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 at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday,
January 24, 2023 in the WRCC Cusick Conference Room and remotely via Zoom.
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AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m. – Kelly Young, Board Chair
II. STUDENT MATTERS (5-10 Minutes)
III. CONSENT AGENDA
• CLERK’S REPORT – Approval of Minutes – January 9, January 10, January 12,
January 16, 2023
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS (10 minutes)
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Sexual Abuse Investigation – Update
B. Policy Review:
• F21 – Policy on the Use of Restraint and Seclusion – Readoption
• F10 – Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect – Readoption
C. Board Training
• Final Restorative Process Training
• Board Retreats
VI. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
VII. FISCAL REPORT
• FY ’24 Budget Discussion
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Retirements/Resignations
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, JANUARY 10, 2023
REGULAR BOARD MEETING – 6:00PM
HYBRID MEETING: WRCC CUSICK CONFERENCE ROOM, BRATTLEBORO, AND REMOTELY VIA ZOOM
DRAFT MINUTES
WSESD Board Members Present: Chair Kelly Young (KY), Liz Adams (LA), Anne Beekman (AB), Michelle Green (MG), Tim Maciel (TM), Emily Murphy Kaur (EMK), Shaun Murphy (SM), Deborah Stanford (DS). non-voting members: Benjamin Berg (BB), Kaiya Colby (KC)
WSESD Board Members Absent: Lana Dever
WSESU/SD Staff and Administrators Present: Mark Speno, Wendy M. Levy, Cassie Damkoehler, Paul Smith, Frank Rucker, Jon Sessions, Julianne Eagan, Rebecca Olmstead, Sean Quinn, Cheri Mustain, Nancy Wiese, Kate Margaitis, John Gagnon, Alexandra Keep, Seth O’Connor, Brin Tucker
Media Present: Virginia Ray of The Commons
Others Present: David Schoales, Django Grace, Ali West, C. Person DeSchiller, Ilene Arana, Jodi Nutting, Rebecca Spesiman, Mindy Haskins Rogers, Jody Normandeau, Sherri Keefe
Please note: attendance may be incomplete.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair KY called the meeting to order at 6:04pm.
KY read the “hybrid meeting” statement.
II. STUDENT MATTERS
Django Grace spoke about Natowich Field and the on-going need for repairing it, and the on-going debate over whether it should be laid with natural turf or artificial turf. Mr. Grace asked the Board to revisit the subject because the field is neither fun nor safe for play.
David Schoales of Brattleboro requested a report from the Student Advisory Council on professional development. Benjamin Berg responded, and noted the report is currently being drafted.
III. CONSENT AGENDA
• CLERK’S REPORT – Approval of Minutes – December 20, 2022
MOTION BY AB TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 20, 2022 MINUTES. SM SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
• FINANCES
Warrant of December 12, 2022
Warrant No. 1180 in the amount of $254,564.58
Warrant No. 1181 in the amount of 5,025.00
Warrant No. 1183 in the amount of 150.00
Warrant No. 1184 in the amount of 37,816.33
Warrant No. 1185 in the amount of 11,070.00
Warrant No. 1186 in the amount of 1,866.81
Warrant No. 1187 in the amount of 921,565.01
$1,232,057.73
Warrant of December 19, 2022
Warrant No. 1188 in the amount of $2,115.00
Warrant No. 1194 in the amount of 1,958.39
Warrant No. 1195 in the amount of 131,158.56
$135,231.95
Warrant of December 27, 2022
Warrant No. 1197 in the amount of $1,596.18
Warrant No. 1198 in the amount of 858.14
Warrant No. 1200 in the amount of 821.82
Warrant No. 1201 in the amount of 7,973.00
Warrant No. 1202 in the amount of 127,735.99
$138,985.13
Warrant of January 3, 2023
Warrant No. 1207 in the amount of $122,386.30
Warrant No. 1209 in the amount of 1,600.00
Warrant No. 1210 in the amount of 1,417.94
Warrant No. 1211 in the amount of 172,531.20
$297,935.44
Payrolls
December 16, 2022 $1,616,074.46
December 30, 2022 $1,330,658.59
MOTION BY MG TO APPROVE THE WARRANT OF DECEMBER 12, 2022, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,232,057.73; THE WARRANT OF DECEMBER 19, 2022, IN THE AMOUNT OF $135,231.95; THE WARRANT OF DECEMBER 27, 2022, IN THE AMOUNT OF $138,985.13; THE WARRANT OF JANUARY 3, 2023, IN THE AMOUNT OF $297,935.44; THE PAYROLL OF DECEMBER 16, 2022, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,616,074.46; AND THE PAYROLL OF DECEMBER 30, 2022, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,330,658.59. DS SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Jody Normandeau of Dummerston submitted three comments:
• Gratitude for removing the echo from the Zoom feed.
• She likes that students are taking the opportunity to speak during meetings.
• The new website is not mobile-friendly and she would like to see improvements and get assistance with navigating it on her tablet.
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Sexual Abuse Investigation — Update
KY announced there was no new information.
A discussion ensued. Highlights included:
• Mindy Haskins Rogers of Northampton (MA) and an alumna of BUHS, mentioned the policy of reporting unprofessional conduct by a licensed teacher to the Vermont Agency of Education, which has a state-level review panel. She cited the statute supporting this. Ms. Haskins Rogers asked Superintendent Mark Speno if he was aware of this requirement, and if he had issued these reports in a timely fashion. Mr. Speno replied “yes” to both questions.
• Mr. Schoales asked if the investigator had received more support to complete the interviews and research. KY responded: she was unsure but will follow up. Mr. Speno noted the investigator has not requested more support.
• Mr. Schoales asked if the Board would consider asking the attorneys to release some information or an explanation.
• Ms. Haskins Rogers noted the AoE’s licensure review is not dependent on an attorney’s review or investigation. She expressed her hope that the Board will meet its commitment to release the attorney’s reports when they are available.
• Mr. Berg asked if there was any information available on the timeline for releasing information. KY responded: no.
• TM asked Mr. Speno about the status of the outreach efforts for reporting among BAMS and BUHS students. Mr. Speno responded by noting some outreach efforts, including staff training and a lengthy presentation at a recent meeting.
B. Policy Review
DS, Chair of the Policy and Amendment Committee, reviewed the following proposed policies:
F38 – Prevention of Sexual Harassment as Prohibited by Title IX – re-adoption DS noted this policy’s first reading was on December 13, 2022. There have been no changes nor objections presented in its 10-day warning period.
MOTION BY DS TO APPROVE FOR READOPTION POLICY F38, PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AS PROHIBITED BY TITLE IX, WITH NO CHANGES. LA SECONDED.
A discussion ensued.
DS noted this policy is 22 pages in length, and it delineates what happens when a report is made.
VOTE ON THE DS MOTION: MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A discussion ensued on the procedure for reporting.
F10 – Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect – 2nd Reading
DS led the discussion on this policy, which is presented for its second reading and 10-day warning period.
DS noted a change to the policy: on page 2, the mandated reporter must report directly to the Department of Children & Families (DCF). Prior to this, they first reported to the school principal and the superintendent. Now, they report to them, and the designated employee of the building, but they must report directly to DCF.
F21 – Policy on the Use of Restraint and Seclusion – 2nd Reading
DS led the discussion on this policy. She noted the Policy and Amendment Committee met with Tate Erickson to create a policy that reflects the District’s approach to this subject. There is a change: an opening statement to the policy, which is in red. On page 2 at the bottom one can find the definition of seclusion, which has been expanded beyond the original definition. This is the policy’s second reading and 10-day warning period.
DS asked anyone who has questions or concerns to email her directly.
MG asked about Policy F10, specifically if there are “checks and balances” so the Board and the public can get assurance that the superintendent is following all of the policies. A discussion ensued. Mr. Speno mentioned any information released will only be statistics because of confidentiality mandates. MG asked if the Policy and Amendment Committee can include this in the policy.
Sherri Keefe of Brattleboro expressed her concern with the historical inadequacy of checks and balances, which resulted in a failure to report by previous superintendents and staff members. Can this be addressed in the policy?
DS asked MG and Ms. Keefe to email her with these concerns. DS said she will add these topics to the agenda of the next committee meeting, which is on January 23.
DS mentioned the upcoming February 1 deadline for volunteers seeking to drive students to sports events and other school-related functions to show their intent to complete their background checks and fingerprinting. She noted the policy addressing this — D7 — is listed on page 2 of that policy.
Putney Central School Principal Jon Sessions and Dummerston School Principal Julianne Eagan reported how their school communities achieved the background-check goals: with a lot of family participation and school support. Mr. Speno noted the great efforts of Stacey Mousseau in helping with this process.
KY asked what happens if someone expresses their interest in driving students after the February 1 deadline. Are they able to go through the background-check process? Mr. Sessions said that at his school, staff will help that person schedule their fingerprinting with the Windham County Sheriff Department.
MG asked everyone to widely share that volunteers can sign up after February 1.
DS mentioned the Governor’s decree on remote meetings is set to expire on January 15. The Policy and Amendment Committee has been asked to draft policy to reflect the District’s commitment to accessibility of public meetings. This subject will come up soon in a Committee meeting. Paul Smith asked for the conversation to include appointing an official “Zoom handler,” and that it not be him. LA questioned whether this decree affects hybrid meetings or remote-only meetings. She said she would research further and follow up with the Board.
VI. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Mr. Speno gave his report. Highlights included:
• A Panorama / climate work / Dr. Overtree update. Dr. Overtree met with staff at the Putney
Central School recently, and all other schools are scheduled for a visit with him in the next two or three weeks.
• The Board, as per the calendar it created with Mr. Speno, shows a Panorama climate update at the February 28 regular Board meeting.
• The review of the new website continues.
• At tomorrow’s WSESU meeting, there will be a presentation on Act 173 / Special Education
concerns. All are welcome to attend. This meeting will be recorded.
• Winter sports in elementary schools are now happening, even without snow.
• Executive Secretary Barb Nowakowski is retiring at the end of January. Before the holiday break, the administrative team interviewed and administered a test to candidates. The hiring committee unanimously decided to hire Mo Hart, the Green Street School Administrative Assistant, for the Executive Secretary position as of January 23. Ms. Nowakowski will mentor Ms. Hart throughout the rest of the school year, and the rest of the administrative team is working hard to support the transition.
A discussion ensued on Dr. Overtree’s presentation and the climate surveys.
VII. FISCAL REPORT
• FY24 Budget Discussion
• Finance Director Frank Rucker shared a document, “Windham Southeast School District Fiscal
Year 2024 Proposed Budget Summary.” He reviewed the document. Highlights included:
• This document is on the website.
• The proposed budget is $62.9 million, and is up approximately 3-percent.
• An explanation of how the document is organized.
• A review of which pages show details.
• A review of which pages show the homestead school tax rate.
• Mr. Rucker was waiting on figures from the state — the yield, the equitable student, and the CLA figures — to calculate the tax rate. Those figures have arrived.
• There are no major changes to the budget since the last meeting.
• The equalized tax rate is down 6.3-percent.
• An explanation of how the figures interact and set the tax rate.
• An acknowledgement that the equalized pupil statistics are relatively flat.
• What the District’s towns’ proposed tax rates are, and how the CLA interacts with these numbers.
• Mr. Rucker is still waiting for the WRCC pupil numbers, which will affect the budget.
• Mr. Rucker expects to have more information at the next meeting.
• The spending cap has been rescinded for this fiscal year, as per the Legislature.
Mr. Rucker shared and reviewed a document, “Fiscal Year 2024 Windham Southeast School District Capital Plan Overview.” Highlights included:
• The total projected cost for this plan is $3.6 million.
• An explanation of how the document is organized.
• This plan includes many HVAC improvements.
• The five-year forecast shows a $10 million cumulative capital investment in the schools.
• The funding sources: appropriations (taxes), grants (including ESSER).
• The Board typically votes on capital projects.
• There will be a deeper examination of the capital improvements at the next Board meeting.
• In response to Mr. Grace’s earlier question during “Students Matters,” page 5 shows the Natowich Field improvements.
RM asked about sidewalks near schools. A discussion ensued.
BUHS Dean Cassie Damkoehler asked the Board to focus future budgets on outdoor learning spaces.
• Board Expenses
KY noted Mr. Rucker needs these figures to complete the budget, and she had sent Board members an email with suggested amounts.
TM noted the Board would need more money for their legal services and fees. Mr. Rucker reviewed that part of the budget, and some history of the Board’s expenses, both budgeted and actual.
MOTION BY TM THAT THE $103,000 NOW IN THE BOARD BUDGET FOR LEGAL FEES AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BE INCREASED TO $135,000 AND THAT $3,000 BE ADDED FOR STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE STIPENDS AND REFRESHMENTS AND THAT $3,000 ALSO BE ADDED FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR BOARD MEMBERS. DS SECONDED.
A discussion ensued on the motion.
A discussion ensued on whether TM should withdraw his motion because the meeting is running late and other people are waiting to make scheduled presentations, and the next Board meeting is all about the budget. TM declined to withdraw his motion.
SM noted this budget has been developed in November, and he questioned why these changes are coming up now. He prefers this discussion come up earlier in the budget cycle. KY said she asked Board members to send her their comments and requests earlier so she can submit them to Mr. Rucker, and she received one response.
ROLL- CALL VOTE ON THE TM MOTION:
TM YEA
DS YEA
AB YEA
RM YEA
LA YEA
EMK YEA
MG YEA
SM NAY
MOTION CARRIED 7-1, WITH SM VOTING “NAY.”
Chair KY called for a break in the meeting at 7:45pm.
Chair KY called the meeting back into order at 7:52pm.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. District Social Worker Presentations
Mr. Speno introduced the presentation. He shared a document, “Social Workers and Outreach / Engagement Coordinators in WSESU.” Paul Smith, Sean Quinn, Seth O’Connor, Cheri Mustain, and Alexandra Keep all presented on what they do as social workers and engagement coordinators in their respective schools, and some of their experiences and backgrounds.
Mr. Smith mentioned the students’ ongoing support needs, and statistics related to this.
A discussion on the presentation ensued. Highlights included:
• Outreach efforts to let students and families know the social workers exist in the schools.
• Specific challenges students are facing.
• Appreciation from Board members and school leadership for the social workers and all they do to help students and families.
B. Rebecca Olmstead – Report on Wellness Committee Work
Mr. Speno introduced Ms. Olmstead and noted she is working to develop a wellness policy, which she will present to the Policy and Amendment Committee.
Ms. Olmstead gave her presentation. Highlights included:
• Recent committee work, including the pre-COVID and current meeting schedules.
• Ideas and goals for the Wellness Committee and the policy.
• Healthy foods for students.
A discussion ensued on Ms. Olmstead’s presentation. Mr. Smith noted the policy will affect the foodservice RFP. He pointed out the District’s nutrition standards exceed the federal nutrition guidelines.
C. Retirements / Resignations
Mr. Speno announced three retirements: Lorraine Bramble and Susan Johnson from Green Street, and Steve Rice from BUHS. He noted all three have been working in the District for over two decades.
MOTION BY AB TO ACCEPT, WITH REGRET, THE RETIREMENT OF LORRAINE BRAMBLE, SUSAN JOHNSON, AND STEVE RICE. RM SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Speno announced two new hires: Michael Kell as a counselor at Green Street School, and Christine Pereira, academic support at BAMS.
MOTION BY DS TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF MICHAEL KELL AND CHRISTINE PEREIRA. AB SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
D. Schedule of Final Restorative Process Training
KY said she needs to know as soon as possible if the Board would like to have their final training session with Mel Motel. DS, TM, and AB said they would like to continue. KY said she will email the options for dates to the Board, and they should respond within a day.
E. Executive Sessions – 1 VSA §313(a)(1)(A) – Contracts
KY said she does not anticipate the Board will take action upon rising from Executive Session.
MOTION BY TM TO FIND THAT PREMATURE GENERAL PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE WOULD CLEARLY PLACE THE PUBLIC BODY OR PERSON INVOLVED IN SUBSTANTIAL DISADVANTAGE, REGARDING TWO MATTERS UNDER CONTRACTS. AB SECONDED.
A discussion ensued. MG asked for specific information on which contracts and for what personnel. KY responded: she had sent MG an email with this information. MG confirmed she had received it.
VOTE ON THE TM MOTION: MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MOTION BY AB FOR THE BOARD TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION BASED ON AFTER MAKING A SPECIFIC FINDING THAT PREMATURE GENERAL PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE WOULD CLEARLY PLACE THE PUBLIC BODY OR PERSON INVOLVED IN SUBSTANTIAL DISADVANTAGE, REGARDING CONTRACTS. RM SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 8:47pm.
The Board rose from Executive Session at 9:03pm.
MOTION BY AB TO ADJOURN. LA SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Board adjourned at 9:05pm.
Documents presented:
• “Windham Southeast School District Fiscal Year 2024 Proposed Budget Summary.”
• “Fiscal Year 2024 Windham Southeast School District Capital Plan Overview.”
• “Social Workers and Outreach / Engagement Coordinators in WSESU.”
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.
…..
Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Board
January 16, 2023
Executive Session
Remote via Zoom
Called to order by Kelly Young at 5:03 pm, January 16, 2023.
Motion made by Deborah Stanford to enter Executive Session under 1VSA §313 (a) (4) a disciplinary action or dismissal action against a public officer or employee. Seconded.
Invited guests: Attorneys Sean Toohey. Kendall Hoechst, and Theodore Kramer + former employee, witnesses and stenographer, Dineen Squillante.
Attending (all via Zoom): Deborah Stanford, Robin Morgan, Kelly Young (Chair), Tim Maciel (Clerk), Michelle Green, Anne Beekman (Vice Chair), Liz Adams, Lana Dever, Shaun Murphy, and Emily Murphy-Kaur.
Entered into ES at 5:03 p.m.
Rose from Executive Session at 9:34 p.m. No action taken.
Meeting adjourned at 9:34 pm until next ES on 01.18.23 at 6:15 pm.
…..
Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Board
January 09, 2023
Executive Session
Remote via Zoom
Called to order by Kelly Young at 5:04 pm., January 09, 2023.
Motion made by Kelly Young to enter Executive Session under 1VSA §313 (a) (4) a disciplinary action or dismissal action against a public officer or employee.
Invited guests: Attorneys Sean Toohey. Kendall Hoechst, and Theodore Kramer + former employee, witnesses and stenographer, Dineen Squillante.
Attending (all via Zoom): Deborah Stanford, Robin Morgan, Kelly Young (Chair), Tim Maciel (Clerk), Michelle Green, Anne Beekman (Vice Chair), Liz Adams, Lana Dever, Shaun Murphy, and Emily Murphy-Kaur.
Entered into ES at 5:06 p.m.
Rose from Executive Session at 9:20. No action taken.
Meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m. until next ES on 01/12/23.
….
Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Board
January 12, 2023
Executive Session
Remote via Zoom
Called to order by Kelly Young at 5:02 pm., January 12, 2023.
Motion made by Kelly Young to enter Executive Session under 1VSA §313 (a) (4) a disciplinary action or dismissal action against a public officer or employee.
Invited guests: Attorneys Sean Toohey. Kendall Hoechst, and Theodore Kramer + former employee, witnesses and stenographer, Dineen Squillante.
Attending (all via Zoom): Deborah Stanford, Robin Morgan, Kelly Young (Chair), Tim Maciel (Clerk), Michelle Green, Anne Beekman (Vice Chair), Liz Adams, Lana Dever, Shaun Murphy, and Emily Murphy-Kaur.
Entered into ES at 5:03 p.m.
Rose from Executive Session at 8:52. No action taken.
Meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m. until next ES on 01.16.23.
