Special Reorganizational Meeting of the Board of School Commissioners - March 17, 2026 -Unapproved

Special Meeting of the Board of School Commissioners - Reorganizational Meeting Tuesday, March 17, 2026 

Call to Order - Superintendent Reed called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call - As noted above. 

Board Norms - Superintendent Reed read the Board Norms. 

Approval of Agenda - Motion by Stoodley/Sweet to approve the agenda. Motion carried. 

Board Reorganization 

A. Welcome New Board Members and Administration of Oath and Code of Ethics 

Superintendent Reed welcomed new board members and thanked them for serving the Rutland City Public Schools community. Mayor Tom Donahue administered the Oath of Office for the following elected commissioners: 

● Brandi Barclay – Three Year Term 

● Courtney Collins Whitcomb– Three Year Term 

● Herbert Ogden– Three Year Term 

● Jennifer Rondinone – Three Year Term 

New commissioners signed their Oath and Code of Ethics documents. 

B. Election of Officers 

1. Chair of the Board - Nomination by Commissioner Lennox-Levins, seconded by Commissioner Collins Whitcomb, of Commissioner Seward for School Board Chair. There were no other nominations. Motion carried. 

2. School Board Clerk - Nomination by Commissioner Collins Whitcomb, seconded by Commissioner Sweet, of Commissioner Lennox-Levins for School Board Clerk. There were no other nominations. Motion carried.

C. Mayoral Board Recommendations 

Superintendent Reed reviewed Mayor Donahue’s letter recommending Ryan Carney and Cathy Solsaa to fill the two vacant school board seats for a term ending March 2027. The board will vote on these recommendations at the April 14, 2026, regular board meeting. 

D. Board Committee Assignment Discussion 

There was a brief discussion about how committee work might change if the board moves to a policy governance model. Superintendent Reed will email board members a list of board roles and committees, along with brief descriptions of each. Board members should then email Commissioner Seward with their preferences. 

New Business 

Superintendent Reed noted that the current board norms have remained unchanged for some time and suggested revisiting them at this meeting or in the future. She distributed documents on board conduct and communication. Commissioner Seward reviewed both documents with the board. 

Commissioner Seward asked board members to ensure that, if they are visiting a district school or building in a board member capacity for an event, meeting, or function that is not public, they notify Superintendent Reed of their intent to visit. This does not apply when visiting as a parent or when attending a public event. Board members can notify Superintendent Reed directly of their plan to visit. In response to a question about building tours, Superintendent Reed noted that Executive Secretary Kayla Battles will be in touch with all new board members to schedule an orientation, including meetings with district leadership and building tours. 

There was a discussion about adopting the board conduct and communication documents, whether these will be adopted as part of policy governance, and the difference between meeting norms (meeting conduct) and these more comprehensive documents that address overall board member expectations. It was noted that there is a board conduct policy currently, but it may not be as detailed as the document being reviewed. Superintendent Reed will add the board conduct and communication documents to the consent agenda for the April 14, 2026, board meeting. 

Superintendent Reed has been working with Jeanne Collins Deweese to schedule dates for the next policy governance training, a six-hour session, and asked board members to specify their preference between weekdays and Saturdays. Saturdays seem to work best. Saturday, April 11, 2026, was mentioned as a possibility. Superintendent Reed will let the board know as soon as a date has been scheduled. 

Commissioner Ogden inquired about two additional oaths that may be required under Vermont statute and suggested that new board members take them at the next meeting. He provided information about the oaths to Superintendent Reed. 

Adjournment - Motion by Collins Whitcomb/Sweet to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, 

Bethany Sprague 

Board Recording Secretary