WSESD

Attached, please find the minutes from the 03/11 Re-Organizational and Public Info meeting of the WSESD Board

F8 Student Medication
Invited Attendee: Rebecca Olmstead, Nurse Leader

Since the last meeting, RO met with the district doctor regarding this policy, and the doctor approved the draft brought to the committee today. The committee read the new draft aloud, and in consultation with RO, made a number of edits for clarity, consistency, and accuracy. The last two paragraphs (non-prescriptions medications and the concluding paragraph) were reviewed after RO had to leave the meeting, and these will need to be reviewed again. The procedures section was not reviewed.

V. Presentation
– What is our Supervision/Evaluation Process to ensure quality staff for our students?

III. Evaluate

– F8 Student Medication (2:00-3:00) Invited attendee: Rebecca Olmstead, Nurse Leader

– Assess Draft of statement re Students with Immigration Status [Mikaela and Shannon]

– Gender Freedom in Schools – Proposed new policy

Summary
● The Board debriefed two important Summits held in the past two weeks, 2/12/25 with the three School Boards and 2/24/25 with local legislators.
● The Board accepted, with regret, the resignation of Christopher Brewer, Dean of Students at BUHS.
● Three policies (D1, F16, F28) were presented to the Board for a first reading.
● The Board entered Executive Session under 1VSA §313 (a)(1)(A) Contracts.

On a Motion by Elie and seconded by Maggie the committee unanimously approved the draft for publication pending any comments from Frank Rucker, WSESD business manager.

Kristina referred the committee to the motion from the past meeting authorizing Maggie and Kristina to incorporate edits before releasing the report if Frank has minor changes. The committee agreed to let the motion stand, and Kristina agreed to hold an emergency meeting if any issues arise in the next few days which would require substantive rewrites.

II. Evaluate
– Assess Draft of statement re Students with Immigration Status [Mikaela and Shannon]

– Gender Freedom in Schools – Proposed new policy

F34 Transgender and Gender Creative Students Policy

The committee discussed the question of whether a policy in support of immigrant students should be developed, a topic that was also under discussion at the board meeting on 2/11/25. MS cautioned that Pietro has advised to stay away from a new policy, and instead to focus on law and procedure. A vision statement would be fine and would be a way to send a message to the community.

I. Call to Order

II. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items [6:05-6:15]

III. Purpose of tonight’s Special Board Meeting
Introduction of invited Legislators and other guests

IV. Overview of Governor Scott’s “ Education Transformation Proposal: a proposed reform of Vermont’s current system of education and funding.”

III. Future discussion areas:

a. High School Preparedness: How can this committee support equity regarding middle schoolers being prepared for BUHS? – volunteer for reaching out to Mark again.

II. Evaluate (2:00 – 3:00)

F8 Student Medication
F16 Head Lice
Invited Attendee: Rebecca Olmstead, Nurse Leader

WSESD Board Candidates for Election March 4, 2025

Brattleboro Three-year term candidates (1 seat) 

Candidates:

Matthew J. Schibley

At a special meeting on January 21st, the WSESD Board appointed Dummerston resident Jessica Everlith to temporarily fill a vacancy on the board. Ms. Everlith will fill this seat until such time as a candidate can be elected to fill the remaining year of the vacancy created by a recent resignation. On the March 4th Town Meeting Day, registered voters of Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford and Putney will be able to vote for the candidate of their choice to fill this Dummerston seat on the board. 

The Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Board has received letters of interest  from three candidates for the vacant seat on the Board. Any individual appointed to the open seat on the WSESD Board must be a resident of Dummerston and will hold the position until March 2025. A new member of the WSESD Board will then be elected on March 4th, to complete the remainder of the term, which is through March 2026.

The three candidates for appointment from Dummerston are:

Jessica Everlith

Gretchen Lanterman

Jody Normandeau

The Windham Southeast School District Independent Budget Review Committee will meet Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 5:00PM via Zoom only.

Zoom link  

The Windham Southeast School District Board will hold a Special Board Meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 – in person at the WRCC Cusick Conference Room, with zoom capability.

DS noted that at the last meeting, in the review of C3, there was discussion of whether board members should be able to respond to public comment. The minutes stated that this item was going to be placed on the agenda for the January 14 full board meeting. DS has delayed this discussion due to an overly full agenda for January 14. She will put it on the agenda for January 28 or the first meeting in February.