[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6200091,"mediaKeyId","3819410-d71484f8179b59aa6f0bf2416f7748aa","parentId",3819410,"title","Fox Hill project wins planning support; summer building and maintenance work announced","audioSeconds",158,"startMs",5274000,"endMs",5432000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3819410-d71484f8179b59aa6f0bf2416f7748aa&start=5274&end=5432","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3819410-d71484f8179b59aa6f0bf2416f7748aa/thumbnail_5274000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6200091/Burlington-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Fox-Hill-project-wins-planning-support-summer-building-and-maintenance-work-announced","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200091-890c65aa6cd6eb3fc37c46d318493821/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058980&Signature=HttP50xgoLCrC2kbwrmmt6~yV8G4zEWpxblCXeUMPUC89hdEoLi7b3mt~IJmVVJwiDdetZ6aVCXZrQueQOJkNhvHd7joWdo9UZFBYRLRGgbQaFz2hzlTytMe2VgdZDdTrCj546MwmLMICsvompNqXndoE~8E9gLWjKVd6xzJJ4FZcr46FDRmzjuObBG~eip50AhASqMAGR6CTbripDKg~bUXVDJZDFHRBUMolVOErhBrWwEm7TEKN-pO6p1vYweIz74bvhHl2RmKfUwQ2l0c6d1z8sCf9H69GT82~CgMTaiwaUARi6RbgWifNzfwt6d6o7sZMg20kMJzDVkWJfKrlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Burlington Public Schools, MA","date","2025-06-12T18:31:51Z","article","The Fox Hill high‑school project received favorable feedback from planning staff and unanimous support from the planning board, and district facilities staff laid out summer maintenance and installation timelines for multiple sites.

Project status: District staff reported that Dore & Whittier (project architect/manager referenced in meeting) has secured positive responses from planning and conservation boards. “There was a vote at planning… it was unanimous,” a staff member said. The district said it expects firm pricing by August so the project can be presented at town meeting and that the select board would decide any special election date for a debt‑exclusion vote.

Summer maintenance and capital work: Facilities staff presented a multi‑school list of summer projects and lead times, noting four‑to‑six week material lead times on several items. Highlights included ordering athletic scoreboards for the high school (interior and exterior units), a network refresh across schools, auditorium and restroom renovations at the middle school, door and boiler work at Pine Glen, sidewalk pad replacements at Memorial, classroom floor work at Francis Wyman, and gym office renovations at Fox Hill. Facilities staff emphasized coordination with custodial and clerical teams for summer installations.

Why it matters: The Fox Hill project’s planning approvals are significant milestones in the feasibility/design process and affect timing for town meeting and any subsequent debt exclusion ballot. The summer capital work affects building readiness and technology infrastructure ahead of the school year.

Next steps: Staff will continue coordination with the architect, bring updated cost estimates in July and provide procurement and installation timelines for ordered equipment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee - June 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Fox Hill high‑school project received unanimous support from the planning board and is progressing toward pricing and town actions; district facilities staff listed summer maintenance projects and timelines, including network refresh and gym scoreboard orders.","taxTitle","Burlington Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",56238,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6200097,"Enrollment steady at about 17 students per elementary classroom; hotel shelter closures expected to reduce some counts",270,666000,936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3819410-d71484f8179b59aa6f0bf2416f7748aa&start=666&end=936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3819410-d71484f8179b59aa6f0bf2416f7748aa/thumbnail_666000.jpg","/articles/6200097/Burlington-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Enrollment-steady-at-about-17-students-per-elementary-classroom-hotel-shelter-closures-expected-to-reduce-some-counts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200097-639cf35ac264f9a15cbc6eed0a2400e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058980&Signature=YI4x9r0OUHvV~dKRQ1I6DG25JFYTjjxBbRLhgcFhS708UTXg5oQybVuIZu7HHfaQ-bTnFqLSoA-PWCykIRH6gR54GYd3LublmYmWUbMBw81LIkRy1xwPIFbkFMPaz~cPXs1qPkf1uHoMNnwwg-fcksKbRn2per2cjQU-PPR2gnvks1lMbIPrGzBZ5Lmo0WRwZ-jdJtsfFS0yPHbfhbCAN9VsXSVf7MphI~cBzc3qgwoTU7FXUt8TLD5a277MAAkPAKTN-ps23JxBo7O9CM3DlFAe-RlaFLh0jjBFr4o6ut7O590xPgArx7SWjyAE5P0DTKiveO4QOiwZjQsyZiS71Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff told the School Committee overall enrollment trends are stable, with elementary class sizes averaging about 17 students per section and registration continuing over the summer.

“District wide is about 17 students per classroom,” Robin Miliano, student information staff, told the committee. She said approximately 40 students across elementary, middle and high school have registered since May 1 and that the district expects more summer registrations even as some families move away.

Why this matters: Enrollment numbers drive staffing and classroom section counts, which affect budgets and class sizes. Staff said they had increased Memorial School back to 24 sections for the coming year to keep class sizes near 15–17.

Shelter changes: Staff said a state action to close emergency hotel shelters is moving families into permanent housing. Robin Miliano said the district anticipates a decline in students from the hotel on South Ave (formerly referred to in the meeting as Second Ave) by July 31: “At the height, we probably had, you know, close to 45 students, from our pre k through our high school,” she said, and added most relocated students have gone to other districts.

Kindergarten and preschool notes: The district said Memorial School plans five kindergarten sections (about 75 kindergarteners, roughly 15 per class). The Burlington Early Childhood Center uses neighborhood and integrated preschool slots rather than a blind lottery; the morning preschool spots were reported full while some afternoon spots remained available.

Next steps: Staff will continue to provide summer enrollment updates and said current budgets and staffing do not require adding classrooms at this time.

Ending: Committee members thanked staff and asked for continued updates through the summer as registrations and withdrawals are finalized.","District staff reported enrollment holding steady with an average of about 17 students per elementary class and said students housed in an emergency hotel shelter are being moved to permanent housing, which will likely lower local enrollment from that site by July 31.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6200102,"District outlines athletic‑trainer coverage, concussion protocols and heat‑safety steps",576,4020000,4596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3819410-d71484f8179b59aa6f0bf2416f7748aa&start=4020&end=4596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3819410-d71484f8179b59aa6f0bf2416f7748aa/thumbnail_4020000.jpg","/articles/6200102/Burlington-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/District-outlines-athletictrainer-coverage-concussion-protocols-and-heatsafety-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200102-07127ae1113b6224faba099cda5add05/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058980&Signature=WIEzXROudkIg~psm9XihIzTCRwggSYHYZ1i22UHeyIt6eN~wtWaHrogGS77CYEmpf-sfjTZ0oFCnHBICCH2ihbo5Psc7jppOyt6gdRAi58FDCbGZqSP-4AQbYBSj1keVS8mEfeMKKlJg7~XeeqRVoubhVSUTw0TKbOREhDfD6jpeMf1-kJilC22qS4TLThZEplEYscfy0H6AfHyJLIoVCZmBnVJO-~KDnvSGH-Gztjgo9BhcIyDOLwEn9CmodJNKo1vAr5iNvFj7N-Gpm0A5zncleHgT4quJhOrClbb-g-zgRdeqYs0Wol8MRHtJEbNjWgIixN9H5neWQoaQCfK5~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Burlington school athletic staff told the School Committee they maintain two full‑time athletic trainers and a set of preventive policies that include baseline concussion testing, emergency action plans and on‑site AEDs.

Sean (athletics staff) and athletic trainers Kelly Melville and Abby Sleeper described a layered approach to sports medicine. “We have 3 AEDs that travel with us and will go to any of the games or practices that we're at,” Kelly Melville said. She explained the district uses baseline concussion testing and a new FDA‑approved phone‑based tool called Sway for baseline testing: “We do baseline testing…we just switched to Sway, which is an FDA approved medical device on their phone.”

The nut graf: Staff emphasized prevention, routine monitoring and communication with families and coaches as central to reducing catastrophic events. Trainers described standing protocols for notification and follow‑up, coordination with nursing staff and outside athletic trainers at away contests, and the use of a heat‑monitoring system to alter practices when conditions become hazardous.

Key points covered in committee discussion:
- Staffing and coverage: Athletic staff said two full‑time trainers allow coverage of varsity games and many practices but acknowledged not every away game or neighboring school has an athletic trainer on site. Sean said six league schools lack a full‑time trainer, so Burlington’s staff sometimes provide remote support to other sites.
- Concussion policy and testing: Trainers said concussions are largely a clinical diagnosis that relies on symptom reporting, so the district combines sideline evaluation, medical history review and baseline testing. “Concussions…rely on self reporting for the most part,” Kelly Melville said, noting the value of baseline comparisons for return‑to‑play decisions.
- Heat and turf safety: The trainers described a graduated practice policy tied to monitored environmental conditions and equipment use, including the option to move practices to grass, to change practice times, or to limit wearing pads when temperatures are high. For heat illness they said they carry a “polar pod,” an insulated cooling bag used with ice to rapidly reduce body temperature.
- Family communication: Staff use ParentSquare for routine messages but said urgent concerns trigger immediate phone calls. Trainers emphasized a case‑by‑case conversation between staff, parents, coaches and medical providers for return‑to‑play choices.

Next steps and resources: Committee members asked whether more AEDs or additional equipment were needed for remote town fields; staff said they are exploring more AED access in town fields and would return with budget and vendor options if committee supports expansion.

Ending: Committee members praised the trainers’ work and asked staff to return with any recommendations for added equipment or policy changes to ensure consistent coverage across school and town athletic facilities.","Burlington school athletic staff described full‑time trainer coverage, concussion baselining, AED deployment and heat‑illness procedures and said they will continue to expand prevention steps after a high‑profile incident elsewhere prompted review.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6200107,"School Committee votes to end Whitsons food-service contract; requests transition plan",0,5715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3819410-d71484f8179b59aa6f0bf2416f7748aa&start=5715&end=5715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3819410-d71484f8179b59aa6f0bf2416f7748aa/thumbnail_5715000.jpg","/articles/6200107/Burlington-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/School-Committee-votes-to-end-Whitsons-food-service-contract-requests-transition-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200107-9eff25e5316f4e935f7a5ee85eb8e153/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058980&Signature=icLq1QI7mEb9kavhn-F7EMP0zBGNHNmpv90Qo1J0iYPcYQriQCKs9wJ12A4bquEFeGqefVXM8LUBDdsGDgo0pOiLTLMf9gQ2aFl8myU6sulJScOsQoX057cCJ~vvBnw5hjM4rtSRCf97~KdaSzfly8F5iP3PNLF-hwbdJa2I8Om76LSbFuU8oTCs9Xz5ybN6Okp5nEtreIL85Xz0Uf8vWhlTJan8REfTbGEufXljgUyWUPCwkzykUo62k92LBHVczA5on0alu61d0-xGZsK5tJpf79hhVrbVoVUXkmRAu5e-TdTe6i2XRdXsZQ1ahzsrolBR9f1u3eesnfFPIUqn3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Burlington School Committee voted 3–2 to terminate its contract with Whitsons Food Service, with members saying the company had not met expectations on consistent management, participation growth and food quality.

Committee members debated financial and operational details before the vote. “I would like to make motion that we terminate Whitsons’ contract with us, because at this point, I don't see any value in what they're doing,” a member said before moving the motion; the motion was seconded and carried 3–2. A committee member noted a contract clause allowing cancellation with 60 days’ notice: “I believe there is a clause that we can cancel without cause with 60 days advance notice.”

Why it matters: Whitsons was hired in part to increase participation and stabilize the cafeteria revolving fund. Staff and committee members said participation gains have been small since the company began; one committee member observed a 1.1% increase in breakfast participation and a 0.5% increase in lunch participation across the period reviewed. Administrators also said management turnover at Whitsons has required district staff to provide ongoing training and oversight that the contract was expected to deliver.

Details and next steps: District staff told the committee that reimbursements for school meals from federal and state programs have kept the program solvent and that the district can cover the cost of replacing the vendor with an in‑house model. The committee asked for a short timetable and a financial comparison showing the costs of hiring a director, any needed software (menu/allergen app), and running food service in‑house versus the current contract fees. The termination motion passed with the understanding that staff would present a detailed transition plan and cost comparison at the next meeting; the committee acknowledged the contract’s 60‑day cancellation window.

What the district said: Superintendent Eric Conte and staff said they believed the district could maintain service quality during a transition. Carrie Noki, described in the meeting as the district’s Whitsons liaison, described day‑to‑day challenges around staffing and menu consistency: “The staffing was just not what they promised,” she said.

Context: Committee members who supported termination noted that Whitsons initially showed strong effort but that the relationship had not produced the promised long‑term results. Members who opposed immediate termination asked for a detailed financial breakdown before moving forward.

Ending note: The committee approved termination and directed staff to prepare the financial comparisons, staffing proposals and procurement steps needed to run food service locally or to re‑contract, with the aim of presenting those materials at the committee’s next scheduled meeting.","The Burlington School Committee voted 3–2 to terminate its contract with Whitsons Food Service, citing concerns about management turnover, participation and food quality; staff were directed to prepare numbers and a transition plan for an in‑house alternative.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fox Hill project wins planning support; summer building and maintenance work announced

Enrollment steady at about 17 students per elementary classroom; hotel shelter closures expected to reduce some counts

District outlines athletic‑trainer coverage, concussion protocols and heat‑safety steps

School Committee votes to end Whitsons food-service contract; requests transition plan