By Kolby R. LaMarche

\The Burlington School District’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC), established in 2019, has long been tasked with advancing equitable practices across the district’s schools, ensuring, they say, that all students and staff feel supported and represented.

Led by Commissioners Monika Ivancic and Jeannie Waltz, the DEIC seeks to align policies and programs with the district’s Strategic Plan, prioritizing diverse educators and creating inclusive environments for students.

But what has the committee been up to this year?

A trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., took place during April’s 2025 spring break, as reported by Christine Hughes—daughter of Burlington activist Mark Hughes—from the Richard Kemp Center in May. A small group of students, community members, and a local TV channel traveled by van and SUV, with costs partially covered by a Hunt Middle School bake sale, according to the district.

The trip aimed to deepen understanding of American history, but the DEIC did not discuss how it connects to classroom learning or broader equity goals. The trip was one of many event opportunities outlined to the district by Burlington social studies teacher Korey Whitfield, who recently moved to Burlington to teach, with former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Esther Charleston also in attendance, according to meeting minutes.

No plans were outlined to integrate insights district-wide or measure educational impact from the trip. An event was planned to screen a documentary made about the trip, but that documentary was seemingly never made.

In May, Burlington High School students Victoria and Esther presented their participation in the Dismantling White Supremacy Culture in Schools conference in Seattle, where they showcased district programs like the Summer Racial Justice Academy and peer mediation.

Meeting minutes show the students and commissioners talking for quite some time about the “good” work that the district is doing and how others are not. No recommendations were provided to the board, with other staff from the district in attendance: Autumn Bangoura, Katie Windorf, Henry Sparks, Heather Washburn, and Megan Munsen Warnken.

The DEIC’s push to handle everything related to commissioners’ compensation began in February, with a letter drafted to the Burlington City Council. Jeannie Waltz finalized the one-page letter in March, noting that more compensation could reduce barriers, but the process—requiring council approval, a possible 2026 voter ballot, and state review—lacked a timeline, cost estimate, or details on barriers like childcare.

The committee, originally aided in its mission by Progressive City Councilor Gene Bergman, has not reported progress beyond the letter.

In January, the DEIC reviewed its 2023-24 accomplishments document, discussing how to present it to the full school board. Monika Ivancic planned to coordinate with board leadership to get it on an agenda, but no further updates appeared in 2025 minutes, suggesting the effort stalled.

The review aimed to highlight past equity work, which included failing to get an equity award the district had nominated itself for—the NSBA’s Magna Award, hosting the director of HR, and having a dinner only for BSD staff of the “Global Majority.”

The DEIC’s 2025 efforts—trips, presentations, a letter, and a backward glance—certainly filled meeting minutes, but what else was accomplished remains unseen.

Regular meetings at the Sustainability Academy show attendance by Ivancic, Waltz, and staff like Sparks, but discussions rarely move beyond initial reports.

The next DEIC meeting is set for August 12th, with no agenda yet set.