802 Ed newsletter for November has published the following Vermont education news:

Vermont’s Most Expensive Mascot? The Green Mountain Unified School District Board recently voted to stop paying the attorney who was representing them in an on-going dispute about the high school mascot, the Chieftains, after learning the cost so far is upwards of $10,000 in legal fees. Update: A recent meeting ended almost as soon as it started, marked with confusion and objection: “It’s going to start this way, huh?” Update: The Chester Telegraph is continuing to follow the story of the high attorney costs: “Who exactly authorized their hire remains a mystery.”

Sabbaticals for Superintendents. School Administrator highlights superintendents’ stories of how to pitch a sabbatical to the board, including mention of a Vermont superintendent who negotiated a four-month break.

Students’ Vote of No Confidence. The VTSU student government associations passed their first resolution of the year, voting no confidence in the Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees (except the Student Representative), the VTSU Office of the President, and the Vice President of Business Affairs.

Thus It Was Resolved. VSBA membership approved resolutions that drive its legislative advocacy efforts, including a youth mental health resolution proposed by Winooski’s school board.

Principal Pulls Fire Alarm, Put on Leave. Burlington High School’s new principal, the fourth in three years, was recently placed on administrative leave after pulling a fire alarm during a student fight.

Health Rate Increases Anticipated. The VEHI Board of Directors authorized the management team to file FY25 rates for its health benefits program, anticipating an average premium increase of 16.4 percent for schools.

Nearly Three Dozen Staff Cuts at VTSU. VT Digger gives us the plan to axe two assistant vice presidents, four associate deans, and many others, with an anticipated cost savings in excess of $3 million a year. Faculty numbers have also gone down with seventeen faculty buyouts, six retirements, three contracts that weren’t renewed, and a professor of landscape contracting who will be laid off.