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 25, 2025
REGULAR BOARD MEETING – 6 PM
CUSICK CONFERENCE ROOM, WRCC AND REMOTELY VIA ZOOM
DRAFT MINUTES
Present
Deborah Stanford (DS), Kim Price (KP), Anne Beekman (AB) remote, Jessica Everlith (JE),
Jocelyn Fritts (JF), Tim Maciel (TM), Ruby McAdoo (RM), Brian Remer (BR), Colleen Savage (CS), Matt Schibley (MS).
WSESD staff and administration present (includes remote attendance) and BCTV, Mark Speno, Keith Lyman, Cynthia Weiss, Julianne Eagan, Kelly Dias, Hannah Parker, Ricky Davidson, Tate Erickson, Stacy Sawyer, Brin Tucker, Mary Kaufmann, Brandy Levesque, Janet Slesinski
Others present
Rebecca Olmstead, Hannah Van Loon, Jane Sharpton, Jodi Nutting, Jody Normandeau, Emily Garcia, Gretchen Heath, John’s iPhone, Laura Davis,
Absences
Laiba Eager (LA), Theia Wepaolki (TW)
Summary
● Leadership Council and Committee assignments were established.
● The Board determined that they will follow Robert’s Rules for Small Boards and confirmed Board Norms.
● A committee was established to explore the Board goal setting process.
● Donation of $4,626,00 made to the Rural Community School Alliance was approved.
● Approved 3 policies.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
DS called the meeting of the WSESD Board to order at 6:00 PM
Hybrid Statement was read by DS.
– If appropriate, agenda items are subject to Potential Action.
– If any Board Member feels that an item on the Consent Agenda warrants discussion, that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be set aside for discussion. In this way the Consent Agenda will be approved in one motion. That request should be made now – or before the vote on the Consent Agenda.
– Amendments to the Agenda
KP read the WSESD Meeting Norms in light of this being a new Board. KP noted this is a living document which can be revisited and revised at any time.
MS MOVED THAT WE READOPT THE NORMS AS READ. SECONDED.
VOTE WAS CALLED. VOTE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
March 11 minutes, second page, the notation indicates the WSESU as opposed to the WSESD board. Request was made to correct this.
TM noted the appropriateness of abstaining on votes, for example on warrants if you have not had time to review them. DS reiterated that this holds true on any vote.
II. Student Matters
None noted at this time
III. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
This is a time for the Board to listen and to take notes. It is not a time for the Board to respond to comments or to engage in dialogue with the public. If appropriate, the Board and Administration will work on next steps.
None noted at this time
IV. Board Matters
A. Leadership Council Updates
CS shared about Academy School’s plans to have a craft fair. Also shared about efforts being
undertaken related to family issues.
TM spoke about the BAMS LC highlighting how the group works well together, and is a vibrant
group.
B. Board Sub-Committees and SU Updates
The WSESU board had their reorganization meeting last week welcoming Tim Maciel and Brian
Remer. Also the WSESU Board approved the new Food Service Director, Harley Sterling. TM
shared about the powerful work in the Mulit Lingual program being undertaken in the district
headed by Jennifer Course and Deb Coombs.
C. Regarding Board Reorganization
– Board Member assignments to Leadership Councils
Academy – Jessica Everlith
BAMS – Tim Maciel
BUHS – Ruby McAdoo
Dummerston – Deborah Stanford
EES – Brian Remer
Green Street – Colleen Savage
Guilford – Jocelyn Fritts
Oak Grove – Matt Schibley
Putney – Kim Price
WRCC – Anne Beekman
– Update Board Member assignments to Committees
Communications Council – JE, RM, MS
Finance – RM, KP, TM
Policy and Amendment – DS, AB, CS
Personnel – AB, CS, JF
Programmatic and Performance Equity – BR, JF, RM, JE
Social Justice Committee – JF, MS, RM
Student Advisory Committee – TM, DS – request to maintain this as is until the process to prepare for next
– Robert’s Rules
● For large (more formal) or small boards (less formal)
● Use of 2nd to support motions
● Chair retains the right to vote
DS asked if the Board wishes to continue to use Robert’s Rules for Small Boards. All gave their consent that they would like to continue to use Robert’s Rules for Small Boards.
D. Discussion of criteria in creating board agendas
It was presented that the setting Board goals would be a valuable practice. The established goals would guide the Board agenda items.
Another suggestion was that good decisions are driven by data. The request was to have reports showing data, not presentations, but reports. The information in these reports would be another tool to guide Board agenda items.
A discussion followed, with support on pursuing setting goals. Self-reflection was also suggested as a valuable experience. DS suggested a committee to begin brainstorming goals.
Volunteers for this are RM, KP, TM, and JE. JE will take the lead on this effort.
E. Consideration of a donation to the Rural School Community Alliance
As the Board has determined to participate in the Rural School Community Alliance (RSCA). The RCA is partnering with a lobby firm.
TM MOVED THAT THE WSESD SCHOOL BOARD DONATE $4,626.00 TO THE RURAL
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ALLIANCE. SECONDED
This amount is $2.00 per student in our district. A discussion followed about fundraising efforts the Alliance is undertaking, and the value and effectiveness of the lobbyist who has already been working diligently on behalf of the RCA.
VOTE WAS CALLED. VOTE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Entered break at 7:02 pm
Rose from break at 7:10 pm
V. Administrative Report
– Hires, Resignations, Retirements
Resignation
Teresa Yusishen, Academic Support Teacher, Academy School
RM MOVED TO ACCEPT, WITH REGRET, THE RESIGNATION OF TERESA YUSISHEN. SECONDED.
VOTE CALLED. VOTE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Hires
Melissa White, Nurse, Dummerston School
Nicholas LeBail, PE Long Term Sub, Putney School
Stuart Osnow, Social Studies Long Term Sub, BUHS
Samantha Stine, Dean of Students, BUHS
BR MOVED TO ACCEPT, THE HIRES AS INDICATED BY ADMINISTRATION SECONDED.
VOTE CALLED. VOTE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Leadership Council
Davida Bagatelle has presented for the Guilford Leadership Council.
KP MOVED TO ACCEPT DAVIDA BAGATELLE TO THE GUILFORD LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.
SECONDED.
VOTE CALLED. VOTE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
– Update of Committee assessing use of class rank on transcripts
Hannah Parker has reached out for people who are interested in being involved in the committee to discuss class rank. As of now, there are four people who will be on the committee. There is a hope for more to engage in this committee. This committee will convene in April to begin this work.
– Presentation: Student Engagement and Wellness What is the wellness status of our student population?
A presentation was made by Rebecca Olmstead, Keigh Lyman, Ricky Davidson, Julianne Eagan, Kelly Dias highlighting the work occurring in the district related to the wellness of our students and student engagement. To view this presentation, view the BCTV recording (link here).
VI. Fiscal Report (if necessary)
No fiscal report presented this evening.
VII. Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes for March 11, 2025
MS MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE AMENDED CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. SECONDED.
VOTE CALLED. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
VIII. Unfinished Business
Policy and Amendment Committee presents for re-adoption [Action Anticipated]
– D1 Personnel Recruitment, Selection, Appointment and Background Checks
– F16 Head Lice
– F28 Student Activities
KP MOTIONED TO RE-ADOPT POLICY D1, PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT, SELECTION,
APPOINTMENT AND BACKGROUND CHECKS, F16, HEAD LICE, AND F28, STUDENT ACTIVITIES.
SECONDED.
JE noted a typo in F16. This was shared and will be corrected.
VOTE CALLED. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
IX. New Business
April 8th WSESD meeting announcement from DS noted that it will be at Guilford School and
will start at 5:15 with an executive session.
No other new business noted at this time.
X. Executive Session (if needed)
AB MOTIONED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING OF THE WSESD BOARD. SECONDED.
VOTE WAS CALLED. VOTE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:32 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted on3/28/25 by Board Clerk with special recognition to Tracey Drotts, Board Recorder.
A recording of this meeting is available on the WSESU website
