Burlington School Committee Approves Fee Hike, Spain Trip, and Health Policies at Remote Meeting

BURLINGTON — January 27, 2026 — Burlington School Committee unanimously approved after-school fee increases, a Spain exchange trip, and two health policies at a remote January 27 meeting. The five-member committee voted 5-0 to raise monthly after-school rates by 2 percent for the 2026-27 school year — a five-day slot climbing from $490 to $500 — while also approving a drop-in rate increase from $55 to $70 and proposing to close the program during the December school break, a change program director Diane Haverty said is consistent with 17 of 18 comparable programs surveyed. The committee approved a 5-0 the sixth annual Spanish exchange program, sending 14 Burlington High School students to Spain from February 4 through February 20 at approximately $1,900 per student, with Associate Principal Heather Northrup chaperoning. Two health policies passed 5-0, though a vote on policy JLC was subsequently rescinded and, along with policy JLCA, tabled to the February 10 meeting pending legal guidance on whether weight and BMI screening language can be removed. The school year calendar, featuring an August 31 student start date and an unresolved Good Friday school-day proposal backed by roughly two-thirds of surveyed union members, is also headed for a vote at the next meeting.