The always informative 802 Ed Newsletter this month covers the growing mental health crisis in Vermont schools, the puzzling decision to close state college libraries, and public uproar over Windsor administrators’ handling of a potential school shooting by a nine-year-old.
Books, Who Needs ’Em?
Vermont State University recently announced its “data-driven” plan to close its physical libraries and find new homes for most of its book, instead relying on an “all-digital academic library” with 24/7 access to librarians.
“Unsupported, Misled, and Disrespected” –
Almost 200 community members packed a Windsor Center Supervisory Union last week to express concerns about how the district handled allegations of a student with a hit list and ammunition, leading to the resignation of a board member and a fourth grade teacher.
“Terrorism” Against Vermont’s Schools
Last week almost two dozen schools in Vermont received hoax calls with threats of violence in what appears to be a coordinated effort. Says the Governor: “We need to try to put a stop to this in any way possible.”
More Protections for Pregnant Students
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights has signaled its plan to extend Title IX protections to pregnant students and new parents, in addition to sexual harrassment, sexual assault, LGBTQ students, and its historical purview of athletics.
Student Mental Health at “Breaking Point”
Families sending their kids for services out of state, long wait lists for school based services, increased suicidal ideation among youth, schools creating “even greater staffing shortages” in community mental health agencies by hiring away their staff: Superintendent Lynn Cota lays out the stark reality of a system at the breaking point in this recent testimony to the House Committee on Education.
$11 Million School Tear-Down
An unsuccessful bidder for the contract to demolish Burlington High School has sued the district alleging that the successful bidder didn’t meet the bid requirements, while the district’s attorney argued that stopping work at this point will put the construction project “off the rails.”