The following are employees of the North Country Supervisory Union. To reach any of the individuals call 334-5847 and the extension listed with their name. If you are unsure with whom you need to speak, press ext. 0 for the Receptionist.
Administrative Offices
Dr. Robert W. Kern; ( rkern@northcountryschools.org ); Superintendent of Schools, Ext. 25
Works with principals to coordinate activities of all school boards. Works directly with principals and/or board chairs to carry out individual board responsibilities. Provides input and direction to principals' preparation of agendas. Works with local administrators to carry out all decisions made by school directors. Attends all board meetings pending need and availability. Supervises School Finance Manager, Director of Special Education, Coordinator of Special Education, Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction, NCUHS Management Team, and School Principals. Identifies supervisory union educational goals and objectives and prepares plans to achieve those goals and objectives for adoption by the school board. Develops common board policies throughout the supervisory union. Responds to parent/community requests/concerns.
Robert Brinkley; ( rbrinkley@northcountryschools.org ); Technology Director, Ext. 18
Contribute to the development of the NCSU philosophy of education; support NCSU policies related to technology including acceptable use. Keep informed of all legal requirements governing the use of technology. Oversee the North Country Technology Advisory Group and Technology Plan. Oversee the Technology Support Services and Student Information System Support Services contract. Assume responsibility for compiling, maintaining, and filing all reports, records and other documents legally required or administratively useful. Provide training and generate data reports requested by administration, using sources such as PowerSchool and the Vermont Data Warehouse. Ensure efficient process for entry and analysis of local assessment data in an information system. Provide professional development for both professional and support staff. Provide instructional support and guidance for the integration of technology into all classrooms. Develop and implement a training program for building-level technology staff to support the integration of technology. Conduct an annual technology needs assessment. Seek out and write grant proposals to acquire technology and support its integration. Build NCSU-wide collaboration around technology initiatives. Maintain a permanent inventory of equipment purchased by the supervisory union for technology. Make recommendations regarding the selection, purchase, maintenance and upkeep of software, hardware, and support materials for both administrative and instructional functions. Assumes responsibility for own professonal growth and development, for keeping current with the literature, new research findings and improved techniques and for attending appropriate professional meetings and conferences.
Sharon Rubino; ( srubino@northcountryschools.org ); Senior Administrative Assistant - Personnel, Ext. 11
Manages the human resources office operations. Establish check and balances between payroll and personnel operations; reconciling active employees to benefit memberships, board approved salaries to actual, etc. Develop timelines for budget, agenda and recruitment preparation.
Verifies and reconciles health benefit membership with A/P staff. Keeps the Superintendent informed of human resource issues. Annually prepares a listing of all professional staff by school/department indicating licensure, HQT and teaching assignment; highlighting those that are not compliant to regulations. Coordinates employee orientation/training programs with appropriate management/administration. Meets regularly with the Superintendent to review monthly action items and personnel issues. Works closely with schools, in a consultancy role, assisting staff/administration in understanding and implementing human resource related policies and procedures. Promotes equality and diversity as part of the culture of the organization. Coordinates with the administration recruiting staff: this includes developing job descriptions, preparing advertisements, checking application forms, ensuring budget appropriations for positions, scanning applications to ensure compliance to job requirements, and group interviewing when appropriate. Meets with the Director of Business periodically to ensure all required staff meet the safety requirements as outlined in federal and state regulations. Assists the Superintendent in developing policies/practices on human resource issues such as working conditions, performance management, equal opportunities, disciplinary procedures and absence management. Maintains all employee and organization contracts/agareements. Completes salary/benefit comparisons/analysis as requested. Works with the Superintendent to develop HR planning strategies, policies, practices, standardized forms and the like. Develops and manages SU human resources web site. Manage the secondary schools personnel requirements. Other tasks as may be assigned.
Lucy Ramsay ; (lucyramsay @northcountryschools.org ); Executive Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools, Ext. 25
Facilitates Superintendent and Board of Directors meetings by preparing agenda/materials, scheduling meeting places, following-up on action by administration and board. Prepares correspondence/manages communication from Central Office.
Sandy Judd; ( sandyjudd@northcountryschools.org ); Receptionist, Ext. 0
Answers phones and transfers calls appropriately. Greets visitors. Prepares all elementary school board mailing and assists with secondary school board mailings. Assists office personnel as directed. Balances scholarship accounts. Orders office supplies. Assists in monitoring of school registers for all schools. Maintains a home school database. Maintains a database for all employment openings and applicants. Creates monthly office calendars. Enters sick leave for elementary and secondary schools. Assists bookkeepers as required.
Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction Office
Judith Boucher ; ( jboucher@northcountryschools.org ); Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction, Ext. 24
Coordinator of Consolidated Federal Titles Program. Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction. Works with teacher leaders and other teacher teams. Provides professional development services and research services to schools. Consultant on education issues, ESL Coordinator, and Homeless Liaison.
Beth Brookes; ( bbrookes@northcountryschools.org ); Project Director - 21st Century Grant, 334-5254
Manages all aspects of the 21st Century Grant and oversees after-school programming in Brighton, Charleston, Coventry, Derby, Holland, Jay/Westfield, Lowell, Morgan, Newport Town, Troy and NCUJHS.
Kim Gannon; ( kgannon@northcountryschools.org ); Literacy Coach, Ext. 23
Mentors teachers new to the profession or new to working in the North Country Schools system.
Collaborates with other supervisory union coaches and the Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction. Assists schools and individual teachers in the development, implementation, and analysis of literacy assessments. Helps schools articulate and implement comprehensive, balanced literacy programs. Designs and facilitates professional development opportunities for classroom teachers. Works with students who have unique learning needs and recommends appropriate instructional practices. Demonstrates best instructional practice through modeling and coaching. Collaborates with other teacher leaders and Vermont Department of Education personnel to develop, align, and evaluate state, regional, and district initiatives. Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction or the Superintendent.
Kathy Nolan; ( knolan@northcountryschools.org ); Mathematics Coach; Ext. 23
Mentors teachers new to the profession or new to working in the North Country Schools system.
Collaborates with other supervisory union coaches and the Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction.
Assists schools and individual teachers in the development, implementation, and analysis of mathematics assessments. Helps schools articulate and implement comprehensive, balanced mathematics programs.
Designs and facilitates professional development opportunities for classroom teachers. Works with students who have unique learning needs and recommends appropriate instructional practices. Demonstrates best instructional practice through modeling and coaching. Collaborates with other teacher leaders and Vermont Department of Education personnel to develop, align, and evaluate state, regional, and district initiatives. Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction or the Superintendent.
Bill Woolsey; ( bwoolsey@northcountryschools.org ); Social Students Coach; Ext. 23
Mentors teachers new to the profession or new to working in the North Country Schools system.
Collaborates with other supervisory union coaches and the Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction.
Assists schools and individual teachers in the development, implementation, and analysis of social studies' assessments. Helps schools articulate and implement comprehensive, balanced social studies programs.
Designs and facilitates professional development opportunities for classroom teachers. Works with students who have unique learning needs and recommends appropriate instructional practices. Demonstrates best instructional practice through modeling and coaching. Collaborates with other teacher leaders and Vermont Department of Education personnel to develop, align, and evaluate state, regional, and district initiatives. Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction or the Superintendent.
Alice Austin; ( aaustin@northcountryschools.org ); Administrative Assistant, Ext. 23
Coordinates workshop enrollments. Manages purchase orders. Codes invoices of CFP and EPSDT grants. Oversees Curriculum Center room reservations. Monitors "borrowing library" (laptops, software, resource books). Coordinates arrangements for Northwoods Stewardship Educational Program. Coordinates Parapro Assessment Testing. Oversees EPSDT Time Management and quarterly reports.
Special Education Department
Leanne Desjardins; ( ldesjardins@northcountryschools.org ); Director of Special Education, Ext. 21; and Richard Smith ; ( rsmith@northcountryschools.org ); Coordinator of Special Education, Ext. 21
Supervise and coordinate special education programs for all students eligible to receive special education services based on state and federal regulations; provide leadership in establishing new programs; develop improved understanding of existing programs; evaluate existing programs and recommend changes and additions as needed. Provide input to principals in evaluating personnel serving in the special education area; serve as an on-going resource to the community, parents, administrators and education regarding special education issues. Develop budget recommendations for the IDEA-B Grant and locally-funded special education programs. Provide expenditure control on established budgets for special education.
Kristin Beswick; ( kbeswick@northcountryschools.org ); Behavioral Specialist/School Psychologist, Ext. 20 ;
Jessica Poginy; ( jpoginy@northcountryschools.org) Behavioral Specialist/School Psychologist, Ext 20
Observes individual students with behavioral challenges in their academic setting; consults with classroom teachers regarding behavioral observation; designs and implements behavioral plans; assists with behavioral planning; consults with EST and IEP Teams. Provides administrative consultation; observes classrooms to assist with classroom management strategies; provides trainings to school personnel, community agencies and parents; serves on committees to advocate for a wider spectrum of educational opportunities; trains educational staff in Crisis Prevention and Intervention; consults with special educators and mentors regarding student needs and behavioral planning.
Vacant Position; Special Education Consulting Teacher;
Mentors new special educators; reviews special education files for compliance of state and federal regulations; advises new and veteran special education staff in procedures of compliance and best practice. Develops and plans training opportunities for special educators; completes special projects as requested by Directors of Special Education.
Jennifer Patenaude; ( jpatenaude@northcountryschools.org ); Special Education Consulting Teacher; Ext. 37
Evaluation Specialist: Responsible for multiple tasks related to comprehensive evaluations for students that qualify for special education services; administer standardized assessment tools for the purpose of evaluating academic and cognitive ability levels; score, interpret and report results to Evaluation and Planning teams so decisions can be made regarding eligibility and program planning. Available to special educators to attend meetings, offer additional information/insight into results and/or the assessment tools utilized. Assist with the procedural components of the evaluation process.
Consulting Teacher: Available to special educators and special education teams to support these individuals with all of their respective duties; provide guidance to assist with file management and compliance with Special Education Rules and Regulations related directly to the individual caseloads of the special educators. Offer consultation related to the provision of specialized instruction and supports that align with individual student's needs. Offer workshop opportunities on a regular basis as a means of sharing information and professional development with the special educators at a local level.
Kathryn Whitaker; ( kwhitaker@northcountryschools.org ); Special Education Consulting Teacher; Ext.
Consulting teacher for autism and other neurodevelopment disabilities and assistive technology specialist - provides consultation and training to school personnel, performs screening for autism spectrum disorders and provides assistance for on-going assessment for students with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Provides consultation for the selection of technology solutions for students with assistive technology (e.g. SOLO® Dragon Naturally Speaking, Alphasmart, etc.) or adaptive technology (e.g. Speech generating devices, alternate input/switch).
Donald Schabner; Evaluation Team, Ext. 37; Kathleen Vangelder; Evaluation Team, Ext. 37
Responsible for multiple tasks related to comprehensive evaluations for students who qualify for special education services; administer standardized assessment tools for the purpose of evaluating academic and cognitive ability levels. Score, interpret, report said assessments and report to Evaluation and Planning teams so decisions can be made regarding eligibility and program planning. Available to special educators to attend meetings, offer additional information/insight into results and/or the assessment tools utilized and assist with the procedural components of the evaluation process.
Pamela Kennedy; Early Childhood Coordinator; 334-5704
Primary areas of responsibility: 1) Coordination and oversight of early childhood special education ("EEE") in compliance with federal and state regulations; 2) Coordination and oversight over early childhood intervention services funded through Title I and Early Education Initiative ("EEI") in compliance with federal and state regulations; and 3) Coordination and oversight over the Family Infant Toddler Program (June 2008). These responsibilities include the maintenance and supervision of three center-based preschool programs, consultation, and support to Head Start,
other community based early childhood care and education programs where eligible children are served. These responsibilities also include direct supervision and evaluation of ten licensed teachers and twelve support staff, and membership on effective service coordination teams such as the Early Childhood Support Team, Behavioral Support Team, Newport Early Action Team, and the Building Bright Futures regional team.
Cynthia Jordan; Medicaid Clerk; Ext. 36
Completes Medicaid billing paperwork and submits to the Department of Education. Trains and supports Special Education Teachers on the Medicaid process. Corresponds with the Department of Education when necessary. Mails quarterly EPSDT time logs to the Vermont Department of Health; organizes and mails meeting minutes to committee members.
Sarah Jenness; ( sjenness@ncuhs.org ) Medicaid Clerk; 334-7921
Completes Medicaid billing paperwork and submits to the Department of Education. Trains and supports Special Education Teachers on the Medicaid process. Corresponds with the Department of Education when necessary.
Tiffany Gray; ( tgray@northcountryschools.org ); Administrative Assistant, Ext. 21
Maintains correspondence for Special Education department. Reviews Special Education expenditure reports. Maintains child count. Coordinates service plans, IDEA-B, I-Team, Stepping Stones, and budgets. Codes invoices and monitors spending. Completes amendments. Works with Medicaid Billing Clerks. Monitors Medicaid Reinvestment Funds. Completes Turning Points and Sped Doc Collaborative billing.
Business Department
Glenn Hankinson; ( ghankinson@northcountryschools.org ); Director of Business , Ext. 13
Advises and assists schools with financial planning, budgeting, human resources, benefits, legal issues, financial reporting, bid documents, contracts, services, audits, facilities and insurance. Provides same services to North Country Supervisory Union (NCSU). Attends board meetings and assists with other requests as needed.
Nancy Griffith; ( ngriffith@northcountryschools.org ); Business Administrative Assistant, Ext. 12
Maintains monthly Long Term Disability Invoices, processes all Worker's Compensation Insurance reports and claims, and acts as liaison for all other insurance requests and requirements. Coordinates all water testing and Asbestos compliance. Updates bus driver files and sends out personnel Cobra notifications. Assists with other financial tasks, such as audits, annual reports, budgets as needed.
April Touchette ; ( atouchette@northcountryschools.org) Finance Assistant - North Country Supervisory Union, Ext. 16
Maintains NCSU support staff, teachers, and administrators statement of intent/contracts and all benefits. Responsible for cash disbursements, cash receipts, transfers, general ledger entries. Creates new general account codes. Completes Special Education Expenditure reports for NCSU, SDE 1.1 forms, 941, Municipal and Teacher Retirement and Unemployment reports. Processes biwheekly payroll. Reviews accounts payable and 1099 miscellaneous forms. Reconciles and prints W-2's. Responsible for all town(s) miscellaneous billings. Maintains NCSU budgets - including state and federal funds. Coordinates life insurance for all schools.
Diane Binette; ( dbinette@northcountryschools.org ); Finance Assistant , Ext. 19
Maintains NCUHS/NCUJHS/NCCC support staff personnel records, sick leave, benefits and statements of intent. Reconciles bank statements. Responsible for cash disbursements, cash receipts, transfers, general ledger entries. Creates new general ledger account codes. Completes Special Education Expenditure reports for NCUHS and NCUJHS, quarterly 941's, SDE 1.1, W2, Municipal and Teacher Retirement and Unemployment reports. Reviews bi-weekly payroll, accounts payable, and 1099 misc. forms.
Ann Bathalon ; ( annbathalon @northcountryschools.org ); Finance Assistant , 334-5176
Maintains payroll and related deductions such as insurance, annuities, union dues, and retirement for NCUHS/NCUJHS, NCCC, Charleston, and Morgan.
Maintains accounts payable for Lowell. Assists other bookkeeping staff as requested.
Deb Brunelle; (dbrunelle @northcountryschools.org ); Finance Assistant - Accounts Payable, 334-5889
Maintains Charleston, Morgan, NCSU, NCUHS, NCUJHS, NCCC accounts payable. Assists with NCSU payroll. Maintains NCUHS/NCUJHS/NCCC S-125 payments to employees. Assists other bookkeeping staff as requested.
Pat Clark ; ( pclark@northcountryschools.org ); Administrative Assistant - Personnel, Ext. 15
Maintains personnel records, sick leave, contracts, statement of intent, coursework (workshop/conference requests), licensing issues, database and seniority lists for all K-6/K-8 schools. Fingerprints all new NCSU school staff. Maintains substitute list(s) for licensed and support staff for K-6/K-8 schools.
