Thatcher Brook Primary School

Subject: HUUSD Board Meeting Recap 11/13

Dear members of our six town community,

At our last meeting on November 13, 2019, the Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD): 

• Board had an extended Q&A and Public Comment session to address the public’s questions on the Board’s PreK - 12 planning. Information on the PreK-12 planning work and process can be found here: https://huusd.org/prek-12-bond-plan

• Ron Smith and Miranda McDonald from RHR Smith & Company presented their auditor’s report and answered questions from board members.

• Board postponed discussion and decision on this proposed motion to the 11/20 meeting: Move to accept the administrative team’s recommendation to move all 7th and 8th grade students to Crossett Brook Middle School for the 2020-21 school year.

The Board took action on the six (6) items below:

1. Approved the following items as part of the consent agenda: Approve: Minutes of 11/5/19; Approve: Policy Committee Minutes of 11/4/19; Accept: Voucher 1103...

Subject: HUUSD Board Meeting Recap 11/5

Dear members of our six town community,

At our last meeting on November 5, 2019, the Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD): 

• Attorney Ed Adrian offered his legal opinion and answered board members’ questions regarding the board’s rights, responsibilities, and limitations under the law and its Articles of Agreement regarding the district redesign.

• Board members shared reflections on the effects of school closure on students, as well as on the broader social and economic fabric of district towns, including possible loss or gain of students and families. Information on the PreK-12 planning work and process can be found here: https://huusd.org/prek-12-bond-plan. 

• Board members discussed the PreK-12 planning questions and answers that were provided in the board packet as well as shared reflections on the administration’s proposal to combine all 7th and 8th graders at CBMS next year (2020-2021), which will be voted on next week. 

T...

Dear HUUSD Families,

It is very hard to believe that our warm, long fall season is officially over and our winter weather is right around the corner. Before we know it, the real snow will start to fall, and with all of its majestic beauty comes unpredictable weather. As you know, from time to time, it becomes necessary to delay the start of a school day or close school altogether. Sometimes, reasons other than snow, such as power outages or freezing rain and sleet that arrive at precisely the wrong time can alter the schedule of the day. Of course, safety is always my top priority when making these decisions.

The HUUSD spans approximately 42 miles from Warren to Waterbury, and oftentimes the conditions can be quite different from one end to the other. My years of experience tell me that decisions to close school or not are often met with dissatisfaction, and I am hoping to do what I can to implement the best possible procedures in our district. However, we all know that our Vermont weath...