BURLINGTON — The Burlington School Board is expected to discuss the public release of a report on an investigation of racial bias at its regular meeting on Tuesday.

Newly elected School Board Chair Clare Wool said that new board members would be given a chance to read the report, and that there would be a discussion about it, and a paraeducator contract, in executive session.

Under Vermont’s open meeting law, formal or binding action cannot be taken in executive session, except in real estate transactions.

Among the items on the agenda for Tuesday’s board meeting, is one titled “Chairman’s Report on the April 1 Emergency School Board meeting.” Wool said school commissioner Liz Curry had asked to be given time at the regular meeting to address school directors’ decision to hold the April 1 meeting. The hastily called meeting was held only a few hours after board members received copies of the investigation report and has been widely criticized by Burlington residents.

The investigation, which was conducted by a retired Vermont State Police officer, was prompted by remarks earlier this year by then-School Board Chair Mark Porter, who accused School Board member Jeff Wick of making racially charged statements regarding the hiring of school administrators. Burlington Superintendent Yaw Obeng had asked school commissioners how they intended to respond to the comments. Seven Days reports that the district paid $3,000 for the probe.

Obeng said he opted not to file a racial bias complaint against Wick or any board member. “I reminded them of their responsibility to ensure that they administered their role within fair practices and principles,” he said.

Former Acting Board Chairman Stephanie Seguino said school commissioners were required under Title VII to take action. “The board has the legal obligation to investigate,” said Seguino. “I think the board is committed to ensuring a bias-free environment.”

Porter stepped down as chair and did not seek re-election to the board. Wick, who called Porter’s accusations “score-settling,” was elected board vice chair last week.

Wick released a statement last week saying he looked forward to working with Obeng and the board on closing the achievement gap. He also reaffirmed his commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality.

“One of the biggest challenges we face both nationally and locally is the issue of racial justice,” Wick said. “I believe we, myself included, have to face this challenge with great humility and constant vigilance and I fully support the outgoing school board’s recommendation that the new school board receive implicit bias training.”

It will be up to the new school board, members of which were sworn in last Tuesday, to decide whether to release the report, Obeng said. The author of the report, former Vermont State Police Officer Daniel Troidl, declined to comment on the investigation.

Obeng said he looked forward to putting the issue to rest.

“I look forward to working collaboratively with this board to support each and every student in our district as we strive to close the achievement gap and raise the bar,” Obeng said.

Members of the school board were given copies of the investigator’s report on April 1, and met three hours later. Members argued over whether the 8 p.m. meeting to discuss the report was legally warned. Wick said legal counsel Joe McNeil had advised the meeting was illegal. Seguino and Curry said they consulted with other attorneys, who said the board could go ahead with the meeting.

Under Vermont’s opening meeting law, special meetings must be warned 24 hours in advance.

The Easter Day meeting included a lengthy executive session — out of public view and earshot. The report was not released and no other action was taken.

An informal poll of board members favored releasing the investigator’s findings. Th poll also indicated support for releasing a Jan. 29 memo from the board’s legal counsel Joe McNeil, assessing Porter’s comments at the Jan. 22 meeting, and clarifying the responsibilities of the board under such circumstances.

Seguino said the board opted not to release the report on the night of the emergency meeting because the current board’s term was expiring, and a new board would be taking its place.

“That led board members to conclude that it was not appropriate or necessary to take action that night,” Seguino said.

The board meeting is at Hunt Middle School at 6 p.m.