Orange East Supervisory Union
Newsletter 7/25/2025
Message from the Superintendent
Dear OESU Community,
We’d like to share some exciting news and a heartfelt farewell. Nicole Bell, Director of Curriculum Instruction and Assessment, has resigned from OESU and is now the Assistant Superintendent of SAU 9 in New Hampshire. We are grateful for Nicole’s leadership, expertise, and dedication during her time at OESU. We wish Nicole well in her new role and we are pleased to announce our new Director of Curriculum Instruction and Assessment, Rick Dustin-Eichler. See his bio below.
Big News at Oxbow High School: currently interviewing for both a Middle School Principal and a new Athletic Director. Sarah Jalbert has resigned as Oxbow Co-Principal and has accepted the position of School Counselor/504 Coordinator at Thetford Elementary School. We wish Sarah well in her new position. We are using this opportunity to improve the Middle School Culture at Oxbow and have posted to hire a Middle School Principal to lead Oxbow Middle School alongside Ken Cadow, Oxbow High School Principal. Heidi Wright, the previous athletic director at Oxbow High School has moved to Maine as Athletic Director for Administrative District 75. We wish Heidi well in her new position and interviews are currently underway.
As the final weeks of summer unfold, I hope this season has brought your family time to relax, recharge, and enjoy the simple pleasures that make Vermont summers so special. I hope you are enjoying this summer with splashes in the water, evening campfires, and a maple creemee on a warm afternoon. Chase a few more fireflies, watch the stars come out, and savor every bit of sunshine with the ones you love. We’re excited to welcome everyone back to school soon, but until then, we wish you many more sweet summer moments.
Warmly,
Heather Lawler
Superintendent
Orange East Supervisory Union
New OESU Director of Curriculum
OESU is pleased to welcome Rick Dustin Eichler as the new Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, bringing over 14 years of experience as a principal at Dothan Brook School and a background in teaching at Bridgewater Village School. Known for a collaborative approach, Rick supports schools and principals in implementing effective systems and helping teachers use data to improve instruction. Rick hopes to accomplish developing a consistent, multitiered system of classroom support across the supervisory union. Formerly involved in tech integration at Woodstock, Rick values listening to educators and building connections across schools. Outside of work, he enjoys skiing with family and friends, coaching ski programs, mountain biking, serving on the board of a local MTB association, and reading sci-fi. Though he studied filmmaking, a passion for environmental education led him into teaching and the school systems, where he continues to focus on doing what's best for all students and the greater community. In his own words for the community he is, "Excited to get to know people and all the great things that are happening."
Written by Logan Wells, OESU Intern
Oxbow Middle School
We are excited to share some big news! We heard the feedback from staff, students, families and the community over the past year. Oxbow School is starting the 2025-2026 school year with an improved way for administrators to help students and staff have a great school year.
Here’s what’s new:
- There will be a Middle School Principal and a High School Principal.
- Middle and High School students have different academic and social needs. This model better helps teachers and administrators focus on the unique stages of adolescence.
- The Middle School Principal will supervise and manage 7th and 8th grade teachers, 7th and 8th grade paraeducators and all Unified Arts teachers.
- The High School Principal will supervise and manage 9th -12th grade teachers and 9th -12th grade paraeducators.
- Better Culture and Better Communication.
- A single person responsible for specific grades and programs helps students, staff and families know who to go to when they have questions.
- Stronger Staff Supervision and Support.
- Staff know who they report to and who can support their resource, curricular and instructional needs.
- Focusing on Students’ Needs.
Of course, both principals will collaborate closely, especially around curriculum and the Aspirations program. Bringing clarity to these roles doesn’t mean Oxbow isn’t one community! We believe these changes will help us all communicate better, support our teachers, and meet the needs of every student. We want our school to be a place where everyone can do their best.
Written by Marla Ianello, Assistant Superintendent and Ken Cadow, Oxbow High School Principal
