MVSU educators support Sousa

Dear Editor,

Editor’s note: This letter was originally addressed to the Mountain Views Supervisory Union Board and the communities it serves and is shared by request.

As district employees, we were very concerned to see the petition calling for the removal or resignation of Superintendent Sherry Sousa. Confronting racism and swiftly addressing racist incidents are of the highest priority in our work. We believe this petition mischaracterizes the deep and ongoing commitment of our district, led by Sherry, to address these persistent and pervasive problems in our society and schools.

Our community is engaged in several challenging and important conversations. This includes debates over how to prioritize limited resources and how to most effectively realize the outcomes we want for our students. It also includes difficult discussions on issues of race, gender, and sexuality, among many others, at a politically volatile moment in time.

Publicly maligning our superintendent in such a divisive manner does not help to advance these critical conversations. It is inaccurate and damaging to suggest that Sherry has failed to lead on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging when, in reality, she has been a dedicated and passionate champion of these efforts for years.

As a long-time special educator, Sherry spent decades supporting and advocating for some of our district’s most vulnerable and marginalized students. As an administrator, she has pushed our district to prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in its work. This has included funding robust professional development for teachers and valuable learning opportunities for students.

Every educator in this district will tell you there is still important work to do. We want you to know that we share a deep commitment to continue engaging in difficult conversations, asking hard questions, learning from each other and our students, and implementing trauma-informed practices aimed at ensuring that every student feels safe, included, and valued. Sherry continues to play an essential role in advancing this work.

Lastly, we find ourselves at a precarious moment for public schools in Vermont. Governor Scott’s recent education proposals pose serious threats to this school district. 

We need a strong and established advocate working to ensure the future viability of our schools, state aid for school construction, and the funding and decision-making authority needed to maintain the programs this community values and our students deserve. 

We would be greatly disadvantaged to lose Sherry’s deep knowledge of local needs, her network of professional connections across the state and in the legislature, and her advocacy on behalf of MVSU students and schools.

Respectfully,

Ryan Becker, Julie Burtscher Brown, Margaret Fothergill, Melanie Ann Norton, Stephen Stuntz, Vali Stuntz, Janis Boulbol, Matthew McCormick, Hector Kent, Liza Dionne, Melissa Fellows, Marie Anderson, Erin Hanrahan, Lisa Kaija, Nate Clifford, Kathleen Robbins, JessicaVanDriesen, Sofia Bertocci, Barbara Drufovka, Sarah Hagge, Lisa Laird, Abbie Castriotta, Amanda Rank, Patty Topliffe, Anne Lessard, DeVeau Sleeper, Luis Bango, Holly Getty, Sally, Denbeaux Kelly Jean, Britney Bowley, Jodi Schneider, Jenny Hewitt, Julie Dupont, Erin Bucher, Elaine Leibly, Jay Mumford, Todd Uva, Sarah Allen, Dena Whitehead, Heather Vonada, Martha Perkins, Bonnie Underwood, Jessica Hathorn, Jennifer Mayo, Beth Ann Hughes, Peggy Boylan, Jo MacMaster, Stu Hawes, Joe Rigoli, Rayna Bishop, Jennifer Conrad, Sarah Walker, Kelsey Coyle, Tara Mumford, Betsy Frates