Williston
ECRWSS PRSRT STD US Postage
PAID
Permit #15 Williston,VT 05495 POSTAL CUSTOMER
JANUARY 15, 2026
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
These girls got game
WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
WCS principal Parks announces retirement plans BY JASON STARR Observer staff
Williston’s Ellery Candon goes in for a layup during the Wildcat girls A team basketball win over Hinesburg Jan. 8 in Williston. See more photos from the game on page 10. OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
Williston archery hunting season extended
State looks to control urban deer population BY JASON STARR Observer staff
The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife is extending archery hunting season in urban areas in an effort to reduce the greater Burlington deer population and minimize human-deer conflicts. The extension adds 16 days to the standard archery season, starting Sept. 15 and leading into the traditional archery season that starts Oct. 1. The area
“This … came about because of the many complaints … about deer damage … as well as due to motor vehicle collisions with deer.” Jason Batchelder Commissioner Vermont Fish and Wildlife
of Williston north of Interstate 89, including Taft Corners,
Williston Village and Mountain View Road, are included in the extended season. “This … came about because of the many complaints we are receiving from property owners about deer damage to gardens and ornamental vegetation as well as due to motor vehicle collisions with deer,” Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jason Batchelder said. During the extended timeframe, Sept. 15-30, hunters will only be allowed to take female deer and young (antlerless) deer, which is generally not allowed see ARCHERY page 7
Williston Central School principal of 20 years, Jacqueline Parks, has announced plans to retire at the end of this school year. Parks made the announcement in last week’s edition of the school’s weekly digital newsletter, the Wildcat Buzz. A resident of Essex, Parks said she is looking forward to “moving south, gardening, traveling and exploring new activities. “A piece of my heart will always remain here,” she wrote. “Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives and for the honor of leading this school.” Parks said she will support Williston Schools Lead Principal Greg Marino and Champlain Valley School District administrators in their search for her successor. Marino declined to comment on the hiring process or timeline, saying Tuesday that the district will share information with the community about that later this week. “This is bittersweet news,” CVSD Communications Manager Tyler Cohen said. “We’ll be sad to see Jackie go and are so grateful for her years of steadfast leadership.” Parks’ career in education began 38 years ago after her graduation from Trinity College of Vermont. She spent her early professional years in elementary schools overseas — teaching grades 3 and 4 in Damascus, Syria and Aruba. Upon returning to her native Vermont, Parks worked at
Jacqueline Parks
Manchester Elementary School, where she was promoted to principal. She held that job for 10 years before accepting the principalship at Williston Central in 2006. In her newsletter message, Parks noted the increasing complexity of public education in the era of social media, school consolidations, building renovations and the challenges of the pandemic. She thanked the students and staff for the inspiration their resilience and spirit provided. “My core mission has always remained the same: supporting teachers so they can support the growth and well-being of our students,” she wrote. “WCS is a rare and special place,” she continued. “I found a community of amazing students, a highly effective and dedicated staff, and families who were truly willing to be engaged and collaborative.” Williston Central School serves students in grades 3-8, feeding into Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg.
PASCOLOVT.COM