Architect, construction firms win award for energy efficiency
Page 8 Great skate
Educators and board square off in meeting
Dozens of high school staff sign off on complaint alleging racial discrimination
LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
Tensions between the South Burlington school board and district educators boiled over at a contentious and emotional school board meeting last week as complaints over racial discrimination and lack of leadership from the school district’s central office took center stage, despite attempts from the school board to curtail public comment.
Dozens of educators sporting red shirts emblazoned with the South Burlington Educators Association logo filed into the building last Wednesday night, ready to speak out about things that have been simmering for a year. The association has been undergoing a “listening tour” since last spring, after the union’s co-presidents began hearing concerns in a multitude of areas from their membership.
Earlier this month, two separate complaints from district staff were filed citing racial discrimination by superintendent Violet Nichols toward a high school counselor, Aquilas Lokossou, whose position at the district, among nearly
South Burlington hockey player ices the cake with Team USA gold
Page 11
15 other full-time equivalent positions, will be cut next school year due to budget constraints.
Lokossou’s complaint, filed April 2, was followed the next day by a secondary complaint signed and written by 65 high school staff members.
The accusations stem from a March 25 incident where a high school student reportedly emailed Nichols, advocating for Lokossou’s position. According to the complaint, Nichols directed principal John Craig to meet with both Lokossou and Meghan Sweet, the school’s director of counseling, to ask whether Lokossou had any involvement in coaching or encouraging the student to send the email.
The staffers argued, while many of their white colleagues have been in similar situations where students have spoken out in support of them and their programs, they have never been questioned by district administration about whether they influenced student advocacy.
“The only discernible differ-
See DISCRIMINATION on page 3
LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
A new chorus ensemble that meets weekly in South Burlington has one message for those who may be looking to join: Come as you are.
Me2 is a classical music organization created specifically for individuals with mental illnesses and the people who support them, with locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Every Wednesday at 7 p.m., the Faith United Methodist Church in South Burlington turns into a different kind of church, as people from all ages and walks of life gather to find healing through song.
Me2 was founded in 2011 in Burlington by renowned music director Ronald Braunstein and executive director Caroline Whiddon. Braunstein graduated from the Juilliard School and he
spent nearly 15 years educating some of the nation’s most talented young musicians at his alma mater and the Mannes School of Music preparatory division.
But by the age of 55, he realized his mission was even greater. He created Me2 to work with others who are battling mental illness, as he struggled with bipolar disorder.
See CHOIR on page 2
PHOTO BY LIBERTY DARR
South Burlington school employees wore red union t-shirts as they aired their grievances during last week’s school board meeting.
“He thought, ‘I want to create a space for orchestra musicians to come together, regardless of mental health status, including if they have really obvious symptoms, or maybe they don’t, and practice in a stigma-free zone,’” said Phoenix Crockett, a South Burlington resident and managing director of Me2’s orchestra and chorus in Vermont.
The idea was simple: no audition, no fees and more importantly, no discrimination. What started with just a small handful of musicians has grown to include over 160 in three orchestras, chamber music groups and a flute choir in Boston.
While the orchestra ensemble has existed since the organization’s inception, the chorus ensemble in South Burlington was formed last October after the non-profit
received a personal grant from a regular orchestra member. At its height, the chorus saw roughly 18 members this year within an age range of 22 to 72 years old.
“We’re still working on building a core. We’re recruiting very heavily. We want as many people to show up as possible,” Crockett said.
Crockett explained that he is seeing the most representation from people in South Burlington, Williston and Hinesburg.
“It’s primarily Chittenden County folks, but we have some Franklin County folks as well,” he said.
Crockett, who started as a cellist with the orchestra when he was 18 — and as he was battling significant mental health problems — says he has seen firsthand what access to a community like this
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can do for people. Part of that is the consistent support from people whom he says “really bent over backwards to support me, including when I couldn’t reciprocate that.”
He noted the barrier to entry in classical music or the arts, which at times can demand really high expectations of behavior and decorum. And even if people are capable of that, the existence of those expectations can be a deterrent, and so “they just don’t become part of arts communities,” he said.
But community is integral to the human experience and Crockett argued that the arts play an important role in that connection.
“We’ve definitely seen people be in pretty bad situations and pull themselves together because they play in an orchestra and there’s somewhere to be every week,” Crockett said. “Whether they were homeless or experiencing some kind of crisis. We’ve seen people you know become incarcerated and others rally around them, even little things like holidays, we try to be we try to be pretty present on holidays.”
The group spearheading the chorus, including conductor Stefanie Weigand, has extended the season to run through the end of May, but have no concerts planned for the first year as they work to garner a consistent membership.
With six practices left for the season, Crockett is encouraging
anyone to join, just remember to leave the stigma at the door when you arrive.
“People try to say, ‘Oh, well, I
can’t sing, or I don’t sing, or you don’t want to hear that,’” Crockett said. “This is church rules. This is more voices equals better.”
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Conductor Stefanie Weigand leads the Me2 Chorus in South Burlington.
from page 1
ence in this case is Aquilas Lokossou’s race,” they wrote. “The racist implications of asking one of only a few Black employees, questioning their integrity, and undermining the advocacy of Black students is appalling.”
Lokossou, in his complaint, asked that the district’s director of diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism and social emotional learning, Monica Desrochers, open an investigation with the district’s human resources department.
“I would like to bring this issue to light and let you know that your actions hurt me. I believe if I wasn’t a Black individual, I wouldn’t be receiving this treatment,” he wrote. “This is the problem. It’s a problem that an individual with this mindset is the superintendent of any school community.”
While the district’s complaint form states that the complainant will receive a response from district leaders within 72 hours, Lokossou received an email response from school board chair Chelsea Tillinghast seven days later, after he had sent a follow-up email.
“I am sending you this note to let you know that your complaint form has been received, is not being ignored and is being treated seriously,” Tillinghast wrote.
A day later, Tillinghast in an email told Lokossou that a lawyer would be investigating the complaint but encouraged him to keep the matter as confidential as possible, citing an unspecified district policy.
“To protect the interests of all concerned, we ask that you not share the details of your complaint with anyone except your Union or
other representative, and with the investigator,” Tillinghast wrote.
But during Wednesday night’s school board meeting, Sweet said that they have yet to be contacted by the investigator.
“As you can tell, there’s a lot of good reason for the level of frustration that we all are feeling, and I think you’re seeing it here tonight,” she said.
Stand off
At Wednesday’s meeting, union co-presidents Noah Everitt and Beth Adreon shared their findings from the recent listening tour, but were quickly cut off by board clerk Tim Warren, who said the pair was broaching on topics that are being discussed in ongoing union negotiations.
Warren, at the top of the meeting, forewarned that any discussions about the topic could be shut down.
“It’s important to understand that collective bargaining happens in a confidential setting,” he said.
Adreon said the district-wide listening tour received a response rate from over 75 percent of teachers and support staff represented by the union.
Staff, in their comments, said they enjoyed seeing students grow both socially and academically and described a strong sense of collegiality as a primary resource
for improving their own practice and motivation.
The overwhelming consensus, Adreon said, was that the central office administration made their jobs more difficult.
But before Adreon could continue with the prepared written statement, Warren — who is also a part of the negotiating team — called a point of order, saying the comment was approaching the topic of “working conditions,” which belongs in negotiations.
“We’ve tried to offer through many different channels with the board and have been left only public comment as our way to speak candidly with you as ultimately the supervisor of our supervisor,” union co-president Everitt said, saying after the meeting that the board has declined to meet with the union several times throughout the year.
“It is abundantly clear that there is an attempt to censor that flow of information,” he said.
Teachers refused to be silenced last week, including Lokossou, who shared the active racial discrimination complaints, despite two attempts by Tillinghast to recess the meeting as he was speaking.
Other teachers shared about
Correction
Eagle-eyed reader Stephen Andrews noted that last week’s photo of a couple of bald eagles grappling in flight were engaged in a “courtship ritual,” and were not “tussling for territory,” as originally reported. “That is actually a mating ritual they do in the spring, so they’re not fighting,” Andrews wrote.
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Letters to the Editor
Find superintendent who has support of staff
To the Editor:
Dear South Burlington School Board Members,
I am writing you this open letter because I had the opportunity to watch the school board meeting on April 16.
Most normal observers of that meeting would call it an utter debacle. The superintendent has lost the trust and support of the vast majority of the staff in the district. Rather than take in staff feedback, the school board chairperson put up bizarre barriers during the public comment session to stifle criticism.
The biggest absurdity was that you could not speak the name of the superintendent without being cut off by the chair. The driving force behind the outpouring of district staff displeasure is “she who must not be named’s” mismanagement, toxic work environment and poor leadership from district office. Staff feedback about the superintendent’s performance has been ignored and roundly dismissed with no recourse besides appealing to the school board in
open session.
This is why the April 16 public comment session was important. Staff was trying to tell the board that they have lost confidence in the current superintendent. Instead of doing the core function of the school board, which in this case is evaluating and firing the superintendent if they have not performed well, the school board chair decided to protect the superintendent from criticism.
Most of the public has no idea the level of distrust that has been created between staff and the superintendent’s district office, largely due to efforts to bury any criticism. The original sin seems to be not doing a nationwide search for superintendents and hiring an inexperienced individual who was not trusted by staff to begin with. Their lack of trust seems to be well founded. The superintendent clearly has the backing of the school board chairperson, who used two separate five-minute recess periods to limit the already short public comment period.
While the superintendent main-
See LETTERS on page 7
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Superintendent is not hiding things; she can’t discuss them
Guest Perspective
Tim Jarvis
I am writing this as the senior director of finance for the South Burlington School District, as well as a South Burlington resident and parent of two children currently in 9th grade at South Burlington High School.
I want to provide positive support for superintendent Violet Nichols, who has been my direct manager since I joined the district two and a half years ago. I grew up through and excelled in the South Burlington school system, left to pursue a global career as a senior executive with prestigious financial institutions on four continents, then returned here because I wanted to live and retire in my hometown and enroll my twin children in our outstanding school district.
Although I had no direct work experience in public education, I saw there was a need for managerial expertise where I might be able to make a positive contribution to my community where it mattered most: my children’s school. So I took a leap of faith in November 2022, with a newly minted superintendent as my boss.
I had some trepidation about publicly submitting this letter of support for Violet because, in this highly charged and adversarial environment we find ourselves in, I feared that it might be misconstrued as my being “anti-school/teacher,” as if those viewpoints were by default mutually exclusive. Nothing could be further from the truth.
My experiences with both the education quality my children are receiving and with Violet as my boss have been excellent. We have an incredibly talented group of teachers and staff who demonstrate their love for and commitment to their profession every day, and the exceptional support and guidance they have provided to my kids should be applauded.
In the central office, I have worked extremely closely with Violet on a wide range of issues, from the thankless aspects of budget development, to addressing the woeful condition of our facilities, to the frustrating bureaucratic burdens imposed on us by the state. Too much of our workday is wasted managing the impact of misinformation spread by certain people who
love stoking conspiracy theories about how the district’s senior administration team is proactively scheming to deceive the public or our employees.
In truth, my close working relationship with Violet has provided me with a high level of insight and confidence that she is a very intelligent and dedicated public servant who works extremely hard, with a high level of deep passion and conviction to promote success for our students and schools.
I admit, I do not always agree with the superintendent’s opinions and actions. However, I cannot recall a single instance where my contrary views or recommendations were not respected by her. She always invites me to express myself and considers my perspective and arguments with thoughtful reflection.
Sometimes she agrees with me, sometimes she doesn’t. That’s life. She is at the top of a very publicly exposed organizational chart and is singularly required to make many difficult decisions that not all people are going to like or accept. Worst of all, many of those most sensitive actions and controversial decisions need to be made under the shroud of strict confidentiality laws that forbid her from being able to tell the public the whole, and sometimes ugly, story.
While adhering to those restrictions and related professional standards, she gets accused of concealing or suppressing information from the public. That’s the no-win nature of her job. Day by day, the number of new issues she needs to confront, and messes caused by others that she needs to clean up, is impossible for anyone to manage well.
But, somehow she does just that, to the best of her abilities and in the best interests of the school district, its families and students. Given my role, I probably have had as much direct exposure to Violet as anyone else. To claim that she is resistant to seeking feedback, dismissing it without due consideration or intentionally treating anyone unfairly is, in my opinion, blatantly false.
I believe that some people get frustrat-
See JARVIS on page 6
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continued from page 5
ed or upset with Violet because they don’t always get what they want, or think they deserve — not because she is bad at her difficult job. I also think they may lack an adequate appreciation of what her job actually entails and how much can be realistically accomplished in any given day, week or month, while she is forced to manage the non-stop deluge of new issues.
If the district and community want a superintendent who will be subservient while sacrificing their own sense of principles to win popularity, they definitely have the wrong person in the seat. I honestly don’t know why anyone would want her job, especially in this currently vitriolic and vindictive climate.
I made a personal decision a few weeks ago that I would be resigning my position when my contract expires June 30. As it turned out, and contrary to what I had originally assumed, the need to work many long hours under often bitter public scrutiny was not providing the quality of life or level of career satisfaction that I had hoped for.
It has certainly been an eye-opening experience. I have learned a great deal about the complexities of running a large school district, and I hope to continue to support the district and community as an active private resident and parent.
But I assure you my departure has nothing to do with the extraordinary level of support I have received from superintendent Nichols throughout my tenure and the camaraderie I have experienced with the entire district senior leadership team during an extended period of budgetary hardship and political stress.
Unfortunately, South Burlington’s challenges are far from over,
as we are not going to be winners in this new education transformation regime. The staffing decisions will only get harder, and the need for a superintendent with a backbone of steel and strong decision-making skills will become even more imperative.
And there will continue to be a sharp division of public opinion: those South Burlingtn residents who think we spend way too much on public education, and those who think we don’t spend enough.
Speaking as a private resident with two children still in high school, I ask several things of our community:
• Engage in the process instead of just complaining about the outcome. On a regular basis, only about 20 percent of eligible South Burlington voters actually vote, and we often have empty or uncontested seats for the school board. That is an abysmal rate of public participation for a topic of such critical importance, both financially and educationally.
• Invest the time to be accurately informed. Public education is a very complicated business, as is the policy monitoring structure of our school board. Learn more about how it operates so you can achieve a balanced perspective.
• Tone down the disrespectful rhetoric. Civil discourse should not require stomping theatrics.
• Most of all, be kind. We’re all in this together, and ultimately, we want the same thing: to inspire all our students to become well-educated, independent-minded citizens who can make a positive difference in the world.
Tim Jarvis lives in South Burlington and is senior director of finance for the South Burlington School District.
from page 4
tains the chair’s support, she has clearly lost the backing of almost the entirety of district staff members. Is this not a sign that it is time for a change? We need good leadership for South Burlington, and our schools have been our key differentiator.
If the professionals in the school system have lost faith in their leadership, the public should be allowed to hear why, and the school board should act. Right the wrong and find a superintendent who has the support of the staff.
Ethan Baldwin South Burlington
Superintendent response at meeting was ‘toxic positivity’
To the Editor:
I’ve been a member of the faculty at South Burlington High School for 23 years. I’ve worked with amazing educators, one principal, a handful of talented assistant principals, and four superintendents. I’ve consistently enjoyed mutually respectful relationships across roles and titles with some of the smartest and most caring people I’ve ever met.
Even in tough times, I’ve felt we had each other’s best interests in mind and a common goal of supporting students and families. I’ve become disheartened by the state of our school district, and I believe it’s a direct reflection of our current district leadership.
The April 16 school board meeting reaffirmed my feelings. Heartbroken, I watched faculty like Aquilas Lokossou, Monica Reagan and others stand bravely before the board and superintendent to share their experiences. In some cases, they were simply shut down by the board chair and, in others, walked away in tears.
The response by superintendent Nichols, as it often seems to be, was to offer toxic positivity. People need to be heard, have their concerns validated, and know there is a thoughtful and trustworthy plan to address serious issues. In watching and listening, I can only conclude this board and the superintendent are woefully underprepared to lead this school district.
I’ve observed issues that leave serious questions about district leadership:
• A lack of transparency in decision making and communication breakdowns. Staff across roles have historically been
privy to, and part of, decisions that impact teaching and learning. In this budget cycle, it appears building level leadership was issued a gag order by district leadership and instructed to do just the opposite. This served to further the mistrust in district leadership.
• Budget priorities that do not appear to align with current needs. Student needs are at an all-time high and some of our most critical roles to provide student support have been eliminated. Those decisions seem to have been made with little curiosity or information gathering by district leadership.
At the same time, funding has been diverted to create non-student-facing district level positions, and our superintendent has taken a generous raise.
• A strong feeling of mistrust and fear of the district leadership. There is an inconsistency in how employees are treated and an existing sense of inappropriate use of power by the Superintendent. Morale is low, and we are losing excellent educators as a result.
It’s time for change. South Burlington School District deserves better.
Nikki St. Mary Colchester
Board needs to seek out school staffers’ thoughts
To the Editor:
Dear South Burlington School Board, It was with genuine sadness that I watched the April 16 school board meeting. My sense was not a single person left the meeting feeling heard and respected. I found myself wondering, how did this happen? How did this educational community become so divided?
As background, I worked at South Burlington High School for 20 years, the majority of those as director of school counseling. I grew to love and respect my colleagues and, in most cases, felt respected by them. This was true whether speaking of the district staff and administration, or the high school staff, faculty and administration.
We did not always agree on everything, but we shared a common sense of purpose –the well-being of all members of the school community, with a primary focus on student success. The shared commitment to the
See LETTERS on page 13
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Program helps parents with child-raising skills
Lund, a parent-child center in Chittenden County, has launched Parents as Teachers Home Visiting, a program designed to empower parents with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance child development and family well-being. Parents as Teachers is an evidence-based early childhood home visiting program created to support families from pregnancy through their child’s fifth year. This program is offered to Chittenden County families on Medicaid/Dr. Dynasaur.
early detection of developmental delays and health issues.
• Resource network: Our parent educators can provide additional referrals and resources during visits.
care and transportation, the loss of free diapers is significant.
“This program is about partnering with parents and caregivers in offering opportunities to increase their knowledge and skillset for their family’s well-being while empowering parents and caregivers to be the strongest advocates for their children’s growth and development,” said Kierin Williams, associate director of family supports and resources.
Key features of the program include:
• Personalized home visits: Tailored sessions focusing on parent-child interactions, development-centered parenting and overall family well-being.
For more information about Lund and the Parents as Teachers program, including how to make a referral, visit: lundvt. org/child-and-family-services/ home-visits
Lions Club launch diaper drive for families
In response, the Champlain Valley Lions Club is asking for community assistance to help ensure babies’ needs are met. The club is currently accepting donations of boxed diapers for babies and small children. Cash donations are also needed and will be used to buy diapers in bulk.
• Group connections: Families with children up to age six can join us for Playgroup and Storytime at 50 Joy Drive, South Burlington, on the first Saturday of the month from 10–11:30 a.m. This playgroup is free and open to any family.
A clean, dry diaper is essential for the comfort and health of a baby. Unfortunately, due to budget cutbacks, several Vermont diaper banks have been forced to close.
• Child screenings: To provide
For low-income families struggling to pay for housing, groceries, health
Shelburne residents can drop off packaged diapers at 186 Caspian Lane. South Burlington residents can email rosellajduarte@gmail. com to arrange a drop-off or pickup at any location. Too busy to buy diapers? You can also send a check to the Champlain Valley Lions, 186 Caspian Lane, Shelburne, VT 05482. For reference, a one-week supply of diapers generally costs $20-$30.
Building projects win energy efficiency awards
Efficiency Vermont awarded 13 “Best of the Best” awards to builders, architects, designers and HVAC and plumbing installers during the Better Building by Design conference, held earlier this month in South Burlington.
This year’s awards include two Efficiency Excellence Network member awards, seven residential project awards and four commercial project awards.
Locally, Wiemann Lamphere Architects and ReArch Company of South Burlington won an award for best large commercial new construction for the new OnLogic corporate headquarters. A rooftop solar panel array substantially offsets the building’s electrical consumption. A 700 GPM geothermal heat pump system provides heating and cooling. The facility’s thermal envelope and insulation minimize fossil fuel-based foam products. Careful engineering of the building shell further minimizes energy use — exceeding passive house commercial requirements.
COURTESY PHOTO
Wiemann Lamphere Architects and ReArch Company, both of South Burlington.
Not just trash, but a new beginning
Guest Perspective
Beth Parent
With Green Up just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the small actions we take that add up to a big impact — like recycling.
Have you ever paused before tossing a box or plastic bottle in the blue bin and thought, “Is this really going to be recycled?” You’re not alone. We certainly can’t speak to what happens in other states, but we can say with certainty here in Chittenden County, your recycling matters, and it works.
At the Chittenden Solid Waste District, we sort and ship your recyclables to real markets where they’re turned into new products. Our Materials Recycling Facility in Williston is where the magic happens. Once your blue-bin items are collected and sorted there, they are then sold to buyers across North America.
• Cardboard and paperboard are sent to places like Kruger Inc. and West Rock, where they’re transformed into new cardboard boxes and paper towel cores.
• Glass bottles and jars are ground and repurposed locally by Glass2Sand and Whitcomb Construction into road base and
concrete block mix.
• Plastics #1, #2, and #5 are shipped to companies that turn them into beverage containers, fleece jackets, carpet, drainage pipes and paint buckets.
• Aluminum and steel cans are melted down at NH Kelman Inc. and reappear as rebar, bikes, appliances, baseball bats and, yes, new cans.
Recycling only works when it’s done right, and Chittenden County residents are part of Vermont’s success story. But to keep that going, we need your help. Sorting correctly, knowing what goes where and staying updated on changes ensures we can continue to operate efficiently, ethically and sustainably.
In fact, understanding what happens after the bin can transform the way we see waste. We stop thinking of it as “trash” and start seeing it as raw materials that are made into something new. Let’s keep working together to make sure our recycling system remains strong, transparent, and trustworthy.
Your blue bin is not the end of the line — it’s the beginning of the next cycle.
Beth Parent is the community engagement and outreach manager at the Chittenden Solid Waste District.
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Elizabeth Dattilio
Elizabeth A. “Betty” Dattilio, 88, of South Burlington, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Burlington Health and Rehab.
Betty was born in Burlington on Aug. 24, 1936, the daughter of Arden and Ruth (McDonald) Van Dusen. She was predeceased by her brothers, Paul and Richard Van Dusen.
After graduating from Burlington High School, Betty married her high school sweetheart, Vincent “Vince” Dattilio, the love of her life. On Aug. 20, 2024, they celebrated 69 years of marriage. Betty was a dedicated wife, mother and animal lover. She loved her home, her family and especially treasured family gatherings during the holidays. As her disease progressed, Vince and Betty enjoyed going out
to dinner, making connections with people wherever they went and always ending the visit with a story or joke from Vince.
She is survived by her husband, Vincent F. Dattilio, and two children: James “Jim” V. Dattilio and his wife, Monica, of Williston; and Lynda Dattilio and her wife, Krista Cato, of Lovettsville, Va. She was a proud grandmother of three grandchildren: Katie Dattilio of Williamstown; Christina Seward and her husband, Ben, of Milton; and James V. Dattilio and his fiancée, Kayla Ashton, of Fairfax. Betty was also great-grammy to Bentley Seward and Vinny Dattilio, whom she adored and who brought her great joy.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Shep 3 North at the University of Vermont Medical Center and Burlington Health & Rehab. The compassionate care and kindness given to her — and the support for her family — will not be forgotten.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Center for Dementia Research in her memory.
Calling hours were held Tuesday, April 22 at Ready Funeral Home, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington. A private burial took place the following day at Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ready Funeral and Cremation Services. To send online condolences, please visit readyfuneral.com.
Obituaries
Alden Ehler
Alden Cary “Duke” Ehler, a man with a big personality and endless amounts of friends, passed peacefully into the arms of his wife, Emily, and son, Michael, on March 31, 2025, encapsulated by his most loving and attentive daughters. The family was gifted the opportunity to experience his wit one more time as they gathered by his side the day before his passing. They shared laughter and tears, knowing that those memories will never fade, and they will hold them for a lifetime.
Duke was born Feb. 22, 1931, in New Haven, Conn., to Irwin and Isabelle Ehler. He joined the U.S. Air Force stationed at Arnold Air Force Base in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where he met and married the love of his life, Emily. Duke served in the Korean War, and upon his return was assigned to Fort Ethan
Allen in Colchester for “Operation Coldspot.”
Although he would say that he initially couldn’t wait to get the heck out of the Vermont cold, he learned to love it and stayed to raise his family.
Together with Emily, their business ventures began with Ehler’s Bay Breeze Motel in Malletts Bay. After moving their family to Essex Junction, they opened Ehler’s Sunoco and Service Station on Pearl Street. Wanting to expand, they purchased a chicken farm in Essex Town and creatively converted the old barn into a new home for their business.
With a love for camping and travel — and the support of Deb and Mike — they added recreational vehicles to their line-up and expanded into a new building and business known as Ehler’s RV Inc. on the same property. The family business was exactly that, a place where customers became family.
Mom and Dad caravanned extensively throughout the U.S. with their dear RV friends and traveled to Japan and Germany with their family.
Through their own actions, Mom and Dad demonstrated the importance of helping others, which they have passed on to us.
Duke was a very patriotic American, believed in public service, and loved, honored and respected all military members. Together, Dad and Mom were long-time members of the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, where Dad held many board positions in the earlier years. They were members and
officers of the Family Motor Coach Association, Winnebago International Travelers Club and Good Sam Club. Duke was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Cairo Shriners, Elks, American Legion and North Country Honor Flight. He retired from the Vermont Air National Guard Green Mountain Boys 158th Fighter Wing after many years of service.
Mom and Dad loved to travel and loved their camp in Georgia, Vermont, affectionately known as Ehlerville Lakeside, where the family gathers and creates beautiful memories together on the shores of Lake Champlain. Dad was the honorary offerer of the blessing before every meal, thanking the Lord for our togetherness and praying for our loved ones living afar and for military personnel. Over the years, he could be found at his grandkids’ sports and school functions, cheering them on with great pride (even when they were in the penalty box), trailering animals to shows and running into former customers and military buddies everywhere he went. He was happiest when in the company of friends and family. He shared his love for everything hot sauce with his grandkids.
Duke will be greatly missed, not only by his family, but by all his friends in the community that he served so well. He was a man who touched so many people’s lives and hearts and was always willing to offer a helping hand.
Elizabeth Dattilio
Alden Ehler
See OBITUARIES on page 13
Undefeated Wolves post LAX win in regulation
Girls’ lacrosse
South Burlington 12, Burlington 9: The South Burlington girls’ lacrosse team moved to 3-0 with a win over Burlington on Thursday.
The Wolves won their first two games of the season in overtime but were able to beat the Seahorses in regulation.
Lucie McCarney had five goals for the Wolves while Kayla Kim chipped in three goals and two assists. Elise Smith tallied twice and added two helpers. Sawyer Bailey, Amber Rousseau and Reese Godron each added a goal.
Victoria Bohlman stopped 20 shots in goal for South Burlington.
Baseball
South Burlington 19, U-32 0 (5): Three South Burlington pitchers combined for a no-hitter in a win over U-32 on Thursday in high school baseball.
Henry Dorman got the win after throwing three innings of no-hit baseball and striking out 10. Lucas Van Mullen went 1-for-2 with a home run and Aiden Gray added a double.
The Wolves moved to 1-0 with the season-opening win.
Girls’ tennis
South Burlington 7, Colchester 0: The South Burlington girls’ tennis team swept to a 7-0 win over Colchester on Thursday.
Rosa Digiulian, Emma Xia, Ella Stein, Evie Clifford and Alyona Vulpe all earned wins in singles for the Wolves.
Tenzin Choekyi and Delaney Lamphier teamed up for one doubles win, while Zoey Ma and Lucy Stadtmauer got the other win.
Softball
BFA-St. Albans 12, South Burlington 0: South Burlington lost to BFA-St. Albans in high school softball on Thursday.
Julia Hungerford had a single for the Wolves, who dropped to 0-2 with the loss.
Blades of glory
South Burlington native Megan Healy, a senior at Bishop Kearney Select High School in Rochester, N.Y., was one of only four skaters on the ice when she scored, putting a cherry on top of her final game in the Chipotle-USA Hockey National Championships.
Healy’s short-handed goal in the third period was the capper on a 9-0 for her BK Selects victory over the Worcester (Mass.) White Hawks in the top girls’ Under-19 tier.
Her grandfather, Larry Godard of Shelburne, said Healy has won bronze, silver and now, gold medals in USA Hockey competition. Godard said Healy, a senior, committed to Princeton University in the fall. But she saved a spot on the bench for her sister.
“Erin Healy a sophomore is at Bishop Kearney, as well, and very close to her sister’s footsteps,” Godard said.
Boys’ tennis
Middlebury 5, South Burlington 1: South Burlington fell to Middlebury in high school boys’
tennis on Friday.
Cody Eagle and Ayush Kyasa combined to get the Wolves’ lone win in No. 1 doubles, winning in a third set tiebreaker.
COURTESY PHOTO
continued from page 3
their own experiences, each receiving a round of applause from their colleagues in the room.
“I’ve discovered that there are two male colleagues who will not be returning to our district next year, (both) of which are people of color, which significantly decreases the number of Black males in our district at a time when the diversity of our students is at its greatest,” Gary Russell, a teacher at Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School said.
Lindsey Hudson, an educator with the high school for 14 years, said last fall, for the first time in her career, she also had to use the district’s feedback form to document an experience around “conduct and questionable decision making from a district leader.”
While there were some emails exchanged in response, she said feedback was, ultimately, “dismissed.”
“A harmful narrative dismissing real concerns as disgruntled employees and disregard for process of employee feedback has contributed to the current negative climate in the South Burlington School District,” Hudson said.
Another teacher, Monica Reagan, a five-year staffer, said the school district culture has drastically shifted in recent years, adding that both she and her colleagues have felt “demoralized and dismissed.”
“I wanted to be a teacher for over half of my life and this year, I’ve never contemplated quitting more,” she said through tears. “I
struggle to see how I can continue to teach in the toxic environment this district has created.”
Superintendent’s response
Nichols, at the end of the public comment portion, offered a response to staffers, specifically to Lokossou, although as she began speaking most of the teachers filed out of the room.
In a follow-up email regarding the complaints, Nichols said she had received 10 similar messages from students within a day of each other. Given the uniformity and timing of these messages, she wrote, “it was my responsibility to determine whether students may have been unduly influenced or pressured by a district employee — something that would be both inappropriate and concerning.”
She explained at the board meeting that Craig had a conversation with Lokossou, but did not discipline him.
In her follow-up email, she said she is, “deeply committed to fostering a school environment that is inclusive, respectful, and equitable for all students and staff. One of our top priorities is to build a team that reflects the rich diversity of our student population and community.”
She said that since joining the district in 2022, she has worked to strengthen the district’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She said she hired Desrochers to collaborate with the district’s human resources team on inclusive hiring practices
and has invested over $3 million in district-wide DEI initiatives, among other efforts.
She noted that one of the most challenging systemic barriers to diversity in the difficult budgetary environments the district has found itself in recent years is, “the current contract-mandated seniority structure and displacement rights of senior employees, which — while designed to protect experienced educators — have unintentionally hindered our ability to retain a more diverse staff as those staff with seniority are overwhelmingly white.”
“It is my duty to look into such matters, which I did,” she said. “To suggest that there was any racial motivation or component to this inquiry is absolutely absurd and unfounded. The purpose of the review was solely to ensure the integrity of student expression and to uphold the standards of professionalism within our district.”
South Burlington man pleads not guilty to grand larceny charges
LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
A South Burlington man pleaded not guilty to grand larceny charges last week after police say he robbed the M&T Bank on Shelburne Road and stole $1,302.
South Burlington police responded to the report of a robbery on April 18 at approximately 9:45 a.m. While police headed to the scene, dispatch provided an initial description of the suspect and an officer located a man — Samuel Olds, 37 — who matched the description, in the parking lot of Shearer Volkswagen. Olds attempted to run away, but police detained him.
Initial police reports indicated a suspect entered the bank and demanded cash from a teller. The suspect received an undisclosed amount of money and fled the area on foot. No weapon was displayed during the incident, according to police.
While officers were securing the scene, a witness alerted
officers to a suspicious male at a nearby business. It was immediately apparent the witness was describing the bank robbery suspect.
M&T Bank provided a cash variance sheet showing a total amount taken of $1,302. Officers recovered $1,102 from the area where Olds was taken into custody. The bank provided the bait currency record, which was cross-referenced with the currency recovered, and of the 21 bills in the bait stack, 16 serial numbers matched the recovered bills.
According to police, Olds had had a dozen involvements with law enforcement in April. His criminal history shows failures to appear, felony charges with convictions, 10 misdemeanor charges with convictions and one assaultive crime charge.
At the arraignment last week, the court ordered an inpatient competency evaluation and imposed conditions of release. Olds was transferred to Brattleboro Retreat on Monday.
INVITATION TO BID
Department of Public Works Wash Bay and Site ImprovementsSouth Burlington, VT
The City of South Burlington is requesting bids for the construction of a wash bay addition and site improvements at the Department of Public Works Building at 104 Landfill Road. Bids will be accepted until 2:00PM on May 12, 2025
Project Description: Addition of a drive-through wash bay to the existing building, modifications to the existing building including, but not limited to, new overhead doors, replacement of rooftop HVAC units, and site improvements, including but not limited to, electric vehicle charging stations, stormwater facility construction, parking lot striping.
Bid Documents: Electronic Plans and Bid Documents may be obtained from SHKS Architects by contacting Tony Menard at tonym@shksarchitects.com.
Pre-Bid Meeting: A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will occur on April 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM at 104 Landfill Road with a site walk to follow.
Contract Completion Date: The Contract shall be substantially completed on or before December 31, 2025.
Questions: Questions shall be directed to Tony Menard, SHKS Architects, at tonym@shksarchitects.com with an email copy to John DeGuise, South Burlington Facilities Superintendent, at jdeguise@southburlingtonvt.gov.
PHOTO BY LIBERTY DARR
South Burlington high school counselor Aquilas Lokossou brought his complaint before the school board last week.
continued from page 7
latter informed the commitment to the former.
What was evident at the board meeting was that something precious has been lost — there no longer exists a shared sense of respect between some members of the school community. Teachers spoke of feeling not heard, not respected and, in some cases, dismissed. Tellingly, when the leaders of the union attempted to address you as the board, they were told to stop. The leadership responded that they had tried to address the board in multiple ways and were turned away with every attempt.
I find myself wondering what the school board sees as its responsibility to listen to the staff of their schools. What mechanisms do you have in place to allow for the confidential sharing of information that might otherwise lead to retaliation?
I find myself reflecting on families in which there is abuse, and the difficulty kids, who have less power, have in speaking to someone who will keep them safe, particularly when there is a strong alliance among those in power. I would ask the board members what they see as their responsibility to be sure all voices are being heard.
It was evident at the meeting that there are diverse perspectives about the superintendent’s strengths. And Christine Nold was wise when she acknowledged that having one experience should not preclude a reality that others may be having a different experience. Given the significant turnout of faculty at the board meeting, it seems incumbent upon you, as the board, to proactively seek out these varied experiences.
Tim Wile South Burlington
Careful what you touch on Green Up Day
To the Editor: I’d like to offer a caution regarding Green Up Day, which is coming up quickly on Saturday, May 3.
In today’s world, with rampant drug use and hypodermic needles in unexpected places, it’s wellnigh impossible to be careful enough. Children should definitely not participate in this event, which, on the surface, is a worthy effort. Adults, I would think, need a special training class and, ideally, be given a grabber of some sort to use in collecting waste to decrease
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the risk of unwanted contact with unsafe objects. It could be a good idea to provide a container to dispose of unsafe waste by releasing this waste from the collector into the container before taking part in Green Up Day.
People’s lives and health are at stake in something such as this, as never before. Please, everyone who decides to help on May 3, take very seriously the possible consequences of a mistake in the handling of waste and what may be hidden in or under what you are
OBITUARIES
continued from page 10
Duke will now be guiding his family from the heavens. He leaves his daughters, Linda Kilpatrick of Tennessee; Debra Ehler Holland of Essex; and Donna Ehler-Vock (Steve) of South Burlington; son-inlaw Dan Holland and daughter-inlaw Karen Ehler.
He was a loving grandfather and “Daddy Duke” to Iris (Ben) Rieben; Danny Kilpatrick; Jennifer (Scott) and Meghan (Lindsey) Holland; Tyler (Megan); Kayleigh (Ian); Kyle (Madison) Ehler-Vock; and Jackson (Halle) Ehler. He was blessed with six great-grandchildren: McKenzie; Pearson and
collecting that cannot initially be seen.
Let’s everyone have a safe Green Up Day.
Joanne Hornsby South Burlington
Remove Trump before
it’s too late
To the Editor:
Once again, the Supreme Court has issued a block saying
President Trump cannot deport migrants under the act of 1804. We know he not going obey it; he has not obeyed any of the judges who have blocked his executive orders. Because of two things — Trump and constitutional crisis — we need the Democrats in the House and Senate to invoke Article 25 of the Constitution and remove him before it’s too late.
Scott Miller South Burlington
Spencer Rieben; Trace and Kinsley Kilpatrick; and Otis Vock. He also leaves a niece and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Emily; son, Michael; brother, Bill Ehler and wife Lois; brother-inlaw, Roy Bartlette and wife Janie; son-in-law, Dan Kilpatrick Sr.; and infant grandchildren Matthew and Maria Ehler-Vock and Charles Alden Ehler.
Our family would like to express our deep appreciation for those involved in Dad’s life and care: doctors, nurses, family and friends, staff at Mansfield Place and Bayada Hospice.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Duke’s life on Saturday, May 10, beginning at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to First Congregational Church, 39 Main St., Essex Junction, VT 05452. Please note “Heavenly Food Pantry/Duke Ehler” on the memo line or contribute online at fccej.org or visit a loved one in need of companionship.
The family also invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting awrfh.com.
THE MAN
center yard sale
RABIES BAIT
continued from page 2
bait drop is
tive effort between Vermont and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to stop the spread of the potentially fatal disease.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the brain that infects mammals. It is most often seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also get rabies.The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its
saliva. If left untreated, rabies is almost always fatal in humans and animals. However, treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective when given soon after a person is bitten by a rabid animal.
So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont have tested positive for rabies, and 14 of those have been raccoons.
According to wildlife officials, rabid animals often show a change in their normal behavior, but you cannot tell whether an animal has rabies simply by looking at it. People should not touch or pick up wild animals or strays – even baby animals.
SHELBURNE DAY continued from page 4 face
Shelburne Historical Society will have a display and president Dorothea Penar will lead a cemetery tour at 1 p.m. Food vendors round out the event with everything from coffee and lemonade to burgers and creemees. Kids will enjoy meeting animals from Shelburne Farms, craft projects, and
