The 802 Ed
What's going on in Vermont's education policy and practice
Welcome back!
This issue covers many topics that are immediately useful like federal legislation to support students’ mental health, finalists for school leader searches, and a very large grant to connect schools with local mental health systems. Be sure to check out the latest on the surprise turn in the school leader job market!
New to the lingo? At the suggestion of a reader we now include a guide to common abbreviations after all the news.
- Steven Berbeco, Editor
School Leadership
Using Humor to Bridge Gender Gap. A recent research article in the Harvard Business Review points to a painful hypocrisy: “Female leaders who exude warmth are perceived as less competent, while women who display competence are seen as less warm.” Yet, the article’s authors demonstrate, humor “offers an escape from this catch-22” and, the right context, can be enormously effective.
Millions for Youth Mental Health First Aid. Rep. Becca Balint’s first proposed federal bill awards about $25 million to schools so students, teachers, and staff can get training in Mental Health First Aid. For those with a youth mental health legislation score card, that’s one for the federal delegation and still zero for our state legislators.
“Hastily Implemented” Testing – What Could Go Wrong? VT Digger’s Peter D’Auria shines a light on new state-wide school testing, with everything from an unintended leak of confidential material to kids in tears because the computerized test keeps crashing. AOE responded to concerns with a memo saying, among other statements, that it would take “something quite catastrophic” for the state to waive this testing requirement.
Benefits of Investing in School Swag. Three of the nation’s top Assistant Principals weigh in on leadership best practices in a District Administration article. This was a popular item in last issue, so we are including it again for readers who may have missed it.
Swatting Back. Vermont’s School Safety Center recently published other states’ guidelines for responding to a hoax calls.
Barriers to Native American Curriculum. The Hechinger Report outlines the push and pull in many states between efforts to include more Native American curriculum materials on the one hand, and legislation intended to limit discussion of race in schools on the other hand.
Cursive as a Foreign Language. The New Hampshire legislature looks poised to pass House Bill 170 that will require the teaching of cursive writing. Arguments in favor include reading the Constitution in the original and understanding older relatives’ handwriting.
Teletherapy for School Kids. Chalkbeat and USA Today teamed up for a review of the largest school districts in the country, almost all of which have rolled out virtual mental health support for their students.
Restorative Justice for Young Poachers. DCF is building a diversion program for youth who run afoul (afowl?) of fish and wildlife laws.
Bill Limiting Trans Youth. The national debate over trans youth in schools showed up recently in Vermont’s legislature with the introduction of a bill written broadly enough to keep students assigned the sex of male at birth from participating in any K-12 or college activity designated for girls, mirroring recent federal legislation.
Federal Rule Proposed on Transgender Students in Athletics. The U.S. Department of Education published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking recently that would clarify that “policies violate Title IX when they categorically ban transgender students from participating on sports teams consistent with their gender identity just because of who they are.”
39 Students in Eight Grade Levels. Readsboro voters will decide next month whether to go the “nuclear option” of shuttering their elementary school. It may not be a cliff-hanger, though, since the author of the petition to close the school doesn’t think it will get much support: “In my personal opinion, it's got no chance in hell of flying.”
Money Flying out the Door. According to a survey by EdWeek, most school districts across the nation have already spent 75% of allocated ESSER funds, even though the spending deadline is nearly two years out.
Fixing the Discipline Problem. NPR’s On Point zeroes in the difficulty of teaching in classrooms where student behavior challenges the learning environment. Not surprisingly, the conversation turns quickly to mental health.
State College Libraries To Maybe Close. The most recent update from Vermont State University’s chancellor includes news that the libraries may not shrink or close after all, instead calling for a pause on these “proposed initiatives.”
Heads Up, Vermont. Several states are taking innovative steps to support their students. Vermont school leaders and lawmakers should take note:
In response to “child care deserts,” Maine allocated $10 million to create a Childcare Business Lab, where aspiring program directors can get six months of free training that helps them find startup funding.
North Dakota now includes cybersecurity or computer science as a graduation requirement.
Children in California’s foster care system would get tuition, housing, food, and books paid for under a new bill that aims to remove barriers to college.
School Shootings in 2023. Education Week’s tracker is off-line and hopefully will be back again by the next issue of the 802 Ed. As a reminder, DPS and AOE operate an anonymous school safety tip line for students, school staff, and their community: calling 1-844-SAFE4VT; texting SAFE4VT to 274637; or online at safe4vt.org. For questions about school safety training in Vermont, contact Rob Evans.
Reader Survey
In each issue we ask a survey question to get a sense of what is on our readers’ minds. Then, the following issue, we report back on what we learned. Last issue we asked: What is your impression of principal turn-over this year? The responses were twice as strongly in favor of More than usual, and I’m worried, with fewer readers selecting About the same as any other year or less than usual or I’m not sure.
This issue’s survey question: Who do you predict will be the next Secretary of Education? Please indicate your response by clicking a check mark.
✅ One of Vermont’s better-known education leaders
✅ An experienced human services executive
✅ A complete surprise!
Job Listings For School Leaders
Interim Principal. Come join the team at Bellows Falls Union High School, working in partnership to lead our exceptional staff and extraordinary students! Strong applicants will have demonstrated success in high school leadership and data-based decision making, with focus on both student achievement and social-emotional learning. Sponsored by Windham Northeast Supervisory Union
Principal. Looking to make a difference in a professionally nurturing environment? Elm Hill School is looking for a knowledgeable and dynamic school leader with the ability to work collaboratively for our K-2 school. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate leadership experience and an understanding of effective instructional leadership. Sponsored by Springfield School District
Supercharge the Applicant Pool. The market for school staff in Vermont is fierce and it’s important to stand out when attracting quality candidates. Why get wedged in among thousands of open positions on SchoolSpring? Your opportunity can stand out in an upcoming issue of the 802 Ed, dropping into the Inbox of 1,800+ readers. Sponsored by 802 Ed
Looking For a Change? With so many open positions in Vermont, there are sometimes unusual opportunities. For example, the state’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission is hiring its Executive Director. The list of desired qualifications seems to mirror many school leader job postings, like: “Proven ability to negotiate and mediate resolutions to complex situations.”
Thank the Team
Thank you to a retired college professor, an art teacher from Chittenden County, and a school leader from Orange Southwest School District for the cups of coffee!
Like what you are reading? Want a creative way to show your support? Cover our coffee budget! Writing, editing, researching… all of that is caffeine driven. Choose this option and the extra energy will go to finding a few more updates to share.
Update on the Education Market
School leadership positions turn over every year, that’s not news. There is a rhythm to the market, with more job openings showing up in the new year and then settling down after a few months, just as teacher openings ramp up around the time that annual contracts are due.
The trend in Vermont between the past 60 days and 30 days bears this out, with a drop by about half in the number of school leader job postings as boards and superintendents competed against each other to fill positions with the rapidly dwindling pool of applicants.
But then a curious turn came at about 30 days ago. The downward trend reversed itself, jumping up by about 10 positions and steadying out at that level for the past couple of weeks. That equates to about 50 school leadership positions that are still in the mix.
There are many reasons why school leadership openings come available mid-Spring like this, as one superintendent explained to her board recently in the context of four out of the district’s five principals not returning next year.
All of this is good news for the 1,134 educators who hold a principal license, whether they are currently in a school leadership role or the majority who may aspire to take on the challenge.
The chart below tracks the number of school leader openings in the 60 days prior to publication, presented as data points and no trend line this time. Data from SchoolSpring.
Principal’s Office
Principal and Assistant Principal positions are opening up and getting filled around the state. Here is a graphic representation of the total number of positions that have opened (43) since the start of the calendar year, and the number of positions that have been filled (27) since then. Data from VPA.
Pass It On
Like what you are reading? Hit the button below to send a copy to a colleague, friend, neighbor, your boss… whoever!
Colleagues on the Move
Every issue we highlight school leaders who are making a change – congratulations!
Jennifer Durren, currently math teacher at Winooski High School, will be co-principal at Crossett Brook Middle School this summer.
Rob Becker, currently principal at Embassy Creek Elementary in Florida, will be principal at Rutland Middle School this summer. He is taking over from Pati Beaumont.
Abby Smith, currently assistant principal at Washington Village School, will be assistant principal at Williamtown High School. She is taking over from David Powelson.
Deb Fishwick, currently co-principal at Manchester Elementary Middle School, will be principal at Ludlow Elementary School. She is taking over from Cathy Farman.
Sarah Haven, currently director of human resources at Winooski School District, will be director of finance and operations in May. She is taking over from Nicole Mace.
Dana Gordon-Macey, previously principal at Vernon Elementary School, will be principal at Marboro Elementary this summer. She is taking over from Wayne Kermenski.
Mike Smith, previously secretary of the Agency of Human Services, is now interim president at Vermont State University. He is taking over from Parwinder Grewal.
Scott Thomas, currently dean at the University of Wyoming College of Education, will be president at Sterling College this summer.
Burlington School District announced finalists for its high school principal search:
Deb Beaupre, associate principal at Hanover High in New Hampshire
Marlon Maylor, principal at Spaulding High School
Amy Rex, superintendent at Milton Town School District
Addison Central School District announced finalists for its superintendent search:
Suzanne Gruendling, director of policy implementation at Essex-Westford School District
Barbara Anne Komons-Montroll, superintendent at Windham Southwest Union Supervisory Union
These colleagues received administrator licensure from AOE since the last issue of the 802 Ed. Data from AOE’s Aithent Licensing System.
Felicia Allard • Superintendent
Kathryn Fredericks • Principal
Bill Huggett • Principal
John Powell • Principal
Meghan Sweet • Principal
Do you know a colleague who has made a recent move? Let us know!
Grants & Opportunities
Funding for Community Hub Schools. ED is hosting a webinar on partnership-based school programs that provide wraparound physical and mental health services to students. Results show an increase in student attendance, on-time grade progression, and high school graduation. 3pm - 4:30pm. April 26.
Trauma Basics. Vermont Afterschool is offering a webinar on the effects of trauma on childhood development, and how to overcome it. 6pm - 7:30pm. May 4.
We All Belong. Burlington School District is hosting a state-wide conference on the education of immigrant and refugee students and support for their families. Up to 12 Professional Learning credit hours for teachers. May 5 and 6.
Linking Schools with Mental Health Care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a competitive grant program to increase student access to mental health care by connecting schools with local mental health systems. Grants up to $970,000 per year. Deadline is May 8.
Student Motivation Through Purposeful Belonging. NEASC is presenting a webinar by a mental health professional and best-selling author on how to empower educators and support students. 9am - 10am. May 10.
Media Intern For Bering Sea Research Trip. The Alaska Teen Media Institute has opened applications for an intern (18 to 24 years old) to ride along on the R/V Sikuliaq research vessel for a month, documenting the project and sharing what it’s like to live and work at sea. Deadline is May 14.
Educating Homeless Kids. AOE has published an RFP for a contractor to support students who are homeless, including high school completion, postsecondary planning, and connection to other services. Deadline is May 22.
CIS Stabilization. DCF recently posted an RFP for contracted services to support professional development, recruitment, and other supports for Children’s Integrated Services, the state’s IDEA Part C provider. Deadline is August 4.
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In Case You Missed It
How to Cite ChatGPT. The new artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT is making a big splash in schools and colleges, and now there is guidance on how to include a citation as a reference for a research paper… that it just wrote.
ChatGP– What? For those new to the conversation about ChatGPT, click the link to see a sample prompt and an unedited response on a topic relevant to many readers, properly cited of course.
National PE Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to Matt Bristol, wellness teacher at Essex Middle School and one of this year’s National Teachers of the Year as awarded by the Society of Health and Physical Educators!
The Town that Forgot to Vote. Valley News highlights the omission of two school board races from Norwich’s Town Meeting Day ballot, a mistake owned by the recently retired Town Clerk and not caught until the night before voting.
The Board that Tried to Vote Secretly. Mount Ascutney School Board tried to keep secret the names of three applicants for a vacant board seat, according to a recent Vermont Standard investigative article. Even with the release of the applicants’ names, interviews aren’t accessible to the public.
The 802 Ed brings together the latest from Vermont's associations for principals, superintendents, and school board members, as well as state and national education agencies. We hope that you'll find something useful in each issue and welcome comments or suggestions for upcoming issues: editor@802ed.com.
Abbreviation list: AOE Agency of Education, CDD Child Development Division, DAIL Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, DCF Department for Children and Families, DPS Department of Public Safety, ED U.S. Department of Education, RFP Request for Proposals, NEASC New England Association of Schools and Colleges, PBIS Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, VPA Vermont Principals Association, VSA Vermont Superintendents Association, VSBA Vermont School Board Association.
Special bonus for making it to the bottom: For the person in your life who has everything but fresh eggs, now you can Rent a Chicken thanks to a plucky Vermont high school student.