Education section
Summary
● Two Board members will join the Collective Bargaining team for the upcoming negotiations this year.
● The Board will review the policies to formally identify those that require a report to the Board.
● The Board voted to approve the 24-25 Calendar of Presentations to the Board.
● The Board will review and discuss the CIP goals following the Summit on (sic)
DS amended the agenda to include a discussion about identifying policies that require regular reports to the Board.
DS also noted that there has been a request to re-evaluate F21 (Policy on the Use of Restraint and Seclusion). AB will reach out to Harwood, a district that does not use restraint or seclusion.
– If appropriate, every agenda item is subject to Potential Action.
– If any Board Member feels that an item on the Consent Agenda warrants discussion, that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be set aside for discussion. In this way the Consent Agenda will be approved in one motion. That request should be made now, or before the vote on the Consent Agenda.
– Amendments to the Agenda
Panorama retention survey, school climate, well-being, and teacher feedback should be included in the annual report. The report will address the need for equity support and emphasize the importance of continuous improvement. Specific attention will be given to marginalized students in the continuous improvement plan to ensure that goals are met.
Upon reviewing the data, it is evident that students with individualized education programs (IEP) and those from low-income backgrounds are not performing well. This called for specific attention in the CIP plan for math and literacy. Deborah will speak to Mark about drafting the necessary goals that were presented at the June administration retreat.
The major concern was that in trying to spell out all the possible scenarios, the complexity becomes overwhelming and the logic is hard to follow; keeping it simple may be better. On the other hand, having the detailed list may provide an opportunity to provide service for students who aren’t obvious.
Our renegotiations will start around November and the goal is to be done by the annual meeting or earlier in February if possible. The usual time requirement is 4 pm – 8 pm weekly on a non-board meeting night. The board discussed including 2 board members on the negotiation team in a “silent but present” capacity. While the negotiations fall under the SU purview, the board discussed if representatives from the SD and VES boards, who are not on the SU board, could be included. Anne will reach out to legal counsel to see if we can expand the group to include district membership.
Summary
● The Board reviewed who is on each of the committees and who the chair is. Also reviewed who participates in each of the school’s L.C.s
● The Board voted to resume responsibility for accepting all hires, resignations, and retirements now that the summer session is coming to a close.
● The Board voted to resume responsibility for the financial decisions now that the summer session is coming to a close.
● The Board approved the hire for the Automotive Teacher for the WRCC.
● The consent agenda was approved by the Board.
● The Board re-adopted policies E14, F4, F5, F41 and G13.
The Windham Southeast School District Board will hold a Special Board Meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 – in person at the WSESU Central Office Conference Room, 53 Green Street, Brattleboro, and via zoom.
I. Approval of Minutes from 6/26/24
II. Update
– Policies presented at 8/13/24 SD Board Meeting
– F1 Student Conduct and Discipline
– F28 Student Athletics, Clubs, and Activities
NOTICE OF MEETING
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board will meet at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in the Windham Regional Career Center, Cusick
Conference Room, 80 Atwood St., Brattleboro, and remotely via Zoom.
I. Call to Order approximately 4:03pm
II. Review of mission: Monitor school equity and performance, and work with district staff to develop recommendations to increase equity and performance throughout the district.
a. questioning of what it means – clarifying its overall role in the WSESD board. Possibly need more work on it.
We are looking for folks to step up to volunteer for international exchange students for the high school for the upcoming school year. Students hope to arrive later this month, so they need someone to volunteer for them today,
What does hosting entail? Students need a bed (they can share a room), a place to study and access to three meals a day. Program support includes full health insurance, spending money, access to quarterly group trips, school support, and ongoing support of both the student and host family, too.
-If appropriate, agenda items are subject to Potential Action.
-If any Board Member feels that an item on the Consent Agenda warrants discussion, that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be set aside for discussion. In this way, the Consent Agenda will be approved in one motion. That request should be made now – or before the vote on the Consent Agenda.
• School Board Update – Tim Maciel
– Tim provided the following updates from the latest board meeting:
– June 18th retreat scheduled
– Taking input from LC’s regarding district goals
– Board needs more data driven reports to direct goals
– VTCAP statewide results, Hiring data
AGENDA
I. Call to Order / Introductions / Recognition of Visitors
II. Review of Programmatic and Performance Equity Committee mission:
a. Mission: Monitor school equity and performance, and work with district staff to develop recommendations to increase equity and performance throughout the district.
III. Committee focus / items for discussion (listed here are items that were considered in 2023/2024):
a. Food Services in the district: how can the board assess equity in food access across schools in the district?
b. Leadership Councils: how is the board doing with communications with LCs?
A motion was made to find that premature public knowledge would place the board at a disadvantage for the purposes of providing professional legal services to the body. Also inviting Mark Speno and Pietro Lynn.
RM made motion seconded by TM. Passed unanimously.
An email was sent to highlight issues with retention, including retirement, resignation, and reasons for leaving. The focus is on analyzing the factors contributing to and impacting retention. Mikaela is examining the reasons for employee turnover and the positions that people are leaving.
Michael mentioned that our school’s turnover rate is lower than the state average. The state turnover rate is 30%, while ours is approximately 12%. In Massachusetts, the teacher turnover rate is 12%. There have been several retirements.
ZOE PROCTOR gives us a personal and professional look at Montessori education. She shares her perspective on growing up here, and now raising her own family in the Brattleboro area.
KP Motioned and seconded to find that premature public knowledge would place the board at a disadvantage for the purposes of providing professional legal services to the body.
Motion Carried Unanimously
KP Motioned and seconded, to enter into executive session inviting Kendall Hoechst into the meeting.
The WSESD Personnel Committee will meet Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 6:00pm, remotely only, via Zoom.
