VSBA Around Vermont
By Winton Goodrich,
VSBA Associate Director
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Technical Assistance for Boards of AYP Compliance School
Districts
I worked with the Missisquoi Union High School Board on roles and
responsibilities and about continued support as the district complies with No
Child Left Behind Adequate Yearly Progress compliance
issues.
VSBA Governance Studies
Laura Soares has completed the
draft phase I governance study report for Underhill, Underhill I.D., and
Jericho School Districts and will present her findings to the boards in August.
Working with Holden Waterman,
I have prepared a draft phase I governance study report for Hartland and
Hartford. This study explores the
benefits and challenges to both districts if Hartland discontinues high school
choice and creates either a union district or a joint contract school with
Hartford. Early findings show little
financial benefit for Hartland. However,
the equalized per pupil expense in Hartford would decrease by approximately
$700 with the enrollment of nearly 100 additional high school students. Stay tuned for more information in the
future.
I continue to work with Whitingham and Wilmington as they focus on a facilities
bond vote in March 2009.
I am working with Tom O’Brien,
Addison Northwest superintendent and governance consultant, on the Pittsfield
governance study committee. This study
explores the financial and school quality benefits and challenges to Pittsfield
if this district, which currently does not operate a school, were to
discontinue school choice and create a governance relationship with another
school in the region.
Policy Governance
Laura Soares continues to
facilitate a Policy Governance implementation process with the Hartford School
District and is working with Robin Scheu to do the
same for the entire Orange Southwest Supervisory Union. Laura was invited to present the PG concept
to the Essex Jct. Prudential Board.
Valerie Gardner will be
helping the Essex Town School Board to implement Policy Governance in that PK-8
district.
Superintendent Searches
I have worked with the
Washington Northeast Supervisory Union Board twice and will continue to consult
with them as they consider governance options related to their upcoming
superintendent search process.
Martha Tucker, former
curriculum coordinator and special education director in the Montpelier
District, was hired as the new superintendent in Caledonia Central SU. The Essex North Supervisory Union hired the
Canaan principal to be the new superintendent.
Tom Gallagher, former
Southwest Vermont (Bennington) superintendent, was hired as the interim
superintendent in Rutland Southwest.
Workshops
I presented a roles and
responsibilities workshop at Boys State for student representatives that were
elected as school board members. This
annual, week-long, local and state government simulation provides real-life
community leadership experiences for students from high schools throughout
Vermont. The Girls State event was
cancelled this year.
I continue to consult with the
Kindle Farm Board as they work through leadership challenges in that approved
independent school district that provides hands-on education services for
students with learning challenges.
Strategic Planning
I met with Martha Tucker, the new Caledonia Central superintendent, to continue
preparation for strategic planning processes in Walden, Danville, and Barnet.