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 in the WRCC Cusick Conference Room at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 and remotely 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 – September 14, 2021
III. Public Comment on Non-agenda Items (10 minutes)
IV. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
• Summer Enrichment Program; Family Outreach and Engagement in the First Month of this School Year
V. COVID Q&A – Dr. Elizabeth Richards
VI. COMMITTEE and LEADERSHIP COUNCIL REPORTS
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, if any
A. Guilford Leadership Council Appointment
B. Diversity and Equity Report – Coordinator Mikaela Simms and Teacher Leaders will share a video report from 2020-2021 And an Update on Current Activities
C. Review of Progress on the “WSESD Ongoing Social Justice and Anti-Racist Commitment”
D. Update on Progress Toward Abuse Investigations, Support, and Accountability – Next Steps and Possible Action
E. Academy Project Bids – Motion to accept the Construction Bidder Prequalification Selection Committee recommendation to award the construction contract to All Seasons Construction for the Academy Addition Renovation project, based on bids received 9/21/21.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS, if any
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, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021
REGULAR BOARD MEETING – 6:00PM
HYBRID MEETING: WRCC CUSICK CONFERENCE ROOM/REMOTE LOCATION
DRAFT MINUTES
WSESD Board Members Present:
WSESU Administrators Present: Mark Speno (Interim Superintendent); Frank Rucker (Finance
Director)
Media Present: BCTV
Others Present: Wendy M. Levy (Board Recorder)
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair DS called the meeting to order at 6:10pm.
II. CONSENT AGENDA
– CLERK’S REPORT – Approval of Minutes – August 24, 2021
– FINANCES – Ratification
Warrants of August 9, 2021
Warrant No, 1046 in the amount of $ 188.82
Warrant No. 1047 in the amount of 29,679.88
Warrant No. 1048 in the amount of 32,455.17
$62,323.87
Warrants of August 16, 2021
Warrant No. 1053 in the amount of $ 77,320.00
Warrant No. 1056 in the amount of 46,625.00
Warrant No. 1057 in the amount of 890.00
Warrant No. 1058 in the amount of 112,608.80
$237,443.80
Warrants of August 23, 2021
Warrant No. 1059 in the amount of $ 31,594.86
Warrant No. 1060 in the amount of 64,776.49
$96,371.35
Warrants of August 30, 2021
Warrant No. 1061 in the amount of $ 1,545.00
Warrant No. 1066 in the amount of 2,280.00
Warrant No. 1068 in the amount of 35,407.11
Warrant No. 1069 in the amount of 76,472.63
$115,704.74
Payrolls
August 13, 2021 $1,196,228.79
August 27, 2021 $1,325,150.86
MOTION BY SM TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MG SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None.
IV. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
– Superintendent Update on Return to School
Interim Superintendent Mark Speno gave a report on the first three weeks of school. Highlights included:
Two possible COVID notifications and how the school administrators and staff responded. The goal is to keep schools open and in-person.
A discussion ensued on whether any protocols changed from the last school year, and how this may affect students’ school absences.
A discussion ensued on the possible collection of data for the percentage of staff who are vaccinated.
– Overview of District Recovery Plan and update of ongoing development and changes; plan for reporting progress at upcoming meetings.
Mark noted this plan is ongoing and evolving. There are three main areas of focus: social-emotional learning, student engagement, and academic achievement and success.
Deb Kardane presented a slideshow on details of the recovery plan.
A discussion ensued on the social-emotional learning benchmarks.
A discussion ensued on inclusive after-school programming, and how the Programmatic and Performance Equity Committee can help with that.
A discussion ensued on the participation rate in IEP versus general classrooms.
A discussion ensued on the Board’s June, 2020 decision on diversity and equity, which included an audit. TM asked for hard data from the audit. Mark noted his goal is to highlight aspects of the report during Board meetings.
V. FISCAL REPORT
Finance Director Frank Rucker gave his report. Highlights included:
• The Finance Committee met just prior to the Board meeting.
• The second Board meeting of the month will include a year-to-date and balance sheet.
• A key date to note: 9/21 is the bid opening for the Academy project.
• The committee will review bids on 9/23 at 10am.
• During the next meeting, the committee will make their recommendation to the Board.
• The backup fuel heating bid has been awarded to Discount Oil of Keene.
• The Finance Committee reviewed the food service program.
• The Finance Committee reviewed the ESSER fund grant, and how it relates to Mark and Deb’s presentation on the District Recovery Plan.
• Legislative Act 72, which directs the Superintendent to appoint a Facilities Manager for the Supervisory Union, and how this will affect the District’s functioning, especially in interacting with the state.
A discussion ensued on how ESSER 3 funds are being directed, specifically around the climate emergency.
VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS
DS noted these will be presented at the next Board meeting.
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Guilford Leadership Council Appointment
Tabled by the Chair.
B. Streamlining Meetings
– Potential motion to have Leadership Council board members and Committee Chairs submit written reports on the Thursday before the second meeting of each month for distribution with the meeting warning. These reports may be the minutes of recent meetings.
– Board members of Leadership Councils, and Chairs of Board committees, will inform the Board Chair of actions needed or questions they want the full Board to consider.
– LC and Committee Minutes will continue to be posted as required by Open Meeting Law.
– All documents and materials relating to agenda items, along with recommended language for motions, will be included with the agenda warning on the Thursday before the next meeting.
These practices will start immediately and be in place for the September 28, 2021 regular meeting.
A discussion ensued on how these will replace the verbal reports at Board meetings for the purpose of having shorter Board meetings.
A discussion ensued on empowering Leadership Councils to designate someone to present the reports, and that this does not necessarily have to be the Board member who serves in that Leadership Council.
MOTION BY SM THAT LEADERSHIP COUNCIL BOARD MEMBERS WILL INITIATE A PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING A PERSON TO WRITE A REPORT TO THE BOARD. AB SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION BY AB TO HAVE THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL BOARD MEMBERS AND BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS INFORM THE BOARD CHAIR OF ACTIONS NEEDED, OR QUESTIONS THEY WANT THE FULL BOARD TO CONSIDER. MG SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION BY LA TO HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS AND MATERIALS RELATING TO AGENDA ITEMS, ALONG WITH RECOMMENDED LANGUAGE FOR MOTIONS, BE INCLUDED WITH THE AGENDA WARNING ON THE THURSDAY BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING. KY SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
DS noted this starts immediately, and for the next Board meeting.
C. Invitation from Dottie Morris and Mary Gannon for Board Training – Need to Propose dates:
“As we approach the start of a new school year, we will be faced with several challenges and opportunities. In an effort to enhance our efforts to continue to offer quality educational experiences for young people under our charge as school board members, we are planning a professional development opportunity on ____________________. The goal of this professional development opportunity is to address ways we can continue to create, support, and advance our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. By achieving this goal, we are able to maximize the potential of all young people as they venture into the world, have an impact on their communities, and embrace the responsibilities of the future.”
A discussion ensued on possible dates. DS will follow up with Dottie and Mary.
D. Report on Progress Around Abuse Issues – Actions under consideration:
• Promote a facilitated structure for support and accountability, in collaboration with area agencies;
DS reviewed a recent meeting with representatives from the Women’s Freedom Center where the topic was to support victims, not for making charges or public statements. DS asked Board members who attended the meeting to share their reflections. KY, AB, and Mark Speno spoke.
• Engage our attorneys to initiate an investigation into all aspects of the Hecker case;
DS noted the Board has been advised by many sources to engage independent attorneys for the Hecker case.
• Engage an investigator to audit our recent (current-10 years ago) records of claims/complaints made and the outcomes; DS noted the Board has been advised to go back at least 20 years, and to include current and recent students. He will review this with the attorneys.
• Engage area agencies in providing workshops and other services to staff, board, students.
DS noted there is a lot more for the Board to know, and they need to better know what they are dealing with. There are restitution and restorative justice options.
DS asked for other suggestions from the Board and the public. KY, LA, and TM commented. Mark Speno and Mary Kaufmann commented.
Members of the public who spoke included Diana Whitney, Robin Morgan, Bethany Ranquist, Lisa Ray, Mindy Haskins-Rogers, and Debra Stanford.
Diana Whitney read a letter into the record that was signed by, at that point, 131 community members.
It is attached.
A discussion ensued on including BAMS in this process, too, and not just BUHS.
DS said the Board and Mark Speno will take everyone’s comments under consideration, and the Board will bring recommendations to future meetings.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Early Education Services – Non-Federal Share (In Kind) Waiver Request
MOTION BY LA TO APPROVE THE NON-FEDERAL SHARE IN-KIND WAIVER REQUEST. AB SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
B. Early Education Services – FY 2020-21 Carry Over Request
MOTION BY TN TO APPROVE THE FY 2020-21 CARRY OVER REQUEST. MG SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
C. PreK Partnership Agreements – Action Needed
The Pre-K Partnerships are with the following entities:
Brattleboro Centre for Children
Early Education Services
The Garland School
The Grammar School
Hilltop Montessori School
Horizon Early Learning
Horizon Early Learning DBA Mulberry Bush Early Learning Program
Mighty Oak Early Learning Program
Miss Martha’s Creative Early Learning Program
Neighborhood Schoolhouse
Suzy’s Little Peanuts
Timson Hill Preschool
Vernon Preschool
Village Early Learning Center
West Bee Nursery School
The Winston L. Prouty Center for Child Development
MOTION BY SM TO APPROVE THE PRE-K PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS. AB SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
D. Superintendent Job Posting Draft / Superintendent Search
Kerry Amidon collected comments on the draft job posting.
A discussion ensued on the job posting including the importance of diversity education, and the lack of a mention of the climate emergency. The latter was requested by the Climate Crisis Task Force.
A discussion ensued on the job posting’s changes from the first draft, and how the new draft includes less about degrees and certifications, and more about problem-solving.
E. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (a)(10)
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION BY AB TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS A SAFETY ISSUE.
MG SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Board invited the Interim Superintendent, the BAMS and BUHS Principals, and the WRCC Executive Director to join them in Executive Session.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 8:11pm.
The Board rose from Executive Session at 8:44pm.
MOTION BY AB TO ADJOURN. TN SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm.
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.
To the WSESU and WSESD Boards,
We write to you as concerned members of the community, parents of students, and graduates/former students of the district and BUHS. Since the publication of Mindy Haskins Rogers’ article in The Commons detailing years of grooming and abuse at BUHS, we have been actively involved in discussions about healing and accountability. Some of us participated in the School Board meeting on August 24, and we seek to be both resources to the district and watchdogs to ensure that leadership takes appropriate action, now that journalism has shed light on this traumatic legacy.
First, we stand in solidarity with the courageous former students who have come forward with experiences of sexual abuse by a BUHS teacher. Following the article’s publication, additional former students have shared their own stories of abuse perpetrated by this man and by other BUHS teachers, as well as the lack of support and adequate response they received from the administration.
Institutional betrayal occurs when institutions fail the very people they should protect. As community members and families of the district, we are distressed that the school charged with the care of our children failed to prevent or respond supportively to the harm inflicted by a predator within the institution, and continues to dismiss it now. This is not “ancient history” And this is not about a single “bad apple” who mistreated some students. There are systemic issues at BUHS that made — and still make — the school a breeding ground for abusive behavior and a lack of accountability.
Norms are more powerful than policies when influencing behavior. What our community needs is a radical evaluation of the current culture at BUHS, to determine the ways in which our local high school is not safe for all students.
Above all, we hope that when policy or procedural changes are made, the voices of people who have lived experience with abuse are centered, whether they are victims/survivors themselves or do significant on-the-ground work with victims/survivors.
We are cautiously heartened to learn that the district is considering engaging community organizations with expertise in this area, and that you are open to conducting an investigation.
However, we have grave concerns about the following:
• It is unacceptable for the district’s attorney to conduct the investigation. This attorney is charged with protecting the institution from liability and representing their legal interests, not addressing harms perpetrated by the school and district or ensuring a safe environment for students. Both the school and the district need to be investigated, and the WSESD’s own attorney cannot provide an independent, impartial, and transparent investigation. Therefore, we call on the school district to engage a neutral party to conduct an independent investigation into abuse of students by BUHS teachers and staff, with a scope extending beyond the past ten years, and commit to the results being shared publicly.
• The past and current cronyism within BUHS and WSESU as a whole is inherently connected to an unsafe environment. Cronyism is “the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority,” and it creates a culture where some are protected and others are ignored, dismissed or persecuted. This kind of culture harms many individuals, including students, parents, and faculty/staff. Addressing it will be a long journey, but if the district and BUHS truly want to regain trust and create a safe educational environment for all, the issue needs significant attention. Therefore, we call on the district to engage an independent entity to facilitate a school culture survey for students and faculty/staff, specifically addressing safety, and make the results publicly available.
The aforementioned lack of trust makes it unlikely that those who are experiencing harm will come forward to report it. Students, faculty, and staff need to have a safe place where they can report concerns ranging from ethical violations to illegal actions like sexual abuse. Therefore, we call on the district to make an ethics hotline available, so that students and staff have an independent way to report concerns that does not require them to go through the administration.
4. Further, we request that consolidated, anonymized data from these reports be made available to the public on a regular basis to ensure transparency and support an ongoing assessment of needs.
5. Given the depth of institutional betrayal that has occurred over the past decades (and is still ongoing), we call on the district to work with and pay qualified community organizations who will engage directly with those harmed to determine appropriate, trauma-informed actions toward healing. It is imperative that the WSESD not direct or interfere in this process, but commit to listening to the experiences of BUHS victims/survivors and others impacted by the abuses at the school.
We recognize that these actions are challenging and require an investment of time and financial resources. But protecting students from future harm is worth the challenge. As our community reckons with this traumatic legacy, we call upon BUHS and district leadership to show institutional courage and undertake a course of accountability and transparency now.
Sincerely,
PLEASE CLICK THIS LINK TO SIGN VIA SECURE FORM (you cannot edit the letter directly)
Jennifer Jacobs Parent, alumna, community member
Diana Whitney Parent, survivor, community member
Brandie E. Starr Parent, survivor, community member,
Robin Morgan parent
Lisa Kuneman community member, educator, survivor
Bethany I. Ranquist Parent, alumna, community member
Mindy Haskins Rogers alumna, educator
Elizabeth “Biz” Dana Alum, former substitute teacher
Angela Earle Gray community member
Caitlin Burlett Parent, community member
Kathleen Banford Alumna, community member
Ellen Graham Parent
Sue Graff Parent
Shannon Miles Alumna
Brandon Peterson Parent, alum, community member
Lynne Shea Educator, parent of two BUHS alumnae
Georgia Morgan Community member, grandparent
Ann McCloskey retired educator, parent of two BUHS alum
Macklen Makhloghi once proud alum
Tom Anderson alum
Zara DiZoglio Parent, alumna, community member
Evon Valentine
Tim Whitney Parent, therapist, community member
Annie Macy
Timothy Wood
Margo Lafland
Heidi Albright Alumna, survivor of BUHS abuse
Rachael Trill
Eli Coughlin-Galbraith
James Olson Parent, community member
Jeanna sargent Alumna
Kelly Foley
Amy Greenleaf
Shari Kampitsis
Heather Cutting Chard BUHS alumna
Kaitlin Ford Parent, educator, community member
David Longsmith alumni, parent, employee
Willow O’Feral community member
Brad Heck community member
Amy Newton Gutow BUHS Alumna
Laura Chapman parent, community member
Jennifer Emerson
Sarah Wood
Heather Ahrenholz BUHS Alumna
Kyla Makhloghi BUHS alum
Sarah Rosow
Amy Majer Parent, School Nurse, Survivor
Louisa Strothman Alum
Julia Waldron Graduate
Emily Ryan Graduate, 1991
Jameson Tao Alum
John Baker Parent
Anthony Parmenter Community Member
Jon Gitelson Parent
Lissa Harris Community member, future parent of BUHS students
Tracy Clark
Ivan Hennessy Community member
Kimberly Williams Community member
Alice revis Alum
Deanne Thomas Alum
Josh Fields Former WSESD teacher
Fran Lynggaard Hansen
(Formerly Frances Fairchild) Former student, class of 1976, currently teaching
L. Rae Parent
Jessica Gelter Alum, parent
Jim Terenzio Alum
Melissa Perham Alum
Josh Goldstein Alum Class of 1989
Teresa Zuverino BUHS Alumna
Ben Stockman Alum
Elizabeth Howes Alum
Andy Gale Alumna
Nancy Brennan Alexander Parent of 2 alumni, community member, retired RN @ The Retreat, Children’s Unit.
Saskia Bailey-de Bruijn Alum
Fhar Miess community member
Sara Glennon Educator, parent of three BUHS alumnae
Cyndi Cain Fitzgerald Parent, Community Member
Rev. Susie Webster-Toleno BUHS alumna, parent of two recent grads, community member
Jill Stahl Tyler parent to 2 graduate, 1 still at BUHS, community member
Sharon Simson Former parent, community member, former educator
KariLyn McLellan Alumni
Kirsten Dudkiewicz Alumni
George Carvill Community Member, tax payer
Ali Cornellier School staff
Alene Carlton Alum
Caitlin Tidd Class of ‘99, Staff member at Green Street School, affected by this teacher while on a school sanctioned trip to the met gala
Amber Williams Alumni
Sarah Croitoru Community member
Heather Sargent Chase Alum
Lacy Slade Alumni
Mandilynn king Parent
Molly Steinmark Alum
Dave Evans
Amanda Bostwick Parent
Sarah Levine Alum, class of 2012
Norma A Manning Parent of four BUHS Alumni, Former preschool teacher of a student who was impacted by a BUHS teacher in the broader community, Parent of a child who was coached in the broader community by a BAMS offender, Para Educator at VES
Joohee Park community member
Emily Freeman Alum
Gary Graff Parent
Wendy Toney Parent, Community member
Adrian Segar former parent
Melissa Glim Alumna
Ain Thompson Step-parent, community member
Junie Pereira Parent and former WSESD staff
Kelley VanLeeuwen Alum, community member
Colleen Frankiewicz Alum, parent
Catrina Nuite Community member, parent of three alumni
Katy Peterson Parent, community member
Alexa Kinley Student
Heather Cudworth Parent, alum. Community member
Ann Zimmerman Parent of 2 alumnae, community member
Michelle Meima & Ralph Meima & Alexander Meima Parent of 3 students who attended BUHS
Kelly Salasin lifelong educator, alum parent, staff spouse
Kendra Dias Community member
Angela Lawrence Community member
William Lawrence Alumna, Community member
Peter Siegel Parent, Community Member
Mike Szostak BUHS Restorative Justice/Practices Coordinator
Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk Alum
Seth Pichette Alumni and staff
Peter Green alum
Amanda Witman parent, community member
Rachel Hebert Alumni, community member
Robin MacArthur BUHS alum, parent
Lauren Breunig BUHS alum
Erin Weaver Parent, community member
Kristina Weeks Community member
Leslie Sullivan Sachs Community member
Liz Simmons former parent
Ethan Hazzard-Watkins community membership
Amy Murphy Nelson Alum
Rafael Rosen Parent, community member
Michelle Connair Parent
Kara Orfanidis Parent, community member, alum
Laura Erlanger Parent of alumna and former substitute teacher and paraprofessional at BUHS
Stefanie Hayes Johnson Alumna
Lori Looman Bogue Alum
Lucia Magee Parent
Julie Strothman Community member
Caitlin Browne Alum
Lisa Nicholson Parent of alumni, community member
Melissa Lyn Cogswell BUHS Alum
Erin Maile O’Keefe community member, educator
Spoon Agave resident, former Town School Board member
Patricia Austin BUHS alumni, community member, survivor BUHS sexual abuse
Aaron Chesley Community member and teacher
Laura Erlanger Parent of alumna, former para educator, substitute teacher
Shelley Sparks Community member, alum.
Joan Wesolowski Community member
Kristin Gottschalk Parent & community member
Eileen Parks Local educator
kim korson parent
Josh Moyse Alum, teacher, parent
Cassie Dunn Alum
Linda Bailey parent of 2 alums, community member
Keely Eastley Parent of former student
Heather Smith Community member
Mary Beth Porter teacher
Brenda Siegel Alum
Remy Bennett Former BUHS employee
Leah Silverman Alum class of 2012
Pedr Seymour Parent
Lissa Schneckenburger parent, community member
Terry Finnell Jr Alum and parent of current and former students
Megan Schrull Alum
Erika Behan Alum, parent and community member
Shalba Old student
Alison Kelly teacher
