Jeanné Collins
Superintendent of Schools, Burlington
September 2008

Superintendent's Message

FACILITY BOND UPDATE

Most residents by now know that the School Board has completed a visioning and master planning process for the district as well as a facilities audit. The Board has spent the past six weeks trying to inform as many residents as possible about the needs of the school and the importance of a facilities bond request. On Monday, September 22nd the City Council voted to refer the bond request to the city finance committee for consideration on the March ballot.

While this is disappointing, the real victory for our students and our entire community is the commitment from the city council and administration to work hand-in-hand with the school district to address the need for repairs and upgrades defined in the master plan.

Several community members and educators came to the city council and spoke very eloquently about the needs of our schools. The words of these parents and teachers were quite compelling. If you would like to see the needs first hand, we have scheduled a number of school tours. Please go to our bond website, www.bsdplan.com for "Get the Details" meeting dates and locations.

The Board will continue widespread public education to receive feedback on the master plan. I am happy to speak with any group who would like further information. In addition, copies of the plans and the facilities audit are available at the district office for sign-out.

NECAP ASSESSMENTS

We have just received our first science NECAP assessment results. As this is the first year of this assessment, we are not yet able to track student growth. We will, however, be taking the literacy and math assessments in October. Parents should watch your school newsletter for details on this assessment. Your support in helping our students understand the importance of this test will help the district garner good data for our analysis of our curriculum.

BOARD RESOLUTION ON ASSESSMENTS

As we are discussing assessments, I would like to share the Board resolution on assessments that was presented by Curriculum chair Amy Werbel, and committee members Kathy Chasan and Jen Lazar to the State Board of Education on September 16. The resolution requests that 1) assessments occur in the spring, rather than the fall, in order to assess what students learn rather than their regression; 2) on the basis of individual student growth rather than on progress toward an arbitrary cap; and 3) to assess high school students with the ACT or SAT, which is used for college applications, rather than the NECAP which has less meaning for high school students. The State Board of Education was interested in the resolution and we anticipate continuing this discussion with them in the future.

MAGNET SCHOOLS

Professional development and partner work is continuing on the magnet schools. On August 28, the Board renamed Wheeler the H.O. Wheeler Academy of Integrated Arts and Barnes the Lawrence Barnes Academy of Sustainability. On October 15, the Wheeler PTO anticipates hosting an informational night for parents on the Integrated Arts curriculum. Our October Commissioner's Corner TV show on Channel 17 will discuss both magnet schools. Stay tuned for more information.

As always, I invite you to contact me with questions or suggestions for the school district or with any concerns you may have. I can be reached at superintendent@ bsdvt.org or 864-8474 and information about our schools can be found at www.bsdvt.org. Thank you for supporting your schools.