Hi neighbors — During the recent City Council vote on the School Board’s bond proposal, many of the councilors expressed their desire to work with the Board to develop a school renovation proposal that matches the city’s fiscal resources. On Monday evening, the Council is scheduled to consider a resolution that would establish a specific timetable for the Administration to report back to the City Council on its work with the School Board. Both the Council and the Board hope to develop a revised proposal by the beginning of January.

The Board’s Ad Hoc Facilities committee continues to meet on Wednesdays at the Ira Allen Building on Colchester Avenue. Over the next several weeks, the committee will be prioritizing the infrastructure and curricular needs of the District. The meetings are open to the public.

The Board’s next full meeting is on October 14 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at Burlington High School. I will post a brief summary after the meeting.

Lastly, Ward 5 School Commissioner Amy Werbel wrote an article for the North Avenue News about Vermont’s first magnet schools, which will open in the Old North End next Fall. If you did not have a chance to read the article, you can view it on her website: http://www.amywerbel.info.

In the coming months, the District will hold informational meetings to give parents a chance to learn more about the magnet schools and ask questions. I will post dates and times when they are available.

Fred Lane
Ward 5 School Commissioner
12 Catherine Street
flane@bsdvt.org