May 8, 2007

Dear neighbors,

Tonight was fairly exciting at the full School Board meeting, as Superintendent Collins presented four proposals for elementary school reorganization to enhance “excellence and equity in the district.”  None of the proposals suggests much change for Champlain Elementary, or for the New North End.  Instead, all four proposals offer a blend of redistricting in Wards 1-3 (the North Hill and Old North End) and the reconfiguring of Barnes for early education or as a grades 4-5 “two-campus-one-school” building paired with Wheeler as a grades K-3.  Some of the districting does effect streets currently sent to Edmunds and Champlain.  Another option suggested by Superintendent Collins is the creation of a magnet school in the Old North End based on the International Baccalaureate program, a Shelburne Farms Sustainable curriculum, or an integrated arts curriculum in conjunction with the Flynn.  Sometime tomorrow, the proposals and supporting material will be posted to the district website at www.bsdvt.org.  Also on the District Website will be a list of the many times the Board has established for gathering public input, including NPA and PTO meetings, special hearings, and via e-mail sent to superintendent@bsdvt.org.

In other business, the Board voted to accept a construction bid to replace the windows on the west side of Edmunds Middle School (So. Union Street) and the north side (Main Street). The Board hopes to replace the windows on the other two sides in the summer of 2008.

If you have any questions, or comments regarding the Board’s proposals for possible restructuring, please contact either me or Fred know at: awerbel@bsdvt.org or flane@bsdvt.org

Talk to you soon,

Amy Werbel
Ward 5 School Commissioner