The writer notes: "Although I am a member of the WSESD and WSESU school boards, the opinions in this letter are entirely my own."
BRATTLEBORO-The departure of Eva Nolan is a profound loss for the Windham Southeast School District board. While we trust the voters will fill her seat with someone committed to serving all the children in our district, it's impossible to replicate the unique perspectives and significant contributions Eva brought to the table.
Eva's voice was shaped by a rare combination of unique personal life experiences and professional expertise that are hard to find in southern Vermont.
Her principles of equity and justice were unwavering, and her courage to speak truth to power was unmatched. She was a tireless advocate for what was best for our schools and district, unafraid to challenge the status quo while relentlessly pursuing meaningful change.
Eva's pragmatic approach was equally remarkable: she balanced careful scrutiny of spending with a deep commitment to addressing systemic issues and reshaping institutional culture. Her efforts consistently pushed us to strive for continuous improvement and safe and inclusive school environments.
As board composition inevitably changes over the years and as we approach the election of candidates to four open seats to the board, I believe we need to reflect on how to attract and retain other passionate, principled, and knowledgeable members to the board.
We need members who will feel assured that their voices will make a positive difference to equity, social justice, and quality educational opportunities for all students.
It is essential to foster an environment that inspires all board members to serve with enthusiasm and dedication to our vision and moral imperatives. Our challenge now is to cultivate a team dynamic that sparks joy, unity, and shared purpose, ensuring that all members remain engaged and committed throughout their terms.
This is not a simple challenge.
Eva's tenure serves as a reminder of how critical strong, principled voices are to our collective success - and of the ongoing responsibility we now bear to honor her legacy, as well as the legacies of other former board members - through our work ahead.
Tim Maciel
Brattleboro
The writer notes: "Although I am a member of the WSESD and WSESU school boards, the opinions in this letter are entirely my own."
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