The next meeting of the RNESU SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) will be this coming Monday, November 2nd at 6pm.
This meeting will be online only, and the link for attendance can be found through our SEPAC Website - rnesu.org/sepac
This meeting will be online only, and the link for attendance can be found through our SEPAC Website - rnesu.org/sepac
OVUU School Board Meeting Recap
October 20, 2026 | Otter Valley Union Middle and High School Library
❗This is just a brief summary - full minutes and a recording of the meeting are available on the School Board section of the website - rnesu.org/ovuu❗
The Otter Valley Unified Union School Board met on October 20 to discuss education transformation, regional collaboration, community engagement, and district updates.
- Act 170 and Community Input: Board members discussed feedback from recent community working group sessions, including concerns about student opportunities, transportation, school facilities, governance, local representation, and potential articles of agreement. The Board supported providing regular Act 170 updates.
- Regional Merger and CESA Updates: The Southwest Cooperative Educational Service Area (CESA) has adopted bylaws and a standard fee structure. The Regional Merger Committee was scheduled to hold its first meeting on October 22 to establish its process and ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
- Budget Outlook: Preliminary projections for the FY2027–2028 OVUU budget indicate approximately 5.5% growth in total spending and roughly 9% growth in per-pupil spending, with a potential taxpayer-facing (ballot question) increase of around 9.5%. Board members emphasized the importance of clearly communicating budget information and distinguishing the current district budget from any future merged-district budget.
- Community Engagement: Members discussed increasing Board visibility at local events, improving access to meeting information, and using multiple communication channels to share updates and gather public feedback. A possible budget-focused community forum in November was discussed.
- March 2027 Board Elections: The Board reviewed upcoming seats for election and encouraged members to complete the required paperwork by the applicable January deadline. The Whiting representative seat remains vacant, and members were encouraged to identify potential candidates.
- Superintendent’s Updates: The Board heard updates on state education initiatives, cybersecurity, and district activities. The October 8 Pathways to Possibilities fair was well attended, with expanded provider participation and opportunities for families to learn about services available through students’ IEPs.
The Board entered executive session to discuss security, cybersecurity, or emergency response matters. No action was taken following the session.
Next meeting: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the OVUHS Library.
October 20, 2026 | Otter Valley Union Middle and High School Library
❗This is just a brief summary - full minutes and a recording of the meeting are available on the School Board section of the website - rnesu.org/ovuu❗
The Otter Valley Unified Union School Board met on October 20 to discuss education transformation, regional collaboration, community engagement, and district updates.
- Act 170 and Community Input: Board members discussed feedback from recent community working group sessions, including concerns about student opportunities, transportation, school facilities, governance, local representation, and potential articles of agreement. The Board supported providing regular Act 170 updates.
- Regional Merger and CESA Updates: The Southwest Cooperative Educational Service Area (CESA) has adopted bylaws and a standard fee structure. The Regional Merger Committee was scheduled to hold its first meeting on October 22 to establish its process and ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
- Budget Outlook: Preliminary projections for the FY2027–2028 OVUU budget indicate approximately 5.5% growth in total spending and roughly 9% growth in per-pupil spending, with a potential taxpayer-facing (ballot question) increase of around 9.5%. Board members emphasized the importance of clearly communicating budget information and distinguishing the current district budget from any future merged-district budget.
- Community Engagement: Members discussed increasing Board visibility at local events, improving access to meeting information, and using multiple communication channels to share updates and gather public feedback. A possible budget-focused community forum in November was discussed.
- March 2027 Board Elections: The Board reviewed upcoming seats for election and encouraged members to complete the required paperwork by the applicable January deadline. The Whiting representative seat remains vacant, and members were encouraged to identify potential candidates.
- Superintendent’s Updates: The Board heard updates on state education initiatives, cybersecurity, and district activities. The October 8 Pathways to Possibilities fair was well attended, with expanded provider participation and opportunities for families to learn about services available through students’ IEPs.
The Board entered executive session to discuss security, cybersecurity, or emergency response matters. No action was taken following the session.
Next meeting: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the OVUHS Library.
VEGGIE VAN GO - FRIDAY, October 23 - 10:00 - 11:00 AM at OVUHS Parking Lot. Drive-thru style FREE produce distribution event open to all students, families and staff affiliated with RNESU. No eligibility requirements or reservations needed. Want to participate but can't make the time? Ask a family member, friend or neighbor to pick up for you and they can pick up for themselves too. View the schedule (https://rnesu.org/vvg) and plan ahead to pick up your free produce.
The OVUU Board will meet on Tuesday, October 20th, at 6pm in the Otter Valley Library.
Agenda items of note include:
- Act 170, CESA, and Merger Committee Updates
- Board Seats Up for Election
- 2026-2027 OVUU Work Plan
The RNESU Board will meet on Wednesday, October 21st, at 5:30pm at RNESU Central Office (49 Court Drive, Brandon).
Agenda items of note include:
- Budget Preview; BUU & OVUU Initial Budget Environment Presentations
- Act 170 & CESA Updates
- Policies for Action
Also, Act 170 Merger Group 2, which RNESU is a part of, will hold their first meeting on Thursday, October 22nd, at 4pm at Barstow Memorial School. This meeting is open to the public. The agenda and a remote attendance option can be found on our Act 170 page. (http://rnesu.org/act170)
The Agendas and accompanying documents can be found at:
http://rnesu.org/boards
Remote attendance for all meetings is available at:
http://rnesu.org/events
Questions, comments, etc., can be shared at:
http://rnesu.org/reachout
Please note that this is a courtesy informational post and does not constitute the official warning of any of the meetings.
Agenda items of note include:
- Act 170, CESA, and Merger Committee Updates
- Board Seats Up for Election
- 2026-2027 OVUU Work Plan
The RNESU Board will meet on Wednesday, October 21st, at 5:30pm at RNESU Central Office (49 Court Drive, Brandon).
Agenda items of note include:
- Budget Preview; BUU & OVUU Initial Budget Environment Presentations
- Act 170 & CESA Updates
- Policies for Action
Also, Act 170 Merger Group 2, which RNESU is a part of, will hold their first meeting on Thursday, October 22nd, at 4pm at Barstow Memorial School. This meeting is open to the public. The agenda and a remote attendance option can be found on our Act 170 page. (http://rnesu.org/act170)
The Agendas and accompanying documents can be found at:
http://rnesu.org/boards
Remote attendance for all meetings is available at:
http://rnesu.org/events
Questions, comments, etc., can be shared at:
http://rnesu.org/reachout
Please note that this is a courtesy informational post and does not constitute the official warning of any of the meetings.
Information about Act 170 and a link to our community survey can be found on our Act 170 info page -- www.rnesu.org/act170
VEGGIE VAN GO - FRIDAY, September 25 - 10:00 - 11:00 AM at OVUHS Parking Lot. Drive-thru style FREE produce distribution event open to all students, families and staff affiliated with RNESU. No eligibility requirements or reservations needed. Want to participate but can't make the time? Ask a family member, friend or neighbor to pick up for you and they can pick up for themselves too. View the schedule (https://rnesu.org/vvg) and plan ahead to pick up your free produce.
Have you heard about VSAC's TRiO Talent Search?
Talent Search empowers students by supporting first-generation, college bound students, achieve their college goals.
Program Details:
Talent Search outreach counselors serve as a trusted resource for students & families from as early as 7th grade through the summer of their senior year.
Talent Search offers field trips, college tours, access to summer programs, and 1-on-1 college and career counseling. All Talent Search students meet with their outreach counselor regularly throughout the school year.
Talent Search outreach counselors help with future planning, career exploration, education and employability skills, college applications, scholarship and financial aid forms, and much more.
Talent Search gives students and families the skills and support to navigate the future with confidence.
Talent Search services are free to all enrolled students and families.
TRiO Talent Search is a federally funded program serving 46 schools throughout VT and over 900 first generation Vermonters. Talk to your school counselor to see if you're eligible, and learn more at vsac.org/about/our-outreach-programs/talent-search
Please reach out to your student's School Counselor for more details, and/or apply here:
Talent Search Student Application: https://a2982.socialsolutionsportal.com/apricot-intake/1bb7ee92-97a5-4947-bf53-17543ece1527
Talent Search Parent Application: https://a2982.socialsolutionsportal.com/apricot-intake/653dcb3e-2287-4837-a284-ebaa2787ac21
Talent Search empowers students by supporting first-generation, college bound students, achieve their college goals.
Program Details:
Talent Search outreach counselors serve as a trusted resource for students & families from as early as 7th grade through the summer of their senior year.
Talent Search offers field trips, college tours, access to summer programs, and 1-on-1 college and career counseling. All Talent Search students meet with their outreach counselor regularly throughout the school year.
Talent Search outreach counselors help with future planning, career exploration, education and employability skills, college applications, scholarship and financial aid forms, and much more.
Talent Search gives students and families the skills and support to navigate the future with confidence.
Talent Search services are free to all enrolled students and families.
TRiO Talent Search is a federally funded program serving 46 schools throughout VT and over 900 first generation Vermonters. Talk to your school counselor to see if you're eligible, and learn more at vsac.org/about/our-outreach-programs/talent-search
Please reach out to your student's School Counselor for more details, and/or apply here:
Talent Search Student Application: https://a2982.socialsolutionsportal.com/apricot-intake/1bb7ee92-97a5-4947-bf53-17543ece1527
Talent Search Parent Application: https://a2982.socialsolutionsportal.com/apricot-intake/653dcb3e-2287-4837-a284-ebaa2787ac21
No School Monday!
A reminder that there will be no school on Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day.
We hope our students, families, and staff enjoy the long weekend! ☀️
School will resume on Tuesday, September 8th.
Have a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend! ❤️💙
A reminder that there will be no school on Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day.
We hope our students, families, and staff enjoy the long weekend! ☀️
School will resume on Tuesday, September 8th.
Have a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend! ❤️💙
OVUUSD SEEKS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
The Otter Valley Unified Union School Board is looking for interested parties to be appointed to the following open board seats:
- Brandon representative
- Whiting representative
The appointed school board members for these seats must be a resident of the respective town and would serve through to the next election in March 2027 at which time they would need to run and be elected to remain on the board.
Letters of Interest can be submitted to the board via email to Melinda Piper at mpiper@rnesu.org and are due by October 1, 2026.
The Board intends to take action to fill the open seats at the OVUU School Board meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 6:00 PM at the OVUHS Library.
For more information, please contact Melinda Piper at mpiper@rnesu.org or (802) 247-5757 x 2722.
The Otter Valley Unified Union School Board is looking for interested parties to be appointed to the following open board seats:
- Brandon representative
- Whiting representative
The appointed school board members for these seats must be a resident of the respective town and would serve through to the next election in March 2027 at which time they would need to run and be elected to remain on the board.
Letters of Interest can be submitted to the board via email to Melinda Piper at mpiper@rnesu.org and are due by October 1, 2026.
The Board intends to take action to fill the open seats at the OVUU School Board meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 6:00 PM at the OVUHS Library.
For more information, please contact Melinda Piper at mpiper@rnesu.org or (802) 247-5757 x 2722.
VEGGIE VAN GO - FRIDAY, August 28 - 10:00 - 11:00 AM at OVUHS Parking Lot. Drive-thru style FREE produce distribution event open to all students, families and staff affiliated with RNESU. No eligibility requirements or reservations needed. Want to participate but can't make the time? Ask a family member, friend or neighbor to pick up for you and they can pick up for themselves too. View the schedule (https://rnesu.org/vvg) and plan ahead to pick up your free produce.
Vermont's new education law, Act 170, creates both important opportunities and significant decisions for school districts across the state. As enrollment continues to decline, we must consider how to maintain strong educational opportunities while addressing financial pressures, changing enrollment, school facilities, and the long-term needs of our communities. Although Act 170 encourages larger regional school districts, no decisions have been made about the future of our schools, and any potential merger would require voter approval.
Over the next two years, residents of our towns will have opportunities to help shape the conversation. This process is about identifying what our communities value, asking difficult questions, and exploring possibilities together—with meaningful local input. Whether you currently have children in our schools, are a former student or parent, or simply care about the future of our schools and towns, your perspective matters. Please take a few minutes to complete our community survey and share your priorities, concerns, and vision for the future of our schools.
A link to the survey can be found at rnesu.org/act170
Thank you for your continued support of our students, schools, and communities - and for joining us in shaping the future of education in Vermont.
Over the next two years, residents of our towns will have opportunities to help shape the conversation. This process is about identifying what our communities value, asking difficult questions, and exploring possibilities together—with meaningful local input. Whether you currently have children in our schools, are a former student or parent, or simply care about the future of our schools and towns, your perspective matters. Please take a few minutes to complete our community survey and share your priorities, concerns, and vision for the future of our schools.
A link to the survey can be found at rnesu.org/act170
Thank you for your continued support of our students, schools, and communities - and for joining us in shaping the future of education in Vermont.
Vermont's new education law, Act 170, creates both important opportunities and significant decisions for school districts across the state. As enrollment continues to decline, the Otter Valley Unified Union School District must consider how to maintain strong educational opportunities while addressing financial pressures, changing enrollment, school facilities, and the long-term needs of our communities. Although Act 170 encourages larger regional school districts, no decisions have been made about the future of our schools, and any potential merger would require voter approval.
Over the next two years, residents of Brandon, Goshen, Leicester, Pittsford, Sudbury, and Whiting will have opportunities to help shape the conversation. This process is about identifying what our communities value, asking difficult questions, and exploring possibilities together—with meaningful local input. Whether you currently have children in our schools, are a former student or parent, or simply care about the future of our schools and towns, your perspective matters. Please take a few minutes to complete our community survey and share your priorities, concerns, and vision for the future of Otter Valley Unified Union schools.
A link to the survey, and a PDF of the mailing that went out, can be found at rnesu.org/act170
Thank you for your continued support of our students, schools, and communities - and for joining us in shaping the future of education in OVUUSD.
Over the next two years, residents of Brandon, Goshen, Leicester, Pittsford, Sudbury, and Whiting will have opportunities to help shape the conversation. This process is about identifying what our communities value, asking difficult questions, and exploring possibilities together—with meaningful local input. Whether you currently have children in our schools, are a former student or parent, or simply care about the future of our schools and towns, your perspective matters. Please take a few minutes to complete our community survey and share your priorities, concerns, and vision for the future of Otter Valley Unified Union schools.
A link to the survey, and a PDF of the mailing that went out, can be found at rnesu.org/act170
Thank you for your continued support of our students, schools, and communities - and for joining us in shaping the future of education in OVUUSD.
VEGGIE VAN GO - FRIDAY, July 24 - 10:00 - 11:00 AM at OVUHS Parking Lot. Drive-thru style FREE produce distribution event open to all students, families and staff affiliated with RNESU. No eligibility requirements or reservations needed. Want to participate but can't make the time? Ask a family member, friend or neighbor to pick up for you and they can pick up for themselves too. View the schedule (https://rnesu.org/vvg) and plan ahead to pick up your free produce.
VEGGIE VAN GO - FRIDAY, June 26 - 10:00 - 11:00 AM at OVUHS Parking Lot. Drive-thru style FREE produce distribution event open to all students, families and staff affiliated with RNESU. No eligibility requirements or reservations needed. Want to participate but can't make the time? Ask a family member, friend or neighbor to pick up for you and they can pick up for themselves too. View the schedule (https://rnesu.org/vvg) and plan ahead to pick up your free produce.
The OVUU Board will meet tomorrow evening, Tuesday June 23rd, at 6pm in the Otter Valley Library.
Agenda items of note include:
- H.955 - Educational Transformation
- OVUUSD (Facilities)Task Force 2.0
- Goshen Facility Fund
The Agenda and accompanying documents can be found at rnesu.org/ovuu
Remote attendance for the meeting is available at rnesu.org/events
Questions, comments, etc., can be shared at rnesu.org/reachout
Please note that this is a courtesy informational post and does not constitute the official warning of the meeting.
Agenda items of note include:
- H.955 - Educational Transformation
- OVUUSD (Facilities)Task Force 2.0
- Goshen Facility Fund
The Agenda and accompanying documents can be found at rnesu.org/ovuu
Remote attendance for the meeting is available at rnesu.org/events
Questions, comments, etc., can be shared at rnesu.org/reachout
Please note that this is a courtesy informational post and does not constitute the official warning of the meeting.
Enrolling a new student for the 2026-2027 School Year? All new students, including Kindergarteners, must complete our new student registration, which can be found at https://www.rnesu.org/page/student-enrollment
VEGGIE VAN GO - FRIDAY, May 22 - 10:00 - 11:00 AM at OVUHS Parking Lot. Drive-thru style FREE produce distribution event open to all students, families and staff affiliated with RNESU. No eligibility requirements or reservations needed. Want to participate but can't make the time? Ask a family member, friend or neighbor to pick up for you and they can pick up for themselves too. View the schedule (https://rnesu.org/vvg) and plan ahead to pick up your free produce.
Reminder: This Friday, May 15th, 2026 is an Early Release Day for all RNESU students.
Elementary Schools will dismiss at 11:30am, and Otter Valley will dismiss at 11:55am.
There is no Boys & Girls Club After School Program - If your child normally attends on Fridays, please contact the school office with their dismissal plan!
Elementary Schools will dismiss at 11:30am, and Otter Valley will dismiss at 11:55am.
There is no Boys & Girls Club After School Program - If your child normally attends on Fridays, please contact the school office with their dismissal plan!
Kindergarten Orientations
For incoming kindergarteners and their families!
This is great opportunity to:
- Meet Your Child’s Kindergarten Teacher
- See Their Classroom
- Check Out a School Bus!
- Get Help with Registration
Otter Creek Academy - Leicester
68 Schoolhouse Road, Leicester - 802-247-8825
Friday, May 22 - 8:30-9:15am
Neshobe Elementary School
17 Neshobe Circle, Brandon - 802-247-3721
Friday, May 29 - 8:30 & 9:00am
(please contact Neshobe directly if you are unsure of when to attend)
Lothrop Elementary School
3447 US Rte 7, Pittsford - 802-483-6361
Friday, May 29 - 8:30-9:30am
Barstow Memorial School
223 Chittenden Road, Chittenden - 802-773-3763
Friday, May 29 - 8:30-9:30am
For incoming kindergarteners and their families!
This is great opportunity to:
- Meet Your Child’s Kindergarten Teacher
- See Their Classroom
- Check Out a School Bus!
- Get Help with Registration
Otter Creek Academy - Leicester
68 Schoolhouse Road, Leicester - 802-247-8825
Friday, May 22 - 8:30-9:15am
Neshobe Elementary School
17 Neshobe Circle, Brandon - 802-247-3721
Friday, May 29 - 8:30 & 9:00am
(please contact Neshobe directly if you are unsure of when to attend)
Lothrop Elementary School
3447 US Rte 7, Pittsford - 802-483-6361
Friday, May 29 - 8:30-9:30am
Barstow Memorial School
223 Chittenden Road, Chittenden - 802-773-3763
Friday, May 29 - 8:30-9:30am
VEGGIE VAN GO - FRIDAY, April 24 - 10:00 - 11:00 AM at OVUHS Parking Lot. Drive-thru style FREE produce distribution event open to all students, families and staff affiliated with RNESU. No eligibility requirements or reservations needed. Want to participate but can't make the time? Ask a family member, friend or neighbor to pick up for you and they can pick up for themselves too. View the schedule (https://rnesu.org/vvg) and plan ahead to pick up your free produce.
