Jeanné Collins
Superintendent of Schools, Burlington
September 4, 2007

Superintendent's Message

On Aug. 29, Burlington welcomed more than 3,500 students to the 2007-08 academic year. We look forward to a wonderful year of learning, growing and success.

Families can check our website, www.bsdvt.org, for registration forms, bus routes, school numbers and contacts, and other district news.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS: The schools are polished, clean and ready for school. Several completed capital projects await students:
  • Burlington High School Track and Field: The $3.9 million project created a new artificial turf football field, a new eight-lane track, a new meet management/concession stand building and a new storage building. The right field of the baseball field also was being raised in elevation. New drainage and a new pump station that should resolve odor issues were installed. The field will be opened at the Rice High School game on Aug. 31.
  • Edmunds Middle School windows: This project replaced windows on the north and west sides of the building. The more energy efficient windows open those closed since the energy crisis of the 1970s. This should increase the availability of natural light, further reducing costs.
  • Wood chip boiler: A wood chip boiler built behind Burlington High School is now functioning. The project cost $1.9 million. The wood chip boiler is expected to significantly reduce the cost of energy for the high school.

ENROLLMENT STRONG: The initial enrollment for the schools appears strong. Final enrollment figures will not be available until Oct. 1.

SAFETY INITIATIVES: A year ago, our community was recovering from the tragic shooting in Essex. As school begins this fall, I wanted to remind Burlington parents of the many school safety initiatives we have put in place.
  • Required identification for all adults in the schools or District buildings. Visitors - including parents and regular volunteers - are asked to go to the school office and get a visitor identification badge.
  • Only one unlocked school entrance during school hours.
  • Lockdown and evacuation drills in collaboration with the Burlington Police and Fire Departments.
  • District safety committee that meets monthly to address issues; review and create protocols; and collaborate with other schools and agencies.
  • Video surveillance cameras on CCTA buses and in schools.

As always, I would like to hear your questions and ideas to support Burlington's quest to provide the best education it can for its students. Contact me at 865.5332 or superintendent@bsdvt.org