Tuesday, August 4th the Warren School Board will meet at 7 pm at the Warren School. For many of us there are still unresolved issues.

A lot has been written and talked about when it comes proper hiring and firing practices at Warren School this summer. First, and most glaringly, when Laurie Jones was let go just after school got out without warning, and with no reason given. And also because of former school board member. Laurie Greenberg, who will be teaching a 3/4 class at Warren this fall. From the paper last week, we learned that she is unlicensed. In Vermont the law is that licensed teachers come first in the hiring process and only in a special situation where there aren't any licensed teachers available is a provisional license issued. There were somewhere around 20 other applicants, many of them well qualified, were any of them licensed ? Were all of them licensed? Why was this blatant rule bending(or breaking) by the SI encouraged and tolerated by our board? I know every town handles things a little differently, but general practice at Warren (as well as law in the state of Vermont) is to use licensed teachers first. Laurie Greenberg hasn't had an active license since 2008.

At the July 21 meeting, Warren Resident, Beth Schoellkopf presented an idea for a different job at school for Laurie Jones, both to help Laurie, and hopefully to give the board an opportunity to start to rebuild their oh so damaged trust with their community and staff. Beth put it in their hands, and Brigid said she would give it "serious study." Tomorrow, I'm pretty sure, we will hear the reasons "why not." No money available in the 2015/2016 operating budget, though we know that budgets are constantly changing due to all kinds of factors. Or they may blame Act 60 "you can't privately fundraise money for public school jobs." Chairman Mike Ketchel already said it. If the board and the SI are intent on mending fences and showing leadership won't they work on a REAL solution, like tearing up the contract that they made Laurie Jones sign and using the settlement money toward a new job instead? Creatively finding a way to undo this damage. Will they bend rules for Laurie Jones or just Laurie Greenberg?

Unlike the last two meetings, we believe the principal Jill Ballou will finally be present. At the contentious meeting I attended way back on April 7th, she never said one word, I hope this time will be different. Maybe she will show us something of the leadership we are hoping for in our principal. If what is happening at Warren School is important to you, please attend!

Oct 21, 2024, 6:30 PM

Oct 24, 2024, 1 to 2:30 PM

Oct 24, 2024, 7 to 8:15 PM