Superintendent's Corner
Dear Rivendell Community,
I have had the pleasure to serve for the last 8 months as the Interim Superintendent of Schools for Rivendell Interstate School District. For personal family reasons I have decide not to pursue the permanent position.
Elaine Pinkney, a Vermont School Boards Association consultant has provided the following message for the community:
The Rivendell School Board has been diligently working on finding a permanent Superintendent to lead the district. The committee, appointed by the board in December, has been busy reviewing input from the stakeholder survey, reviewing candidates, determining questions that would best align with what you told us you were looking for, and interviewing candidates whose work experience and background matched these skills and attributes.
Of the nine total applicants, none were internal and only one had prior superintendent experience. After interviewing three of these candidates on Monday, January 27, and after extensive deliberation, considering the number of new administrator positions in the district, and the extent of the challenges facing the district, the committee unanimously decided to forward only Randy Gawel to the board for its review and final decision. Randy has extensive administrator and superintendent experience. He has an excellent familiarity with Vermont educational law and is up to date on NH requirements. He understands educational finance and he knows the challenge presented by declining enrollments. The board will interview him at its regularly scheduled meeting on February 4th (Executive Session).
Candidate Randall Gawel will visit the schools on Monday, February 3, 2025. There will be an opportunity for a Meet and Greet at 3:30 in the Rivendell Multi-Purpose Room.
3:30 - 4:30 Meet and Greet at Rivendell Academy Multi-Purpose Room
Please see the attached resume. Please reach out with any questions.
Welcome Letter from Superintendent Botzojorns
It is my pleasure to welcome all students, families, faculty, staff and community members to the 2024-25 school year. It is an honor to serve as your interim superintendent. Each day I arrive in a school building I am greeted with smiling faces; both young people and adults are excited to learn. Thank you for this opportunity.
The Rivendell Interstate School District is one of four interstate districts in the nation. With a unique perspective, spanning the Connecticut River with four distinct and unique towns and two states, we have a reputation for quality schools, dedicated faculty and staff and participatory democracy.
The 2024-25 school year is a transition time for the district. I will do all that I can to help segue Rivendell from the past to the future. Last year at the two Annual Meetings in the spring, I listened and observed a community that loves their schools, values voice and participation, cares deeply about quality education and is also looking at how to address the declining enrollment and increasing costs. This is not easy work, and it will take a lot of conversation, rolling up sleeves, keeping our students, and learning front and center, while balancing the sea of outside influences.
While serving as an interim, my door is always open. You can call, email, or come to one of my monthly (Third Thursday) early morning meet and greets. This page will provide you with regular updates and publications. On the right you will see the archives with titles, if you are looking for something specific, do not hesitate to reach out. I look forward to our work together and thank you for the opportunity to serve the communities of Fairlee, Orford, West Fairlee and Vershire as your Interim Superintendent of Schools.
Rivendell Academy Lead Testing Information
Westshire Roof Bid Information
Jennifer Botzojorns began as interim principal for Rivendell in March of 2024, in May she also became the interim superintendent, and will continue this post as the interim superintendent until June 30, 2025.
Prior to Rivendell, Dr. Botzojorns served as a superintendent in the Northeast Kingdom, as a curriculum director in Richmond, VT, a high school principal in Jericho ,VT and a previous math and Latin teacher in both independent and public schools.
In 2023 she was named Vermont Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Botzojorns received her bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, her master’s from the University of Vermont and her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. Throughout her career she has encouraged robust learning, positive school culture and an energy and organization to move into the future with intellectual curiosity, joy and grace.
She lives in Vermont with her husband, two dogs and multiple chickens. She enjoys outdoor activities, gardening, and travel and has two adult children and two grandchildren.
Archives
Facilities Reports
September 2, 2024