WSESD Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes

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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, November 9, 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 – October 25 and October 26, 2021
• FINANCES
Warrants of October 12, 2021
Warrant No. 1108 in the amount of $ 2,660.00
Warrant No. 1111 in the amount of 16,224.81
Warrant No. 1112 in the amount of 1,000.00
Warrant No. 1113 in the amount of 3,686.82
Warrant No. 1114 in the amount of 251,647.60
$275,219.23
Warrants of October 18, 2021
Warrant No. 1115 in the amount of $39,567.80
Warrant No. 1116 in the amount of 442.11
Warrant No. 1117 in the amount of 124,995.77
$165,005.68
Warrants of October 25, 2021
Warrant No. 1118 in the amount of $ 1,958.83
Warrant No. 1119 in the amount of 1,470.00
Warrant No. 1121 in the amount of 138.88
Warrant No. 1124 in the amount of 45,794.40
Warrant No. 1125 in the amount of 1,801,043.93
Warrant No. 1126 in the amount of 18,365.00
Warrant No. 1127 in the amount of 99.72
Warrant No. 1128 in the amount of 68,462.49
$1,937,333.25
Warrants of November 1, 2021
Warrant No. 1129 in the amount of $ 250.00
Warrant No. 1131 in the amount of 3,263.38
Warrant No. 1132 in the amount of 2,037.51
Warrant No. 1133 in the amount of 856,764.88
$862,315.77
Payrolls
October 8, 2021 $1,375,620.99
October 22, 2021 $1,377,994.11
III. Public Comment on Non-agenda Items (10 minutes)

IV. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
• Recovery Plan Update
o Developmental Designs
o EST
o Vaccination Update
o Enrollment Report

V. FISCAL REPORT
• Budget Development Process
o Consideration of Additional Meetings to Allow Presentations of School
Budgets
o Consider Asking Leadership Councils to Review School Budgets
o Consider Initiating a 529 College Savings Plan for All Kindergarten
Students
o Website Restructuring

VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, if any
A. Confirm Independent Budget Review Committee Volunteers
o Barbara Charkey – Brattleboro
o Kristina Naylor – Dummerston
o Maggie Foley – Guilford
o Casey Murrow – Putney

….

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 26, 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 6pm.
DS announced changes to the agenda:
• Item VII.B. will occur when Dr. Overtree arrives.
• Add a new hire to Item V.
• Add a Leadership Council appointment.
II. CONSENT AGENDA
– CLERK’S REPORT – Approval of Minutes – October 7, October 12, October 19, 2021

MOTION BY AB TO ADOPT THE CLERK’S REPORT AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 7, OCTOBER 12, AND OCTOBER 19. TM SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

III. RESOLUTION: WELCOMING BPD CHIEF HARDY AND THANKING HER FOR ONGOING SUPPORT OF OUR SCHOOLS

TM read the following resolution into the record:
“The Windham Southeast Supervisory District (WSESD) warmly and enthusiastically welcomes Brattleboro’s newly hired Chief of Police, Norma Hardy. In many ways, the purpose and goals of the school district and the Brattleboro Police Department (BPD) complement one another. Both are committed to ensuring the safety of our students and staff, inside the school buildings and within the larger community, and both are committed to promoting social justice.
The WSESD commends Chief Hardy for recognizing that our jobs also include reckoning with systemic racism in all its forms. In preparing our students as responsible and productive members of society, our schools teach our young citizens the values of inclusion and anti-racism, thus strengthening the symbiotic relationship between the BPD and the WSESD.
In breaking race and gender barriers to become Brattleboro’s first Black woman police chief, Chief Hardy inspires all our students to overcome social challenges in realizing their personal goals in life.

Finally, we thank Chief Hardy as well as the fine officers on her team who have already shown competence and professionalism in handling difficult situations in the beginning of this school year.”

MOTION BY TM TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AND FORWARD IT TO THE BRATTLEBORO POLICE DEPARTMENT. SECONDED BY TN. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

DS announced the WSESD has been asked to join the Pisces Network, a teacher network, and join the list of collaborators. This will assist with the District’s strength in outdoor learning.
The following individuals indicated their approval: TM, TN, and Interim Superintendent Mark Speno.
MOTION BY LA TO JOIN THE PISCES FOUNDATION LIST AS A COLLABORATOR. AB SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None.
V. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
– COVID Update
Mark Speno gave his update. Highlights included:
• He sent a letter to parents the previous Friday with a “state of the union” update.
• The District has significant COVID-related challenges, and major staffing issues. This requires a daily morning ritual where principals, administrative assistants, and school nurses decide who will cover which responsibilities to ensure the students have appropriate adult supervision.
• They are actively trying to hire more staff.
• This is a very stressful situation, and the most pressing issue in the District. Every school is affected.
• Every week, one or more schools has at least one classroom closed because of COVID.
• Every weekend, the administration learns of at least one positive COVID case in the schools. This creates an immense amount of work to decide whether to close a classroom. It is a challenge every day.

DS asked about the possibility of a “test-to-stay” protocol. Mark explained how it works, and noted it is a goal for the District, and will enable students to stay in school with their teachers. It requires staffing, though; Mark hired two new “floating” nurses, who start next week. A pilot “test-to-stay” program will start soon.

– BUHS Update
Principal Steve Perrin gave his update. Highlights included:
• The first phase of advisory discussions are complete, and this included student advisors.
• Steve gave a review of the process so far, and what’s next.
• One question the process will address is, What are the biggest obstacles to learning, and to a positive environment?
• Every Monday morning he will meet with the student group.
• Workshop assemblies with the entire student body are forthcoming.
• Steve detailed these plans, the goals, and the process.
• The students and staff are doing great work.
• Candidates for the open Dean of Students position are being interviewed now.

– New Hire

MOTION BY TM TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT OF ASHLEE CHARETTE AS INTERIM BUHS SCHOOL COUNSELOR. MG SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

– ESSR Grant Public Input Process Update
Paul Smith shared a document, “WSESD Board Update on ARP ESSR III Meaningful Consultation Process.” He presented:
• a history of the process
• the grant amounts
• what the money is to be used for
• grant requirements
• the plan is on the website.
He noted Deb Kardane made a separate website for this, and the link is on the WSESD website.
He also discussed:
• what the District’s goals are
• that the Agency of Education has not released the application yet for ESSR III funds
• some of the ways the District has spent the ESSR I & II funds
• communications with community groups about the plan and the ongoing recovery plan modification process as a result of these collaborations
• the team is working with the Student Council and the Leadership Councils
• outreach efforts
• how and when additional feedback on ESSR III will be received
• next steps
• they will integrate this planning with planning for the next Fiscal Year budget.
A discussion ensued on stakeholder groups who have not responded yet, and that Paul will follow up with them. Another forum may happen, too.
A discussion ensued on accountability requirements, especially regarding staffing shortages and its challenges.
A discussion ensued on test scores and assessment results.
Finance Director Frank Rucker asked Chair DS if he could adjust the agenda and present Item VI. now to address the discussion. DS consented.
VI. FISCAL REPORT
– ESSR Grant Status
Frank Rucker shared a document, “WSESU FY21-22 Budget,” and reviewed the line items relevant to the ESSR I & II grants. Highlights included:
• What the Supervisory Union (SU) and School District (SD) is spending this money on to address the goals Paul mentioned in his presentation.
• Staffing and capital projects are part of this.
• How ESSR III will continue to meet the goal’s Paul detailed.
DS asked about professional development. Frank noted it shows up on a few line items in the SU and SD sections. 

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
B. Update on Progress Toward Abuse Investigations – Approve Consulting Contract with Dr. Chris Overtree
Dr. Overtree introduced himself and reviewed his background, including his experience working with schools on investigations and climate assessments.
Mindy Haskins-Rogers asked Dr. Overtree about details on the work he will do, his role and oversight and whether he is truly independent. She questioned why details about Dr. Overtree’s experiences at a camp where he was once employed have not been part of the discussion. Dr. Overtree noted he is a consultant, and the Board has not asked him to lead the investigation. He will advise on the order of operations. He clarified his roles at the camp.
A discussion ensued on the history of this camp’s abuse allegations.
A discussion ensued on the Board’s process for vetting Dr. Overtree and his related experience.
A discussion ensued on the climate assessment and what, and whom, it should include.
A discussion ensued on the connection between past abuse incidents and present-day culture.
A discussion ensued on ways to lighten the staff’s burden in this investigation, ways the climate assessment is already happening, and how it is connected to action-planning.
MG explained why she voted to consult with Dr. Overtree in response to Haskins-Rogers’s questions: because the Board is not comprised of professionals with this experience, and they want to do this right and keep everyone as safe as possible.

V. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
– Recovery Plan Update: Developmental Designs and EST
DS tabled these items.

VI. FISCAL REPORT
– Budget Development Process
DS tabled this item. He asked the Board and the administration to consider options for restructuring the presentations.
Mark Speno alerted the Board that contract negotiations are coming up. DS asked Board members to contact the SU Board about this.
MG asked DS if the Board could vote to extend the meeting to allow for the Recovery Plan Update.
DS said they could vote, but the Climate Crisis Task Force is ahead in the queue, so that will come first.
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Climate Crisis Task Force Report – Requesting Consideration of 3 Actions
– To ask for a report on how the district is continuing professional development for teachers around climate issues.

– To ask for a report on where we produce the most carbon and a draft capital plan to reduce it.

– To ask the food service provider to report on how we might reduce the amount of animal protein we consume.

TN gave a history of the Climate Crisis Task Force (CCTF) and his concerns that no concrete actions have been taken. The CCTF proposes to bring questions about climate change to the voters to assess whether it is important to the voters. TN read the proposed questions that would appear on the ballot, and he explained why the CCTF chose these questions. The CCTF would like a full-time climate coordinator as a paid position in the District.
A discussion ensued on the proposal. Highlights included:
• Statements that nothing has been done on this in two years.
• Disputes that nothing has been done, including examples of policies and actions the District has taken to address the climate crisis.
• The need for more research into what the District and school staff are already doing, including staff input.
• How do these proposals interact with ESSR requirements?
• Concerns about the stress on the staff, tax implications, and the proposed food service changes.
• Support for the proposal because of the need to address the existential threat of climate crisis, and the importance of educating students to see the world as it really is.
MOTION BY TM TO EXTEND THE MEETING BY 15 MINUTES. TN SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The discussion continued. Highlights included:
• Concerns about whether it is appropriate for the public to create policies for the Board.
• The need for cost estimates for this proposal.
• The possibility that this could affect excess SD educational spending.
• The food-related aspects of this proposal could be challenging for poor children.
Mark Speno spoke against this proposal, and noted it does not include research on what has already been done, nor does it include teacher, administration, parent, or student involvement.
DS tabled further discussion on this item because the meeting is ending.
C. Progress on Independent Budget Review Committee Recruitment
DS announced more recruitment is needed, and he asked principals to do outreach.
B. Update on Progress Toward Abuse Investigations – Approve Consulting Contract with Dr. Chris Overtree (continued)
MOTION BY MG TO AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR CONSULTATION SERVICES WITH DR. OVERSTREET. AB SECONDED.

ROLL CALL VOTE:
LA YEA
AB YEA
JR YEA
TM YEA
EMK YEA
MH YEA

TN YEA
KY YEA
SM NAY
MOTION CARRIED 8-1.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Alternative Representation for WSESU Board
DS tabled this item.
MOTION BY AB TO ADJOURN. LA SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:21pm.

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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