The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 in the WRCC 1st floor Conference Room 198E for an EXECUTIVE SESSION under 1 V.S.A. §313(a)(7) Academic records or suspension or discipline of students. The regular meeting will commence in the WRCC Cusick Conference Room at approximately 6:30 p.m. or at the conclusion of the executive session.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83562805024?pwd=eGpCSnBTK0VneFZDK3VTbFFpanhpUT09
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WINDHAM SOUTHEAST SCHOOL DISTRICT
53 Green Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
www.wsesu.org
NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING
Please note change of meeting time
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 in the WRCC 1st floor Conference Room 198E for an EXECUTIVE
SESSION under 1 V.S.A. §313(a)(7) Academic records or suspension or discipline of students. The regular meeting will commence in the WRCC Cusick Conference
Room at approximately 6:30 p.m. or at the conclusion of the executive session.
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AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER – 5:00 p.m. – Kelly Young, Board Chair. Executive Session.
II. EXECUTIVE SESSION under 1 V.S.A. §313(a)(7) Academic records or suspension or discipline of students – WRCC 1st floor Conference Room
198E
Executive Session Zoom Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87409732807?pwd=OWJVSDBPbzRCNzBVOGw1dFFhRzFsUT09
At approximately 6:30 p.m. the regular board meeting will commence.
III. STUDENT MATTERS (5-10 Minutes)
IV. PRESENTATION on Robert’s Rules – Meeting Minutes – Pietro Lynn, Esq. (15 minutes)
V. CONSENT AGENDA
• CLERK’S REPORT – Approval of Minutes – February 14
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS (10 minutes)
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Sexual Abuse Investigation Update
B. Policy & Amendment Committee – Policies to be presented to the SD Board
o F35 School Animal Policy
o F10 Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect – Re-Adoption
VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Panorama presentation
IX. FISCAL REPORT
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Approve Submission of EES’ Head Start & Early Head Start Refunding Application and Change of Scope Application
B. Policy and Amendment Committee – Policies to be presented to the SD Board
• F2 Policy on Nondiscriminatory Mascots and School Branding – 1st Reading
EXECUTIVE SESSION under 1 V.S.A. §313(a)(1)(A) Contracts
Note: These proposed minutes should be considered preliminary until they are approved by the board at a future meeting.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2023
REGULAR BOARD MEETING – 6:00PM
HYBRID MEETING: WRCC CUSICK CONFERENCE ROOM, BRATTLEBORO,
AND REMOTELY VIA ZOOM
DRAFT MINUTES
WSESD Board Members Absent: Shaun Murphy
WSESU/SD Staff and Administrators Present: Mark Speno, Wendy M. Levy, Cassie Damkoehler, Paul Smith, Frank Rucker, Julianne Eagan, Jon Sessions, Kelly Dias, John Gagnon, Emma Hollowell, Kathy Cassin, Steve Hed, Sarah Rosow, Tara Gordon, Aimee Leveque, Jen O’Donnell, Molly Oglesby, Hannah Van Loon
Media Present: Peter (BCTV), Virginia Ray (The Commons), Chris Mays (Reformer)
Others Present: Kerry Amidon (WSESU Board Chair), Ruby MacAdoo of Putney, Sheila Humphries of Food Connects, Rikki Risatti of Brattleboro, Eva Nolan of Dummerston, Kristina Naylor of Dummerston
Please note: attendance may be incomplete.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair KY called the meeting to order at 6:03pm.
KY read the “hybrid meeting” statement.
II. STUDENT MATTERS
Student Advisory Council member KC reported on recent Student Advisory Council activity. They are planning professional development, including a workshop on March 6.
III. PRESENTATION – OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS, SCHOOL GARDENS, PLAY BASED PLCS
– School Gardens
Mr. Speno shared a slideshow, “Highlighting School Gardens in WSESD.”
Mr. Speno introduced Sheila Humphries of Food Connects, and the WSESD Garden Coordinators:
• There are eight school gardens in the District.
• Details on student activities in the gardens.
• How the gardens support the schools’ curriculum.
• How the gardens support student meals and snacks.
Ms. Humphries welcomed interested parties to contact her and the garden coordinators for tours of the
school gardens, or if they have questions or want information on the school meal programs.
A discussion ensued on garden and farm projects, and food service programs, actual and potential, at
the District’s schools, and the integration of these projects with the curriculum and classroom learning.
– Play-Based and Outdoor Learning in WSESU
Paul Smith introduced this presentation.
Guilford Central School Principal John Gagnon introduced Pre-K teacher, Emma Hollowell. Ms. Hollowell spoke about her school’s goals for the outdoor learning program, and its projects, guiding principles, and facilities.
Putney Central School Principal Jon Sessions gave an overview of the Forest Learning Program, and introduced Third Grade teacher Aimee Leveque and teacher Jen O’Donnell. The two teachers spoke about the outdoor learning program, its specific activities, students’ achievements in the outdoor program, and how outdoor learning provides benefits an indoor classroom can’t.
Academy School Principal Kelly Dias spoke about her school’s outdoor learning, the two outdoor learning coordinators and what they do, and the challenges and benefits of this program.
Dummerston School Principal Julianne Eagan spoke about her school’s outdoor programs, which, she noted, were discussed for years prior to COVID, but were enacted during lockdown. She reviewed some upcoming projects. Ms. Eagan introduced Molly Oglesby and Hannah Van Loon, the two paraeducators who coordinate the outdoor learning program. Ms. Oglesby and Ms. Van Loon spoke about the benefits of outdoor learning, and how they improve family engagement and social-emotional learning.
A document was shared: “Forest Classroom Learning Standards.”
A discussion ensued on what happens during days where there is inclement weather, how going out in almost all weather teaches students important life lessons, and how lesson plans adjust on days when going outside is not feasible.
Eva Nolan of Dummerston spoke in favor of outdoor learning and the positive effect it has had on her child.
• CLERK’S REPORT – Approval of Minutes – January 18, January 24, January 26, January 30
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION BY AB TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 24, 2023 MINUTES. LA SECONDED.
A discussion ensued. TM, DS, and LD said these minutes do not adhere to “Robert’s Rules of Order.” MG said the decision on whether the minutes adhere to “Robert’s Rules of Order” has not been taken up by the Board for discussion. She also reminded TM that as Clerk, he is responsible for submitting the minutes, thus he can change them from what the Board Recorder submits if he thinks they need adjusting.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AB YEA
MG YEA
LA YEA
EMK YEA
DS NAY
LD NAY
TM NAY
RM ABSTAIN
MOTION CARRIED 4-3-1
MOTION BY TM TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 26, 2023 MINUTES. MG SECONDED.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION BY TM TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 30, 2023 MINUTES. DS SECONDED.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
• FINANCES
Warrant of January 9, 2023
Warrant No. 1212 in the amount of $17,666.59
Warrant No. 1214 in the amount of 1,240.00
Warrant No. 1215 in the amount of 2,204.50
Warrant No. 1116 in the amount of 3,873.75
Warrant No. 1117 in the amount of 690.00
Warrant No. 1118 in the amount of 1,091,820.97
$1,117,495.81
Warrant of January 17, 2023
Warrant No. 1219 in the amount of $10,332.91
Warrant No. 1223 in the amount of 2,089.47
Warrant No. 1224 in the amount of 675.00
Warrant No. 1225 in the amount of 1,066.04
Warrant No. 1226 in the amount of 136,014.43
$150,177.85
Warrant of January 23, 2023
12/16/22 ACH Purchasing Card Payment $19,820.32
1/13/23 ACH Purchasing Card Payment $17,961.14
Warrant No. 1227 in the amount of 5,978.00
Warrant No. 12228 in the amount of 7,250.24
Warrant No. 1229 in the amount of 4,250.00
Warrant No. 1230 in the amount of 12,981.44
Warrant No. 1231 in the amount of 60,287.67
$128,528.81
Warrant of January 30, 2023
Warrant No. 1233 in the amount of $42,739.69
Warrant No. 1238 in the amount of 2,164.98
Warrant No. 1240 in the amount of 6,033.56
Warrant No. 1241 in the amount of 177,343.74
$228,281.97
Warrant of February 6, 2023
Warrant No. 1243 in the amount of $2,359.81
Warrant No. 1244 in the amount of 766.80
Warrant No. 1245 in the amount of 319,034.63
$322,161.24
Payrolls
January 13, 2023 $1,449,462.89
January 27, 2023 $1,429,515.90
MOTION BY AB TO APPROVE THE WARRANTS OF JANUARY 9, 2023; JANUARY 17, 2023; JANUARY 23, 2023; JANUARY 30, 2023; AND FEBRUARY 6, 2023; AND THE PAYROLLS OF JANUARY 13, 2023 AND JANUARY 27, 2023. DS SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Sexual Abuse Investigation — Update
B. Independent Budget Review Committee (IBRC) Outreach for Candidates to Serve Kristina Naylor of Dummerston reviewed the IBRC, what it does, what it does not do, its history, and how new members are selected. She raised the question about whether it is possible, statutorily, for IBRC members to be elected. Mr. Speno and Mr. Rucker responded with a report on the research they conducted to answer this question; per statute, IBRC members can only be appointed because Board members cannot create an elected position. Mr. Rucker explained the appointment process. A discussion ensued.
KY called for a break at 7:42pm.
KY called the meeting back to order at 7:48pm.
VII. BOARD TRAINING:
A. Final Restorative Process Training Review
DS and TM gave a review and a report.
B. VSBA Training Review
WSESU Board Chair Kerry Amidon gave some background on this, asked the WSESD Board members their preference on when to have the next training, and indicated this will include establishing group norms and a Board member self-review.
C. Transitioning to a new WSESD Board
KY said she has contacted Board members about this. She wants to develop materials, such as a pamphlet, to help new Board members. She is working on a list of what subjects should be included in it, and has asked Mr. Speno for input. Ms. Amidon noted there is an upcoming VSBA webinar about this subject.
VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Mr. Speno gave his report. Highlights included:
• February break is next week.
• The advertisement for the BUHS Principal position will get published soon; the new hire will start next year. Right now, the BUHS Principal is on an interim basis.
Mr. Rucker gave his report. Highlights included:
• The Finance Committee met before this meeting.
• They reviewed the audit report, which is on the website. Mr. Rucker can also provide a hard copy upon request.
• The audit report indicates the financial statements match the financial condition in accordance with accounting principles.
• Many thanks to the staff in the Business Office in the Central Office.
• The auditors made no adjustments.
• The District is in a favorable financial position with a good fund balance.
• There is a lot of information in the narrative notes.
• An update on the teachers’ pension plan: the situation has improved.
• There are good resources for scholarships, whose funding is in the endowment. Financial planners help advise the Business Office on investments.
• There were no findings by the auditors on whether the District complied with federal guidelines; thus, the District is in compliance.
Mx. Risatti questioned why the WSESD used an auditor, RHR, from Maine rather than working with a local firm. Mr. Rucker responded with information on the bidding process and associated requirements and RHR’s qualifications. A discussion ensued on the auditor bidding process.
A. Approval of Warning Articles for March 21st Annual District Meeting
“The legal voters of the Windham Southeast School District (the ‘District’), comprising the voters of the Towns of Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, and Putney are hereby notified and warned to meet at Brattleboro Union High School in Brattleboro, Vermont on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 in the gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. to conduct the following business:
Article 1. To act on reports of Officers.
Article 2. To elect the following officers of the District, which offers shall assume office upon election and serve for a term of one year:
• Moderator
• Clerk
• Treasurer
Article 3. To see what salaries the Windham Southeast School District will vote to pay its Directors.
Article 4. Shall the voters of the school district authorize the school board to expend $62,704,054, which is the amount the school board has determined to be necessary for the ensuing fiscal year?
Article 5. To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.”
MOTION BY AB TO APPROVE THE WARNING AS READ. LA SECONDED.
A discussion ensued.
RM asked for guidance on how voters can be given the chance to change the date of future Annual Meetings. Ms. Naylor responded with statutes that may address this.
A discussion ensued on the timeline for the Annual Meeting, Town Meeting, and teachers’ contracts.
A discussion ensued on moving the Annual Meeting and whether it is feasible.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE AB MOTION:
LA YEA
MG YEA
LD YEA
AB YEA
TM YEA
DS YEA
RM ABSTAIN
MOTION CARRIED 6-1.
During this vote, it was discovered that EMK had left the meeting at an unknown time; thus, EMK was not present for this vote.
B. WSESD Board School Director Candidates’ Forum and related upcoming dates
• The Communications Council has a report on the forum, and they are working on a proposal to formally establish it as an annual event.
• A brief history of the forum, which started after the merger.
• The Board cannot facilitate this forum, so who will do it?
• This year’s forum, facilitated by Dummerston Town Moderator Cindy Jerome, is one February 27 on Zoom.
• The need for clarity on who is organizing the forum, and boundaries and transparency around it.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
C. Policy and Amendment Committee – Policies to be presented to the SD Board
• F35 School Animal Policy – 2nd Reading
• F10 Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect – 3rd Reading
DS said F35 is in its warning phase, and the Committee performed a complete rewrite of this policy. She said F10’s edits are in the “Implementation” section of the policy.
After Mx. Risatti questioned why the policies are not being read in-full during Board meetings, a discussion ensued on whether to conduct a full reading of the policies at each meeting they are presented for a reading, or whether to include them in the warning.
VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT (continued)
Retirements / Resignations
Mr. Speno announced one retirement, of BUHS Nurse Susan Mello; and one resignation of Putney Central School staff member Stacy Frazier, who has chosen not to return from leave.
MOTION BY AB TO ACCEPT, WITH REGRET, THE RETIREMENT AND RESIGNATION AS LISTED. LD SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Executive Session – 1 VSA §313(a)(1)(A) – Contracts
MOTION BY TM TO FIND THAT PREMATURE GENERAL PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE WOULD CLEARLY PLACE THE PUBLIC BODY OR PERSON INVOLVED IN SUBSTANTIAL DISADVANTAGE, REGARDING CONTRACTS. DS SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION BY TM FOR THE BOARD TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER 1 VSA §313(a)(1)(A), REGARDING CONTRACTS. AB SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 9:04pm.
The Board rose from Executive Session at 9:10pm.
The Board took no action.
• “Highlighting School Gardens in WSESD.”
• “Forest Classroom Learning Standards.”
This represents my understanding of the above dated meeting. If you have any changes, please submit
