DS amended the agenda to include a discussion about identifying policies that require regular reports to the Board.
DS also noted that there has been a request to re-evaluate F21 (Policy on the Use of Restraint and Seclusion). AB will reach out to Harwood, a district that does not use restraint or seclusion.
– If appropriate, every agenda item is 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
Panorama retention survey, school climate, well-being, and teacher feedback should be included in the annual report. The report will address the need for equity support and emphasize the importance of continuous improvement. Specific attention will be given to marginalized students in the continuous improvement plan to ensure that goals are met.
Upon reviewing the data, it is evident that students with individualized education programs (IEP) and those from low-income backgrounds are not performing well. This called for specific attention in the CIP plan for math and literacy. Deborah will speak to Mark about drafting the necessary goals that were presented at the June administration retreat.
The major concern was that in trying to spell out all the possible scenarios, the complexity becomes overwhelming and the logic is hard to follow; keeping it simple may be better. On the other hand, having the detailed list may provide an opportunity to provide service for students who aren’t obvious.
Summary
● The Board reviewed who is on each of the committees and who the chair is. Also reviewed who participates in each of the school’s L.C.s
● The Board voted to resume responsibility for accepting all hires, resignations, and retirements now that the summer session is coming to a close.
● The Board voted to resume responsibility for the financial decisions now that the summer session is coming to a close.
● The Board approved the hire for the Automotive Teacher for the WRCC.
● The consent agenda was approved by the Board.
● The Board re-adopted policies E14, F4, F5, F41 and G13.
The Windham Southeast School District Board will hold a Special Board Meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 – in person at the WSESU Central Office Conference Room, 53 Green Street, Brattleboro, and via zoom.
I. Approval of Minutes from 6/26/24
II. Update
– Policies presented at 8/13/24 SD Board Meeting
– F1 Student Conduct and Discipline
– F28 Student Athletics, Clubs, and Activities
I. Call to Order approximately 4:03pm
II. Review of mission: Monitor school equity and performance, and work with district staff to develop recommendations to increase equity and performance throughout the district.
a. questioning of what it means – clarifying its overall role in the WSESD board. Possibly need more work on it.
-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.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order / Introductions / Recognition of Visitors
II. Review of Programmatic and Performance Equity Committee mission:
a. Mission: Monitor school equity and performance, and work with district staff to develop recommendations to increase equity and performance throughout the district.
III. Committee focus / items for discussion (listed here are items that were considered in 2023/2024):
a. Food Services in the district: how can the board assess equity in food access across schools in the district?
b. Leadership Councils: how is the board doing with communications with LCs?
A motion was made to find that premature public knowledge would place the board at a disadvantage for the purposes of providing professional legal services to the body. Also inviting Mark Speno and Pietro Lynn.
RM made motion seconded by TM. Passed unanimously.
An email was sent to highlight issues with retention, including retirement, resignation, and reasons for leaving. The focus is on analyzing the factors contributing to and impacting retention. Mikaela is examining the reasons for employee turnover and the positions that people are leaving.
Michael mentioned that our school’s turnover rate is lower than the state average. The state turnover rate is 30%, while ours is approximately 12%. In Massachusetts, the teacher turnover rate is 12%. There have been several retirements.
The WSESD Personnel Committee will meet Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 6:00pm, remotely only, via Zoom.
The Windham Southeast School District Board will hold an executive session at 6:00 p.m. on
Monday, July 22, 2024 – in person at the WRCC Cusick Conference Room, with zoom capability.
On a motion by Colleen Savage, the committee voted to accept administration’s recommendations for the following hires:
Alex Chisholm Green Street School
Mark Barns Green Street School
Gina Onorato, Green Street School
Summary
● Ruby McAdoo was approved as a member of the Putney Leadership Council.
● Frank Rucker spoke about the tax rate implication following the release of the Yield.
● The Board discussed ideas for preparing themselves for budget development and utilizing tools available by exploring documents from the IBRC, VSBA and the Vernon Board.
● July 9th will be the only Board Meeting scheduled for the month, recognizing there could be other meetings called (i.e. Executive Sessions)
● Looking ahead to next year related to the Panorama Survey, a committee was formed to work alongside Brin Tucker to review and consider questions included in the survey for 24- 25.
● The Board voted to rescind policy LSP2.
● The Board voted to rescind policy LSP12.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items [6:00 to 6:10]
III. 1 V.S.A. §313 (a)(1)(F) confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal services to the body.
F1 Student Conduct and Discipline – Review with BUHS Admin Cassie Damkoehler, assistant principal at BUHS, reviewed F1 with the committee. The following changes were made:
● In the Due Process section on page 4:
o The intro and bullet 1: stay the same.
o Bullet 2 becomes: “students’ right to a fair hearing before being suspended for up to ten days.”
The agenda was amended to add discussion on a VSBA business voting member under new business, using the Personnel committee for summer hires, and ideas on how to better insure follow up on board matters.
There being no changes made to the Consent Agenda, the board approved the Consent Agenda (items listed below) as presented on a motion by Tim Maciel.
DS Called for a motion to enter executive session under 1 VSA §313 (a)(1)(7) REVIEWING THE ACADEMIC RECORDS OR SUSPENSION OR DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS. Inviting in Mark Speno
KP Moved and seconded, no discussion – motion carried unanimously
