New school year – new HUUSD hires
September 18, 2025 | By Lisa ScagliottiAs the new school year gets underway, there are a handful of new faces in the schools of the Harwood Unified Union School District.
State Trooper Mae Murdock assists with crossing duties on the first day of school on Stowe Street in front of Brookside Primary School. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
Four new teachers, a new school counselor, an assistant athletic director are among the dozen new staffers now settling into their positions in various schools. The new hires were made to fill out the staffing list that, for the second year, has seen some substantial cuts due to budget constraints.
Superintendent Mike Leichliter and top administrators in the district have worked along with teacher and staff union leaders to pare back district staffing with an eye toward working with retirements and resignations first, reassigning existing staff where possible to keep layoffs to a minimum.
As a result, the district since July 2024 has shed approximately 50 positions — 27 in 2024 and another 22 this year. That calculation is from publicly shared data in 2024 and earlier this year during budget preparations. In 2024, the district had six layoffs — elementary world language teachers and two administration positions.
This year, Leichliter told the school board in March that he anticipated no more than three layoffs in the mix with the rest coming from resignations, retirements, transfers and one-year contracts ending. Reductions were to include at least nine teachers: four per grades 1-4 at Brookside Primary School, two from cutting one team at Crossett Brook Middle School, two from pre-K and kindergarten at Waitsfield Elementary School, and one Harwood English teacher.
The reductions come as enrollment remains somewhat steady since fall 2024, but on a downward trend, according to school district historic data published in the most recent HUUSD Annual Report.
As for enrollment, the district began this school year with 1,735 students enrolled in preschool through 12th grade, according to Leichliter. The official count for the school year is taken annually at the start of October. Given some enrollments still in progress, the superintendent said he expects this year will be very close to the 2024-25 enrollment, which was 1,751 on Oct. 1, 2024.
New hires
A dozen new staffers have joined the district this fall. District leaders connected The Valley Reporter and Waterbury Roundabout with the four new teachers and a school counselor for quick interviews. They were asked about their education, most recent job experience, why they decided to come to work in the Harwood district, and what they’re looking forward to. Their responses are below. Photos are courtesy of the school district.
Jacqueleen Bordjadze
Jacqueleen Bordjadze, Harwood English & social studies
Jacqueleen Bordjadze, from Burlington, is a new Harwood Union High School English and social studies teacher. She has a master’s degree and attended Ohio State University. She did her student teaching at Harwood and completed her MA in teaching at the University of Vermont.
Bordjadze said her experience at Harwood led to her taking her new job. “I loved being a student teacher at Harwood High School and felt deeply supported from all corners of the building. This is a beautiful place to work and I'm happy to be a part of the work Harwood is doing,” she said.
“Cliche though it may be, I’m looking forward to hours outside in the trees this fall, spending time biking around Burlington, and getting to know the awesome ninth graders at Harwood High School.”
Elaina Foxx
Elaina Foxx, preschool teacher, Warren
Elaina Foxx, from Waitsfield, is a new preschool teacher at Warren Elementary School. She has a master’s degree along with graduate credits and attended the University of Rhode Island and Hunter College. Six months ago, she was on maternity leave and previously worked in the Twinfield Union School District.
“I have wanted to work in the school district I live in for many years. When this job opened up, I was excited to apply,” Foxx said.
She said she was looking ahead to a fresh start with the new school year. “I am looking forward to starting a new chapter in a new school and community. I am very excited to get to know the children and families and the culture of a new school,” Foxx said.
Gavin Koehler
Gavin Koehler, math, HUMS
Gavin Koehler, from Barre, is a new 7th grade math teacher at Harwood Union Middle School. He has a bachelor’s degree from Keene State College and post-graduate credits.
He comes to the Harwood district after teaching at Spaulding High School. “The position fit perfectly with life plans and I left my demo lesson very excited,” he shared, adding that he’s looking forward to the switch to middle school. “I really hope that 7th grade is a better fit for me than high school.”
Anthony Popoli
Anthony Popoli, school counselor, Brookside
Anthony Popoli, from Montpelier, is a new school counselor at Brookside Primary School. He attended Appalachian State University
Anthony Popoli, Montpelier, is joining Brookside Primary School as a school counselor. He has an MA/MS and additional graduate credits and attended Appalachian State University. He comes to the district from Twinfield Union.
For Popoli, the opportunity to work at Brookside was good timing. “It was time for a change and this beautiful opportunity came my way, almost like serendipity,” he said.
He will begin by getting acquainted on many levels, “Learning the community, the families that make it go, and the staff I will be working alongside.”
Aimee Smith
Aimee Smith, 5th grade, Crossett Brook
Aimee Smith, from Duxbury, is a new 5th grade teacher at Crossett Brook Middle School. She attended Vermont State University and has a master’s degree.
Before taking this position, she was in her graduate program and substitute teaching at Brookside Primary School.
The opening at Crossett Brook offered a chance to settle into the district, she said. “This is my community. I care deeply about the children and families that I have worked with since 2020,” Smith said.
“I am looking forward to my first year as a classroom teacher and spending more time with my children now that I have finished my degree,” she added.
Other new staff
In addition to the five new staff above, the following are new hires in the Harwood district this school year:
Emily Boccio, food service, Fayston Elementary School
Abbigail Boyd, behavioral support at Brookside Primary School’s RIVERS program (regulation, inclusion, voice, education, relationships, and safety)
Samuel Grandfield, assistant athletic director, Harwood Union MS/HS
Jessica Lague, occupational therapist
Dalia Lietuvninkas, instructional assistant, Brookside Primary School
Kristy Sansone, instructional assistant, Harwood Union MS/HS
Carla Tepper, administrative assistant, Moretown Elementary School