Burlington School Committee suspends Youth Risk Behavior Survey and strips consultant funding amid public outcry

The Burlington School Committee on April 8 voted to suspend use of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) at both the middle school and high school until the committee adopts a formal policy governing student surveys, parental notification and consent.

The motion to suspend, introduced during the meetings old-business discussion of the survey, directs the committee to require approval of the full survey instrument, including questions and definitions, by both the superintendent and the school committee prior to any future administration. The committee then adopted an amendment extending the suspension to any student surveys until the new policy sets parental notification and consent procedures. School Committee member Monica moved the suspension; the motion passed by voice vote, with the record showing unanimous approval.

Nut graf: The committee action followed multiple meetings of public comment focused on the YRBS and district processes for approving and administering student surveys. Speakers at the April 8 meeting criticized the distribution method, the content of some questions, and the level of parental notification; other speakers defended the surveys role in identifying at-risk students. In response to the controversy, the committee also voted to remove JSI as the districts consultant on the YRBS and to eliminate funding for that contract.

School staff member Doctor Conte told the committee he is compiling answers to frequently asked questions and plans to publish an FAQ and other explanatory material once he finishes collecting responses to issues raised by parents and committee members. Committee members repeatedly asked for more transparency and for written documentation of the review process.

Public comment at the meeting was lengthy and emotional: parents and residents described the survey as inappropriate for younger students and said notification and opt-in/opt-out procedures had been insufficient. One attendee said the survey included questions that were (highly explicit),and urged the committee to ensure future approvals and parental review. Other residents said the survey helped start important conversations with their children about health and safety.

The committee also debated operational next steps. Committee members asked staff to draft one or more draft policies modeled in part on other districts examples, post the full survey instrument on the district website for review, and clarify whether parent consent will be opt-in or opt-out. Doctor Conte said he has received repeated questions by e-mail and is assembling answers and sample policy language for the committees review.

Votes at a glance - Motion to suspend YRBS at middle and high school until formal policy approved: mover Monica (School Committee member); second not specified; outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous). - Amendment to extend suspension to all student surveys until policy sets notification/consent: adopted (unanimous voice vote). - Motion to remove JSI as consultant and remove funding for JSI: mover Jeremy (School Committee member); second not specified; outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous).

Ending: Committee members said the district will take time to prepare a careful, written policy and to provide parents with clearer notice about future surveys. Several members urged patience as staff complete a documented review; multiple parents said they will continue to seek answers and may pursue outside remedies if they are unsatisfied.