Voices

Putney town school board says goodbye

PUTNEY — Because of school district consolidation under Act 46, the Putney Town School District's five-member school board has dissolved at the end of the day on June 30.

As of July 1, the board of the merged district, the Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) has begun making policy and budget-planning decisions for Putney Central School, as well as for the nine other schools of the merged district.

On June 13, the Putney Town School Board signed a letter to the Vermont Supreme Court in support of an appeal filed by 33 school districts. The 33 districts appealed trial court rulings denying their claims regarding the constitutionality of Act 46, along with other issues.

While a final ruling on the appeal is expected soon, it clearly did not come before we merged.

Some board members have heard concerns about Putney parents and residents' continued access to policymakers at the school board. Information about times and locations of WSESD meetings, along with contact information for board members, is available on WSESD Board's page on the Supervisory Union (WSESU) website under the School Boards menu. Meeting locations will rotate among schools. The next WSESD meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 24 at 6 p.m. in Putney.

The WSESD board is working to put local leadership councils into place by the beginning of next school year. Individuals interested in joining the Putney Central Leadership Council should watch for information in the school newsletter and on the WSESD website.

A WSESD subcommittee is working on amendments to the default Articles of Agreement currently in place. The amended articles will eventually be presented to the voters for approval.

Putney Central School is a special place because of the students, teachers, staff, administration, PTO, and all of its involved parents and community members. We hope that you will join us, as individuals, in continuing to support the school and district in maintaining and improving Putney Central in the months and years to come.

On behalf of all of the Putney Town School District board members over the years, it has truly been an honor and privilege to serve Putney Central.

Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly updates