Washington Central Connections
December 5, 2025
Dear WCUUSD community,
In my 28 years as an educator, from classroom teacher to my current position as Superintendent, I have never experienced as much ambiguity and concern for education as I do now. Our State and Federal Governments are addressing educational issues in ways that disrupt and cause high levels of confusion and anxiety.
Our own district is struggling with how to provide a quality education and meet our strategic goals as a community. Faced with rising costs and declining enrollments, while trying to preserve what has made us a great district, has stretched our own capacity for empathy, patience, and understanding. The sense of loss is real, and I have heard from so many of you that we need to stop proposing changes that affect our communities so profoundly.
The Board is struggling with decisions about how to maintain what makes us great while sustaining it financially. Administration is working together to find ways to maintain our high educational standards and keep our students' and community well-being at the center. Over the next several weeks, we will all be making tough decisions about the future of our district. We have developed a web page that outlines the configuration process to date, and we are building a FAQ section as we try to provide the information that the Board and community need to make their decisions.
I recognize that change is hard. It challenges us to think differently and to accept things that are currently unknown, but change also gives us the chance to create new and broader opportunities. I hope that you will join in the discussion. Our next Board meeting is on December 10, and we will be presenting the next two budget options: one that meets our financial parameters set by the Board within our current configuration of schools, and one that is based on a reconfigured district based on the proposed model.
Sincerely,
Steven Dellinger-Pate
Humanity & Justice To All
I read a charming story about a beet and maize product that melts road ice and feeds the birds. I can’t find a reference on any site but social media, so this is a ‘too good to be true’ tall, tall tale. The photograph shows birds dining on the deep red beet path, but I think the plow is headed in the wrong direction.
Wondering about media authenticity and reliability is something our educators deal with every day. Photographs and facts are not necessarily, well, real. Finnish students start thinking about media literacy as early as kindergarten. The disinformation coming into Finland may be from Russia, with whom they share an 800-mile border. Knowing what is true is key to their survival. I appreciate this Finnish educator’s statement, “You have a right to your own opinion, but you do not have the right to your own facts.”
November leads the way to winter and holidays. My childhood Thanksgiving table was decorated with little Pilgrim candles, a boy with a tall black hat, a girl with a long white apron, and a turkey with its tail unfurled. Of course, I now know that the real depth of the history of our Thanksgiving is much more complex than anything those three little wax figures implied.
The story of the beet and maize de-icer and the complexity of the November holiday remind me to pay attention, be curious, and check sources.
Speaking of sources, for your reading pleasure I suggest a charming and disarming novel, Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books, by Kirsten Miller. A small Southern town, a statue radiating harm and history, a book-banning committee, and a little free library that suddenly incites new awareness. Race, extremism, broken relationships with neighbors, and estranged families all come together unexpectedly. Fair warning though; reading this book may keep you up later than you intended because it is so darned engaging.
For December reading with young friends, please consider Come and Join Us! by Liz Kleinrock and illustrator Chaaya Prabhat. You’ll find out about eighteen dazzling year-round global holidays. As we go into December and make our way into the New Year, Kleinrock’s book reminds me that there are many ways to celebrate human culture and belief. May we find ways to welcome them all, to ask questions,check our sources, and learn from good conversations.
Celebrate the lights and wonder of this time of year!
Shelley Vermilya
Your Humanity and Justice Scholar in Residence
Want to make a difference in your community?
Consider running for school board or encourage someone you know who would be a great board member! Learn more about becoming a board member here.
If you are interested in running for a seat on the WCUUSD School board, submit a petition by 5 p.m. on January 26, 2026 to the Central Office. Forms and information are available on the VT Secretary of State website: https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/election-info-resources/candidates/local-office-candidates/
District Clerk: Three (3 ) Year Term
Berlin: One (1) Three (3) Year Term,
One (1) Two (2) Years of a Three (3) Year Term
Calais: One (1) Three (3) Year Term
East Montpelier: One (1) Three (3) Year Term
Middlesex: One (1) Three (3) Year Term
Worcester: One (1) Three (3) Year Term
December 3: Policy Committee 4:45-6:00 pm @ Berlin Elementary
December 3: School Board Meeting @ Berlin Elementary
December 9: Finance Committee ( Virtual Meeting)
December 10: School Board Meeting @ U-32
December 10: Middle School Winter Concert 5:30 PM @ U-32
December 10: Half day of School for all Elementary Students (12:30)
December 11: Ed Quality Meeting
December 16: Communications Committee
December 17: Configuration Committee @ U-32
December 17: School Board Meeting @ U-32
December 24- January 2: Holiday Break
January 30, 2026 5:30-7:30 pm Calais Spaghetti Dinner @ CES