Fayston school alerts families to morning incident with student and motorist
January 27, 2026 | By Lisa ScagliottiHarwood school officials have alerted families of students at Fayston Elementary School about an incident this morning involving a student walking to school and a motorist on German Flats Road in Fayston.
A noon email message shares a description of the incident, which has been reported to the Vermont State Police, who are investigating, school officials said.
This is the account they shared: “A student shared that while walking to school this morning, a woman driving a blue vehicle with Vermont license plates pulled over, stopped the vehicle, called out to him to get into her car, exited, and put her hands on him. The student was able to pull away and immediately continued to school, where he reported the incident directly to Principal Justina Boyden. We are very proud of him for responding quickly and appropriately.”
Schools in the Harwood Unified Union School District opened after a two-hour morning delay due to weather and road conditions. The student involved was walking to Fayston Elementary, which serves students from preschool through sixth grade.
Boyden and Superintendent Mike Leichliter have asked staff to remain vigilant, and their communication asks parents to review with their children how to respond to situations involving strangers. “Remind them not to approach unknown individuals or vehicles and to report anything that makes them uncomfortable to a trusted adult immediately,” the message states.
Should there be additional details from state police, this post will be updated after a press release is issued. Anyone with information that might assist investigators should contact troopers at the Berlin barracks at 802-229-9191. Anonymous tips also may be shared via text message or using an online form here.
School-related questions may be directed to Fayston Principal Justina Boyden at 802-496-3636 or by email to jboyden@huusd.org.