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 OCTOBER 8, 2024
REGULAR BOARD MEETING – 6 PM
DUMMERSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
52 SCHOOL HOUSE ROAD, EAST DUMMERSTON SCHOOL
DRAFT MINUTES
Present in person
Eva Nolan (EN), Matt Schibley (MS), Kim Price (KP), Ruby McAdoo (RM), Tim Maciel (TM), Brian Remer (BR), Liba Aker (LA)
Present remotely
Shaun Murphy (SM), Colleen Savage (CS), Theia Wepaloki (TW)
WSESD staff and administration present
Julianne Egan, Keith Lyman, Mary Kaufmann, Kate Margaitis, Stacey Sawyer, Kelly Dias
Others present in person
BCTV, Deb Gass, Jody Normandeau
Others present Virtually
Chris Mays, Hannah, John’s iPhone, Kerry Amidon, Liz Adams, Walter, Maggy Foley, Flo Levin
Absent
Anne Beekman (AB), Deborah Stanford (DS)
Summary
● English Language Learners Program: A new program was proposed by student rep to support TOFEL practice and cultural immersion, which could also benefit introverted students.
● Safety Concerns: The Board discussed traffic safety issues on Atwood Dr., near the high school
● Budget and Finance: The Finance Committee reviewed the first quarter of FY25 and the board explored alternative ways to engage with the budgetary process and communication.
● Cell Phone Usage: Concerns were raised about the impact of cell phones in schools, particularly at BUHS, with discussions about limiting usage and teaching responsible technology use.
● Approval of Funds: The Board approved the carryover of $223,577.49 in excess Head Start funds, with considerations for environmentally friendly spending on items like playground materials and hybrid vehicles.
● Policy FI, Student Conduct and Discipline was approved by the Board.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order 6:01
KP read the hybrid meeting statement
– 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.
– Amendments to the Agenda
II. Student Matters
LA introduced herself and raised the topic of a communication/conversation program for English Language Learners to support TOFEL practice as well as to assist in immersion into the United States culture and social structures. LA discussed potential benefits for this sort of program, not only for foreign students but also for more introverted students as well.
III. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
This is a time for the Board to listen and to take notes. It is not a time for the Board to respond to comments or to engage in dialogue with the public. If appropriate – the Board and Administration will work on next steps.
Jody Normandeau – Dummerston – Expressed appreciation for the visit to Dummerston.
IV. Board Matters
A. Leadership Council Updates
TM spoke about the conversation being undertaken in the BAMS LC related to the concerns of safety presented by car and bus traffic on Atwood Ave. as students dismiss each day. RM introduced a discussion wondering where the responsibility would lie related to an issue like this.
RM shared that the LCs at Putney and BUHS are looking for clarity on “in-district transfer requests” and how that process works.
B. Board Sub-Committees
RM reported the Programmatic and Performance Committee is meeting 11/4/24 at 5 pm via zoom (note: this is a change in date)
SM reported the Finance Committee met 10/7/24. Frank Rucker gave an overview of the budget development process as well as a review of the completion of the first quarter of FY25.
Mr. Rucker and Mr. Speno developed a Guiding Principals and Background Data for FY26 Budget Planning document that will be utilized as the district embarks on FY26 budget development.
The Policy and Amendment Committee will be meeting 10/9/24.
C. Discussion of possible requests to the Finance Director and Supt for budget presentation formats.
TM – Spoke to budget formats given to boards in other districts, specifically Burlington School District. It is being brought to the Board to be thinking about the other ways finance information can be reported. Suggested themes are:
● A process called “Consultation Method” where specific topics are discussed.
● Summary of what the spending is and discussion of the ways funds are being spent.
● Reduction where viable that does not impact student learning negatively.
● Presenting the information utilizing graphs to make the data more accessible.
The recommendation is to schedule time with the Finance Committee to discuss ideas ways the budget is presented. A discussion followed about the most recent finance committee meeting and the realities that are involved with the annual budget development process.
Jodi Normandeau Dummerston – asked for further information about the results of a previous year’s CIP goal to raise literacy and proficiency grades by 10%. Julianne Eagan responded to this inquiry noting that district-wide this goal was not met. A discussion followed touching on factors such as change in curricula and COVID impacting student achievement. While these are still realities, we would expect a re-balancing of student achievement as they are farther in the past. The CIP goals for this year continue to address literacy and proficiency across district.
RM- Highlighted that principals and admin are discussing budget topics at Leadership Council meetings. MS suggested that the Communications subcommittee get the word out so the public knows ways they can engage in the converstaions.
SM referred back to the Guiding Principals and Background Data for FY26 Budget Planning document Mr. Rucker just shared with the Finance Committee yesterday noting the section that states the CIP goals to use as a compass when budgets are being developed.
D. Impact of Cell phones at BUHS and other school sites
THe BUHS LC and Administration have been discussing cell phones at BUHS. Some themes are:
● Cell phones are a known distraction
● Social Media and the influence it has on people is powerful
● They can be an avenue for bullying
● When cell phones are not in use, people are more social and interactive
● Some Elementary Schools and the Middle School do not allow phones during the school day.
● There is value in embracing the tools technology provides and it is our job to teach students to interface with screens/technology responsibility
● Administration at BUHS has a committee to discuss and address cell phones
Jody Normandeau Dummerston – Encouraged further discussion on the matter and remarked on the difficulty of teaching with electronic devices.
Julianne Eagan spoke to the literacy scores and related this to early childhood learning and the use of electronics in teaching young children. EN brought up the trend that people are buying up vintage phones that ONLY are used for calls and texts and eliminates all of the other distractions that smartphones bring. She also asked to have more discussion about AI and how it is being used in schools.
E. Other Business
No other new business was presented to the Board.
V. Administrative Report
A. Admin report
On 10/15/24 there is a district wide PD day being held at BUHS. Sessions are primarily being run by teacher leaders in the district. There are a few outside presenters, one of which is Meg Bossong, Executive Director at MASOC.
B. Head Start Request – action needed
Deb Gass spoke about the EES fiscal year. There is a plan being submitted as the excess funds in the amount of $223,577.49. These are funds that Head Start is not able to keep unless there is a plan presented. Ms. Gass provided a document outlining a proposal for reappropriating these funds.
RM MOVED THAT THE WSESD BOARD APPROVE THE CARRYING OVER THE $223,577.49
PRESENTED BY DEB GASS. SECONDED
MS asked that EES reconsider the use of the rubber materials used on playground bedding in the play area at the High School as research studies about rubber playground bedding has shown to have PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons), VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and other known carcinogens, encouraging administrators to consider a less toxic material. Ms. Gass responded that this certainly will be considered, and probably already is being considered.
RM asked that where appropriate, consideration of purchases that would be positive for the environment be considered (ie. purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle, considering the playground equipment that are made from recycled materials, etc.).
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C. New Hires
New hire of Reed Chapman Long term substitute Latin Teacher
MS MOVED TO HIRE REED CHAPMAN AS THE LONG TERM SUBSTITUTE LATIN TEACHER.
SECONDED. VOTE CALLED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
VI. Consent Agenda
MS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE 9/24/24. SECONDED.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MS MOVED TO ACCEPT THE WARRANTS AND PAYROLL AS PRESENTED IN THE AGENDA.
SECONDED. VOTE CALLED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
VII. New Business
No new business was presented to the Board.
VII. Unfinished Business
Policy and Amendment presents the following for Final approval and Adoption:
• F1 Student Conduct and Discipline
RM MOVED TO ACCEPT POLICY FI, STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE. SECONDED
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MS MOTIONED FOR ADJOURNMENT AT 7:27 PM. SECONDED.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Board Clerk with special recognition to Tracey Drotts Board Recorder on 10/12/2024. A recording of this meeting is available on the WSESU website.
