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 DECEMBER 17, 2024
REGULAR BOARD MEETING – 6 PM
VIRTUAL MEETING ONLY, BRATTLEBORO
DRAFT MINUTES
Present (Board)
Deborah Stanford (DS), Kim Price (KP), Anne Beekman (AB), Laiba Eager (LE), Tim Maciel (TM), Ruby McAdoo (RM), Shaun Murphy (SM), Eva Nolan (EN), Brian Remer (BR), Matt Schibley (MS), Colleen Savage (CS),
WSESD staff and administration present
Mark Speno, Frank Rucker, Deb Gass, Hannah Parker, Julianne Eagan, Nancy Wiese, Brandy Levesque, Keith Lyman, John Gagnon, Deb Gass, Jon Sessions, Frank Rucker, Eileen Arama, Kate Margaitas, Kelly Dias
Others Present
Jody Normandeau, Kristina Naylor, iphone, Jodi Nutting, Mindy, Liz Adams, iphone, Stacey Sawyer, Maggy Foley, Hannah, Kristi Kratsa, Maggy Foley, Representative Emilee Kornheiser, Kelly Amidon, Martha Noyes, Flo Levin, Jackson Grobe, Tony Grobe, BCTV
Absent
Theia Wepaloki (TW)
Summary
● Significant discussion regarding budget development
● Two policies submitted for first reading
AGENDA
DS called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
I. Call to Order
-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
No amendments to the agenda were brought before the Board.
DS announced the attendance of Representative Emilee Kornheiser, Chair of House Ways and Means Committee
II. Student Matters
No student matters were brought before the Board
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 – inquired about agenda for this evening
Eileen Hayes Arama – Brattleboro – Commented on their own agenda of student open dialogue and civics including governmental processes. Noted that they have spoken with Mark Speno and Jen Kramer to develop curriculum. Offered up a presentation to the board on their work.
IV. Board Matters: Part 1
A. Leadership Council Updates
MS – Reported on Green St LC and recent PD regarding SEL and EF
KP – Putney LC report out, requesting having student reps on Leadership councils inquiring if that is permissible. Also noted that KP cannot attend the next two meetings in Putney due to contract negotiations.
DS noted that H7 does perhaps permit student leadership participation.
B. Board Sub-Committees and SU Updates
AB – reported that SU adopted the budget and approved recommendation from Farm to School Committee to move forward with transitioning food services in house.
C. Other Business
TM – Commented on presentations and hopes that this is the beginning of a trend on hearing directly from staff members at board meetings.
Hannah Parker commented on the Honors Concert tomorrow evening.
V. Fiscal Report
Update on Budget developments
Representative Emilee Kornheiser gave a presentation on State level context/mechanisms which impact district budget development including the education funding formula. (Please note that detailed accounts of this presentation will not be noted, for full presentation please see video recording from BCTV)
LE – queried Rep Kornheiser on potential policy changes
Emiliee Kornheiser commented on spending trends including healthcare costs, funding private vs public schools. Discussed healthcare reform.
Jody Normandeau – Dummerston – expressed hopes that the legislature would engage in self reflection on impact on education services by state legislators. Commented on Act 46 and the lack of follow through in regards to follow up after implementation. Expressed discontent with a “top down” system.
RM – Commented on Legislative actions and requested Rep Kornheiser speak to the relationship between AOE and state legislators Rep Kornheiser responded.
EN – Noted public frustration of taxpayers particularly in regards to volatile healthcare costs. Rep Kornheiser responded.
SM – Expressed appreciation for Rep Kornheiser as well as concern for ongoing discord between state legislators and governors office
Entered a break at 7:00 pm
Rose from break at 7:07 pm
Mark Speno remarked on budgeting process and connection to quality improvement goals
Frank Rucker gave a presentation on the budget development process and current state of district budget. (Please note that detailed accounts of this presentation will not be noted, for full presentation please see video recording from BCTV)
Discussion ensued regarding equity in regards to male and female sports
VI. Administrative Report
– Hires, Resignations, Retirements
Mark Speno reported the retirements of Bruce Holloway and Nancy Johnston
AB MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATIONS WITH REGRET. SECONDED.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
VII. Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes from December 10th, 2024
KP MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. SECONDED.
VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
VIII. New Business
● Policy and Amendment presents the following for a 1st Reading:
○ C3 Public Participation at Board Meetings
○ D6 Substitute Teachers
IX. Executive Session (If needed)
AB MOTIONED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING OF THE WSESD BOARD MEETING. MOTION
SECONDED. VOTE WAS CALLED. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:58 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted on 12-17-2025 by Board Clerk
A recording of this meeting is available on the WSESU website
