Cornwall principal on leave; Sears to fill in

The Addison Central School District has announced that Salisbury Elementary Principal Bjarki Sears will temporarily take over leadership of Cornwall’s Bingham Memorial School while Heather Raabe takes a leave of absence.

Much like a math-averse student getting their first dose of calculus, the Addison Central School District board on Monday got a quick, dizzying tutorial on the possible budget impacts of Act 173 — a major revamp in the way special education services are f … (read more)

The Addison Central School District on Monday hired Wendy Baker to be its new superintendent beginning next July.

The Addison Central School District board on Monday, Nov. 27, is scheduled to consider the appointment of a new, permanent superintendent.

John Flowers’ article in the November 16th edition of the Independent mentioned that I had hired a lawyer to challenge the Addison Central School District’s decision to make its superintendent search confidential. I wanted to take a moment to provide a bi … (read more)

The Addison Central School District board is expected to name a new superintendent early next month after having spent many hours following a search process that included a consultant and various community stakeholders — all of whom have been sworn to sec … (read more)

The Addison Central School District’s executive committee has put a board member “on notice” that “disrespecting board colleagues during board and committee meetings will not be tolerated.”

When I ran for school board in March, I started out trying to keep up with campaign filings, but honestly, I fell behind.

Members of the Addison Central School District board and representatives of other ACSD stakeholder groups will get a chance on Nov. 13-15 to personally size up and question three finalists seeking to become the district’s next superintendent.

Addison Central School District leaders during the next two months will put their math skills to the test as they try to craft a fiscal year 2025 spending plan that maintains current educational services without breaking Middlebury-area taxpayers.

As co-facilitators of Addison County BIPOC+, we are writing in support of Esther Charlestin, Justice Elijah, and the crucial work they are doing to advance equity and dismantle oppression in our schools and communities. 

Greg Akinbiyi had a simple, heartfelt message for Addison Central School Board members at their Sept. 25 meeting. “I am scared to send my son to school,” said Akinbiyi, who is Black and who recently moved to Middlebury with his 19-month-old child. 

I must candidly convey that the mention of my name within the article did not feel like appreciation. Instead, it felt more like an attempt to dismiss Esther Charlestin’s experiences, conveyed through a tone reminiscent of, “I have a Black friend, and loo … (read more)

When I heard, a year and a half ago, that Esther Charlestin was going to be the Dean of Climate and Culture at Middlebury Union Middle School, I was thrilled.

Ms. Esther Charlestin was hired to do and took on arguably the most unpopular position in any school, a charge she attempted to fill with grace and honesty.