Creating Learning Communities Through School Board Leadership
The Vermont School Boards Association is a non-profit membership organization serving school board members around the state. VSBA's sole mission is to improve, on an ongoing basis, high quality learning opportunities for Vermont students by supporting those locally elected officials responsible for overseeing the public schools. VSBA serves as an education resource, a provider of education, training and a variety of other services, and an advocacy voice for local school officials.
VSBA on VPR
On November 8, 2011 Executive Director Stephen Dale discussed teacher negotiations with VTNEA President Martha Allen and Jane Lindholm on Vermont Public Radio's Vermont Edition.
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Unfair Labor Practice Charge
December 23, 2011 - UpdateThe Vermont Labor Relations Board heard a second day of testimony on November 21 related to the Unfair Labor Practice filed by South Burlington. Testimony was provided by board members Rich Cassidy, Martin LaLonde, and Julie Beatty. This concluded the formal proceedings. Both the VT-NEA and the South Burlington School Board have filed their summary arguments with the board. The VSBA has filed a formal brief, in addition, outlining our major concerns relative to all school boards in Vermont. All related documents may be found on the South Burlington website links . No decision is expected from the VLRB until sometime in January.The central issue in this case is the concern that NEA Executive Director Joel Cook wrote an e-mail to the chair of the South Burlington negotiations committee threatening a picket of his place of business. This resulted in the chair needing to recuse himself from the process to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. School boards (and the communities they serve) must be able to be represented in negotiations by representatives of their choosing. What happened in South Burlington must not be able to be repeated. This action threatens the integrity of the collective bargaining process.
Despite representations to the contrary by the South Burlington Educators’ Association (SBEA), the testimony and supporting documentation during these proceedings has shown clearly that the threatening e-mail sent by Mr. Cook was sanctioned by the SBEA prior to it being sent.
It is our hope that the results of this effort will be a clear message that the NEA cannot take actions which cause the strategic recusal of particular board members.
Video of the Month
School Policy
(14 minutes)
The development and maintenance of school district policies is the central job of school boards. The Vermont statute entitled Powers of School Boards lists thirty-one specific duties delegated to local boards by the General Assembly. The very first responsibility on the list is the duty to determine the educational policies of the school district.
The policy making role of school boards is difficult for several reasons. Primary among these is that the meaning of the word policy is not entirely clear, and most boards wrestle at one time or another with the problem of distinguishing between policy making (the board's job) and policy implementation (the job of administrators).
2010 Legislation on School District Governance (Act 153) and Budget Development (Act 146)
Part 1: Voluntary School District Mergers
Full Screen View
Part 2: Supervisory Union Joint Agreements, Duties and Responsibilities
Full Screen View
Part 3: Education's Challenge for Change
Full Screen View
The most current Vermont Legislature can be found at January 16, 2012. For more school board legislative information please visit our Legislative link.
Caledonia North Supervisory Union
The Caledonia North Supervisory Union Governance Study Phase 1 report is available in Acrobat. This report was completed in January of 2011.
Chittenden East Supervisory Union
The Chittenden East Supervisory Union Governance Studies are available in two formats.
Phase 1
MSWord
Acrobat
MSWord
Acrobat
Woodbury
The Woodbury Governance Study is available in two formats, MSWord and Acrobat.The Woodbury Powerpoint given at the public hearing can be found at http://www.vtvsba.org/woodburyppt.pdf
Addison Central Supervisory Union
Phase I Study of Structures for Excellence, Efficiency and Effectiveness Options Study Conducted by: Raymond J. Proulx, Ed.D. finalized March 31, 2010.Worcester and Middlesex
Phase I Governance Study Structures for Excellence, Efficiency and Effectiveness Options Rumney Memorial and Doty Memorial Schools Study Conducted by: Raymond J. Proulx, Ed.D. Respectfully Submitted: March 24, 2010 - Working Copy #1Commissioner Transformation Recommendations
March 30, 2010
Vermont Education Commissioner, Armando Vilaseca's Challenges for Change Recommendation
- Audio Streaming
- Audio Download
- Streaming Video
- Video Download (if you have a problem with buffering)
The report of the State Board of Education’s Education Transformation Policy Commission
“Opportunity to Learn..Defining Vermont Education for a New Generation of Learners” released on December 15, 2009. Read its recommendations on school district reorganization, education quality standards and more at this link.
A Blueprint for Reform, the Reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act, published by the United States Department of Education in March of 2010.
The VSBA offers a brochure of information for community members considering running for the school board. The brochure includes qualifications, duties and the process involved to become a school board member.
This website also holds many educational opportunities for candidates. Please consider viewing the streaming videos and the school board resource directory among the many other pages found in this website. Good luck!
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