SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors believe that the quality of the educational program is enhanced when the district, considers differences of opinion, listens to complaints, and actively resolves disagreements through an established, objective process. When appropriate, Maple Run uses Restorative Practices so all affected people can learn from individual differences. Using these protocols to both heal and grow relationships within Maple Run, will make a stronger and safer community.

The Board encourages the resolution of problems early and informally whenever possible. Issues/complaints about a school or school personnel should start by contacting the staff member directly involved. If a problem remains unresolved, the individual should contact the Building Administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal). In the event the administrator’s review does not lead to a satisfactory resolution, the complainant may submit the issue to the Superintendent for review and decision.

Individual Board members do not have authority to resolve complaints. If approached directly with a complaint, however, Board members should listen to the complaint and show their concern by referring the complainant to the Superintendent or designee so that the problem may receive proper consideration. Further questions regarding this please refer to the MRUSD B22 Public Complaints Procedure.

Vermont School Board Association (VSBA)
Recommended Operating Protocols
(adopted by MRUSD Board of Directors September 20, 2023)

For the purpose of enhancing teamwork among members of the board and between the board and the administration, board members publicly commit collectively and individually to the following operating protocols: 

  1. The board will represent the needs and interests of ALL the children in our district.

  2. The board will lead by example. We agree to avoid words and actions that create a negative impression on an individual, the board, or the district. While we encourage debate and differing points of view, we will do it with care and respect.

  3. Surprises to the board or the superintendent will be the exception, not the rule. We agree to ask the board chair or the superintendent to place an item on the agenda instead of bringing it up unexpectedly at the meeting.

  4. Communications between staff and the board are encouraged. Board requests of staff are to be directed to the superintendent.

  5. All personnel complaints and criticisms received by the board or its individual members will be directed to the superintendent.

  6. The board will encourage others to follow the board policy on complaint procedures and present their concerns, problems, or proposals to the person who can properly and expeditiously address their issue.

  7. To be efficient and effective, long board meetings must be avoided. If a board member needs more information, either the superintendent or the board chair is to be called before the meeting. Audience participation protocol will be consistently practiced.

  8. The board will consider research, best practice, public input and financial impacts in their decision making.

  9. The superintendent is the chief executive officer and should recommend, propose or suggest on items that go before the board.

  10. The board will speak to the issues on the agenda, not engage in inappropriate debate. Facts and information needed from the administration will be referred to the superintendent.

  11. Study sessions will be for in depth discussion on one or two agreed upon topics.

  12. When executive sessions are held, board members will honor the confidentiality of the discussions.

  13. The board commits itself to continuous improvement through a yearly board retreat.

  14. The board and superintendent will facilitate goal setting for the school district.

  15. The board will do their homework and improve their boardsmanship skills by attending board training and networking opportunities.

  16. Individual board members do not have authority. Only the board as a whole has authority. We agree that an individual board member will not take unilateral action. The board president or designee will be the board spokesperson.

  17. When board members serve on various committees or attend committee meetings, their role shall be as liaison to the board and when addressing the committee, shall be as an individual.

The board will establish the vision, create policies and assure accountability. The superintendent will manage the schools.

Nilda

NILDA GONNELLA-FRENCH, Chair

Represents: St. Albans City
Current Term Expires: 2024

ngonnellafrench@maplerun.org

802-370-3931

Nilda is a native Vermonter, residing in St. Albans much of her life.

Nilda holds a B.S. Degree from the University of Vermont in Medical Technology also known as Clinical Laboratory Science. She also has a Master of Education Degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

Nilda and her husband, David, (now deceased) raised four children that attended St. Albans schools and that have all graduated from universities.

Nilda has had the pleasure of serving on the St. Albans City School Board, the BFA Board and the Maple Run Unified School District Board since 1994 – taking a break from 2000 to 2003. She served on the BFA transition board in 2003-2004 working side by side with the BFA Board of Trustees during the transition from semi-private to public school. Nilda remained on the BFA Board until 2017 (serving as chairperson for several years) when the supervisory union took advantage of Act 46 and became the Maple Run Unified School District (MRUSD). She has served on the MRUSD district board since its creation, most recently serving as the Vice Chair. This totals to 23 years of school board experience.

Nilda works full-time as Northwestern Medical Center (NMC), most recently in the Regulatory Affairs Department as the Risk & Accreditation Coordinator. Nilda has 4 children and 5 grandchildren, scattered about New England, New York, and Tennessee.

She loves her family, job, NMC, and St. Albans.

Charles

CHARLES BROOKS, Vice-Chair

Represents: St. Albans City
Current Term Expires: 2025

cbrooks@maplerun.org

802-370-3931

Charlie was born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont and moved to St. Albans in 2007. He graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in English in 2004 and has published several novels and short stories, including the fantasy tales Greystone Valley and Conquest of Greystone Valley. His wife Sarah is a substitute teacher, and he has two children enrolled in St. Albans City School. In his spare time, he can usually be found at one of his kids' many sporting events, either as a coach or a spectator.

Joanna Jerose

JOANNA JEROSE, Clerk

Represents: Fairfield
Current Term Expires: 2025

MARIANNE DUBIE

Represents: Fairfield
Current Term Expires: 2027

Jessica Frost

JESSICA FROST

Represents: St. Albans Town
Current Term Expires: 2027
Amanda

AMANDA GIROUX

Represents: St. Albans Town
Current Term Expires: 2026
Karlie Gunderson

KARLIE GUNDERSON

Represents: St. Albans City
Current Term Expires: 2027

SUZANNE KENYON

Represents: St. Albans City
Current Term Expires: 2026
Jack

JACK MCCARTHY

Represents: St. Albans Town
Current Term Expires: 2026

jmccarthy@maplerun.org

802-370-3931

Jack hails originally from Delaware, where he served as a teacher, principal, and Director of Secondary Education. In Vermont, he was the Principal of Missisquoi Valley Union High School before serving 15 years as the Superintendent of Franklin Northwest Supervisory Union. 

Jack holds a BA from American University and an MA and Doctorate from the University of Delaware in Education Leadership. Jack lives in St. Albans with his wife, Pam. They have four grown children and five grandchildren. Jack currently serves as Interim Principal of Hazen Union School. 

J. NAKUMA PALCZEWSKI

Represents: St. Albans Town
Current Term Expires: 2025

Procedures for submitting a notice of an open meeting law violation:

 1.     Provide the Maple Run Unified School District (MRUSD) school board with a written notice that alleges a specific violation and requests a specific cure of the violation.

2.     Upon receiving the notice, the MRUSD school board has 10 calendar days to respond publicly by either:
a.     acknowledging the violation and stating an intent to cure it within 14 calendar days; or
b.     denying that any violation occurred and thus no cure is necessary.

3.     If the MRUSD school board does not respond within 10 calendar days, it is considered a denial of the violation for purposes of enforcement.

4.     If the MRUSD school board acknowledges the violation, they must correct it within 14 calendar days in an open meeting by:
a.     Either ratifying, or declaring as void, any action taken at or resulting from:
i.         A meeting that was not noticed in accordance with subsection 312(c) of the open meeting law; or
ii.         A meeting that a person or the public was wrongfully excluded from attending; or
iii.         An executive session or portion thereof not authorized under subdivisions 313(a)(1)-(10) of this title; and
b.     adopting specific measures that actually prevent future violations.

5.     After either acknowledging or denying a violation, or after the 14-day cure period has passed for acknowledged violations, the Attorney General or anyone affected by the violation can file a lawsuit in the Civil Division of the Superior Court. This lawsuit can seek injunctions or declaratory judgments. Such lawsuits must be filed within one year of the meeting where the violation occurred.

 Full text of 16 V.S.A §314 Penalty and Enforcement