Education

DS called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm.

If there is anything that needs to be amended to the consent agenda, please identify it now.

None were provided.

Frank reviewed the memorandum from the VT Agency of Education that summarized funding statistics in the Bill The result was favorable (Yield @ $9,893), being close to what was presented at the Annual Meeting ($9,899). This will result in our projected CLA adjusted tax rate to be very accurate unless the Governor vetoes the bill. The Income Yield of $10,110 is a bit lower than the estimate from 3/19/24 (we used 10,300). This adjusts the various calculations that go with Income Sensitivity. The Non-Homestead Rate (business properties and non-residents second homes, etc.) is set at $1.39 prior to the CLA adjustment for each town.

2nd Reading:
• F26 Participation of Home Study Students in School Programs and Activities

Re-Adoption:
• B1 Board Member Education
• D1 Personnel Recruitment, Selection, Appointment and Background Checks
• D2 Professional Development

III. Policies
F1 Student Conduct and Discipline
• Updates:
o MS reviewed F1 with the Vernon Board and it was well received.
o MS shared F1 with principals and asked them to share it with student leadership groups. He will check for feedback at Friday’s full Admin meeting.
o No formal feedback has been obtained from students.

AGENDA

I. Call to Order [6:00 to 6:05]
II. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items [6:05 to 6:15]
III. 1 V.S.A. §313(a)(7) Academic records or suspension or discipline of students

The Windham Southeast School District Policy & Amendment Committee will meet Wednesday, May 8 2024 at 0:00 p.m. in the WSESU Central Office Conference Room, 53 Green Street, and remotely via Zoom.

Summary
● Board revisited Meeting Norms and Code of Ethics, Code of Ethics signed by all board members.
● To determine what the best way is to express appreciation to the staff, the LC Board liaisons will work with the principals to determine what would be best for their school.
● The Board voted to move the June 11th Board meeting to June 4th due to scheduling conflicts
● The Board voted to incur the cost of Doodle Pro.
● The Board tabled a vote on dependent care stipend to an upcoming meeting TBD
● The Board voted against recommending administration hold all retreats, meetings and other events be held within the local district.
● Admin presented comprehensive physical plan/capital plans
● Numerous policies approved for adoptions

The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2024 in-person only. We will convene in the Library at the Oak Grove School, Brattleboro.

III. Board Matters [6:15 to 7:15]
A. Update on items on hold from 4/9

Discussion of Annual Meeting and IBRC Report [20 minutes]

• pgs. 55-60 impact of poverty on academic proficiency scores
• Details regarding potential 2% freeze per school site

6:06 Motion to find executive session under 1 V.S.A. §313 (a)(7) academic record regarding discipline of students.

Moved by KP, seconded – Carried Unanimously

6:06 Motion to go into executive session.

Moved by KP, seconded – Carried Unanimously

Summary

● Motion was made to find local venues that are cost effective for the Board & Admin Retreat in June in advance of the new school year.

● Four new hires for FY25 were approved.

● Two resignations were accepted.

● The Board approved the Warrants and Payroll presented.

● Policies F22, G1 AND H2 were re-adopted.

● The Board entered Executive Session involving the discipline of students.

No public in attendance

Motion to find executive session under 1 V.S.A. §313 (a)(1)(F) confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal services to the body.

Moved by MS – Carried Unanimously

Two 6th grade students from Academy School, Luca Mnookin and Elsa Anders, presented their research project looking at the lack of access to gender-neutral bathrooms at school. Academy School has only one gender-neutral bathroom that is accessible to anyone, and it is in the upper-grade wing, so not available to K-2 students. Some—but not all—classrooms have their own gender-neutral bathroom. The students presented an assessment of why it matters, including transgender students’ fear of harassment in gendered bathrooms. Their research involved surveys at Academy School and Putney Central School, and with their results, they advocated for private, all-gender bathrooms throughout the district.

AGENDA

I. Call to Order [6:00 to 6:05]
II. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items [6:05 to 6:15]
III. 1 V.S.A. §313 (a)(1)(F) confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal services for the body.