Education section
The Windham Southeast School District Board will hold a Special Board Meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 – in person at the WRCC Cusick Conference Room, with zoom capability.
DS noted that at the last meeting, in the review of C3, there was discussion of whether board members should be able to respond to public comment. The minutes stated that this item was going to be placed on the agenda for the January 14 full board meeting. DS has delayed this discussion due to an overly full agenda for January 14. She will put it on the agenda for January 28 or the first meeting in February.
I. Approval of Minutes from 1/8/25
II. Evaluate (2:00 – 3:00)
F8 Student Medication
F16 Head Lice
II Executive Session
-1 V.S.A. § 313 (a)(1)(E)
Pending or probable civil litigation or a prosecution, to which the public body is or may be a party
The WSESD Communications Council will meet from 10am on Thursday, January 16, 2025 The meeting will take place at the Central Office Conference Room and via zoom.
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at the Academy School, 860 Western Avenue, Brattleboro, and remotely via Zoom. (Please note location)
The Windham Southeast School District Finance Committee Meeting will take place Tuesday January 14, 2025at 5:00pm at the Academy School, 860 Western Avenue, Brattleboro, and remotely via Zoom.
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 5:00pm on Monday, January 13, 2025, in-person only, at the WRCC Cusick Conference Room, Brattleboro.
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board will meet at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, January 8. 2025 in the Windham Regional Career Center, Cusick Conference Room, 80 Atwood St., Brattleboro, and remotely via Zoom.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items [6:00-6:10]
III. 1 V.S.A. §313(a)(7) the academic records or suspension or discipline of students.
Potential Action Anticipated
II. Evaluate (2:00 – 3:00)
F8 Student Medication
F16 Head Lice
Invited Attendee: Rebecca Olmstead, Nurse Leader
– H6 Annual School Reports
– Gender Freedom in Schools – Proposed new policy
Summary
● Significant discussion regarding budget development
● Two policies submitted for first reading
Summary
● Following a discussion about holding or cancelling the Board Retreat, it was determined to proceed with the Board Retreat on 1/13/24 and have a potluck meal to assist with the containment of expenses.
● Approved EES (Early Education Services) to move forward with the preparation and subsequent submission of their application for funding in the amount of $3,483,623.00 (due 1/6/25).
● To settle on a potential ‘shared read’ for the Board to engage in, a group of three to four Board Members have committed to review suggestions in order to select one to bring to the Board.
● A presentation was given by Dr. Rachel Glickman about Community Schools.
V. Fiscal Report
Presentation of 1st Comprehensive Draft Budget
Frank walked the board through the most recent draft of the FY26 budget which includes all previously discussed topics as well as the new food service recommendation. Questions from the board were answered.
On a motion by Shaun Murphy moved that the WSESU board accept and approve the budget as presented in the amount $32,028,031.
Due to the impending icy weather, a decision has been made to hold tonight’s Windham Southeast School District Board meeting as a remote-only meeting, beginning at the regular time– 6:00 pm.
The Zoom link can be found at https://wsesu.org/wsesd-agendas/
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board will meet in Executive Session at 4:30 PM on Wednesday, December 11. 2024 in the Windham Regional Career Center, Room #198e, 80 Atwood St., Brattleboro, and remotely via Zoom.
Frank gave an overview of the special education budget for our 10 sites including pre-K. The current draft shows an increase of 5.9% driven by student needs (up $1.1 million). The single largest cost driver is associated with tuition costs for students that we are not able to educate in our schools. In the area of salary and benefits, the cost driver is the increase in health insurance costs.
Tate Erickson and his team have been working hard to refine the budget to be lean and efficient but have capacity for new students moving in. He walked through the number of students as well as staff to student ratios. These numbers are expected to be finalized tomorrow and will be posted. Tate discussed both the ratios for both students in our area schools and those requiring out of district placements.
IV. Board Matters: Part 1
A. Leadership Council Updates [10 Minutes]
B. Board Sub-Committees and SU Updates [10 minutes]
C. Board Retreat 1/13/24
D. Early Education Services: Application for Head Start and Early Head Start services
E. Value of a common read – potential recommendations
Summary
● The Finance Committee reported that they have been meeting to discuss the budget development, specifically reviewing the Elementary and Secondary budget drafts.
● Engaged in a discussion to plan for Teacher Appreciation this school year.
● Discussed the uptick in people reaching out to resources nationwide related to mental health as it relates to injurious language and targeting.
● Began a discussion related to the value of sharing a common read – Board and Administration.
