Robert Millar
@robtheprog.bsky.social
Activist, organizer, and occasional politician. Current Winooski School Board President. Current Winooski Progressive Party Chair. Former Winooski City Councilor, WSD Treasurer, Housing Commission Chair, Justice of the Peace & More.
“As a superintendent, I can’t stop standing for the things I stand for. I can’t stop speaking out for the rights of our families. I’m not going to be one more manager or bureaucrat,” Chavarria said. “This is where we’re tested.” 💚 www.sevendaysvt.com/news/educati...
Wilmer Chavarria Is Leading — and Advocating for — Winooski Students
The superintendent of schools shares similarities with his diverse student body. He’s using his platform to stand up for them.
www.sevendaysvt.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:21 PM
“As a superintendent, I can’t stop standing for the things I stand for. I can’t stop speaking out for the rights of our families. I’m not going to be one more manager or bureaucrat,” Chavarria said. “This is where we’re tested.” 💚 www.sevendaysvt.com/news/educati...
Reposted by Robert Millar
Seven Days is back to school! ✏️ On the cover this week: Wilmer Chavarria Is Leading — and Advocating for — Winooski Students
Grab it where you get Seven Days or read it online:
Grab it where you get Seven Days or read it online:
Sept 24-30 2025 | Seven Days
Wilmer Chavarria Is Leading — and Advocating for — Winooski Students; Burlington Seeks a Spot for an Overdose-Prevention Center; Vermont Textile Producers Eye a “Farm-to-Closet” Movement; Eating and…
www.sevendaysvt.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Seven Days is back to school! ✏️ On the cover this week: Wilmer Chavarria Is Leading — and Advocating for — Winooski Students
Grab it where you get Seven Days or read it online:
Grab it where you get Seven Days or read it online:
Come join me on the WSD Board! We've had an unexpected vacancy we need to fill ASAP, before budget season starts. Contact me know if you're interested or have questions or send a resume or Letter of Interest to info@wsdvt.org by 9/26 to apply. 💚
h/t WSD Comms Director for the great image!
h/t WSD Comms Director for the great image!
September 16, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Come join me on the WSD Board! We've had an unexpected vacancy we need to fill ASAP, before budget season starts. Contact me know if you're interested or have questions or send a resume or Letter of Interest to info@wsdvt.org by 9/26 to apply. 💚
h/t WSD Comms Director for the great image!
h/t WSD Comms Director for the great image!
Convocation 2025. Credit: Miriam Greenfield
September 5, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Convocation 2025. Credit: Miriam Greenfield
Yep, it's that time again! For the one hundred & eleventy time I am leading reorg in Winooski for the VT Progressive Party.
See you there? 💚
RSVP: vtprogressiveparty.nationbuilder.com/winooski_tow...
See you there? 💚
RSVP: vtprogressiveparty.nationbuilder.com/winooski_tow...
September 4, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Yep, it's that time again! For the one hundred & eleventy time I am leading reorg in Winooski for the VT Progressive Party.
See you there? 💚
RSVP: vtprogressiveparty.nationbuilder.com/winooski_tow...
See you there? 💚
RSVP: vtprogressiveparty.nationbuilder.com/winooski_tow...
Just finished giving my welcome speech at the Winooski School District 25/26 Convocation. Full text here, sans inevitable on the fly edits.
Thank you, teachers, staff, admin, & everyone, for inviting me to be a part of your celebration! 💚
Thank you, teachers, staff, admin, & everyone, for inviting me to be a part of your celebration! 💚
August 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Just finished giving my welcome speech at the Winooski School District 25/26 Convocation. Full text here, sans inevitable on the fly edits.
Thank you, teachers, staff, admin, & everyone, for inviting me to be a part of your celebration! 💚
Thank you, teachers, staff, admin, & everyone, for inviting me to be a part of your celebration! 💚
What happened to Superintendent Chavarria was by no means an isolated incident. Enough is enough! We must not let this become the new normal. 💚
Several recent incidents have raised the alarm across Vermont, including the nearly five-hour interrogation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials that rattled Winooski schools superintendent Wilmer Chavarria, a U.S. citizen who was returning from visiting his family in Nicaragua.
Vermont Immigrants Are Now Reluctant to Cross the Border
Fear and anxiety are spreading among legal residents who previously felt safe leaving the country to visit family, take a vacation or spend the day in Canada.
www.sevendaysvt.com
August 1, 2025 at 3:03 PM
What happened to Superintendent Chavarria was by no means an isolated incident. Enough is enough! We must not let this become the new normal. 💚
Reposted by Robert Millar
Wilmer Chavarria fears that student data may have been compromised during his detention.
‘Psychological terror’: What happened when border agents detained this Vermont superintendent
Wilmer Chavarria fears that student data may have been compromised during his detention.
bit.ly
July 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Wilmer Chavarria fears that student data may have been compromised during his detention.
Reposted by Robert Millar
“I told them I was an American citizen. I questioned why they were using those tactics on me. I asked about my constitutional rights. An officer outright said out loud that I have no constitutional rights at a point of entry,” says Wilmer Chavarria, a school superintendent in Vermont.
‘Praying for it to end’: Vermont superintendent speaks out after ICE interrogation
YouTube video by MSNBC
www.youtube.com
July 26, 2025 at 1:39 AM
“I told them I was an American citizen. I questioned why they were using those tactics on me. I asked about my constitutional rights. An officer outright said out loud that I have no constitutional rights at a point of entry,” says Wilmer Chavarria, a school superintendent in Vermont.
Reposted by Robert Millar
On Monday, Winooski School District Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria was detained and interrogated for more than five hours by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after returning from Nicaragua.
Superintendent Chavarria is a U.S. citizen.
The actions of this Administration make (cont in image...)
Superintendent Chavarria is a U.S. citizen.
The actions of this Administration make (cont in image...)
July 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Robert Millar
Gay educator & U.S. citizen detained for hours at border: “The definition of psychological terror” - buff.ly/1WuHaXp
July 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Gay educator & U.S. citizen detained for hours at border: “The definition of psychological terror” - buff.ly/1WuHaXp
Reposted by Robert Millar
OPINION — "Condemnation of this act must be swift and unwavering in its support of one of our esteemed, caring and truly exceptional educational leaders," Sen. Gulick writes.
Opinion — Sen. Martine Larocque Gulick: I support Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria
Condemnation of this act must be swift and unwavering in its support of one of our esteemed, caring and truly exceptional educational leaders.
vtdigger.org
July 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM
OPINION — "Condemnation of this act must be swift and unwavering in its support of one of our esteemed, caring and truly exceptional educational leaders," Sen. Gulick writes.
Reposted by Robert Millar
Yesterday, Wilmer Chavarria, a Vermonter & US Citizen, was held and interrogated for hours in the Houston airport by CBP agents.
He's a school superintendent. So don’t try to tell us this is about removing violent criminals. This is how they use psychological terror to intimidate us into silence.
He's a school superintendent. So don’t try to tell us this is about removing violent criminals. This is how they use psychological terror to intimidate us into silence.
July 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Yesterday, Wilmer Chavarria, a Vermonter & US Citizen, was held and interrogated for hours in the Houston airport by CBP agents.
He's a school superintendent. So don’t try to tell us this is about removing violent criminals. This is how they use psychological terror to intimidate us into silence.
He's a school superintendent. So don’t try to tell us this is about removing violent criminals. This is how they use psychological terror to intimidate us into silence.
Reposted by Robert Millar
On Monday, Winooski School District Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria was detained and interrogated for more than five hours by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after returning from Nicaragua.
Superintendent Chavarria is a U.S. citizen.
Superintendent Chavarria is a U.S. citizen.
July 23, 2025 at 6:41 PM
On Monday, Winooski School District Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria was detained and interrogated for more than five hours by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after returning from Nicaragua.
Superintendent Chavarria is a U.S. citizen.
Superintendent Chavarria is a U.S. citizen.
Pay attention. This is not normal. This is not just. This is not acceptable.
Winooski stands with Wilmer. 💚
Winooski stands with Wilmer. 💚
Wilmer Chavarria, a U.S. citizen, said it was a “surreal” and “dehumanizing” experience that involved being separated from his spouse, with multiple federal officials aggressively questioning him in windowless rooms without clocks.
Winooski superintendent navigates “a whole new territory of terror” after being detained, interrogated in Texas - VTDigger
Wilmer Chavarria, a U.S. citizen, said it was a “surreal” and “dehumanizing” experience that involved being separated from his spouse, with multiple federal officials aggressively questioning him in w...
vtdigger.org
July 23, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Pay attention. This is not normal. This is not just. This is not acceptable.
Winooski stands with Wilmer. 💚
Winooski stands with Wilmer. 💚
The Winooski School Board calls upon all Vermonters—and all Americans—to stand in solidarity with Superintendent Chavarria and his family. We urge our elected leaders and federal agencies to investigate this incident and take meaningful steps to prevent such abuses from continuing.
July 22, 2025 at 8:48 PM
The Winooski School Board calls upon all Vermonters—and all Americans—to stand in solidarity with Superintendent Chavarria and his family. We urge our elected leaders and federal agencies to investigate this incident and take meaningful steps to prevent such abuses from continuing.
For whomever of my friends need to hear this today - Trans Lives Matter. Immigrant Lives Matter. Gender affirming care is healthcare. No one is illegal. You are loved. I am with you no matter what.
“The fight isn't over until you win.” 💚
“The fight isn't over until you win.” 💚
June 18, 2025 at 11:19 PM
For whomever of my friends need to hear this today - Trans Lives Matter. Immigrant Lives Matter. Gender affirming care is healthcare. No one is illegal. You are loved. I am with you no matter what.
“The fight isn't over until you win.” 💚
“The fight isn't over until you win.” 💚
Reposted by Robert Millar
Some of the criticism asserted that the senators on the conference committee spent too much time fighting to protect the interests of independent schools, which only serve about 5 percent of publicly funded Vermont students.
📸: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
📸: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
School Leaders Urge Lawmakers to Reject Ed Reform Bill | Seven Days
Some superintendents and school board members say that the bill is being rushed and fails to address the real cost drivers in education.
www.sevendaysvt.com
June 16, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Some of the criticism asserted that the senators on the conference committee spent too much time fighting to protect the interests of independent schools, which only serve about 5 percent of publicly funded Vermont students.
📸: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
📸: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
Reposted by Robert Millar
On June 4, the Vermont state treasurer, the financial regulation commissioner and the deputy education secretary gathered in the same room — but not to talk policy. They'd come to Winooski High School to listen to students give their final presentations in a personal finance course.
Winooski Students Talk Money With State Officials
Courtney Poquette has been teaching Winooski teens about saving and investing for 19 years. She wants to make personal finance a statewide graduation requirement.
buff.ly
June 14, 2025 at 9:13 PM
On June 4, the Vermont state treasurer, the financial regulation commissioner and the deputy education secretary gathered in the same room — but not to talk policy. They'd come to Winooski High School to listen to students give their final presentations in a personal finance course.
Dear #Winooski Residents (A thread),
The Winooski School Board, in consultation with the Superintendent, has decided that it is time to inform you of concerning legislative developments and what it could mean for you and the young people of our community.
The Winooski School Board, in consultation with the Superintendent, has decided that it is time to inform you of concerning legislative developments and what it could mean for you and the young people of our community.
May 19, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Dear #Winooski Residents (A thread),
The Winooski School Board, in consultation with the Superintendent, has decided that it is time to inform you of concerning legislative developments and what it could mean for you and the young people of our community.
The Winooski School Board, in consultation with the Superintendent, has decided that it is time to inform you of concerning legislative developments and what it could mean for you and the young people of our community.
Sometimes fighting fascism means a crowd like this, sometimes it's a quiet meeting in a coffee shop. Sometimes, it's as simple as refusing to sign on a document normalizing it all. Sometimes it's all 3 in one day...
However you're fighting, keep going. I've got your back - and so does my mom! 💚✊
However you're fighting, keep going. I've got your back - and so does my mom! 💚✊
April 5, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Sometimes fighting fascism means a crowd like this, sometimes it's a quiet meeting in a coffee shop. Sometimes, it's as simple as refusing to sign on a document normalizing it all. Sometimes it's all 3 in one day...
However you're fighting, keep going. I've got your back - and so does my mom! 💚✊
However you're fighting, keep going. I've got your back - and so does my mom! 💚✊
It was such a joy to attend tonight's Community Iftar at the Winooski Schools! The perfect contrast to the struggles of the larger world: a community coming together to share a meal, while lifting up & celebrating our diversity. 💚
Special thanks to Senator Peter Welch for stopping by to say hello!
Special thanks to Senator Peter Welch for stopping by to say hello!
March 21, 2025 at 1:14 AM
It was such a joy to attend tonight's Community Iftar at the Winooski Schools! The perfect contrast to the struggles of the larger world: a community coming together to share a meal, while lifting up & celebrating our diversity. 💚
Special thanks to Senator Peter Welch for stopping by to say hello!
Special thanks to Senator Peter Welch for stopping by to say hello!
Join us March 12 at 6pm for our yearly Winooski School Board Reorganization meeting! We'll be electing a President, VP, and Secretary, a bit of other procedural housekeeping, then getting right back to work. I promise, the chances are very small that I break something two meetings in a row! 💚
March 11, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Join us March 12 at 6pm for our yearly Winooski School Board Reorganization meeting! We'll be electing a President, VP, and Secretary, a bit of other procedural housekeeping, then getting right back to work. I promise, the chances are very small that I break something two meetings in a row! 💚
Thank you, Winooski! All items passed overwhelmingly & I was reelected. Another Town Meeting Day in the books. Onwards! 💚
Credit to Councilor Renner for the great photo!
Credit to Councilor Renner for the great photo!
March 5, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Thank you, Winooski! All items passed overwhelmingly & I was reelected. Another Town Meeting Day in the books. Onwards! 💚
Credit to Councilor Renner for the great photo!
Credit to Councilor Renner for the great photo!
“We are not going to wait because the need is now,” [Superintendent Chavarria] said. “We’re not in a world where we could expect another community to be first but I’m most proud that we are. And I am proud to make noise about it and to hopefully inspire the conversation elsewhere.”
“The committee knows that this policy is not like a magic shield. There’s no such thing as a real sanctuary, right,” said Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria.
‘The need is now’: Winooski approves ‘sanctuary school’ policy - VTDigger
“The committee knows that this policy is not like a magic shield. There’s no such thing as a real sanctuary, right,” said Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria.
vtdigger.org
February 15, 2025 at 8:43 PM
“We are not going to wait because the need is now,” [Superintendent Chavarria] said. “We’re not in a world where we could expect another community to be first but I’m most proud that we are. And I am proud to make noise about it and to hopefully inspire the conversation elsewhere.”