Williston
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FEBRUARY 20, 2025
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
School board candidate insights
Sanchez makes her case
There are two candidates on the Town Meeting Day ballot for one seat representing Williston on the Champlain Valley School Board. The Observer asked both candidates — Jean Sanchez and Steve Francisco — to answer several questions about their candidacies. Below are Sanchez’s responses. Francisco declined to participate. The Town Meeting Day election is March 4, with voting taking place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Vermont National Guard Armory next to Town Hall. Early voting is available by request online at https://mvp.vermont.gov/ WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL CONNECTION TO WILLISTON AND THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT?
My family and I moved to Williston in the summer of 2021. We have three children who have attended CVSD schools since our arrival. Our eldest graduated from CVU last year, and we currently have a junior and a freshman at CVU, both of whom graduated from WCS. My husband previously worked for CVSD but has since transitioned to a role with the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union. With my children becoming more independent and my husband moving to another district, I now have the opportunity to engage in the community service I have long wanted to pursue. As a professional educator, I have observed both strengths and challenges within CVSD. When I learned that Angela Arsenault was considering stepping down from the school board, I saw an opportunity to step up and continue her critical work advocating for student populations that are often overlooked. There is a persistent and growing gap in academic proficiency between historically marginalized students and their
Jean Sanchez
peers. These disparities are even more pronounced among students who qualify for free and reduced lunch and those on IEPs. Addressing these inequities is essential. While I have a personal connection to CVSD, I am not running to serve my own children’s interests. Instead, my greatest asset is my independence from the board and district leadership. I am not bound by past practices, nor am I here to protect reputations or maintain the status quo. If elected, I will ask the hard questions: Why have these inequities been allowed to persist? What concrete actions are being taken to close these gaps? And what measurable outcomes define success? PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND.
I was born and raised in Brattleboro and remained in Vermont until I graduated from UVM in 1999. Afterward, I set out to explore the world, eventually landing in Texas in 2001 to begin graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin. Upon completing my degree, I started my career teaching middle school math to students with special education plans. At that time, Texas still had resource classes and modified curricula for students with accommodations. I entered the field just as No Child Left Behind and the
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accountability movement were taking shape. Like many Vermont educators today, I was initially apprehensive about being evaluated based on my students’ progress. It seemed unfair to be held to the same standard as teachers of honors students. However, through 16 years of experience in teaching, coaching and administration in Texas, I came to recognize that every child has the potential to achieve a year’s worth of academic growth in a year’s time. Accountability, when applied equitably, is both fair and essential. I also witnessed the transformative power of collective responsibility — when an entire school commits to ensuring every child’s success, real change happens. Vermont has largely avoided the national accountability movement, but, as scrutiny of educational spending increases, the public is demanding transparency and measurable outcomes. I firmly believe that accountability, applied to all members of the education system, drives progress. Transparency fosters trust, and trust is essential for meaningful reform. However, the first step is acknowledging that problems exist. That’s where difficult questions become necessary. We need board members who will ask those tough questions and support educators in addressing long-standing inequities. Change is possible, but it requires clear, measurable goals and systems that provide the necessary training and curriculum to achieve them. WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD?
I am running for the Champlain Valley School District Board because I believe every student deserves an exceptional education that prepares them for future success. My platform focuses on four key priorities: - Raising student achievement — We must implement evidence-based instructional practices that challenge see SCHOOL BOARD page 2
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Town Meeting Day schedule Monday, March 3, 5 p.m. — Champlain Valley School District Annual Meeting and budget presentation, CVU High School Library 7 p.m. — Williston Annual Town Meeting and budget presentation, Williston Central School auditorium
Tuesday, March 4, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Voting at the National Guard Armory 7846 Williston Rd.
BALLOT ITEMS:
- Town budget ($15.9 million) - Environmental Reserve Fund tax - Selectboard, Ellie Beckett (uncontested) - Selectboard, Ted Kenney (uncontested - Library Trustee, Shari Westman (uncontested) - Champlain Valley School Board, Steve Francisco or Jean Sanchez - School budget ($102.7 million)
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