WINDHAM SOUTHEAST SCHOOL DISTRICT
53 Green Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
www.wsesu.org
NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet remotely at 6:00 p.m. on
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 via Zoom.
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AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m. – David Schoales, Board Chair
II. CONSENT AGENDA
• CLERK’S REPORT – Approval of Minutes – March 16, 2021
• FINANCES
Warrants of March 3, 2021
Warrant No. 1256 in the amount of $ 74.19
Warrant No. 1260 in the amount of 3,594.65
Warrant No. 1261 in the amount of 1,630.33
Warrant No. 1262 in the amount of 57,269.87
$62,569.04
Warrants of March 8, 2021
Warrant No. 1264 in the amount of $650.00
Warrant No. 1266 in the amount of 101,079.20
Warrant No. 1267 in the amount of 306.51
Warrant No. 1268 in the amount of 779,279.22
$881,314.93
Warrants of March 15, 2021
Warrant No. 1269 in the amount of $ 389.50
Warrant No. 1275 in the amount of 3,311.66
Warrant No. 1276 in the amount of 531.08
Warrant No. 1277 in the amount of 138,943.01
$143,175.25
Warrants of March 22, 2021
Warrant No. 1278 in the amount of $ 600.00
Warrant No. 1280 in the amount of 23,206.72
Warrant No. 1282 in the amount of 49,118.40
$72,925.12
Warrants of March 29, 2021
Warrant No. 1284 in the amount of $1,200.00
Warrant No. 1285 in the amount of 772.24
Warrant No. 1286 in the amount of 1,007.00
Warrant No. 1290 in the amount of 875.75
Warrant No. 1292 in the amount of 6,000.00
Warrant No. 1293 in the amount of 94.30
Warrant No. 1294 in the amount of 65,495.44
$75,444.73
Payrolls
February 26, 2021 $1,321,419.56
March 12, 2021 $1,265,767.31
March 26, 2021 $1,295,496.25
III. Public Comment on Non-agenda Items (10 minutes)
IV. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
• Presentation – BUHS Principal Steven Perrin
V. FISCAL REPORT
VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Reconfiguration of Leadership Council Assignments?
B. Reconfiguration of Committee Memberships?
C. Shall we record all Committee and LC meetings and send converted files to
Central Office for website postings?
D. Reports/Updates
• Leadership Council Reports
• WSESD/WSESU Diversity/Equity Committee
• Finance Committee
• Personnel Committee
• Policy and Amendment Committee
• Programmatic and Performance Equity Committee
• Climate Crisis Task Force
• Communications Council
• Social Justice Committee
• Early Education
• WSESU Board
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Action on the Academy Project Design
B. Warning Article for May 11, 2021 Academy Project Financing – Action Needed
C. Dummerston Biofuel Boiler Upgrade Project – Grant Award – Possible Action
Required
D. Policy Review:
• D1 – Personnel Recruitment, Selection, Appointment and Background
Checks – Updated – 1st Reading
• E14 – Environmental Awareness and Responsibility – New – 1st Reading
IX. Public Comment on Non-agenda Items (Continued)
EXECUTIVE SESSION (If Needed)
….
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 16, 2021
REGULAR BOARD MEETING – 6:00PM
REMOTE LOCATION
DRAFT MINUTES
WSESD Board Members Present:
WSESU Administrators Present: Andrew Skarzynski (Superintendent); Frank Rucker (Finance Director)
Media Present: Rich Melanson (BCTV)
Others Present: Wendy M. Levy (Board Recorder),
I. CALL TO ORDER
Because this was the reorganization meeting and there was no Chair at the beginning of the meeting, Superintendent Andy Skarzynski called the meeting to order at 6:06pm. Once the Chair is elected, that person will lead the meeting.
A. Nominations / Election of Board Chair:
EMK nominated DS
JR nominated MG
ROLL CALL VOTE:
DS: DS
EMK: DS
TM: DS
JR: MG
AB: DS
LA: DS
MG: ABSTAIN
TN: DS
KY: DS
SM: MG
RESULTS: DS 7, MG 2, 1 ABSTENTION
DS IS ELECTED CHAIR
DS assumed his role as Chair and began leading the meeting.
B. Nominations / Election of Board Vice-Chair:
LA nominated AB
SM nominated MG
ROLL CALL VOTE:
SM: MG
KY: AB
TN: AB
MG: MG
LA: AB
AB: AB
JR: AB
EMK: AB
TM: AB
RESULTS: AB 7, MG 2
AB IS ELECTED VICE-CHAIR
C. Nominations / Election of Board Clerk:
TM nominated TN.
DS cast the unified vote.
TN IS ELECTED CLERK
D. Nominations / Election of WSESU Voting Members:
– Brattleboro
JR nominated JR
AB nominated DS
TM nominated TM
ROLL CALL VOTE:
TM: TM
JR: JR
LA: DS
TN: TM
SM: JR
EMK: JR
AB: DS
MG: TM
KY: DS
RESULTS: 3-WAY TIE
DS withdrew.
TM withdrew.
JR IS ELECTED WSESU VOTING MEMBER FOR BRATTLEBORO
– Dummerston
LA nominated TN
SM nominated MG
ROLL CALL VOTE:
SM: MG
TN: ABSTAIN
LA: TN
JR: MG
TM: TN
KY: MG
MG: MG
AB: TN
EMK: MG
RESULTS: MG 5, TN 3, 1 ABSTENTION.
MG IS ELECTED WSESU VOTING MEMBER FOR DUMMERSTON
– Guilford
JR nominated SM
AB nominated KY
ROLL CALL VOTE:
TM: KY
JR: SM
LA: KY
TN: KY
SM: SM
EMK: SM
AB: KY
MG: SM
KY: KY
RESULTS: KY 5, SM 4
KY IS ELECTED WSESU VOTING MEMBER FOR GUILFORD
– Putney
LA nominated AB
MG nominated LA. LA declined.
DS cast the unified vote.
AB IS ELECTED WSESU VOTING MEMBER FOR PUTNEY
E. Establish Meeting Days/Time
Meetings will be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 6pm.
At Finance Director Frank Rucker’s request, DS agreed to retain April 6 as the first Board meeting of that month for this year because of an established timeline for the Academy School project.
F. Committees
DS tabled this item.
G. Meeting Structure
DS asked Board members to decide whether to use Robert’s Rules of Order for Small Boards, or, Robert’s Rules of Order, to structure the meeting. DS explained the differences.
MOTION BY AB TO ADOPT ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR. SM SECONDED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION BY EMK THAT THE BOARD HIRE AN OUTSIDE FACILITATOR TO FACILITATE THE BOARD MEETINGS. KY SECONDED.
At TM’s request, EMK explained her reason for making the motion.
A discussion ensued on the motion’s merits, how the return to meeting in-person or holding hybrid meetings could affect this, and, if the motion carries, the process for hiring someone for the job. EMK recommended enacting this for one year, and reviewing it next year to assess whether to continue.
AB recommended tabling this because it was not warned, and to allow the Board time to consult with their attorney. EMK and KY agreed to table the motion.
DS said he will put it on the agenda for the April 6 meeting.
MG reported the Communications Council received feedback indicating members of the public would like to move the agenda item “Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items” be moved closer to the beginning of the agenda, with a time-limit on speaking. She also said there were requests to hear reports from school principals at every meeting.
A discussion ensued. EMK noted the Performance and Programmatic Equity Committee can help with collecting reports from principals.
II. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
None.
III. CONSENT AGENDA
– Clerk’s Report: Approval of Minutes from the February 19, 2021 and March 2, 2021 meetings.
DS announced that because of a question from the Board Recorder about the February 19, 2021 minutes that neither he nor Superintendent Andy Skarzynski could answer, he is tabling review of those minutes until a future meeting.
MOTION BY TN TO APPROVE THE MARCH 2, 2021 MEETING MINUTES. TM SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
No amendments or discussion.
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
– John Gagnon, Principal — Guilford Central School
John introduced a presentation on outdoor programming at Guilford Central School. He discussed some pre-pandemic school curriculum, especially place- and nature-based learning, and the farm-to-school program. He noted COVID has reinforced the need for outdoor, nature-based learning.
The presentation was given by Guilford Central School staff and members of the Leadership Council, including: Emma Hallowell, Beth Bristol, Sarah Rosow, Amy Skolnick, and Erin Tkaczyk.
The presentation included a slide show and video showing what school was like in the fall and winter, and the benefits of the outdoor learning and farm-to-school curriculum.
John noted the school is receiving outdoor professional development and support.
DS called a break at 7:25pm.
The meeting resumed at 7:30pm.
– Mary Kaufmann, Principal — Oak Grove School
Mary introduced a presentation, with the school’s leadership team, on in-house collaborative professional development that focuses on student engagement, especially in math.
The presentation included a slide show on the Oak Grove School staff’s monthly math meetings, and the school’s math curriculum. It included short videos of students describing their experiences with learning math, and some of the lessons included in the math meetings and student instruction.
In addition to Mary, presenters included: Laura Haskins, Kathryn Mason, Erek Tuma, Logan Robinson, and Jenn Tourville.
DS noted BUHS Principal Steve Perrin will present at the next meeting.
V. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
DS reported teachers were vaccinated against COVID-19.
Andy gave his report. Highlights included:
• There are two new hires and one resignation.
MOTION BY MG TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF HILLARY KATZ AT GUILFORD CENTRAL SCHOOL, AND STEPHANIE SPRING AT GREEN STREET SCHOOL. TN SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION BY LA TO ACCEPT WITH REGRET AND GRATITUDE THE RESIGNATION OF JESSICA MONTENIERI FROM BAMS. JR SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Andy continued his report. Highlights included:
• Staff vaccinations do not indicate a requirement that remote students must fully return to inperson learning this year. Ignore the rumors.
• News on staff vaccinations.
– Discussion of BUHS School Resource Officer (SRO)
Andy reported that during the budget hearing, many community members supported discussing the role of the SRO. This is work for the BUHS Leadership Council, and this work will likely happen throughout December. Andy described some of the details for this process.
DS reported he received a great deal of communications about the School Resource Officer. He welcomed public comment and shared suggestions for speaking.
A discussion ensued with Board members, staff, and members of the public participating. Many of the latter were either members of Youth For Change, or were there to support them and their proposal to discontinue the position of the SRO and reallocate those funds for increased support for students, especially students of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and psychiatrically-labelled students. Highlights included:
• A request for more information on what the SRO does, and how many staff does the school have to fill other roles.
• Trauma-informed training for administrators.
• The Brattleboro Community Safety Review, and its relevance to this topic.
• Centering youth voices, especially those most affected, on this process.
• Messages of support for the Youth For Change proposal from the Windham County NAACP and the Vermont ACLU.
• The potential legal risks SROs bring to students.
• The stated goals of having an SRO on campus and whether their presence actually meets those goals.
• Data on school shootings and how SROs affect the outcomes.
• The concern is not about “bad apples” in the SRO pool, but about a bad system.
• How the school community can protect its students, their families, and the entire community, and help them thrive.
TN reported the Social Justice Committee does not have this item on its agenda for the next meeting, but the public is welcome to attend and discuss it.
DS reminded attendees that the Leadership Councils will work on this subject, and he invited the public to attend the meetings, and join the Leadership Councils. He also noted this is the administration’s responsibility, and not the Board’s, to work on this subject.
VI. FISCAL REPORT
None.
VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
This item was tabled by the Chair.
Putney Leadership Council Chair Ruby McAdoo asked for Leadership Council development, or a summit, to be on the agenda. DS committed to putting it on the next meeting’s agenda.
VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. Academy School Addition/Renovation Project Review
– Use of Fund Balance and Reserves in the Budget Process
Frank led the discussion on this item. He shared documents, including those listing state Board of Education rules that are relevant to the project and its funding. He also shared documents detailing the timeline and action items, and some financial figures.
Frank provided some requirements for this project, and which statues support it:
His communicating with the State Board of Education: Title 16.
Use of reserve funds for construction, and the excess spending penalty: 16 V.S.A. § 567
DS asked Frank about funding options to avoid debt service, including grants. Frank responded: he is asking officials at the Agency of Education about possibly using ESSER funds. He assured DS that he does not think they need to borrow substantially to fund this project. He confirmed with local banks that it is acceptable to pay off loans early if grant funding arrives after the loans are issued.
MOTION BY SM TO WARN A PUBLIC MEETING ON MAY 11, 2021 TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO BORROW FUNDS AND MOVE FORWARD ON THE ACADEMY SCHOOL ADDITION / RENOVATION PROJECT. TM SECONDED.
A discussion ensued on the schematic design timeline. Frank noted it will be ready on April 6.
SM asked for clarification on whether the estimated borrowing amount should be in the motion. Frank responded: the Board can include it in the warning when they discuss it at the April 6 meeting.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
X. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
DS reviewed the guidelines for public comment.
There was no public comment.
MOTION BY AB TO ADJOURN. LA SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:46pm.
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 them at the next Board meeting.
