January 10, 2023
Dear Burlington Community,
At last night’s board meeting, the School Board and I had the pleasure of recognizing five students from Burlington Technical Center (BTC) who have been named presidential scholars! I had the opportunity to share words of praise from their teachers Stacey Ladd, Jason Raymond, Monica Beard-Raymond, and Ashley Stagner. I am grateful that we have so many educators like these who take the time every day to connect with their students, build relationships, and nurture their strengths and interests. In presenting this recognition I was struck by the leadership, skill, and commitment of our scholars to making our cities, towns, and schools a better place, and once again, taken aback by the great achievement and potential of our students. These scholars highlight what can happen when our students are challenged, empowered, and engaged in their learning, and their work at BTC is a shining example of the deeper learning that happens across our schools. Congratulations!
Please join me in congratulating our scholars: (from left to right below)
- Apolina Mbeleci (WHS), Presidential Scholar of the Arts
- Kennedy Desautels (CVU), Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education
- Ayowunmi Adewuyi (SBHS), Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education
- Sarah Ali (BHS), Presidential Scholar
- Greta Ketterling (BHS), Presidential Scholar of the Arts
In partnership, Tom
Budget – Following my Community Budget Update, the Board met last night to review a number of budget scenarios, including my recommended budget that I believe is responsive to the budget pressures presented by the CLA. This budget includes reductions in Central Office operations and eliminates some vacant positions, resulting in about $1.1m in reductions. It also minimizes impacts on staffing, retains the current level of art positions in elementary schools, and provides us with about $1.1m in modest investments in areas such as literacy, mental health support, magnet schools, and our strategic plan. As a result, we are projecting a 13.97% tax increase, driven largely by increased costs in wages and benefits ($5m) and costs associated with repaying the bonds for our new high school and technical center ($9.5m). The board will vote on a final budget number and ballot language next week.
Kindergarten Registration – Registration for the 2024/2025 school year has begun. Existing PreK and partner PreK families can register through their PowerSchool accounts. For families with students new to BSD, please use our pre-registration portal. The deadline to register is April 1, 2024. To learn more, check out this flyer for information about upcoming school visits or visit us for presentations at CP Smith on February 7 from 11:00-12:00, or Edmunds Elementary on March 13 from 11:00-12:00.
Disability and Rights Advocacy Workshop Tonight! Join us tonight (Wednesday, January 10) at 6PM in the IAA Library for a Community Equity Workshop on Disability Rights and Advocacy for Students. This workshop will review federal laws (IDEA, 504, ADA) that protect the rights of students with disabilities in schools. The workshop will culminate in a reflective circle discussion about BSD’s challenges and successes in our approaches to Special Education and Disability Rights. See you there!
Code of Conduct Updated – The Restorative Code of Conduct has been updated with the suggested changes and edits offered. There will be another revision opportunity in May/June. Suggestions for changes/edits can be made at any time throughout the school year using this form.
Reimagined High School – Last night our Executive Director of School Leadership (Bonnie Johnson-Aten) and BHS Interim Principal Sabrina Westdijk presented an update on Priority Area 3 of our Strategic Plan: Reimagined High School. I am excited about our progress in this area and the possibilities ahead!
Payea Named Interim AP of BHS! Congratulations Jada Payea! AP Payea is a currently science teacher at Horizon’s, one of our High School Program in BSD. She serves on the District’s restorative practices training and leadership team, is a tutoring coordinator for the Intersect program, and is currently in a PhD program for Educational Leadership. She has more than nine years of experience within BSD and is known for making connections with students. Her work serving students who are looking for a more individualized approach and specializing in RP makes her a great fit for this assignment. Congratulations AP Payea!!!
Champlain PCBs – As part of Vermont’s Statewide testing for PCBs in schools, we recently received the results for Champlain. The good news is that all spaces are safe for kindergarten and up, including adults. And this is with the very conservative approach that our Vermont Health Department takes to PCB’s. Unfortunately, the gym and a boiler room tested too high to be used by PreK. As a result, PreK will offer physical education in a different location for the remainder of the year (the State has approved this plan) and we have brought in consultants to help us determine the next steps regarding any needed remediation.
Playground Design Procedure – The District is committed to engaging a broader diversity of students and families in designing or renovating playgrounds. To ensure accessibility and inclusive spaces are a priority. To this end, we would like to convene an ad hoc advisory committee of students, families, and community members to help draft a Playground Design Procedure that includes the topic of accessibility and inclusion with a particular focus on individuals with disabilities. If you are interested in participating, please connect with Victor Prussack at vprussac@bsdvt.org or 802-316-6653.
Flag Raising Procedure – In addition to the American Flag, nearly all of our schools also fly the Black Lives Matter flag. After some students asked about flying another flag at their school this past spring, we realized that we should develop a procedure that aligns with our policy on flags. For example, should there be a limit on how many flags can be flown or for how long? To this end, we would like to convene an ad hoc advisory committee of students, families, and community members to help draft a Flag Raising Procedure. If you are interested in participating, please connect with Victor Prussack at vprussac@bsdvt.org or 802-316-6653.
BHS and EMS Principal Hiring – We are beginning the search for the permanent Burlington High School and Edmunds Middle School Principal for the 2024/2025 year. The postings for these positions are live on our website and on School Spring. We are working on building surveys to gauge the community’s needs and goals for the next leaders in our schools. We are also very interested in having members of our community participate in the hiring process, join the search committee, and weigh in on the decision-making. If you are a parent or community member at these schools, contact Michelle Meola to learn more.
Property Services Hiring – We are still in need of two Head Custodians for Flynn and Edmunds, two second-shift Maintenance Utility positions, and an HVAC Controls Technician. We offer competitive benefits and pay in a rewarding environment. Apply today!
Facilities Projects Around the District
- The Hunt Auditorium seating project is scheduled to be finished the last week of January.
- We have received bids for the HS track and field project, which will update our current fields at BHS/Buck Hard Field and will be evaluating them this week.
- We have completed a good portion of the demo at the Rock Point buildings, where we are planning updates to the facility and programs at OnTop/Horizons. We will start digging the foundations for the additions very soon, and we will share more on this project soon as well.
BHS/BTC Update – In case you missed it, we are pouring concrete! Here are a few more updates:
Demo EnviroVantage’s (EV) demo and abatement work continues. Building D demolition is complete and the area has been turned over to Whiting-Turner. Building E demolition should be completed by the end of January. Building F abatement continues with demolition is expected to start in mid-January. Building G demolition is complete and the underground storage tanks there are ready for removal.
Permit The full building permit application was submitted on 11/7. We anticipate the permit will be issued by mid-January.
Value Management The development team, including BSD leadership staff, approved a 4th round of recommended value management (VM) changes totaling approximately $473,000 in savings. The changes do not affect form or function and include replacing slate sculptings with attractive brick, changing the type of rubber tile, and miscellaneous lighting changes. Total approved VM savings to date is approximately $3.1 M with more work to be done.
Design Increase Preliminary pricing for Design Addendum 4 indicates a cost increase of approximately $500,000 to the project. Cost changes are primarily in the two areas of structural coordination and additional sound mitigation measures required to achieve LEED Certification. These changes were not included in the original bid documents. Rather than covering this additional cost from project contingencies, we are working to raise our VM savings target to $4.5M. If we are unable to reach the $4.5M target in VM changes, the difference will need to come out of project contingencies.
FF&E A Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) consultant was issued in early December. Proposals are due in mid-January. The FF&E consultant will manage the planning and procurement process for all FF&E to be used in the new building including existing and new FF&E.
Congrats Principals Resteghini and Snellenberger – Congratulations to Principals Joe Resteghini (Champlain) and Kolby Snellenberger (Edmunds Elementary) who were selected to take part in the Waddington Institute for School Leadership, sponsored by the Vermont Principals Association. This leadership development program focuses on building a principal’s capacity to create a positive school culture in support of instructional excellence. Participants receive face-to-face leadership development work delivered over several months, as well as executive coaching sessions, leadership tools, and support from Center for Creative Leadership faculty, executive coaches, and peer-learning partners.
Fill the Bowl – The 15th Annual Fill the Bowl was held on Dec. 15th at IAA. This service learning project is hosted by 3rd graders and combines creating art, gathering as a community, and raising funds to donate to Feeding Chittenden. The community dines on soup and bread donated by local restaurants, cafes, and bakeries and purchases handmade and glazed bowls for $5 each. Local musician Mikahely provided background music for attendees. The 3rd graders made almost 200 bowls and raised $950! A special thank you goes to Burlington City Arts and Joan Watson for their support.
Calendar Contest! The talented elementary students listed below were the honored guests at a party last month at Burlington Electric Department (BED), where they were recognized for their winning entries in the BED Net Zero Energy Calendar Contest. All fourth graders in BSD participate in this contest, which provides students with a chance to create artwork around energy efficiency and conservation that may be featured in the annual Burlington Electric Net Zero Energy Calendar. Student contest winners met with Mayor Weinberger and Champ from the Vermont Lake Monsters, enjoyed pizza and cake and received a t-shirt, prize bag and a $50 award to celebrate their efforts to spread the word on the importance of using renewable energy sources and energy conservation.
| Month | Student | Teacher | School |
| cover | Amelia Dabritz | Ms. Dominique | C.P. Smith |
| Jan | Aaron C. Bromley | Ms. Lucey | SA |
| Feb | Amari Badireddy | Ms. Campanelli | Flynn |
| Mar | Rylie Lebeua | Mr. Mack | Flynn |
| Apr | Maddie Wegner | Ms. Rochman | Champlain |
| May | Becket Sky | Ms. Marchessault | SA |
| Jun | Emma Burns | Ms. Rochman | Champlain |
| Jul | Julia Bashir Suliman Okmada | Mr. Thibault | IAA |
| Aug | Una Hughes | Mr. Thibault | IAA |
| Sep | Sylvia Katz | Mr. Houchens | Edmunds |
| Oct | Lucy Conant | Mr. Houchens | Edmunds |
| Nov | Reagan Wentz | Ms. Dominique | Smith |
| Dec | Levi Bouchard | Mr. Mike | IAA |
| back | Angus Alger | Mr. Houchens | Edmunds |
