This was a turbulent spring in the Burlington School District, with an ongoing public debate about how ethnic minorities are treated in Burlington schools. Students and community members protested and spoke at public meetings about immigrant students who are taught in separate classes as they learn English, and whether the education they receive is sufficient.
The debate led to questions over whether Superintendent Jeanne Collins contract should be renewed. It was, and Collins has also renewed the district’s focus on addressing the claims about education equality and the treatment of minorities in the city’s schools.
Now Collins has announced new leadership in the Diversity and Equity Office with Director Henri Sparks. She talks to VPR’s Jane Lindholm about that other changes that were spurred by the public debate.