Education section
AGENDA – 10/9/2024
I. Approval of Minutes from 9/25/24
II. Review of F21 Policy on the Use of Restraint and Seclusion (2:00)
Invited Attendees: Tate Erickson, Matt Schibley, Liz Adams, Seth O’Connor
Review of F29 English Learners / Multilingual Learners (2:20)
Invited Attendees: Deb Coombs, Jen Course
Summary
● Policy Review and Accountability: The Board discussed the requests for self-reflection and accountability regarding response to comments from the Dummerston Leadership Council, but an amended motion to direct the Policy and Amendment Committee for review did not pass. Original motion tabled.
● Leadership Council Updates: Leadership Councils provided updates on community engagement efforts and the importance of tools and support for effective communication and collaboration, including recording meetings for accuracy.
● Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP): The Board adopted the district’s proposed CIP goals.
● Panorama Survey Process: The Panorama Task Force outlined a new approach to administering climate surveys in both Fall and Spring, emphasizing student input to enhance school safety and support.
● Budget Considerations: The board reviewed budget reduction strategies presented at the Annual Meeting and their implications for student support services
The committee decided to incorporate the following changes:
● Add to section 3: “The use of prone or supine restraint is strictly prohibited.”
o The definitions for prone and supine restraint were already in the policy, but there was no statement that their use was prohibited. The district does not use prone or supine restraint, and this edit will highlight that fact, stating it clearly in the policy.
1. Were appropriate reporting channels followed? Complaints bypassed process and went directly to the boardroom.
2. Was the need to maintain a distinction between the administrative role of the administrators and the policy making role of the board adhered? Board members inserted their personal stance and directly requested change at a school level.
I. Approval of Minutes from 9/11/24
II. Review of F21 Policy on Restraint and Seclusion (2:00)
1) Communications between Board Chair and Superintendent 9/5, 9/6
2) Public Comment on Non-Agenda items at 9/10/24 Board Meeting.
3) Potential violations of Open Meeting Law (OML) and Code of Ethics/Conduct
Summary
● Discussion related to the display of political flags at the Dummerston School was held.
● Consent agenda for WSESD was approved
● Warrants from the Vernon School were approved.
● Pre-K Providers were approved
● The CIP plan was shared to the three Boards
The board was joined via Zoom by Sandra Cameron, Associate Executive Director of the Vermont School Board Association (VSBA), who gave an overview of the upcoming Superintendent evaluation process. The survey will be sent to the full leadership team, all three boards, and the Superintendent. Participants will be given 2 weeks to answer with additional time given if required by response rates. The goals established at the conclusion of the previous evaluation will be embedded into this survey. When complete, the VSBA will compile a summary of quantitative and qualitative information.
I Call to order Anne Beekman, chair
Any board member may request that any item be removed from the Consent Agenda if it warrants further discussion. Said item will be removed. Please make the request at this time.
II Superintendent evaluation
– Guest – Sandra Cameron, VSBA
I. Approval of Minutes from 8/28/24
II. Review of F21 Policy on Restraint and Seclusion (2:00)
Invited Attendees: Tate Erickson, Matt Schibley, Liz Adams
Summary
● Two Board members will join the Collective Bargaining team for the upcoming negotiations this year.
● The Board will review the policies to formally identify those that require a report to the Board.
● The Board voted to approve the 24-25 Calendar of Presentations to the Board.
● The Board will review and discuss the CIP goals following the Summit on (sic)
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.
Our renegotiations will start around November and the goal is to be done by the annual meeting or earlier in February if possible. The usual time requirement is 4 pm – 8 pm weekly on a non-board meeting night. The board discussed including 2 board members on the negotiation team in a “silent but present” capacity. While the negotiations fall under the SU purview, the board discussed if representatives from the SD and VES boards, who are not on the SU board, could be included. Anne will reach out to legal counsel to see if we can expand the group to include district membership.
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
NOTICE OF MEETING
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board will meet at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in the Windham Regional Career Center, Cusick
Conference Room, 80 Atwood St., Brattleboro, and remotely via Zoom.
