WSESD Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes

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WINDHAM SOUTHEAST SCHOOL DISTRICT (WSESD) BOARD

53 Green Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
www.wsesu.org

NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday,
April 12, 2022 in the WRCC Cusick Conference Room and remotely via Zoom.

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AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m. – Kelly Young, Board Chair

II. SRO Report and Recommendation – PowerPoint Presentation and Discussion

III. Student Representative to WSESD Board (5 minutes)

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

• CLERK’S REPORT – Approval of Minutes – December 14, January 25, March
15 (all pending), March 22, March 29, April 5

• FINANCES
Warrants of March 21, 2022
Warrant No. 1274 in the amount of $ 279.00
Warrant No. 1275 in the amount of 12,595.00
Warrant No. 1276 in the amount of 136,777.00
Warrant No. 1277 in the amount of 2,642.36
Warrant No. 1278 in the amount of 129,426.22
$281,719.58
Warrants of March 28, 2022
Warrant No. 1281 in the amount of $20,563.35
Warrant No. 1286 in the amount of 6,000.00
Warrant No. 1287 in the amount of 4,042.20
Warrant No. 1288 in the amount of 830.50
Warrant No. 1289 in the amount of 49,904.67
$81,340.72
Warrants of April 5, 2022
Warrant No. 1291 in the amount of $ 1,880.49
Warrant No. 1292 in the amount of 264,813.83
Warrant No. 1293 in the amount of 3,100.10
Warrant No. 1294 in the amount of 29,808.32
Warrant No. 1295 in the amount of 8,362.75
Warrant No. 1296 in the amount of 2,872.92
Warrant No. 1297 in the amount of 902,733.94
$1,213,572.35
Payrolls
March 25, 2022 $1,453,618.17

V. Public Comment on Non-agenda Items (10 minutes)

VI. Unfinished Business

A. Sexual Abuse Investigation Update – Outreach and Education

VII. Committee Assignments

VIII. Administrative Report
• Resignations / Hiring

IX. Fiscal Report

X. New Business
A. Plan to Address High-Risk Students / Families at High Risk

XI. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

A. EXECUTIVE SESSION – 1 V.S.A. §313(a)(1)(A) Contracts

B. EXECUTIVE SESSION – 1 V.S.A. §313(a)(3) The appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee, provided that the public body shall make a final decision to hire or appoint a public officer or employee in an open meeting and shall explain the reasons for its final decision during open meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION (If Needed)

…..

WINDHAM SOUTHEAST SCHOOL DISTRICT (WSESD) BOARD
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022
REGULAR BOARD MEETING – 6:00PM
HYBRID MEETING: WRCC CUSICK CONFERENCE ROOM & REMOTELY VIA
ZOOM DRAFT MINUTES
WSESD Board Members present in-person: Chairperson Kelly Young (KY), Lana Dever (LD), Michelle Green (MG), Tim Maciel (TM), Shaun Murphy (SM), David Schoales (DSC), Deborah Stanford (DST).
WSESD Board Members present via Zoom: Liz Adams (LA), Anne Beekman (AB), Emily Murphy Kaur (EMK)
WSESD Board Members Absent: none

I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair KY called the meeting to order at 6:03pm.
KY announced a change to the agenda and made a motion to allow Mark Speno (MS) time to make a personnel recommendation to the board. Deborah seconded.
MS said that after a very thorough search involving many staff and community members, he accepted the recommendation of the search committee to appoint Jonathan Sessions as the new principal of Putney Central School. MS made the recommendation of Mr. Sessions to the board.
SM motioned to accept the recommendation. MG seconded. By unanimous vote, Jonathan Sessions was appointed Principal of Putney Central School.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
– Deborah Schiller wanted to know why the meeting was not on ZOOM video. DS explained that it was a special meeting primarily called to enter into Executive Session.
– Jaime Contois asked that the district “speed things up” on a plan of accommodation for students and families at high risk of COVID infection. She noted that she had to withdraw her child from school and was also speaking for many, many other families who have been waiting since March 8th for a plan of accommodation. DS asked if there was any way to speed things up. MS responded that the schools were creating individual plans.
– Paul Smith requested further information on the purpose of the Executive Session. KY denied his request and noted that “confidential communications made on a personnel matter” was adequate and very routine.
– Paul Smith questioned the OML legality of the WSESD board discussing a WSESU personnel issue without having a WSESU quorum present. DS said that the board will ask Pietro Lynn, district attorney, about it.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion made by KY to enter into Executive Session under 1VSA §313 (a) (3) confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing legal services to the body. TM seconded and the Board entered executive session at 6:20. However, at 6:25 KY adjourned the session to invite MS, Attorney Aimee Goddard and Dr. Chris Overtree into the meeting.
The board invited MS, Chris Overtree, and Aimee Goddard into Executive Session.
Motion again made by KY to enter into Executive Session under 1VSA §313 (a) (3) confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing legal services to the body. MG seconded.
KY, TM, DSt, DSc, MG, EK, LA, LD, and AB voted to move into Executive Session. SM abstained.
Board entered Executive Session at 6:33pm.
KY adjourned Executive Session at 8:34 pm.
No Action Taken
NOTE: DS said that after reviewing Pietro Lynn’s video on OML, he discovered that it is unnecessary for the Chair of the Board to ask for a motion and a second to adjourn a meeting. The chair can simply adjourn it.
….
WINDHAM SOUTHEAST SCHOOL DISTRICT (WSESD) BOARD
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING – 6:00PM
HYBRID MEETING: WRCC CUSICK CONFERENCE ROOM & REMOTELY VIA
ZOOM DRAFT MINUTES
WSESD Board Members present in-person: Chairperson Kelly Young (KY), Lana Dever (LD), Michelle Green (MG), Tim Maciel (TM), Shaun Murphy (SM), David Schoales (DSC), Deborah Stanford (DST).
WSESD Board Members present via Zoom: Liz Adams (LA), Anne Beekman (AB), Emily Murphy Kaur (EMK)
WSESD Board Members Absent: none
Guests in person: John Gagnon, Beth Bristol, Erin Tkaczyk
– KY called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
– KY asked to amend the agenda item calling for an ad hoc committee to liaise with Atty. Goddard and Dr. Overtree. Seconded by DS. Motion to amend the agenda made by DS, seconded by DST. Unanimous vote in favor.
–
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
– Beth Bristol read a letter she had sent earlier to the board noting that the Leadership Council Policy calls for LCs to provide input on hiring.
– Bethany Ranquist asked why the ad hoc committee agenda item had been postponed. KY explained that the district attorney had raised Qs that needed to be addressed.
– SM said he was glad it was postponed
– Mindy Haskins Rogers asked further Qs regarding the ad hoc committee. DS responded that any change in structure of the board, e.g. adding an ad hoc committee, required public discussion.
– Paul Smith asked for more information on why the board was discussing personnel matters in Executive Session. KY and DS responded. KY asked Paul to submit his request in writing. He agreed to do so.
–
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 6:14 p.m., KY asked to enter Executive session per 1VSA §313 (a) (1) (F), confidential communications made on personnel matter. SM made motion, seconded by LD with unanimous agreement by the board members.
Executive Session called to order by KY at 6:30 p.m.
Attending: Lana Dever, Deborah Stanford, David Schoales (Vice Chair), Kelly Young (chair),
Tim Maciel (Clerk), Shaun Murphy, Michelle Green
Attending via Zoom: Emily Murphy-Kaur, Anne Beekman, Liz Adams
Meeting adjourned at 8:02 pm. No action taken.
…..

Note: These proposed minutes should be considered preliminary until they are approved by the
Board at a future meeting.


WINDHAM SOUTHEAST SCHOOL DISTRICT (WSESD) BOARD
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2022
REGULAR BOARD MEETING – 6:00PM
HYBRID MEETING: WRCC CUSICK CONFERENCE ROOM & REMOTELY VIA ZOOM
DRAFT MINUTES
WSESD Board Members Present: Chairperson Kelly Young (KY), Liz Adams (LA), Anne Beekman (AB), Lana Dever (LD), Michelle Green (MG), Tim Maciel (TM), Shaun Murphy (SM), Emily Murphy Kaur (EMK), David Schoales (DSC), Deborah Stanford (DST).
WSESD Board Members Absent: none
WSESUWSESD Administrators Present: Interim Superintendent Mark Speno, Business Administrator Frank Rucker, BUHS Principal Steve Perrin, Oak Grove School Principal Mary Kauffman, BAMS Principal Keith Lyman, WRCC Director Nancy Wiese, Guilford Central School Principal John Gagnon, Green Street School Interim Principal Kate Margaitis, Dummerston School Principal Julianne Eagan, EES Director Deb Gass, Academy School Principal Kelly Dias.
Media Present:
Others Present: Wendy M. Levy (Board Recorder), Jaime Contois, Mindy Haskins Rogers, Mike Szostak, Paul Smith, Mikaela Simms, Sandy Stark, Christina Callick (sp?), Anne Capillair (sp?), Eileen Parks, Shannon Kelly, Lisa Ford, Jaci Reynolds, Heather Spuyler (sp?), Maira Arteaga. Please note: this attendance may be incomplete.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair KY called the meeting to order at 6:01pm.
KY announced changes to the agenda:
• IV. Unfinished Business C. Administration Proposal for K-12 Approach to Social Justice Curricula and Accountability, which was tabled from the February 8, 2022 meeting, will occur directly after II. Consent Agenda.
• VIII. New Business A.Head Start/Early Head Start Refunding Application will occur directly after IV. Unfinished Business C. Administration Proposal for K-12 Approach to Social Justice Curricula and Accountability.

II. CONSENT AGENDA
– CLERK’S REPORT –
Approval of Minutes – December 14 (pending), January 25 (pending), March 8, March 10, March 15 (pending)
– FINANCES
Warrants of March 7, 2022
Warrant No. 1260 in the amount of $ 376.67

Warrant No. 1261 in the amount of 25,599.02
Warrant No. 1262 in the amount of 25,690.26
Warrant No. 1263 in the amount of 1,907.52
Warrant No. 1264 in the amount of 103,898.69
$157,472.16
Warrants of March 14, 2022
Warrant No. 1266 in the amount of $ 32,309.45
Warrant No. 1270 in the amount of 62,106.75
Warrant No. 1271 in the amount of 935.85
Warrant No. 1272 in the amount of 870,914.37
$966,266.42
Payrolls
March 11, 2022 $1,380,511.03


MOTION BY DSC TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. SM SECONDED.
Discussion ensued. SM said he was listed as absent in the March 8, 2022 WSESD Board Meeting Minutes, but he was there. Please amend those minutes to reflect his attendance. Board Recorder Wendy M. Levy said she would make a note of it. SM said he was not at the March 10 meeting, thus he will abstain from voting on the March 10 meeting minutes.
VOTE ON THE DSC MOTION: MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Please note: MG did not vote on this motion because she had not arrived yet.
MOTION BY TM TO APPROVE THE WARRANTS AND PAYROLLS. LD SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Please note: MG did not vote on this motion because she had not arrived yet.
Board Recorder Wendy M. Levy asked to be recognized for a point-of-order. KY recognized Wendy.
Wendy asked for clarification about SM’s declared intention to abstain from voting on one set of
minutes, because SM cast his vote on the entire Consent Agenda.
KY changed the original motion to remove the March 8 minutes from the Consent Agenda, then made a
separate motion to approve the March 8 minutes.
MOTION BY KY TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 8 MEETING. MOTION CARRIED WITH 9 IN FAVOR, 1 ABSTENTION, WITH SM ABSTAINING.
Please note: MG did not vote on this motion because she had not arrived yet.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
C. Administration Proposal for K-12 Approach to Social Justice Curricula and Accountability (tabled from 2/8)
Interim Superintendent Mark Speno introduced the discussion by noting the District has made a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, but without a curriculum commitment. He noted, however, that the schools’ staff are including diversity, equity, and inclusion in their classroom teaching.

Mikaela Simms opened the discussion by welcoming teacher-leaders from the District’s schools, and by giving an update on the work done to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the schools. Highlights included:
• The committee’s goal is to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in explicit (the classes) and implicit (everything else that happens in schools) curriculum.
• To achieve this goal, the District has to build capacity in its teachers.
• This is a multi-year process.
• Here are some of the methods and frameworks the schools are using in the schools to meet these goals:
◦ Diversity & Equity Committees.
◦ Teacher-leaders.
◦ Youth affinity groups.
◦ Faculty and staff study groups.
◦ Family / caregiver groups for everyone in the District.
Teacher-leaders and administrators from EES (Deb Gass and Sandy Stark), BAMS (Anne Capillair), BUHS (Mike Szostak), Academy School (Eileen Parks and Kelly Dias), Green Street School (Shannon Kelly), and Guilford Central School (Maira Arteaga) spoke about their events, projects, trainings, and other ongoing / upcoming plans to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in their schools and in the school community.
MG arrived at the meeting at approximately 6:30pm.
Mikaela concluded the discussion by noting the schools have to analyze their capacity. They are not just adopting a curriculum; they are building supports and a culture, rather than just being performative.
She said social justice work is about everyone being both students and teachers, and welcoming people from everywhere.
Business Administrator Frank Rucker asked Mikaela for clarification on “performative.” Mikaela responded: Performative actions are those that look good but may not have substance. They can lack depth. The team’s hope is that they reach deeper and proactively work on things they want to change.
KY thanked Mikaela and the teacher-leaders.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Head Start/Early Head Start Refunding Application
EES Director Deb Gass explained that asking for the Board’s support and approval is part of EES’s annual request for Head Start funding. This year, the request is for $3,081,634, and the program serves 184 families. She noted it’s a “status quo” application. She spoke about new and resumed community partnerships, with a focus on West Bee and Mulberry Bush schools.
MOTION BY TM TO APPROVE THE HEAD START EARLY EDUCATION SERVICES REFUNDING APPLICATION. DSC SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Lisa Ford said she was representing the BUHS Leadership Council, and she was presenting a student’s concern with communications the student had received from a School Board member. Lisa said the student could not attend the meeting, and she would like to read the student’s statement.
KY said that reading the statement from someone not in attendance is out-of-order. She asked Lisa to send the statement to her and Vice-Chair Schoales.
A discussion ensued on Board trainings and professionalization.
Jaci Reynolds spoke about recent WSESD and WSESU meetings. She thanked KY and MG for opening discussions, at those meetings, on difficult topics. Jaci expressed a desire to acknowledge harm done to people who could not attend or speak at the meetings. She said some attendees, including administrators, misbehaved and drowned out members of marginalized communities, and disrespected Board members.
Heather Spuyler said the WSESD Board does not have enough knowledge about Open Meeting Law.
She asked them to take the trainings provided by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT), and pay attention to the Code of Conduct. Heather said she had sent a statement to the Board, and would like to read it into the record. KY said that if she has sent it to the Board, she may not read it into the record.

Jaime Contois asked the Board to develop a policy to address CDC advisories for people considered at high risk for COVID. She said this is a disability-rights issue.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (continued)
A. Administrative Proposal for Guidelines RE: Policy C7 “Communications with Administrators” (tabled from 1/25)
DSC gave a report on the next steps and plans.
B. Sexual Abuse Investigation Update – Outreach and Education
DSC gave a report. Highlights included:
• The Board will meet with the investigator in the near future, and will give an update then.
• Barb Nowakowski and Mark Speno will work on sending a new batch of information to the investigator.
Mindy Haskins Rogers spoke about the connection between the forum on masking in schools and a culture that allowed the sexual abuse of students.
Mindy asked DSC if students and caregivers were notified they can bring their concerns to Attorney Goddard. A discussion ensued. Mindy asked if this notification can come from the Board and the attorney—and not from the administration—to protect students and caregivers against retaliation.
D. Recruitment of Diverse Candidates for Employment (tabled from 2/8)
DSC gave a report on the committee’s recent work. He noted there are state incentives for people who move to Vermont, and asked if this can be included in their recruitment communications.
MOTION BY DSC TO ASK THE ADMINISTRATION FOR A REPORT ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR RECRUITING EFFORTS, AND ALSO TO REPORT ON THE RANGE OF RELOCATION INCENTIVES AVAILABLE, THROUGH THE STATE AND ELSEWHERE. LD SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

An unnamed attendee asked a question about the sexual abuse investigation; specifically, what is being done to support the victims. DSC responded: the advice the Board received was for the Board and the administration to “get out of the way,” and get an investigator, which they have done. The Board also sought the advice of the Women’s Freedom Center for resources for supporting victims. DS noted that when someone calls to report abuse, the first thing they are given is methods for support, and assurance of confidentiality.
V. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
KY reminded the Board to look on the WSESD website to see what positions are still open, and then contact her with their requests to be appointed to committees.

IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (continued)
D. Recruitment of Diverse Candidates for Employment (tabled from 2/8) (continued)
Mark Speno spoke about the administration’s efforts to find a new principal for the Putney Central School, including ways to reach diverse candidates. He said the administration is planning to attend a Diversity in Education job fair on April 6, which takes place in Chicago, but is happening online.
WSESD will have a booth in the virtual fair. A discussion ensued on methods for increasing diverse candidates, including supporting / developing local people for the position, rather than only focusing on bringing in candidates from other places.
VI. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
– Resignations / Hiring
Mark Speno reported on the progress for finding a new principal for the Putney Central School. He said they have a final list of candidates, interviews will happen on March 25 with the interviewing panel, and then Mark will bring their recommendation to the next Board meeting. Mark noted this is a collaborative effort, and the panel includes community members, parents, staff, Leadership Council members, Central Office staff, and members of the administration.
TM asked if the administration has had any success in finding diverse candidates. Mark responded: we don’t ask applicants that question because it’s not legal.
DST asked if the interviews were in-person. Mark responded: it’s not required, and Zoom was presented as an option, but all interviewees chose to be in-person.
Mark announced the resignations:
• Matthew Bristol – Putney Central School – Physical Education
• Shannon Kelly – Green Street School – Grade 6
• Hannah Lindner-Finley – Dummerston – Kindergarten
• Benjamin Lord – BUHS – Science
• Rachel Mangean – Green Street School – Art
• Rob Dichard – BAMS – Physical Education

MOTION BY MG TO APPROVE THE RESIGNATIONS, WITH REGRET, AS LISTED BY MARK. LA SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mark announced the new hires:

• Stacey Sawyer – Green Street School – Grade 6
• Rachel Mangean – BUHS – Art/Ceramics
• Carly Mautner – BUHS – Math
• Benjamin Webb – BUHS – Science
• Shawna West – BUHS – Counselor

MOTION BY DSC TO APPROVE THE NEW HIRES AS LISTED BY MARK. LD SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

TM pointed out there is more attrition than new hires. He asked whether the District was “losing ground.” Mark responded: yes. He noted the SU and SD had lost 95 workers, and there are currently 65-70 advertised positions. WRCC Director Nancy Wiese noted that, as of that day, there are 1,000 Vermont education jobs posted in SchoolSpring.
DST asked if the administration conducts exit interviews when employees leave. Stacey Mousseau, HR Director said that as of 1/1/22, yes, but not before then. She noted resigning employees are not required to attend an exit interview.
A discussion ensued on the national trend of a crisis in educational staffing, and ways educators can develop local students into future teachers and school administrators.

KY said this is an important subject for future discussion, and she would like to table it to a subsequent Board meeting after the Board receives the recruiting effort report.
Mark announced a leave-of-absence request from Chris Day, the BUHS Assistant Principal, who is seeking an absence for two years of military active duty, from May 20, 2022 through July 1, 2024.
MOTION BY DSC TO APPROVE CHRIS DAY’S TWO-YEAR LEAVE-OF-ABSENCE. TM SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

VII. FISCAL REPORT
Frank Rucker said there is no report. He announced the Finance Committee will reconvene soon, probably in April. Frank thanked last year’s members of the Finance Committee.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS (continued)
B. VSBA Code of Ethics
KY asked Board members to read the document, which is on the WSESU website. She asked them to sign it either at the Central Office or at the next meeting. DSC said he could collect their signatures at the current meeting and deliver them to the Central Office.

C. EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION BY DSC TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER 1 V.S.A. §313(A)(3), THE APPOINTMENT OR EMPLOYMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE, PROVIDED THAT THE PUBLIC BODY SHALL MAKE A FINAL DECISION TO HIRE OR APPOINT A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE IN AN OPEN MEETING AND SHALL EXPLAIN THE REASONS FOR ITS FINAL DECISION DURING OPEN MEETING. TM SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Board invited Jaci Reynolds into Executive Session.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 7:34pm.
The Board rose from Executive Session at 10:05 pm. The Board took no action.

MOTION BY TM TO ADJOURN. DSC SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:08pm.


DOCUMENTS PRESENTED:
None.

Respectfully submitted by Wendy M. Levy from minutes taken by Wendy M. Levy.
This represents my understanding of the above dated meeting. If you have any changes, please submit
at the next meeting.

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