voters of Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford and Putney will be able to vote for the candidate of their choice to fill this Dummerston seat on the board.
IV. Fiscal Report [60 minutes]
Public Information Meeting
FY ’26 Budget Approved by Board [Action Required]
V. Election Article Approval – Board Signatures [Action Required]
Election Article
The Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Board has received letters of interest from three candidates for the vacant seat on the Board. Any individual appointed to the open seat on the WSESD Board must be a resident of Dummerston and will hold the position until March 2025. A new member of the WSESD Board will then be elected on March 4th, to complete the remainder of the term, which is through March 2026.
The three candidates for appointment from Dummerston are:
Jessica Everlith
Gretchen Lanterman
Jody Normandeau
The Windham Southeast School District Independent Budget Review Committee will meet Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 5:00PM via Zoom only.
Zoom link
Administrative Report – Mark reported on the upcoming winter data benchmark meetings and the goal setting plans for the spring for both individual students and schools. Peer observation will be used on the principal level which is new.
