Excellence and Equity

Working Toward Our Vision

Based on our district-wide vision adopted by the Board in July, the board identified the following goals for our schools:

  • Rigorous Academics
  • Demographic balance for a healthy learning & teaching environment
  • Differentiated Instruction (challenging each child at their level)
  • Hands-on Learning/Real-World Relevance
  • Enriched Arts, Math, Science
  • Global Awareness/Welcoming Diversity
  • Education for Sustainability
  • Technology Integration
  • Community Partnerships/Learning in the Community
  • Increasing Parent Involvement and Student Engagement

    • Throughout the year, we reached out to teachers to review these goals, get feedback on priorities, and begin to plan how best to achieve our vision. We are working to develop our baseline - to understand how well we are doing in each of these areas. Next fall, each school principal will provide a report to the board that summarizes the school's work in each of these areas, and outlines what we need to do to move forward.

    Parent Update On Excellence & Equity
    November 29, 2008

    We have been working on many fronts to continue to increase excellence and equity in all Burlington Schools. Your input and involvement is of great importance as we continue to improve our schools and opportunities for all of our students.Read More

    FUTURE OF OUR SCHOOLS

    July 31, 2008

    Important Article Demonstrates Effectiveness of Socio-Economic Integration, and Supports Burlington School District Plans for Equity and Excellence.

    Building on the work of the past several years, we began the Excellence and Equity visioning process in March. The visioning process has helped to identify the ways that our schools must advance to prepare all students for the 21st century.Read More

    Community Update Held on May 7th

    To keep the community up-to-date on the progress and the process, a community update meeting was held at Burlington High School.

    Click here to view the Community Update Powerpoint Presentation

    Vision and Master Plan

    The Burlington Schools'  vision and master plan is moving full-speed ahead. Recognizing that Excellence and Equity is a goal for all students, the master plan will include:

    1) A compelling district-wide vision for the future of Burlington Schools,

    2) A facilities review complete with drawings and cost estimates to help prioritize necessary maintenance and improvements to our school buildings,

    3) Feasibility plans for two innovative community-based elementary magnet schools. Read More

    Educational planner, Frank Locker of DeJONG-LOCKER is leading the vision and master planning. Read More

    The process is being guided by an 18-person community steering committee, which includes parents, teachers, community partners and representatives from the school board, administration, city council and the city administration.Committee Members

    Our Schools, Our Future

    Sept. 2, 2008

    On August 30, the school board passed 2 important resolutions that define the future of our schools. The Board passed a resolution to move forward with 2 magnet schools and a resolution to request the city council to bring a ballot item for voters to consider a 10-year, phased in renovation and upgrade plan for $226 million.

    Our community has asked for a comprehensive plan, not a piece meal plan and the master plan presented tonight provides a thoughtful long-term plan. Community members, parents, teachers and students have told us that the plan must include, our buildings, achieve equity, and an educational curriculum that supports creativity and hands-on real world learning. For the past decade we have consistently been the lowest spending district in the county. What we spend on our schools does not mirror our values or reflect our commitment to the children of this community. The Board determined it was time to bring forward a comprehensive 10-year plan that reflects Burlington residents expressed values.

    This 10-year plan aligns our community values, commitment to our children and investment in Burlington's future.

    For more information, please go to www.bsdplan.com

    July 31, 2008

    Important Article Demonstrates Effectiveness of Socio-Economic Integration, and Supports Burlington School District Plans for Equity and Excellence.

    NY Times Magazine July 20, 2008
    The Next Kind of Integration
    By Emily Bazelon
    July 20, 2008
    In response to the courts, class is replacing race as the primary basis for desegregating schools. It's a mix that just might work.Read More

    Moving Forward in Burlington

    The Burlington School Board has directed the District administration to proceed with a comprehensive assessment and visioning process to determine how Burlington schools can best evolve to a 21st Century learning environment. That visioning process is now underway, utilizing findings from research and community conversations conducted over the past three years and gathering fresh inputs from a range of community members, stakeholders and professional resources. The visioning process includes a comprehensive facilities audit now being conducted by Burlington architect Colin Lindbergh, working collaboratively with community representatives, administrators, and Board commissioners to make recommendations for Board decisions. The work of the visioning and assessment will be submitted to the School Board with recommendations for their consideration and action in late August 2008. Presentation of findings and recommendations will be presented to the public in early Fall 2008.

    BURLINGTON SCHOOLS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
    April 30, 2008

    BURLINGTON SCHOOLS' MASTER PLAN

    Building upon our core academic strengths and the values and priorities expressed through community-wide research, our vision features deep community connections, enhancements in arts, music and environmental sustainability, and increased hands-on learning.

    STEERING COMMITTEE KICKS-OFF BURLINGTON SCHOOLS' MASTER PLAN: Magnet School Pre-Development Begins

    March 27, 2008
    The next phase of the Burlington School District Excellence & Equity process kicked off with a steering committee meeting on March 19th. On March 31st and April 1st vision workshops will be conducted.Schedule Link

    The steering committee is comprised of students, parents, teachers, community and city leaders, educators, school board commissioners and district administration who have been appointed to help guide the feasibility and master planning.Committee Members Link

    Frank Locker, of DeJONG.LOCKER, is working with the district to lead this process, which will include refining the vision and developing the Excellence & Equity plan.Read More

    DeJONG LOCKER to Develop Master Plan

    February 21, 2008
    DeJONG.LOCKER was selected by the Burlington School Board Finance Committee to develop the Excellence & Equity Master Plan. DeJONG LOCKER was chosen to lead this process because of their unique combination of educational and facilities planning expertise, community engagement experience, and depth of understanding of the work completed to date.Read More

    School Board and Superintendent Plan for Vermont's First "Magnet" School

    January 30, 2008
    With the results of parent, teacher and community surveys in hand, the Burlington School Board adopted a plan for Excellence & Equity that moves forward on magnet school options.Read More

    Market Research Survey on Dream School in Burlington

    Updated January 15, 2008
    At last week's school board meeting, Fifth Element presented the results of the parent and community surveys. The powerpoint report is available in two formats:

    In addition, there are two executive summaries available in PDF format.

    Finally, there are copies of the online survey web page questions in PDF format.

    If you have comments, contact the superintendent at 865-5332 or send us your E-Mail Comments

    Superintendent's Message
    January 7, 2008

    Dear Burlington Parents and Community Members:
    Happy New Year! I hope that you will join me for the presentation of your feedback.

    What Parents Want in Burlington Schools
    Tuesday, January 8th, 2008
    Burlington High School
    7pm

    This research study marks a major milestone in the Burlington Schools' Excellence and Equity planning.Read More

    Community Survey - Thanks for your input!

    December 21, 2007
    You are invited to take this survey about our schools, particularly elementary schools, to share your opinion about what you think all students need to succeed. The independent research firm Fifth Element produced this online survey. All answers are anonymous and confidential. The results of this survey will be used by the School Board and Superintendent to help make decisions as the Excellence and Equity initiative moves forward.Read More

    PARENTS, Thanks for your input!

    December 12, 2007
    Thank you for sharing your opinion about what makes an elementary school excellent. The independent research firm Fifth Element produced this online survey for parents. All answers are anonymous and confidential. The results of this survey will be used by the School Board and Superintendent to help make decisions as the Excellence and Equity initiative moves forward.Read More

    Burlington School's Excellence and Equity Discussion Moves Forward
    Jeanné Collins
    Superintendent of Schools, Burlington

    October 8, 2007

    I am pleased to report the major decision-points that will shape the direction of the Burlington School Excellence and Equity plans. At the Tuesday, October 9th board meeting, important recommendations will be brought to the full board for their approval. These recommendations include maintaining 6 elementary schools, approving a community survey on the concept of magnet schools in Burlington, and considering a proposal for infrastructure financial support.Read More

    Burlington board consensus exercise indicates early, though non-binding, consensus of priorities

    August 24, 2007
    Four points emerged as an emerging, though non-binding, consensus on how to achieve excellence and equity in the Burlington Schools during a four-hour School Board work session Thursday. Read More

    Summer Update

    August 14, 2007
    The School Board will hold a retreat on August 23, from 3-8 pm at the Ira Allen building, to continue discussion on Excellence and Equity in the Burlington Schools. More information and notes from the June meeting will be shared shortly.

    Burlington school board takes major step forward

    June 28, 2007
    The Burlington School Board on Tuesday made substantial progress toward the goal of excellence and equity for all Burlington children. In response to community input, the board explicitly defined the goals, challenges, stakeholders, and decision-making criteria for reviewing proposals.Read More

    Magnet School Presentations at Curriculum Committee Meeting

    June 19, 2007
    The curriculum committee of the Burlington School Board will meet from 1-4 p.m. on Monday, June 25th at Wheeler Elementary School, to hear presentations about the three magnet school ideas suggested by Superintendent Collins as part of her proposed methods of achieving excellence for all children and socio-economic balance in the city's elementary schools.Read More

    RETN Broadcasts of Arts Magnet Presentation

    June 19, 2007
    See www.retn.orgfor additional information

    • Sunday June 24, 10 AM and 5 PM
    • Thursday June 28, 3 PM
    • Saturday, July 7, 10 AM and 5 PM

    Academic Excellence and Equity Update

    June 11, 2007
    The Burlington School District has completed its round of hearings and visits with NPAs, PTOs and other community hearings on the topic of Excellence and Equity in the schools.
    This week, June 12, the Board will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 pm at H.O. Wheeler School. Public Comment is on the agenda and residents are welcome to speak to the Board at that time.
    Later this month, the Board will hold a retreat to go through the input gathered on the proposals submitted by the Superintendent, and to define the next steps in the process.
    We wish to thank everyone who has become involved in this process, giving feedback, creative proposals and suggestions, and helping to frame the discussion.
    We invite you to keep watching this page for updated information.

    SUPERINTENDENT & BOARD CHAIR LAY OUT THE GAME PLAN

    May 21, 2007
    In a joint statement released today, the Superintendent of the Burlington School District, Jeanne Collins, and the Chair of the Burlington Board of School Commissioners, Thom Fleury outlined the next steps in the process for consideration of the Equity and Excellence Report presented by Superintendent Jeanne Collins to the board at its meeting on May 8, 2007.

    Collins and Fleury clarified that there are no plans in place for a vote. A number of conceptual maps and proposals have been advanced, including those in the Superintendent's May 8th report. These are purely conceptual and for the purpose of conversation. Superintendent Collins expressed "regret for any misunderstanding or confusion resulting from the presentation of maps" and shared that it is "time to put the maps aside and come together as a community to respectfully come up with ideas that retain what Burlington parents value the most and embrace as a community a plan for excellence for all."

    Praising Superintendent Collins, School Commission Chair Thomas Fleury called her report, "A great work in progress that helps further the public discussion on Equity and Excellence for all of Burlington's children." Fleury added that the Board is committed to the public process. All input received through the forums, NPA meetings and written comments will be carefully considered. "The work of creating equity and excellence for all our students is the overarching and ongoing goal of the administration and the board, and we want to conduct this very important task as cautiously, thoroughly, and thoughtfully as possible," he said.

    Fleury and Collins laid out the next steps, acknowledging the need for a clear and predictable process. On June 12th, the Board will meet to discuss the public input received on the conceptual proposals. At the June 26th Board retreat, a comprehensive timeline including presentation dates of any formal proposals for adoption, as well as notification of dates for any scheduled votes will be developed. Fleury ensured that "the public will know if and when any votes are scheduled." After the June 26th retreat, the timeline will be presented to the city of Burlington. No vote will take place in advance of that.

    Fleury also suggested that it is highly unlikely that any vote on a specific proposal for adoption would take place in advance of October 2007.

    Informational opportunities:
    Sustainable Schools Info Session May 21 6:30 - 7:30 pm Wheeler Elementary
    Flynn Center for Performing Arts session 6 pm May 30 at Wheeler Elementary School
    Proposal Q and A May 22 Ward 5 NPA
    Proposal Q and A June 5 Ward 6 NPA

    Public Hearings:
    8 am May 22 Champlain Elem Learning Center
    7 pm May 29 Flynn Elementary Learning Center
    7 pm May 31 Edmunds Elementary School
    8:30 am June 4 Barnes Elementary Learning Center
    7 pm June 4 Wheeler Elementary Learning Center

    Additional input may be provided through email to superintendent@bsdvt.org or through letters sent to Superintendent, Burlington School District, 150 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401.
    For further information, call 802.865.5332 or visit the Excellence and Equity Home Page.