Dear Ward 5 and Five Sisters residents,

 I have just returned from the October meeting of the School Board, which included an expanded opportunity for public commentary on the search for a superintendent that will begin next week. The salary offer we approved is $100,000-$110,000 which is in keeping with regional rates.

 We continue to hear from residents who want schools in the Old North End to remain open and for the Board to raise the salaries of paraeducators to meet the Burlington standard of the “livable wage” which is a little more than $12.00 per hour.  As the Board has made clear on several occasions, we have asked the administration to look into the feasibility of selling Taft (off of Pearl Street), Ira Allen (on the old Trinity campus), and a maintenance facility, but no elementary schools.  The determination about livable wages will be made in the course of contract negotiations that will play out in the next one to two years.  There is no doubt that it is depressing to be an employer of people who continue to qualify for food stamps.  The steep rise in health care and energy costs are almost equally as depressing.  On a bright note, we are moving ahead with plans to heat BHS with a wood chip burner, which should be much more efficient and cost-effective.

 Given recent concerns, it is no surprise that our request for feedback on the superintendent search was answered by some who wanted a kind of ‘litmus test’ on neighborhood schools and livable wages.  Other speakers addressed broader qualities, including vision, passion, love of teaching, listening and speaking skills, and collegiality.  If you have any thoughts on the direction of our schools that may be helpful in the search for a new superintendent, it is not too late to share your input.  Send any comments to me, Fred Lane (flane@bsdvt.org), or Paul Hale, chair of the board (phale@bsdvt.org)

 Stay dry, 
Amy Werbel  
Ward 5 School Commissioner
awerbel@bsdvt.org