Board of Directors

Michael joined the VSBIT Board in 2017. He is currently the superintendent of Orange Southwest Supervisory Union. Michael has been a Vermont educator for more than 2 decades and has served as Superintendent in both Grand Isle Supervisory Union and Essex-Caledonia Supervisory Union,  High School Principal at Bellows Free Academy in Fairfax, as well as an Assistant Principal and Science Teacher at Colchester High School. Michael served as the Northeast Kingdom’s Trustee on the Vermont Superintendents Association’s Board from 2016-2018 and is an active member of the Vermont Agency of Education’s Peer Review Committee. Michael holds a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Chemistry and Secondary Education from Johnson State College and a Masters degree in School Administration from Saint Michael’s College. He lives in Sheldon VT on a small hobby farm with his wife Jenna and children Mickaela and Pheonix.

Vanessa Koch has been a dedicated Human Resource Director in public education since 2013, bringing a wealth of experience from her earlier career working for lawyers in New Hampshire and Vermont for 21 years. Her commitment to creating a friendly and supportive HR environment makes her a valuable resource for colleagues and educators alike. She is passionate about ongoing professionalism and development, continually seeking opportunities to enhance her skills and those of her colleagues. Vanessa has a bachelor's degree in Human Resource Administration and a master's degree in Leadership. She believes that investing in professional growth is essential for fostering a positive and effective work environment. This dedication not only benefits her own career but also strengthens the entire educational community she serves. A resident of Vermont since 2005, she appreciates the outdoors and enjoys spending time with her family and animals. She currently works at St. Johnsbury School District as the Human Resource Director.

Scott Brown serves as Vice Chair of the Essex Westford School Board, elected in 2022. He brings an interest and perspective in facilities and technology to the VSBIT board. He has served as a volunteer soccer and football coach.

Ted Plemenos is the CFO for Rutland City Schools. His expertise lies in the areas of financial, administrative, and IT management. He earned his Bachelors degree from Princeton University and his MBA from the University of Chicago. He has worked at Rice University as Director of Finance and Administration for the Glasscock School and as Senior Advisor at Exxon Mobil.

Ryan joined the VSBIT Board in March of 2024. He is an experienced superintendent, principal, and special educator serving the Lamoille South Supervisory Union in Vermont. In his sixteen years as a public school educator, he has served in various capacities, including as an urban school principal in Massachusetts and currently as a rural district leader managing two school boards and seven high performing schools, including the last one-room schoolhouse in the state. Ryan is currently pursuing his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Vermont and his research focuses on education finance and incentive structures in funding reform efforts. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management from the University of Colorado, along with a Master’s Degree in Special Education and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S) degree, both from Gordon College. In his free moments, Ryan spends as much time as possible outdoors with his wife and three children while also coaching youth basketball and flag football.