WSESD Finance Committee Meeting Agenda

Agenda
1. Approval of Minutes
2. FY25 Preliminary Budget Development Planning Discussion
3. Capital Project Implementation updates, discussion to include; Recommendation on selection of prequalified Contractors eligible to bid on the Oak Grove Heat pump & HVAC controls project
4. Recommendation to Board to Approve Warrants and Payrolls


WSESD Social Justice Committee Meeting Minutes

III. Updates

Mike Kelliher gave an update on efforts to recruit a more diverse staff. The district has just launched an employee referral program. For certain positions, if an employee refers a candidate who doesn’t already work for the organization, and they end up being hired, the referring employee will receive a bonus: $250 at time of hiring and $250 after six months of employment. There have already been a couple of inquiries. As of today there are 38 open positions but not all are part of this referral program – it is reserved for positions which the leadership team has identified as difficult to fill.


WSESD Board Meeting Minutes Oct 24, 2023

Summary:
● A student representative on the board shared about an unmet need for students to make social connections during class.
● The administration presented about the budgeting process and timeline, including the need to make adjustments now that ESSER funding has been discontinued.
● There was a discussion about whether the district should continue administering student climate surveys twice a year in order to improve school climate. Ultimately the board voted to follow the administration’s recommendation to conduct the survey only once a year.
● The board voted to re-adopt three updated policies: E10 – School Crisis Prevention & Response, E15 – Security Cameras and F9 – Student Substance Abuse Prevention. The board presented three more updated policies for a first reading: C9 – Notice of Non-Discrimination, D11 – Public Complaints about Personnel, and F2 – Bus Discipline.
● The board approved $458,735.95 of carry over funds for EES from last year’s budget. These funds were unused due to not being able to find a contractor for planned kitchen renovations at the Birge Street facility and having to close some classrooms due to lack of staff. The funds will be used to complete the renovations under a scaled down plan using internal staff and for retention and wellness bonuses for employees.
● The board discussed adding the SEPAC to meetings they promote on the WSESD facebook page. They will seek input from the Special Education administrator and consider further at a future meeting.


WSESD Social Justice Committee Meeting Agenda

AGENDA

Mission: Foster learning environments in which all members of the school community are safe, feel valued, and are appreciated, as well as promote policies and procedures that value equity and diversity in our schools.

I. Call to Order / Introductions / Recognition of Visitors


WRCC Forrestry/Natural Resources Advisory Meeting Minutes

Industry Recognized Credentials were discussed as a main priority. The Forestry program has The Game of Logging, Tractor Safety, First Aid/CPR, LEAP (Logger Education to Advance Professionalism) and OSHA 10. One member spoke up as to his observations in the field. The IRCs, in particular, Game of Logging are great for a Forestry student’s basic knowledge on the job but what seems to be lacking most is 21st Century skills desperately needed in the workplace. Students may know how to cut down a tree but if they cannot talk to the homeowner, make suggestions, plan alternatives, or figure out a budget for the job, then they will still fail, regardless of how many IRCs are in hand.


WSESD Board Meeting Minutes

SUMMARY:
● Students expressed the need to increase attendance at Working Toward Justice Day.
● A new representative from Brattleboro, Matt Schibley, was appointed to the board by unanimous vote.
● The Superintendent gave a summary of the day’s professional development activities, which focused on executive function and student engagement.
● District Literacy Coaches gave a presentation on the science of reading and how that informs district practices.
● The Board adopted an updated policy on Personnel Recruitment, Selection, Appointment and Background Checks.
● The board heard updates from the Academy School and BAMS Leadership Councils.


WSESD Board Meeting Agenda

AGENDA
I. Call to Order [6:00 to 6:05]
II. Student Matters [6:05 to 6:15]

III. Administrative Report [6:15 to 6:45]
– The budgetary process, how the Budget is built to meet the goals and established timeframes leading up to 03/2024. [25 Minutes]


WSESD Board Meeting Agenda

NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10,
2023 in the WRCC Cusick Conference Room and remotely via Zoom


WSESD Board Meeting Minutes September 26, 2023

SUMMARY:

● Two new student representatives joined the board, Alora Lawyer and Jayden Gonzalez.
● Administrators presented information about the WSESU Continuous Improvement Plan, and a discussion of this plan will continue at the next board meeting.
● PCB testing has been completed for all WSESU schools. Results have come back clean for Vernon, Green Street and Academy Schools. PCB remediation at Oak Grove is complete and due to be re-tested. Results are still pending for other district schools.
● Seven community members have applied for appointment to the vacant Brattleboro seat on the board. Their names will be shared to the public before the next meeting.
● There was a discussion of whether to implement stipends for staff members participating on Leadership Councils. Mark Speno will bring a recommendation about this to the next meeting.


WSESD Board – Candidates for Vacant Brattleboro Seat

The Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Board has received letters of interest from seven candidates for the vacant seat on the Board. Any individual appointed to the open seat on the WSESD Board must be a resident of Brattleboro and will complete the remaining term of the open seat, which is through March 2024, when they will be eligible to run for election to the WSESD Board.

The seven candidates from Brattleboro are:


Osher Lectures for Fall 2023, at Next Stage in Putney, VT

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is excited to launch 3 Osher events in the greater Brattleboro area for Fall 2023! These will all take place on Sundays at Next Stage in Putney, VT, though the times differ for each event. Find out more details for each event AND register in advance at learn.uvm.edu/olli/brattleboro