Sullivan: Let the administrators do their job
As a district resident who has coached hundreds of children and a father of four students, I feel compelled to comment about the Harwood Unified Union School Board’s recent discussions and actions regarding the former Harwood Boys Hockey coach. The board has set a poor and expensive precedent by voting to investigate a matter of employment termination.
Time Lost: A Vermont music video
Harwood Union High School 2019 graduates Dan Greenleaf and Jesse McDougall live in Waterbury Center where they spent this past semester keeping up with their college studies remotely. Together they put together a music video postcard to their hometown from their hometown during the COVID-19 pandemic winter.
New Vermont law bans ‘forever’ toxic chemicals
Recently the House passed S.20, an act relating to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and other chemicals of concern in consumer products.
Happy birthday to … Waterbury Roundabout!
It was one year ago today that WaterburyRoundabout.org went live and the phone rang with a call from Seven Days reporter and Waterbury Center resident Kevin McCallum asking what this was all about.
Hackett: Celebrating at-home childcare providers
As a home-based childcare provider for 13 years, and a Vermont Early Childhood Network leader for 12 years, I am extremely fortunate to have a wonderful group of childcare providers participating in the Waterbury Area Network. I would like to take a moment to celebrate these heroes and recognize their commitment to children and families.
Friend, colleague, athlete, coach: Haslam’s influence will live on
We lost Taggert Haslam last week. I knew Taggert as an athlete, assistant coach (and later my head coach in Track & Field) and I also knew him as a colleague.
Commentary: ‘This is a Test’
Some of us may recall the Emergency Broadcast System announcing on radio and/or television a “test” set to occur as it was a visual and/or auditory disruption to the local, state, and federal programming schedule.
LETTER: Words do matter
To the community: Visitors to the town of Waterbury’s website may notice a new statement occupying a prominent spot on the home page.
It is past time to rethink and resist standardized testing
The Waterbury Area Anti-Racism Coalition is encouraging families and students in our community to consider opting out of statewide standardized tests this spring. On Wednesday, April 21, 7-8 p.m., WAARC will host an online information session to discuss the harms of standardized testing and how to opt out if that’s your choice.
LETTER: Former school board member writes Gov. Scott about school gridlock
Our districts merged into the HUUSD under Act 46. Since the merger, other than some administrative efficiencies, no major steps have been taken to move the district forward with regards to increased equity, robust academic programming or more efficient use of our facilities.
Rep. Wood: Bill H.225 aims to prevent opiate overdose deaths
You can tell when legislators sense the end of the session is just a few weeks away because the pace of work in the virtual halls of the Legislature definitely picks up as many bills come to the floor for a vote and key “money” bills pass the House and are now being worked on in the Senate.
Census drives legislative apportionment in Vermont
It’s that time of the decade again! The U.S. Constitution requires a census every 10 years, and this up-to-date population count is used to ensure that our elected representatives in the legislature are equitably apportioned across the state.
LETTER: Bolton couple thankful for outpouring of support after tragedy
We want to thank everyone from all over: our friends and family, our neighbors and community, people from all over Vermont and surrounding areas who have driven to help search, people from all over the country and world who have reached out to us with prayer and love and kindness.
Students organize blood drive in Waterbury April 28
A big thank you again to the community for helping the Harwood Rotary Interact Club raise money and collect bottles during our recent bottle drive for the Waterbury Area Senior Center.
Teacher to lawmakers: Table this proposal
My name is Tommy Young and I am a 24-year teacher with 22 of those years being here in Vermont. I am a 1st- and 2nd-grade teacher at Waitsfield Elementary School.
Legislative committees working to shore up teacher, state worker pension plans
As I write, we have finished our work on Crossover Day, which is the last day we can pass bills that originated in our committees of jurisdiction and have them considered in the Senate (if they pass the full House) this session.
Census data will guide legislative reapportionment
This month I want to update readers on reapportionment. First, what is reapportionment? Reapportionment is the process that happens once every 10 years to review and redraw the current legislative districts to insure equal representation as required by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
LETTER: Veteran educator sees need for more, not fewer, teachers ahead
I live in Waterbury, but I am a veteran educator in another district. Education anywhere is important to educators everywhere, so I want to express my relief that the new Harwood Unified Union School District School Board voted to rescind its decision to cut teachers for next school year.
Thomsen: School Board revote on teacher cuts needed public involvement
The board owes it to the community to rescind its vote, properly warn the topic on the agenda, debate the topic, and provide opportunity for public comment consistent with open meeting law.
Spring forward! And please support local journalism
As the days grow longer and mud season unfolds and we all eagerly await the demise of this pandemic, we are thinking of how far we've come in this unusual pandemic year. Waterbury Roundabout will mark one year in early May and we're thrilled to be settling in as our community's local news source.