VSBA Around
Vermont
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Workshops
The
VSBA worked with the Springfield school board and administrators as they
focused on goal setting around school and community communications and student
achievement.
I
facilitated a meeting with the Kindle Farm board and administrators as
they continue to work through leadership challenges in that approved
independent school district. Kindle Farm
provides hands-on, farm-based education services for students with learning
challenges.
Strategic
Planning
I
met with the Caledonia Central Supervisory Union board to continue
preparations for strategic planning processes in Walden, Danville,
and Barnet. We have developed an
aggressive schedule to plan large-scale community forums in each of the three
towns this November.
The
VSBA is beginning conversations with Georgia Elementary School leaders
about facilitating a similar planning forum in their town this January.
School
Kick-Off Event
I
presented a two-hour keynote on school board and educator roles and
responsibilities, and visioning for the future for the Waits River
Elementary School. All teachers,
staff, administrators, and the school board were in attendance. I am working with the Waits River board on a
facilities upgrade study committee.
Technical
Assistance for Boards that Govern AYP Compliance Districts
One
of our goals this year is to provide information and resources for districts
that are identified as in need of assistance under No Child Left Behind Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) compliance
regulations. The plan is for VSBA staff
to meet periodically with Department of Education AYP consultants to align
school leader resources with VSBA training materials. The priority is to work with the eleven
school boards that govern school districts that have been identified for AYP
reorganization.
VSBA
Governance Studies
We
are wrapping up the Hartland/Hartford phase I
governance study that is exploring 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.
The
VSBA continues to work with Whitingham and
Wilmington (Twin Valley Joint Contract School) as they focus on a
facilities bond vote in March 2009.
The
VSBA is 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 district 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 presented
the Policy Governance concept to the Essex Jct. Prudential Board.
Val
Gardner has contracted through the VSBA to facilitate implementation of Policy
Governance for the Essex Town School Board.
Laura
Soares and Val Gardner facilitated a superintendents’ networking meeting at the
VSBA office in mid-August. We will host
another networking session for districts that have or are implementing Policy
Governance at the annual conference on October 30-31.
Bonita
Bedard, Starksboro board chair, facilitated a Policy
Governance information session for the Lakeview Union Elementary Board
(Greensboro and Stannard) and superintendent in
August. Bonita’s district was one of the
four initial Policy Governance pilot districts.
Superintendent
Searches
I
continue to work with the Washington Northeast Supervisory Union as they
consider governance options related to their upcoming superintendent search
process.
The
VSBA and the Vermont Superintendents Association will soon announce an “Aspiring
Superintendent” series of events to encourage current school leaders to
become qualified candidates and apply for future superintendent job openings.