While we will be losing 4 collegues, we will be gaining 2 more (and keeping one who might have moved on).

Vernon Elementary is thrilled to welcome Mark Speno as our new principal.  Mr. Speno is coming to us after a year at the assistant principal at Chesterfield Elementary School in New Hampshire.  Before Chesterfield, Mr. Speno was a teacher at Green Street School in Brattleboro for 9 years.  In his final year at Green St. Mark shadowed Bob Neubauer as a principal intern.

Mr. Speno is married and has two young daughters.  He grew up in Brattleboro attending Oak Grove, St. Michael's, BAMS and BUHS.  He graduated from UVM and also recieved his master's degree from UVM.

We look forward to getting to know Mr. Speno.

Look for updates on Mrs. Kimball's and Mrs. Zinnn's replacements.

This spring we say good-bye to four members of our staff.  We weren't ready to say good-bye to Beth Kimball, Terri Lewis, John Reed, and Melanie Zinn, but we are very excited for them in their future endeavors.

After 20 years working in Special Education at Vernon, Beth Kimball will be missed by students and teachers alike.  Her eclectic collection of fidgets is legendary and her skill with her students is beyond compare.  She will be replaced by a part-time teacher in her job, but not in our hearts.

Terri Lewis is retiring after 29 years at Vernon and 34 years in teaching.  Mrs. Lewis has taught third, fourth and fifth grade while at Vernon.  After 29 years, she is leaving to travel and spend time with her family which will soon include a grandchild.

John Reed is also leaving us after 7 years.  John was hired in 2002 when Bill Ellis retired.  In his years at Vernon John began a snowshoeing recess club, played drums with the Vernon "house band" the Vagrants, driven the bus on many field trips, made dozens of pizzas, and touched everyone at VES.  Mr. Reed will be principal at Green Street School in Brattleboro.

Melanie Zinn has been with us for only a few years, but she arrived as no stranger to the school.  Mrs. Zinn was a student at Vernon in the 90s and had several of the teachers still on staff.  Mrs. Zinn has been a one-on-one para to several students over the years.  She has also worked with the Vernon Tornadoes, started an after school program, worked with the Vernon Preschool sang with The Vagrants, and been a friend to all.  She is moving on to have her own preschool classroom at Hinsdale Elementary School.

Good luck Mrs. Kimball, Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Reed and Mrs. Zinn.