001Good evening everyone. It is Thursday, September 25th at 5:40 p.m. and I'd like to call the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union Board of Directors meeting to order. Um, first on the agenda this evening are public comments. You have any public comments? Operations there are none. So moving into finance um we have a treasures report and which action is requested on and donation to the Abby group of $250. So up first would be the treasur's report. >> That a motion to accept the treasures report. Yes, >> I would make that motion. >> I'll second it. >> So we have a motion made by Nicole and seconded by Jeff. Any discussion? >> All right. Hearing none. All those in favor? >> Those opposed? Any abstensions? Uh okay. uh donation to the Abby group in the sum of $250.
002>> Do do we have a motion to accept? >> Motion made by Glenn. >> Second it. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Thanks to the donor. >> Absolutely. >> Very thoughtful. >> Every group does great work and any little bit helps. Um all those in favor please signify by saying I. I. Those opposed? Any abstensions? All right. Uh item four on the agenda uh would be the consent agenda which includes minutes, warrants, retirements, leave of absence, resignations, and nomination trip. There are no objections. I'd like to move that as one. Do I have a nomination? >> Moved. >> Made by Ray, seconded by Glenn. Uh all those or any discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I I >> those opposed. Any abstensions? Item five on the agenda. We're we're moving fast this
003evening because we have a action-packed um breakout session at the end of this. So, we're going to be efficient. Um policies. Uh first up would be number 6382, which we need to warm home study programs. Do I have a motion to warn number 6382? >> So moved. Do we second made by Glenn, seconded by Ray? Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? >> I. >> Those opposed? >> Any abstensions? Um B, under policies number 4450, electronic communications between employees and students. Um I need a motion to warrant. Motion Warren >> by Jeff, seconded by Glenn. Uh any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Any abstensions? Um item six on the agenda, policy audit proposal with the BSBA. And Superintendent Payne is going to
004help help me with this one. >> Yeah. So, um new to the position. One of my responsibilities is to work collaboratively with the boards to make sure that your policies are up to date and revisited. Been meeting with the policy committee um along with Lisa Paplowski who staff here to help support us and going through that um policy. We have a number of policies that are haven't been visited for a while and in part of my orientation as a new superintendent attended a presentation in which uh the Vermont School Boards Association presented and I discovered that one of the services that they offer is to come in, take a look at your policy, go through it. They'll identify strengths and weaknesses. They'll explain what needs to come up with compliance. They provide exemplars. And what
005I thought was really interesting is they'll recommend a course of action to kind of address prioritize and address policies as you go through. And I thought that that would be a a helpful service. Um I reached out Sandra Cameron is associate executive director. Sandra um she very nice to zoom in this evening to answer any questions folks have. I want to explain this really quickly. Um they will take our policy manual. They will go through it. they'll um provide a report out for us uh and they will actually attend a meeting of we'll agree on to what meeting to give us a report out to kind of tell us where we sit with the policy. So observing providing exemplars and then coming back and kind of giving us a report out. Um it's a uh
006it's a contracted service which we are available to as we are members soon to be in good standing as Sandra reminded me today. Uh we'll take care of that on the billing end. Um, but I think it would be a really helpful take advantage of a new superintendent, give us some clear direction as far as policy work going forward, provide some exemplars, help us make sure we're in compliance. Uh, it's u a $2,000 um fee for it and it would be completed this fall um as the VSBA would then move back into other tasks that they have after December 1st. and Sandra has been nice enough to reserve the last spot on their to-do list this fall. So, I'm uh coming to the board one, if you have any questions, Sandra can answer those for
007you. And two, asking for um an action be taken in supporting this moving forward. >> I say I think it'd be good because we have policies that go back precoid. So, and pre act 46 and mergers. reference >> for decades. >> Yes, that still reference schools that are no longer districts no longer exist. So, I appreciate you willing to take us on. >> And just for um clarification for those that especially for those at home that know that we have a policy committee that that um goes through and looks at our policies and and updates them as necessary. Um this is not a replacement for the policy committee. This is a this is to help guide the work of the of that policy committee and our boards. That it does that sound right? >> Yes,
008that is accurate. It will actually help um as uh Tim was describing help to prioritize the work over the next year and then future years out. Having been on the policy committee before, I can recall how much this work would be helpful. >> How helpful it would be to have someone help with the work. >> So, I like the frame. Yeah. >> Well, it was always a question about what is our what's the review cycle? How do we determine what's up for review? it >> something comes up of a more immediate nature that unfortunately requires something else to be you know moved down the list some of times >> and I would also I mean and this is really a board discussion maybe collected board discussion but we tend to personalize policies when there is
009a VSBA recommended policy that has been vetted by the attorneys and I'm not entirely sure that that is a practice that we need to continue to I'm not sure that we're benefiting enough from the degree to which we are personalizing policies for the time that we're investing in it. So I'm looking forward to it. >> So the action would be to approve the expenditure of $2,000 enter into a contract with the BSMBA and they have provided that contract and so if the board is okay with me signing on that we can move forward. motion >> make Paul >> making Glenn's making seconded by Jeff. Uh any further discussion? I did have one question, Sandra, with with our structure having multiple member district boards within the SU the I don't know if this is something that
010can be part of the conversation, but just the process that we go through to have those reviewed, warned, reviewed, commented, and finally approved eight months later. Like, is there a more efficient way for us to do this? Sure. Our uh recommendation is always to start at the SU level. Start with policy review at the SU level and then you know once that's ready for approval, move through the member boards. Um but it shouldn't take eight months. >> Eight months is an exaggeration, but it does feel like it takes us >> policy time. >> Sure. Yeah. >> Oh, go ahead. Sorry. >> I'm sorry. the the um the the issue can be when you have a a month where or a time when you're skipping a month for the meeting like we miss we always miss
011one month in the summer and then different boards have meetings at different times and it misses one. So then it's you it come it has to come back around again. So it it may eight months may be an exaggeration, but we've seen it take >> eight. >> Um especially when you have to when you get hung up on a word >> and then it's got to go all the way back through the process again. >> Personally >> disagree with that. >> You know, I I know it does take some time, but there's usually good reasons for it. And uh I policy I I'm sort of a member now right now again and uh I think uh it's uh just cruel and unutual punishment. [Laughter] All right. So we have a motion we have a motion
012on the floor. Any further discussion? All right. Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Any abstensions? And Ray is abstaining. Thank you. Thanks for for coming out this evening as well. >> Sandra, thank you so much. I'll be in touch. >> I look forward to it. Thank you. Bye-bye. >> Bye-bye. Next on the agenda would be superintendent report. All right, I'll make this quick. Um, just really quick, uh, the September presentation to boards was around building, uh, updates provided by Holly. Some of you may have read about it in the banner. The whole presentation, including Arlington Middle School and High School, is now in individual board folders. Amy has placed it there. It is also placed on the SDSU website under news. So, if folks, we
013were not able to attend Arlington uh in September, but if folks want to see that, it should include updates for all buildings under the SPSU. And if folks find that useful, again, individual board folders provided by Amy to the chairs and members and also under the news section on the SPSU website. Uh Miss West took care of that for me today. Looking forward to October presentations. We will be having directors um Mrs. Senacle will be here to talk about student achievement data and Renee Gordon will be joining us to give you an update on the grant picture which is a bit of a murky world right now but hopefully give you some details on that. So again we have a plan for the month in November. Those real planners in the group we're going to
014be talking about student services and have some more information for you as we move up. A reminder also to members of the boards, we have a meeting with legislators that has been scheduled for Monday, October 6th at 8 a.m. Uh that has been the custom morning meeting with them. So I'm going to stay with that until given other directions. If you are a board member wishing to attend, I ask that you please inform your respective chairs and that the chair follow up with Amy by October 1st. By the end of October 1st, so we get a head count, put some food out. We'll be meeting in this space. We want to make sure we have appropriate number of chairs too. But um it'll be directors, it'll be board members, and it will be uh uh
015state representatives here. Um this is not warned as a public meeting as I don't know if I would fit everybody if they wanted to come in. So um just kind of anformational as we head into the legislative session u in January. And then um had a whole list of other things, but I'm going to skip those just to make the this board aware and the community aware. We have two community outreach pieces going on right now. Um, if you go on to YouTube, you can search simple questions with Superintendent Payne. Uh, I interviewed uh a high school student in September. Just had a lovely conversation with a um a uh fifth grader at Monument and my hope is to be in Arlington next month. We ask eight simple questions. No right or wrong answers. It's
016been a hoot. Kids have been really patient with me so I appreciate that. And also there is an SVSU monthly podcast available on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Uh it sounds like professional sure in your head. Uh there are two episodes available right now. They're really good. Uh first one was interviews with Adam Carmichael and Ty Snell. They are the news principles in the district. It's a really great conversation. The last one is uh Tony Denafhrio and his lovely daughter talking about the excitement at MAU to start the school year. So there will be more of those coming up. But if uh you're a podcast person or you're podcast curious, I encourage you to check that out. I'll stop there. I had a update of things I've been doing to make sure I'm
017connecting with community. But we got bigger fish to fry this to see. Thank you for those things that you're doing to connect with the community. I was at a soccer game on the sideline and somebody came up to uh Avery >> Marta. Yeah. and and said, "I just watched you on YouTube." Which means they watched you on YouTube. >> So, farreaching. Um, as the chair's report tonight, I'm going to be brief. It was brought up uh for good reason by Beth Wallace, one of the members of the board. Um, so I want to acknowledge that um I did receive her email and that um the work that we've been doing in these um in these sessions where we're uh plotting out goals for the SU um we've been doing seemingly be behind closed doors. And
018if you read the recommendations from the BSBA for open meeting laws, um one of the one of the uh it says one while one BSA uh 3105C ex specifically exempts social gatherings, conventions, conferences, training programs, press conferences, media events, the VSBA recommends warning training and retreats, which is what we've been calling this work that we've been doing over the last several last few months. um retreats. Now I lost my place. Um recommends warning training and retreats if the board is even potentially going to discuss board business. So I want to be clear with the public and and this the rest of the board would acknowledge this. We've not been doing board business in these sessions. There's been nothing no action has been taken. Um any of that stuff would be in open session. But um
019if it's the wish of the board just to make sure that we have transparency, we can keep the camera rolling through the work that we're about to do um in the session. I would say for those watching at home uh and for the recording for Richard, it may get really tough to hear that because we're going to be doing breakout sessions, moving around the room. Um and you know I would also be clear that any action that might be taken as a result of that work we would come back to a place where where um the the sound would be very clear and you and uh all of the action business would be taken care of in a transparent way. So um it's up to the it's up to the board. I mean it it
020says the VSBA recommends. It doesn't say you absolutely have to. Um, but it is something that, you know, transparency is important and we want to make sure that, um, nobody feels that we're doing anything. >> The BSBA recommends that you do this. >> The SBA recommends >> I'm going to oppose that. I'm going to make a motion that we do it as a retrieve, but we don't. >> Thank you. >> Do we have a second? >> I'll second it. Then we can discuss it. any discussion? >> Um, you know, I mean, I think most of the time we're going to report on this anyways. It's really setting up long-term plan for the goals, superintendent, goes the district and moving forward. So, I mean, we are going to bring it back to the table, >> you
021know, later in the year. It's just, you know, the planning piece takes a long time. >> We may have some at the end of tonight. >> Yeah. >> It's just a matter of it does when we're when we're in there grinding, you know, grinding grinding hamburger. Do um does that happen in a public forum or do we do it as well? to the extent it's helpful for the parts that I'm facilitating. Uh I do hope you make decisions and I'm planning for you to be able to come back to a a more um easily observed um place. Come back to the table to um summarize those decisions, take action on them if they if you choose to do so. and report out on the key themes from your discussion. So whatever you feel comfortable with
022is fine in terms of process. It will be a little messy but I will support you in coming back to the table for decision making and um key points from your discussion >> and that's what I expect too. So point I certainly did not want to recclude that. So we have a motion made and seconded. Uh any further discussion? All right. Hearing none. All those in favor please signify by saying I. >> Those opposed. Any abstensions? Okay. So um when we are when this agenda is exhausted um or after after item nine on the agenda which is FYI budget status report we will pause the reporting and we will get into our um our retreat mode and we will come back after that if we need. >> Can I make one com one announcement under
023your report? The VSBA regional meeting is Monday at 5:30 I believe. Um I think in past years we didn't have a whole lot of representation from our region. It's predominantly the BRSU that's represented. Um there are two regional representatives who serve on the on the on a board. Um in the past they have both been from the BRSU. There is one position up for election at this meeting on Monday um which is Melanie Melanie Vgillio's seat. She had reached out to I don't know who the email went to but essentially saying with all that's going on it would if there's anybody from within the SPSU who is interested in taking that or or requesting to be nominated to fill that seat. um she would fully support it and wants to make sure that Arlington and
024and Bennington and Chesbury, you know, that everybody feels represented. Um I sent it out to all of the board chairs and I don't know if it went to the individual board members. It doesn't have to be someone from the SPSU board. It just needs to be one from one of our boards. Okay. >> And that's Monday at 5:30. Is that a Zoom meeting as well? >> It's a Zoom. You do have to register online. So, in one of the BSBA newsletters, there is a link to register. >> I just want to make sure cuz I had it I had it for Tuesday the 30th. And I'm just I'm double checking because if I'm wrong, I'm going to move it on my own calendar, but I just checked their page and it says regional meeting September
02530th. Is that Tuesday? Am I incorrect that >> Tuesday? Oh, well that >> it's Tuesday at 5:30. I know that because Arlington has its only home cross country meet that day. So, I knew I had been in places at once. >> My apologies. >> No, no. Just want to make sure folks uh Yeah, if you got a calendar and you're making sure you're trying to fit. >> Yeah, exactly. Tuesday, too. >> I put it on my calendar for Monday, so that would be good. And I just say September. >> Well, you showing up yesterday for this meeting because I did I misread how it was faded in the calendar. Okay. >> In front of the door lock. So, oh, I'm not supposed to be here. Okay. >> Um, item nine on the agenda would be
026the budget status report, which is just an FYI. And then we're moving into item 10 on the agenda, which is our board retrieval. It is October 64 doing Monday. >> Yeah, Monday 8 a.m. meetings are just nuts. >> They do it because it's before they go back. >> Yeah. >> Over there at like six. >> And could you just clarify that we're moving into retreat work and so we're going to pause the recording action of the board. So, we're gonna for the purposes of the recording, we're moving into retreat and we'll be pausing recording at this. >> I can do this. >> I stuck you. So, we are back >> recorded and live and just want to clarify that board members have just engaged in a chalk talk where they um wrote their thoughts about
027answers to questions for a survey for the Vermont School Boards Association. And um board members are now going to report out on the question they were addressing and the major themes that they observe from the answers to those questions from the perspective of all of the member boards of SPSU. Um and that would be it for this part of the board work this evening. The responses will be summarized and consolidated and submitted to VSBA as an outcome of this. So, does anybody want to start? Brave volunteers. >> Oh, sure. You can always count on Glen. >> You know what? You go first. You get to speak and you you feel like you're done. So my question that I picked was what are the challenges and weaknesses of the current system. I saw a number of
028people really stop and do some kind of reflective thinking on this and a lot of the answers seem to you know kind of work work in conjunction with each other. One of the things is engagement. Um that's not only constituents but it's also board members. And then follow following that up with accountability. What are we accountable for from the results of our work? Um time consumption is a challenge. Um a lot of people, excuse me, don't have time to give. A lot of educators are already burnt out um from one more meeting. Um administrators are working around the clock and consistently, as I've even seen tonight, having more responsibilities added to their plate. Thank you, Mr. uh Payne. See you up there a lot tonight. Um there's a lack of information out there. that information
029is constantly changing. Um, I think a lot of people are looking for benchmark data from the state and measuring success. So, what does a third grader look like not only here in Bington, but does that same third grader look like that in Jericho under hill, let's say? Um, SU structure, it's complex and cumbersome. you know, there's a series of aging buildings that we're everybody's trying to budget, you know, the right amount of money to keep up with crumbling infrastructure, the the basic absolute no on building of new schools. So, that's a financial concern there. Um, redundancies and processes and procedures create inefficiencies. So, if you're doing things in three different areas, three different ways, it's not standardized. If it's standardized, you might be able to operate from one one set of curriculum for one specific
030subject. Just an example. Um, a concern is that we're not talking about our kids across the member boards within our own SU. Now, we may be including other SUS and these are children that we don't know their demographics, their needs, their wants, etc. Uh, not aligned in I believe this says constructs or it could be contracts. >> Contracts. >> That's contracts. Um there's deficiencies and inequalities in having one teacher perhaps in RSU being paid $50,000 for a said grade level position and someone in another at 45. Now where does that come to meet the middle? There's again a redundancy. Um we still look at issues and priorities within each district. um is having a more glo as a we look at each issues and priorities within each district versus having a more global view across
031the SU and a need for steady enrollment and and and in ability to use multi-age groups which I believe they're trying to say you know multi-grade perhaps blocks. So those are just some of the few. >> Thank you. Yes, >> another >> so question was how does the current structure of the SPSU support improved outcomes for all students? Uh the note at the top was a good one. Great supports, poor delivery. Uh you know, do are we measuring our investments with the outcomes? Uh as a community, we rally for the needs of kids. There's support for the budget. What are strengths of the current system? Well, we talked about uh central office provides a wide variety of services, finance, HR, and we'll list them all. They also help interact with the agency of education. It
032also mentioned uh that Arlington uh there's a note in here, you know, ability to uh maintain control of the budget and board is seen as a strength. consolidated curriculum and then I want to point out at the bottom the community sees itself as being fiscally responsible when looking at budgets and budget and taxes. Um I'll go next and you know this talking about how's your school board taken on a formal plan or plan to take a formal position on redistricting. Right now we haven't and I think we're just starting the process and I think all the boards have said they haven't started you know a formal process yet. Um, how does your board engage the community on these issues? Um, you know, there hasn't been no community engagement yet. Um, because we're still in the
033early phases of, you know, what's coming up next. Um, how you share your board's position and with whom? I think once we come up with position, you know, the goal is to share the community forum. Um, my guess is that will come once, you know, we get closer to an end date. And then what data or info is your board using or requesting to inform position? Um at the elementary level at least we've done a school use study. So we've kind of looked at past budgets, student numbers and what we have for a building. Um you know other ones have you know most other people have said they haven't done much as far as requesting the data. Um it looks like Mr. Payne will as he learns more he will uh inform us what's going
034to happen at the state level. Um and then review of you know it's really the review of legislation communicate um really with the state once we get closer because right now we're still kind of up in the air they say it >> this is a continuation of that I think sort of the same answers. Have you discussed redistricting as a school board? If yes what info insights or details have those conversations included? Um it sounds like universally there has not been redistricting conversations as a board other than talking about the overall process that's happening within the state. >> Uh minus additional comments. We noted that the survey responses were generated at this meeting input from reps from the uh member districts. Uh there's also a note in here um if a goal or a consideration
035if we could work with all schools within Bennington County, we could have a wide variety of opportunities as far as uh innovative programming that would be a combination of public and independent schools and a tech center which kind of puts us in a unique position as a county. uh over here with me. The question is, are there are there other districts that you believe would make good partners for consolidation or collaboration to expand opportunities for students? It shouldn't be a surprise, I think, given the answers on other sheets that um there was not a lot here for the on the um consolidation side because so much is still unknown. Um but there was uh a bit of conversation around the collaboration uh the tech center and the type of collaboration that happens at the through
036the tech center was noted as a as a potential model here um and that all districts should be looking for ways to collaborate uh and what that might look like there. Um there would be benefits to include all Bennington County schools in this conversation. These schools are served by the tech center and it would create opportunities for all students by working together public private tech center um all of them at the table. So I think that summarizes kind of the other answers here nicely. >> So in contrast to that what opportunities do you see as a me as a member of a bigger district? Certainly one of the things that always is going to stand out when you have a bigger pool to work with is more collaboration and sharing of resources across the schools
037within the county. Um this also allows for some skill sets and ideas which would be much easier than to act when needs are identified. Um what resources, support or policy changes would you need to seize these opportunities? Certainly uh money and that comes from having concrete numbers. um allowing teachers to have more um of formal training, accountability to make sure that things are getting done. That would definitely need to happen. Um a consistent benchmark of success for our students coming from across the state, making sure that what is being asked is consistent and um made clear. What risks or concerns do you see as a member of a bigger district? um the school district the school district would eliminate um the tuition and current opportunities for students. We're not saving any money. It could also
038be very disruptive to the students over a long period of time. And um it was noted potential for the loss of local control. Um larger class sizes is certainly a concern. Transportation concerns especially um in this county. loss of valued staff potentially. Um extra curriculars may become overwhelmed and less students might then not be able to benefit from or have access to them. >> Great. Um does anybody have anything they want to add? Otherwise, I'd suggest you return to the board table and maybe take action to affirm the direction to Tim to compile that and work with Scott on final approval for submission. >> Okay. >> Have a quick timeline that is due October 6th. I will respond quickly. I have to work quickly first. >> Just a reminder too that are we back signatures
039on we folks. >> We have That's right. Um, so, uh, having having gone through that that great work, what I need is a motion to allow Superintendent Ping to compile these answers and, um, present them to me um, just for final approval so we can um, fill out the survey and get it back, which needs to be done by October 6. Do I have a motion? >> So, move. >> Second. Motion made by Key, second by Glenn. Any discussion? >> Is there not going to be any chance that given the shortness of time maybe not for the members of this board participating in this to uh add additional comments or comment on what's compiled. >> Um I would be open to that. I would just probably ask for >> no later than Monday. You know,
040if you wander I mean I'm one of those folks if I wake up tomorrow dang I didn't write that down. I would uh forward that to Amy. She's much better at managing my emails and making sure I plug things in or to your actually to the chair. And Scott, you can just simply everything is >> So, are you going to compile this by Monday? >> No, but I would just ask that folks have it in there. I want to make sure I'm reflecting. >> So, what you're asking is could could you rece it, >> right? >> Which is different than >> Understood. Yeah. Um, I would hope to be given next week's uh workload, I would hope to be having a draft to you by the first, which is next Wednesday, I think. I think
041we could have that all kind. >> Understood. >> Okay. >> I, as part of discussion, I guess, you know, the act 46 process was not really thoughtfully implemented, at least for our region. And my hope or my concern I guess is I don't know how well represented this region is in statewide conversations. >> Yeah. >> And I'm not sure how knowledgeable those who are participating in the statewide conversations are of the I say uniqueness of what goes on here. You could look at a map and say that I've seen Windsor South West on the board. You know, if we became one entity that direction, you've got a mountain in between. >> Yeah. >> Um if we became one entity to the north, there's a lot of resistance from independent schools who don't want public schools
042near them. So I just hope that there is some real thought to what is truly in the best interest of students and not just what is least disruptive. >> So can I can I add something for just for consideration of the board as you go into goal setting. So I am meeting with regional superintendent. So for us that is Bennington and Rutland County. I'm not going east over the mountain yet and meeting with folks there. So any conversation about we are having similar conversations of like how do we make sure that we are represented in the discussion because right now we don't have an elected official sitting on one of the map drawing pieces. The other piece is I think the the meeting with the legislature on October 6th that should be a good example
043of if you're available or you can I mean >> we can voice our concerns. Uh, so just working with those two groups right now. And then the other piece that you Nicole, which was good. I've heard it at the superintendent meeting last week and the business operations this week asking the big question. Why are we doing this? And looking for an answer from Mont Pillar. Are we doing it to create equal opportunity for kids across the state? That's a noble piece and that's an education conversation, a good one to have. >> Yeah. if we're doing to save money, I would say the two groups that I sat within um we're not optimistic that that would be an outcome that would make everybody happy. Like it's not going to save money. So I just share with
044the groups that I'm sitting are at that point of like be clear with us why we're doing this exercise like what is the outcome? >> Yeah. As an educator, I hope we're talking about a kid from Pal has the same opportunity as a kid from Sang Gate as far as what they have for opportunities K through 12. So, um, we only had one legislature there uh at the at the most recent meeting. She represents Battlebor um and she did a very nice job, you know, taking our questions and our input, but she didn't stake out any position was clear that she didn't represent a body bigger than herself, but it was so we're working on that. Any further discussion? Thank you. Um, all those in favor? >> I I >> those opposed. Any abstensions? >>
045Voting. >> Sorry. >> No problem. >> So, that was unanimous. Okay. >> Okay. Can I change gears? I'm handing out two pieces of paper. One. is a sample work plan and one is draft goals for your consideration based on the work of your pre previous meetings. As it's going around, I'm going to just give a quick refresher that in July you explored the context for the work of this upcoming year, both the political redistricting stuff and the economic context. So that was very learning focused. We reviewed research on effective boards. Uh checked in on board superintendent roles and responsibilities and supervisory responsibilities. And we looked at Vermont's definition of quality governance and the district govern the district quality standards. In August we did a board self evaluation and reviewed those results. Um, I do want
046to note that the rubrics for the official agency self evaluation just came out and there are webinars and office hours in October, but I couldn't find anything definitive on the timeline, but we talked about you've done a draft, you'll be able to do it more efficiently when the rubrics come out. And so I'm sure Tim will stay connected and we'll let you know as soon as he knows more about the official timeline. It is described as a beta test though. Um it sounds like you'll have lots of grace as we're learning the process as as a state. >> What do you mean by beta beta? That's their language and my guess is that means that we're doing school districts are submitting their self- evaluations and they're using it as an opportunity to learn what about
047the process works well and what they need to improve more so than to evaluate you. Um, we did some draft board goal setting and we affirmed a plan for your superintendent evaluation this year with Tim bringing his goals related to his entry plan for a short cycle first year kind of special circumstances evaluation this year that spans through December and then sets up an evaluation cycle which Nick will assist you with which is why he's here in part to physically demonstrate his um assuming that role of supporting you. So tonight, my goal is to hopefully get you to narrow the goals that you drafted last time to two or three that might be doable and um go into executive sessions here from Tim on his goals. To start, I drafted a very simple board annual
048work plan. So I'd like to look at that with you first. It's the stapled room. So, effective boards map out their work for the year to asssure they accomplish what they intend to accomplish. Um, and this is a very simple version based on a review of what I've seen you do in previous years. I looked at a couple years of meeting minutes um and uh some of the things that I've already learned that I know you're going to do. And um so each month includes a bullet that lists the business you seem to do on a regular basis. And I'm not going to go over that because you know those things. You do those every month. Treasurer's report, consent agendas, and so on and so forth. But as you can see, this work plan anticipates
049for this month finalizing your board goals. First year superintendent goal setting. Um Tim was going to do an operations review. He tabled that given the amount of work you had to do. October planning a student achievement update and a grant update. Historically, you've done enrollment updates in October. You may or may not do that. This is a working document that Tim and and Scott will adjust as life happens and new things emerge. Um, November, Tim's planning that student services discussion. That's the time when you start your budget discussion and it's the time when you typically review your internal controls checklist which is a required thing you have to do to help you make sure that your um finances are being managed appropriately. December is the month you need to adopt your budget. It's a good
050time to talk about budget communication. And that's when Nick comes back to you to start the next phase of the superintendent evaluation, which is a rubric that the board completes to give feedback to Tim. January continuing some superintendent evaluation. Um Tim will do something of a self evaluation, bring you the evidence of his progress in the goals that he set for this um short cycle, looking at the feedback on the rubric that board members gave and creating the talking points for a draft report. Nick is your staff. He will draft that report for you based on your talking points. And then in February, you can finalize that draft report and um discuss possible goals for the upcoming year based on your feedback. Uh March in addition to your regular business is board reorganization which takes
051up a huge chunk of a meeting. And maybe in March or maybe in another time that you decide is right, um Tim can propose his goals um based on the February discussion that you have. April continuous improvement plan goal review. So that's a progress update when you typically hear about how kids are doing. Are we making a difference? In May, I didn't see any typical routine business that you did. And in June, I see that you typically review your continuous improvement plan and the annual goals for the upcoming year. July, no meeting. And August, the year begins again. At the end, I listed some things that you probably will do that I haven't put in the schedule. you need to figure out when they go or external factors, figure out when they happen. The first
052one is that board self assessment for the AOE. Based on what I see, it probably won't be until November because there's some technical meetings. Um, you can pencil in your timeline for a retreat and board goal setting for the upcoming year. One option is to do the reflection in June and the goal setting in August, but you could do a July retreat. You can figure that out and plan that. Make sure you accept and review your audit. Um, I saw different practices for you for when you did your annual report. Scott and Tim can figure that out and plug that in and make sure you have time for that. I just added tonight. it's not on the list. You're going to have a policy audit meeting >> sometime this fall. So that will need to
053get filmed in. And ultimately once you set goal the steps to move you towards accomplishment of those goals also get plugged in. So very basic workflow. You could imagine for Tim that he might have this in one column and then a column for each of your other boards. And another thing that I've seen boards do that you may grow into is if you get to the point where you establish a multi-year strategic plan, you might have your meeting dates and the stuff you have to do like you have to pass a budget and all of that, but you then might plug in things with each column being related to those strategic plan goals as a way to make sure you're staying on top of those or starting at a simpler place, but you can get
054there >> if you find that is effective. So, I wanted to give you that as a context for thinking about how you might work together maybe a little differently with Tim to make sure that you're making progress on your goals. That doesn't mean you have to follow the schedule. Something may come up, the boiler may blow, and you need to dedicate a meeting to that. And you can use this to rep prioritize, reorganize, and even say no to things that come up that are um maybe interesting but not necessarily useful to address your priority goals. So potential tool. >> Thank I'll speak for myself when when I say this, but I'm sure there are others that would feel the same way. I've not really ever seen it spelled out this way. And I know when
055I took over board chair, um it came with no no packet and no information as far as what you're supposed to be doing and how you're supposed to be thinking month. So the fact that this is here in front of us um in this way and obviously like you said a draft um is really helpful um for me at least um as we think about how we're going to move through this on an annual side. Y um it's just important to remember it's a working document and it will change. Um, the other thing that it's useful for is, you know, if someone comes to you and says, "Hey, I want to, you know, I'm concerned about student achievement," you can say, "That's on our agenda for April. Make sure you tune in to the April
056meeting rather than necessarily addressing it >> or we just talked about it last month and the minutes the minutes are posted and feel free to read up and if you have any questions." >> So, yes, >> exactly. Any other questions or comments on the idea of a work plan? All right, I want to look at goals. They are draft goals that are approximating smart goal format. And ideally, not ideally, definitely any one of these could be confidently addressed within the calendar year cycle, but I couldn't necessarily plug in dates because I needed you to pick your priority goals and then give Tim and Scott an opportunity to fit fit the action steps in with the other work that you have to do. So, what I'd like to do is give you five minutes to read
057the five goals and some possible action steps. These aren't all it could be. You could add them, add to them, you could delete, but read those over and as you're reading, mark it up. You know, I'm a fan of writing all over your papers. Are there things that you would like to see re revised or added? Are there additional action steps you'd like to see if that's a priority goal? And then um begin to think about which ones you have which ones will have the most impact and you have the greatest capacity to implement. So, thinking about that time and effort continuum. Um, the things that take little time and have a big impact or quick wins, you want some of those. And things that take a lot of effort and have a u big
058impact, you might want some of those, you want to stay away from the little impact, little importance. And uh it's typically not useful to prioritize things that are um >> business. >> Yeah, that's what fourth quadrant ask you to do is advocate for one of these to be a priority this year and explain why. >> One of the five. >> One. going to start with one and we'll see if we get consensus around 203 to be your focus for this year. So individual thought time starts now Oh, rain. >> Probably snowing in Lford. >> Not a bad idea. >> Nothing would make my son more happy. Yeah, I realize there's people in his umbrella. >> Need one. >> I know. I carved. Oh, I did. >> We've got a box umbrellas. Don't >> we have
059>> Nick has a box of umbrellas to lend everybody to get >> umbrellas. We have babys. Yes. We don't want them. No return policy. because I think one more minute. Give me the signal if you think that's not enough time and head stand alone. >> I wasn't giving you a nudge, did you? Okay, I'm going to be honest. Great stuff here. >> Okay. My first question is, are there any additions or revisions that folks would like to pose to any of the goals? I can't change the number of either adding or taking one out. >> Oh, >> I don't fairly comprehensive. >> So, >> go ahead. >> All right. So, first thing I would do is make goal number five goal number one because I really feel like everything coming out of act 73 is
060going to drive everything else everywhere. It your your money is going to drive your considerations for staffing levels, for buildings, for development, for student achievement. So, I say number five is number one. Um, number one, and you know, number one in general, I think we could really do a great job communications director a little more. Katie West pretty sensational job of getting information out there. She's articulate. She's hip. She knows how to, >> you know, um, she knows how to drive it to the student. She knows how to drive it to the adult and I think she could really be deployed in a great space there. Um, so I I like number one a lot because communication builds information builds knowledge and knowledge is power with a lot of people. Oh, >> hold on just
061one. >> Yeah, I was gonna say do we were >> doing one. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Just >> but give you grace for two. >> No, >> everybody can do two if you feel move through that. >> Um, so again, invite the spirit of the elephant. This is your opportunity to say what you are thinking and feeling, not a debate with other people in the room. It can be the exact same thing somebody else says. I'm listening for themes because I'm hoping that you can get some consensus on a top two or maybe three for your work this year. Um, we'll do a second go around just to make sure everybody feels like they've said what they need to say. I promise. Um, and with that, I will turn to Jess. >> So, and stick
062my thumb in here. Um, if I had to put that as probably number three, you align the SCSU's strategic priorities and budget investment. Um, you know, for me it's the review the data and strategies see for improving alignment. Um, desire in um you know pretty straightforward you know constant looked at breeding scores. Now we have a state law which really highlights what we need to do to improve breeding and there are set parts of it um especially at the K through three and then they improved increased it with an age you know 480 of how to apply it all the way through the whole district. So I mean you know we have a state law we must follow but region laws in the past um that districts and schools in the state have not followed.
063Um so I kind of want to hold us accountable for that this time you know because if you look back in the 1990s I said every third grader must be proficient in reading. Um and that was a state law and it great piece of legislation that did not work. So I mean I think you know for me it's like you know we have a something set by the state let's make sure we follow up. >> Do you want to add first advocate for a second one? >> I mean I think you know for me it's the uh number five would you say >> that you know that's big driving force. Sadly, Moder is driving while we have to do now. >> Okay. >> Um I also kind of went um and with Glenn's direction and
064with number five, I felt like that should be a huge priority mainly because one of my fears is that if we are having a hard time understanding it, I can only imagine what that would also mean for the community. So, I really like how that gets broke up with a particular emphasis on how we communicate that to the community because one of the things that I often hear is a lot of miscommunication on what this could actually mean. So, making sure it's spelled out more clear. And it also gives the the knowledge to the community that we're on top of this. We're not just waiting to have things happen to us. We're being proactive and we're we're on top of it and we're doing what we need to do and we're taking everything into consideration.
065So that's why I felt really strongly for number five >> and one and the communication plan one or just five. Well, the parts of five where it really kind of spelled out how um how important it is that we communicate what this means to the community so that there isn't that spread of misinformation. >> Okay. >> Um I'm going to switch it up a little bit. Not because number five isn't credibly important. It is. Um but I I think to um number four, cultivating a strong board superintendent partnership by developing a shared transparent understanding of the roles and responsibilities of both superintendent and the board review SVSU's governance processes to ensure they are streamlined and improve the effectiveness of governance overall. I think that's hugely important regardless of what happens elsewhere in the state. It
066is something that we um have identified, I think, as this board as being really important. It's why we're having these this conversation just right at this moment. And um I think it can be also the foundation of um a number of the other things that are that are outlined here as goals for other work that we're going to do. And um I really did like number do like number three as well. um align SPSU strategic priorities and board investments. Um I I love strategic uh initiatives and or strategic priorities and boiling them down and the type of focus that that that those can provide. Um, I think that number uh I think that number four needs to really happen and and I think that that's number four is the first step and and then um
067we can use that to build on three and others. But, um, I really think that those would be my first two only because I'm now the fourth person and and five has already been stated and I consider that that a given at this point. So, I'm going to change it up. I'm going to change it up a little bit. >> Well, I do have to say, Scott, if I advocated for a different one, number four would be my second choice. >> My top one is three. I think we've been talking for a while about making sure that where we're spending our money is impactful and that we understand the um how it aligns with our overall priorities. I don't know that I have a a two. Not in any way that I feel differently than
068the ones that have already been mentioned. >> It's up to you, right? >> Okay. Uh number one. Number three. aligning strategic priorities to budget investments. We need to do that. That is our primary business and I think the reasons have already been stated by Nicole Jeff. Um I I think that number two can push in be pushed into number three >> because it's uh part and parcel of the work to do that alignment. Um I have two other priorities which would the second one would be number four the board superintendent relationship and I would push number one the development and implementation of board communication plan into number number four and then finally number five and the reason I put that last is because You know, nothing we do this year is really going to be
069affected by that plan. We're going to have to pay attention to it and we will pay attention to it anyway and individual boards will be paying attention to it. Uh and but our budget next year will have will see no impact from that those that work that's going on and we won't even have a a plan for a what are we calling this now? Sorry, forget >> redistricting. >> No, no, >> the the financial plan. >> New funding formula. >> Yeah, it's the >> the uh foundation >> foundation plan >> won't even happen till after the legislature and the governor make decisions probably at the end of the year, the end of this legislative session. So, um that we have to pay attention to it. I know but we can do that peripherally and because
070a lot of us are going to be paying attention to it individually. So I heard or you advocate for both goal number three aligning priorities to budget investments and number five they don't have to keep those numbers which is staying apprised of the statewide developments. Can everyone support those two goals as your priorities? And then I'll ask you if you want one more. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. Would you the the the other two goals, the third most frequently mentioned goal was number four, the board superintendent partnership. Do you want a third goal? >> Yes. >> And do you want that to be it? >> Give me a thumbs up if >> you want a third goal. I don't want that to be it. >> But I have a rationale as to why.
071>> Okay. Make your argument. >> Okay. Um, number two, I am a big proponent of databased uh decision- making. I think we're remiss across many of many an area financial, academic measurement. Um, I always throw behavioral in there as well um to see where the funds are working and where they're not. And the best way to measure that is through measurable data. There's >> Can I have a just Yeah, sorry. don't I don't not to be a contrarian here and I think that it came up as part of the conversation here and it's just it's something that I have consistently felt since being a member of our boards that I believe has worked against us and as I listen to that radio piece um it's working against the people who are draw trying to draw
072these maps and that is the the map um the committee that is the lack of data for us to even use coming out of the state to to form what you describe which is ide in an ideal state it's absolutely but um we don't have the data we don't have benchmark data coming from the state that's consistent from year to year never have >> but we have our own year >> but measured against But you can't measure that in a vacuum. >> They're national norms. So I mean they're norm data. So I mean at least you can see where we are kids and >> so we're going to be the only district in the state that's measuring national orange volumes now. You know they did with their reading scores years ago. They said this is
073our problem with reading. They looked at our reading scores said we're going to invest our money here to train every teacher in reading and what's the outcome? Hopefully improves you know referrals to special education. They saw a huge drop in referrals for special education because they fixed effectively fixed their reading problem in their district. So I mean you I think >> so the question can we could can we even do that? We we can't be rogue. >> I have a suggestion. >> I don't think we're being rogue because it's already a piece of the continuous improvement plan of rising proficiency levels. I think you have unonymity that you want to align your strategic priorities to budget investments. >> Theoretically, not theoretically. >> You can't do that without data, >> right? Your strategic priorities are based
074on data. >> Yeah. >> So, we could take a couple of the action steps from number two, some training on how to how to absorb data. >> And we already know you review your CIP, you review student progress, right? and improve your capacity to do that which will have the indirect impact of strengthening your ability to do that alignment. That was that was my point. >> Yeah. >> I had a little side note too is to be able to have the folks that have not, you know, been in the education business to train them what the data is and how to interpret it, what it means. And, you know, not to discount your argument at all, >> right? Maybe we have to participate in some of the data sessions. You know, >> you know, if
075I said maps testing to you, do you know what it is >> or at least get schooled on what what data we're talking? >> Yep. Right. >> But the board has been very clear even from the search period of this year about we go and we hear presentations and it's not helpful. >> So that is that message has been very clearly delivered to the directors and they're practicing that now in your conversations. I hope you see less jargon. You know, you could use this to have a conversation in the community when a community asks. I can't guarantee that my presentation on school budgets is going to answer that question for you, but we're going to >> what? So, I think we can I think we can address that. So if we weave data consumption in
076and you all support >> So weave data consumption into >> number three. >> Yeah. >> And have number four be your third goal. >> Yes. That' be fun. >> Thumbs up. >> So just to be clear, which which goal did not make it? Number one. One. But >> which is which is interesting because that was a that was actually I felt the conversation during our workshop was there was a lot of passion around um >> but I'm not sure that >> changing the narative goal. Yeah. No, absolutely. but a lot of passion around changing the narrative for how people think about education in this community, the work that's done in this building, the work that's done in the buildings all across this all across the supervisory union. Um, to your point, Nicole, I don't think
077it needs to be a goal. It just needs to be done. And you're already I mean it's already starting in the things that we that were talked about at the head of this meeting with um you know a podcast the podcast and the the superintendent who's who's out and about and and a little more relatable and a lot more relatable. Um >> and I think we'll see more of it too. We'll see more of it >> happening organically. >> Right. Right. Right. But we'll see more of it too if we do with fidelity goal number five too. Outreach to the community. >> Yeah. >> This this is going to be in incorporated organically. That's that's a good word. Thanks. Uh in into all these other processes. >> Yes. >> Because there's no way we can
078start working on these goals without communicating to the outside. Yep. >> We want to show that we've made good budget investments. How do we do that? >> Yeah, we do. >> And I think we all learned something I think from the superintendent search. Um or I certainly did, but I learn from a superintendent search. Um the level of community gauging was um inspiring and that there were a lot of people who had a lot of interest in it. And when we do it, it creates a transparency and a and a conversation that um I feel like maybe we were a little afraid to engage the community before and we shouldn't be. >> It's our job, >> right? >> And uh we can use whatever help we can get from staff. >> Sure. >> To do
079that. So would you be comfortable taking action to identify goal three aligning SVSU strategic priorities to budget investments understanding that includes um or work to be better consumers of data. cultivating a strong board superintendent partnership and staying apprised of statewide developments and regional conversations related to Act 173 of 2025 and actively participate in considerations of options for SPSU. >> Yes. >> To take action to approve those as your three goals. >> Yep. Can I have a motion to um approve those as our three goals as >> I'll make by motion. >> Second. >> Motion made by Ray, second by Jeff. >> All those in favor? >> I'm sorry. Any discussion? >> We've had it. >> Understood. But you still have to ask the question. All those in favor? >> I. >> Those opposed? Any abstensions?
080>> Okay. Um, >> Tracy, thank you. >> Uh, everyone in this room, thank you. Those who were in the room for this process but weren't able to be here tonight, thank you. Um, I I, you know, a few minutes into the very first uh um breakout session when we were when we were doing this, I was like, boy, are we ever going to get here? And I had faith that we would, and um we did. So, thank you all. Uh, there's a lot to be really excited about here. So, appreciate. >> So, I'll follow up with Tim and Scott and help kind of update the work plan a little more, talk about what some of those steps can look like with him because he's new. And uh I look forward to watching from afar to
081see the amazing things that you do because uh you've done great work every time I've been with you from the superintendent search to tonight. So it's been a pleasure. >> I do have a question. Yep. >> In how this was sort of part of Scott's conversation when we started is to figure out how do we draft the SPSU goals and then how what is the process then for taking that down into the individual district board goals and how will we approach that and I don't need an answer to that I just want to make sure that that is something that >> yeah I can give you an idea one is it might be useful to take the report that you submit to your member district boards and say, "Hey, this is what we submitted and
082to share with those boards. These are our goals and um be clear that you want to partner with them particularly on the redistricting conversation so they can look forward to some two-way some cycles of feedback and discussion out and back to the SU board if this is the work you're doing. So I think it's I'm sure the question will come up um at the individual board level, but um would the expectation be that >> these boards would develop their own goals that could potentially feed into these but that in fact it's already been asked to me all right so does that mean we're going to on the MAB board we need to we need to set up our goals also and >> we made an intentional choice to start with the SVSU board because you
083represent all boards um to model some steps that boards can take to improve the effectiveness of their governance. So, I'm delighted to hear that through an organic process, boards are beginning to ask, how could we be better partners? Um, you may want to grow into by the end of the year a plan for a joint retreat in June where all the boards get together and reflect and move into goal setting together. Certainly, individual boards can decide that they want to set goals for the year. Um, >> some boards may want to take up the task of helping the SU complete tasks. >> Yeah, I think that's so that's I mean I could see the MAU board saying, "Oh, look, there's three of these or board. There's look, you know, these are all things that we
084can >> Yeah. >> we can do to support this, too. Thank you. You've made our goal, you know, or a version of them." >> Yeah. Um, so I think that that's a good takeaway for all of us here is to to take these back, you know, when they're completed, we should all get time on the agenda of for our respective boards and take them back and present them um and start that conversation. >> Regardless of your governance structure, when you're all working together towards common goals, you're going to make a bigger difference for kids. So yeah, if your member district boards are interested in supporting these goals as well, that will be powerful. >> So there's one more part of goal setting and that's your superintendent goal setting. If there's nothing else you have to
085do in open session, I would suggest you go into executive session. So what we need a motion to go into exe executive session VSA 313 uh for contracts and this conversation around superintendent goals. I'll make the motion. Can I have a second made by Glenn? Second, seconded by Katie. >> Any discussion? Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor? Those opposed? Any extensions? Okay. Thank you. >> I'd like to um amend my motion to enter executive session uh B313SA. >> BSA 313. >> Close enough. Thank you for the clarification to include director G uh human resources director Tracy Bren, consultant to the board and superintendent and of course our superintendent Peyton. Second >> motion made by Glenn, seconded by Ray. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? >> I those opposed extensions. >> Excuse me.
086>> A relatively timely process. That's supposed to >> uh back in open session. So, what I need is a a motion to support um Superintendent Payne's goals um which will be based uh or in two two main areas, governance and communication. Um as uh the board and he worked through his first uh evaluation process. >> I'd love to make that motion. >> Motion made by Glenn, second by Ry. Any discussion? >> Okay, hearing none. All those in favor? I >> I those opposed. Any abstensions? Um thank you everyone. And I think last on the agenda this evening is um ajourned. >> I'd love to make that motion as well. Made by Glenn, seconded by Jeff. >> Jeff. Any discussion on that? >> Thanks to everybody for all the work. >> This was great. >> Thank
087you. I got to say none. All those in favor? Those opposed. >> Stay quiet. >> Any abstensions? >> Post, you're out voted. Good.