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Burton High parents, students and teachers protest decision to co‑locate Leadership High
Summary
Dozens of Burton High students, parents and teachers told the board their school cannot absorb Leadership High this winter without harming instruction, citing lost computer labs, oversized classes, recent teacher consolidations and disruption to seniors before finals.
Dozens of Burton High students, parents and staff spoke during a 30‑minute public comment period to urge the Board of Education to reverse or delay a decision to locate Leadership High School at Burton’s campus.
Speakers described recent cuts and instability at Burton: the school lost roughly 10 teachers earlier in the semester, many students had schedules changed six weeks into the term, and classrooms already accommodate 35–45 students. Parents and students warned that adding Leadership as a colocated program would eliminate computer labs and lunch/tutoring space, further increase class sizes and endanger the school’s ongoing efforts to raise achievement.
‘‘Why Burton?’’ asked senior Syeda Tufu, who said Burton students were promised a stable academic and technology program and that shifting Leadership into Burton would undermine that work. Teachers and department representatives echoed those concerns: a Burton math teacher warned a mass faculty exodus could follow; a special‑education teacher said the move would reduce mandated space and services for disabled students.
Several speakers urged alternative sites for Leadership (for example the vacant building on Jackson Street known as the old newcomer site) and asked the board to hold additional community meetings. Parents emphasized the timing — weeks before finals and during senior year — and repeatedly asked the board to give Burton more time to stabilize after recent consolidations.
Board members acknowledged the intensity of local feeling and noted the board’s rules allow the board to hear additional speakers later in the meeting. The board voted to allow 10 more minutes of public comment at that moment to hear additional Burton voices.
What happens next: The board continued its agenda after public testimony. Participants asked the district to provide a written report on Prop 39 impacts and precise classroom counts; board members requested staff follow‑up on overcrowding figures and scheduling consequences. No final decision on Burton co‑location was recorded at the end of the Nov. 14 meeting; the issue remains subject to further administrative planning and community engagement.
