Readers weigh in
Hockey bids
South Burlington voters pick their candidates
Boys, girls head to quarterfinals
Page 7
Page 19
POSTAL CUSTOMER
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #217 CONCORD, NH ECRWSSEDDM
South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977
the MARCH 2, 2023
otherpapersbvt.com
VOLUME 47, NO. 9
Baker signs on to three-year contract
Blocked
COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
The city of South Burlington has approved a new three-year contract with its city manager, Jessie Baker, who was first brought on in 2021. Approved by the city council on Feb. 21, Baker’s new employment contract keeps Baker at the helm of the city’s administration through
June 30, 2026. By the end of her contract, Baker will be earning a $169,623 salary as city manager. “I am honored to continue to serve the city of South Burlington,” she said. “This is an amazing community with high caliber professional staff, active and engaged community volunteers, See BAKER on page 18
SoBu school board candidates tackle issues COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
South Burlington voters next week will vote on three school director positions during Town Meeting Day March 7. Dr. Travia Childs, chair of the district’s board of school directors, is running for a two-year term, but is facing a challenge from
Bryan Companion. Alex McHenry, another incumbent, is running for reelection to a three-year term and is facing a challenge from Lisa Hickey. Meanwhile, Laura Williams is running unopposed to serve the remaining two years on a threeSee SCHOOL BOARD on page 18
School district picks director of learning LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY AL FREY
Rice Memorial High School’s Atika Haji blocks a shot in a quarterfinal matchup Feb. 24. against Champlain Valley Union. CVU won 48-37.
After almost 20 years with the South Burlington School District, Alysia Backman is its new executive director of learning. Her appointment follows a seven-month stint as the interim executive director of learning. Following the seven-month search after the previous executive
director of learning Violet Nichols was appointed as the district’s interim superintendent, Backman brings with her nearly two decades of experience in a variety of roles, including her most recent role as the district literacy coordinator. “Some of my prior roles have been instructional/literacy coach, See BACKMAN on page 24