Burlington Schools educate over 3,600 students in nine schools.
OUR SCHOOLS: OUR FUTURE
Timeline
Review highlights of our journey to OUR SCHOOLS: OUR FUTURE, including the research phase and parent, teacher and community engagement beginning in January 2006. This timeline includes links to the findings and reports noted.
August 2008:
OUR SCHOOLS: OUR FUTURE 10-year plan is launched based upon research, master plan, community visioning, and facilities audit recommendations. The school board votes to develop 2 magnet schools and to request a ballot item to bring to voters on November 4 for a 10-year,phased in $226 million bond for district-wide renovations and upgrades.
OUR SCHOOLS: OUR FUTURE 10-year plan is launched based upon research, master plan, community visioning, and facilities audit recommendations. The school board votes to develop 2 magnet schools and to request a ballot item to bring to voters on November 4 for a 10-year,phased in $226 million bond for district-wide renovations and upgrades.July 2008: School board adopts vision statement to focus on hands-on real world learning, infrastructure repairs and renovations, and equal opportunities for all students. This vision was developed through the master plan steering committee, and includes the case for change.
School board adopts vision statement to focus on hands-on real world learning, infrastructure repairs and renovations, and equal opportunities for all students. This vision was developed through the master plan steering committee, and includes the case for change.May 2008: Elementary, Middle School and High School Master Plan Workshops Held: Participants from April's Vision workshops are joined by teachers and parents at each grade level to provide feedback and input to further develop and apply the evolving vision to school facilities. Community progress report presented (view presentation)
Elementary, Middle School and High School Master Plan Workshops Held: Participants from April's Vision workshops are joined by teachers and parents at each grade level to provide feedback and input to further develop and apply the evolving vision to school facilities. Community progress report presented (view presentation)April 2008:Vision Workshop: About 50 community members, including the steering committee, teachers, students, parents, city councilors, school board members, school and city administrators and community partners participate in a day and a half workshop to discuss core concepts of the magnet schools, facility planning and district vision.
Vision Workshop: About 50 community members, including the steering committee, teachers, students, parents, city councilors, school board members, school and city administrators and community partners participate in a day and a half workshop to discuss core concepts of the magnet schools, facility planning and district vision. March 2008:The Master Plan Steering Committee kicks off to review the process.
The Master Plan Steering Committee kicks off to review the process. February 2008:DeJONG.LOCKER is hired to lead vision and master planning. Steering Committee of 18-members is appointed by the administration to guide the process.
DeJONG.LOCKER is hired to lead vision and master planning. Steering Committee of 18-members is appointed by the administration to guide the process.January 2008: The Board supports feasibility planning for magnet schools based upon survey results and district-wide facilities review.
The Independent Research Survey and Focus Group results, conducted by Fifth Element Associates, are presented to the Board. The results support the magnet concept.
- Elementary school parent surveys indicate 56% of parents would apply to a magnet expressed through a “dream school” concept at Barnes or Wheeler. 46% of Champlain, Flynn, Smith & Edmunds parents would apply.
- Parents conception of a dream school included more arts, music and movement, environmental sustainability, diversity, hands-on learning, community connections and green buildings with natural light and gardens.
- Supplemental surveys of teachers, parents and community members indicated support for many of the same concepts.
October 2007: The Board supports maintaining six elementary schools and conducting independent research of elementary school parents on magnet preferences. Fifth Element Associates is hired to conduct the research.
The Board supports maintaining six elementary schools and conducting independent research of elementary school parents on magnet preferences. Fifth Element Associates is hired to conduct the research.June 2007:Community partners Flynn Center, St. Michael’s and Shelburne Farms present proposals for an Elementary Integrated Arts Magnet and Sustainable Schools Magnet . School Board Curriculum Committee organizes International Baccaleureate Primary program presentation. Community groups advance “The Unity Plan” calling for two elementary magnet schools.
Community partners Flynn Center, St. Michael’s and Shelburne Farms present proposals for an Elementary Integrated Arts Magnet and Sustainable Schools Magnet . School Board Curriculum Committee organizes International Baccaleureate Primary program presentation. Community groups advance “The Unity Plan” calling for two elementary magnet schools.May 2007:Superintendent presents preliminary proposals to the School Board that include a combination of magnet programs, an early education center, a school closing, and re-districting. The Superintendent discusses proposals at NPA meetings and public forums.
Superintendent presents preliminary proposals to the School Board that include a combination of magnet programs, an early education center, a school closing, and re-districting. The Superintendent discusses proposals at NPA meetings and public forums. Winter 2007:School Board supports concept of socio-economic integration in planning for Excellence & Equity and directs the Superintendent to develop proposals.
School Board supports concept of socio-economic integration in planning for Excellence & Equity and directs the Superintendent to develop proposals.Fall 2006: The Task Force and School Board present recommendations at NPA meetings, PTO meetings, city meetings and host four city-wide “Community Conversations.”
The Task Force and School Board present recommendations at NPA meetings, PTO meetings, city meetings and host four city-wide “Community Conversations.”June 2006: The task force unanimously recommends socio-economic integration as an underlying principle to support equity for all students.
The task force unanimously recommends socio-economic integration as an underlying principle to support equity for all students. January 2006: A task force of parents, teachers and community members is appointed to review equity issues related to poverty, research opportunities, and submit recommendations.
A task force of parents, teachers and community members is appointed to review equity issues related to poverty, research opportunities, and submit recommendations.
