BTV School Board chairman flames out

Burlington School Board Chairman Mark Porter accused a fellow board member of racism in the final minutes of Tuesdays budget meeting before tossing out that he would not run for re-election.

Porter described being unsettled after a visiting board member Jeff Wick's house to talk about district issues.

"This past summer I was invited to commissioner Wick's house to talk. While we were talking on his front lawn commissioner Wick said to me, 'I understand we need to hire more teachers of color but have we gone to far in hiring district leadership of color?'" Porter said reading from a prepared statement.

Wick wrote in a statement to the Burlington Free Press that Porter's accusation was "score-setting, gratuitous, false and slanderous — and an inappropriate use of the position of board chair."

Porter in his board remarks said Wick's voting record -- against the the superintendent’s contract renewal and goals, which included sustainable financial practices, creating a district-wide strategic plan and developing a comprehensive plan for a welcoming and inclusive district -- revealed his bias. Porter added that the voters would decide whether to unseat Wick on Town Meeting Day.

Though Porter did not specify when Wick’s seat is up for re-election, the district’s website lists Wick as up for re-election in 2019.

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The accusation comes as Superintendent Yaw Obeng agreed to extend his contract for three more years. The district, under his guidance, has committed to achieving a new level of equity by hiring staff that reflects Burlington's growing diversity.

Wick called Porter's accusations totally inaccurate and said when Porter concluded his statement. "I'm shocked that you have distorted our conversation and taken a personal attack at me."

Wick wrote in a brief statement to the Burlington Free Press on Tuesday that he saw the district's diversity as one of its greatest assets.

"I hope it goes without saying that I fully support our children of color, our new Americans, and our teachers and work force," Wick wrote.

Wick later said in an interview that he thought Porter's remarks were calculated to undermine him and the eight challengers to School Board seats which are up for election in March. Some of the challengers according to Porter and Wick had taught in public schools.

Porter in addition to giving notice and accusing a colleague also said in his statement that the challengers' union connections constituted a conflict of interest.

When asked to comment, board member Ryan McLaren wrote an email to say that he had no answer yet. Other board members had not responded at 11:30 p.m. to Free Press email requesting a response to Porter's accusations.

Porter cited personal business and a new bride as his reasons for stepping down, but he had clashed this fall with board members, including Wick, over how the board should be run and interact with the public.

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Wick did not respond directly to Porter’s assertions at the time of the meeting. aside from saying Porter had the right to speak freely.

Porter’s surprise announcement followed a board vote on a the fiscal year 2019 school budget.

The budget, which will be brought to voters in March, is projected to raise equalized pupil spending .35 percent to $15,111, according to board calculations during the meeting.

Porter voted against the measure.

This story will be updated.

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