Burlington School Committee approves $56,150 in grants, rolls out new math pathways

BURLINGTON — May 13, 2025 — Burlington School Committee approves $56,150 in grants and unveils sweeping math and literacy curriculum overhauls. The committee voted unanimously to accept a $49,650 Massachusetts Technology Collaborative grant for cybersecurity education, a $5,000 DESE food literacy grant, and a $1,500 DESE fellowship grant, all on May 13. Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Lisa Chen presented detailed rollout plans for the Amplify CKLA K-5 literacy curriculum launching in fall 2025, including eight early-release professional development days and parent letters accompanying every new unit. Chen also unveiled new middle school math pathways, including a condensed grade 7-and-8 course and an integrated grade 8 plus Algebra I course, designed so students can reach calculus by senior year without doubling up — "Algebra I is known as the gatekeeper for calculus," Chen told the committee. The committee also withdrew Article 27, a bathroom renovation request for Marshall Simonds Middle School, from town meeting due to unresolved wetlands issues affecting the school's backfield project. Burlington High School Principal Mark Sullivan was named the 2025 Massachusetts School Administrators Association High School Principal of the Year.