Building Burlington's Future

Task Force Report

We need a school system that will position us as a city for the 21st century - a successful, vibrant, attractive, multi-cultural city."

The Task Force unanimously voted to recommend socioeconomic integration in all District schools. Socioeconomic integration means that every school in the district has an equal share of both the city's rich cultural resources and its challenges. This can be accomplished by equalizing the percentages of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch at all schools to within 5% of the district average (47%). The task force recommended the following implementation strategies that could be used to integrate student populations:

  • Restructure schools to have two K-2 schools and two 3-5 schools, replacing the current five K-5h schools.
  • Redistrict - schools would remain as is. "Neighborhoods" would be redrawn through a more deliberate and technologically-informed system.
  • Magnet Schools - some or all elementary schools would shift from general to focused curricula.

  • Composed of 15 members (5 each of parents, educators and community members) and 3 ex-officio members of the School Board.
  • Charged with addressing an approach or combination of approaches to further the achievement of students from low-income families.
  • Appointed in January 2006 and completed its work in June 2006.
  • Produced a 40-page report including its findings and recommendations.

LINKS:

  • Task Force Report (pdf)
  • Brief Overview
  • Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
  • Meeting Calendar
  • Minutes of Meetings
  • Related Research
  • Essay by Evan Watson
  • Summary of Responses