Superintendent Update
Tap Into Maple Run Newsletter
As we enter the fourth week of the school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the positive and creative energy that has filled our schools over the past three weeks. It’s been a busy and exciting start, and I’m grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm shown by our students, staff, and families.
Our school community has already begun inspiring growth and learning, and I’m confident this momentum will carry us forward as we continue to support the success of every Maple Run student. Your partnership and engagement are invaluable as we strive to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
Please be sure to check out our websites and social media pages to stay connected, and feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together this year.
Partnership with the Saint Albans Recreation Department
In a recent discussion with Kelly Viens, Recreation Director, and Chloe Lumbra, Youth Programs Coordinator, Superintendent Bill Kimball and Assistant Superintendent John Muldoon explored the incredible partnership between Maple Run Unified School District and the Saint Albans Recreation Department. This collaboration offers a variety of opportunities for children of all ages in our community at Hard'Ack Recreation Center and the Weldon Movie Theater.
Through this partnership, we are providing enriching recreational and educational experiences outside the classroom, promoting both physical and mental well-being. Whether it’s outdoor activities at Hard'Ack or special events at the Weldon, this collaboration allows our students and families to connect, have fun, and build a stronger sense of community.
We’re excited to continue working together to create even more opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and thrive beyond the school setting!
Wellness Tip of the Week: Get Outside: The Power of Morning Sunlight
This week, Maple Run is focusing on the powerful benefits of morning sunlight a wellness tip from Dr. Tina H. Boogren’s podcast, Self-Care for Educators: morning sunlight - a great way to start the day!
Exposure to natural light early in the day can help regulate your body's circadian rhythm, boost mood, and increase energy levels. Just 10-15 minutes of morning sunlight can enhance mental clarity and promote better sleep at night. Incorporating this into your daily routine is a simple way to support your overall well-being.
Be sure to catch this tip and more on Tap Into Maple Run, our weekly podcast!
Tap Into Maple Run
Tune in to the new Tap Into Maple Run Weekly Podcast hosted by Superintendent Bill Kimball and Assistant Superintendent John Muldoon! Each week, you'll hear district celebrations, wellness tips, meet a Maple Run staff member, and visit with a Community Corner guest. Got a question or comment? Send it to TapIn@MapleRun.org, and they may answer it on air!
This past week, Governor Scott issued a letter to all superintendents and school board members, outlining the budget challenges and costs facing Vermont’s education system. He highlighted several factors from the past year that will impact the state’s education fund moving forward. At Maple Run, we have already started taking proactive steps to address these challenges.
During our first board meeting in August, we began analyzing the key cost drivers for education and how they will affect the Maple Run school budget and our community. At the August 16th board meeting, the board asked Chair Nilda Gonnella-French, Vice Chair Charlie Brooks, and myself to develop a calendar that would guide both the board and the community through a series of discussions throughout the fall. This plan will help us understand what factors Maple Run can control and which issues must be addressed at the state level.
The board has set a schedule to explore different topics from now through November, aiming to educate both itself and the community. We also plan to host one or two public forums where we will gather input from our community about what matters most for our students and our school system. Over the past two years, we’ve made significant progress in establishing goals for Maple Run and developing a strategic plan. However, this will be a challenging budget year as we work to balance the need to provide a high-quality education with the financial realities of our community.
As your superintendent, I believe we can have a “both/and” conversation: we can provide an excellent education to our students while also looking for ways to increase efficiency and effectiveness within our system. This might mean considering education models from other states or even other countries, and addressing longstanding issues that date back to before the consolidation of our school system.
I encourage everyone, myself included, to approach this process with an open mind. There may be new solutions we haven’t yet considered that could improve education for our students while keeping costs manageable for taxpayers. This is not just a challenge—it’s an opportunity for us to reimagine how we can do things better for both our children and our community.
I invite all community members to stay engaged and be active participants in this process. Listen to others, bring new ideas to the table, and recognize that there are systems beyond Vermont, and even the U.S., that can help guide us toward a better education model. If you have questions or concerns about the budget process, there are several ways to get involved: you can attend board meetings, watch the meetings on Northwest Access TV, or email the board directly. You can also submit questions to my podcast at TapIn@MapleRun.org.
I look forward to working with all of you as we use this opportunity to strengthen our education system for the benefit of both our students and the taxpayers of Maple Run.
One of my themes this year is celebrating what’s right, and on September 11, I had a chance to reflect on this while working out at Collins Perley Sports & FItness Center. As I ran around the walking path, I thought about the remarkable day I had. It began at Fairfield Center School, where the entire school community held a remembrance for the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
I felt deeply honored to be part of this event, alongside members of the Fairfield Fire Department, Vermont State Police, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, and our Armed Forces, as well as 300 members of the Fairfield Center School community. I was amazed by how well our students understood the solemnity and significance of the day. Eighth grade students led a 20-minute walk around the school grounds twice, which allowed everyone time to reflect on what we are grateful for. As we walked under the crisp September air with the sun shining and the sky a brilliant blue, led by students carrying flags and public safety officials, I was moved by the respect our students showed for the day’s importance.
Later that day, I visited Bellows Free Academy (BFA), where Principal Rico had gathered the school for a remembrance of September 11. While sitting with juniors and seniors, it struck me that none of these students were born when the attacks happened, yet they fully grasped the importance of the day. It was another powerful moment that made me realize how deeply our system teaches our students about civics, community, and the importance of honoring both our local and national history.
I've heard many people ask whether we teach civics in a way that helps students become active, positive members of our society. The answer is yes. It may not always come from a textbook, but it’s evident in how our students engage in our communities, question societal practices, and contribute meaningfully. What I witnessed on September 11, 2024 across our Maple Run schools is proof that we are succeeding in instilling these values in our students, helping them become responsible and engaged citizens.
I encourage our students to continue using these moments of reflection to positively impact their schools and society, and I am proud of the work we are doing to uphold the founding principles of our nation within our youth.
