Burlington School Committee Approves Climate Survey 4-1, Updates Graduation Policy

BURLINGTON — November 18, 2025 — Burlington School Committee approves school climate survey on 4-1 vote, updates graduation policy. The committee voted Tuesday to administer the Thought Exchange-based PBIS school climate survey to students in grades four through 12, staff, and families from December 15 through December 19, using an opt-out model over the objection of Vice Chair Meghan Nawoichik, who argued parents should actively choose to participate. Chair Katherine Bond and Superintendent Eric Conte backed opt-out, citing minimum sample-size requirements of roughly 100 students and 10 teachers per building. The committee also unanimously approved a new competency determination policy — required under state DESE rules as an alternative to the MCAS — amending it on the floor to specify that Burlington High School students must complete four full-year math courses at the high school itself, clarifying language that member Melissa Massardo said was "open to interpretation." With the high school debt exclusion having recently failed at the polls, Conte recommended keeping the Burlington High School Building Committee active to pursue a new MSBA statement of interest when the application window opens in January.