(November 29, 2006):

Dear neighbors,

The School Board met last night for four hours to talk about public response to the task force report and to attempt to draft some guidelines for the administration to use in crafting concrete proposals for school change that increase socioeconomic integration (SEI) and accomplish our goals of facilities consolidation.  I doubt that anyone in attendance at the meeting still believes that there is a “done deal” we will at some point unveil.  While some progress was made towards reaching consensus on what the proposals should include, there also were a lot of competing objectives expressed.  I do believe the Board reached consensus that the Superintendent should be in charge of drafting several different and detailed proposals through collaborative discussions with board members, teachers, parents, city leaders, students, etc. that will go out for extensive public comment before any votes are taken.  This process reflects the intent of both the Board and Superintendent that we lead with greater inclusiveness and transparency than has been done in the past.

So, two steps forward . . . the full Board meets next on December 12th at 7 p.m. at the Ira Allen building on Colchester Ave.  As always, we begin with public comment (last night’s was fascinating, passionate and informative), and then the meeting will include the administration’s presentation of a proposed budget for 2007-8.  My expectation is that this budget will not include any large changes to facilities or programs for the coming year.  The proposals the administration will make that include consolidation and SEI will presumably begin with the 2008-9 year and incorporate the idea of change over a period of time.  I believe that last night’s large wish list for the proposals will be discussed and condensed in some manner at the December meeting, but I’m not sure about that.  Our agendas are posted on the district website generally a week before the meeting (www.bsdvt.org).

Please let me, or your other Ward 5 commissioner Fred Lane (flane@bsdvt.org), know if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.  

Warm regards,

Amy Werbel
Ward 5 School Commissioner
awerbel@bsdvt.org
www.amywerbel.info