BURTON SCHOOL BOARD TO CONSIDER CONTRACTS AGAIN MONDAY

Melinda Fuchs is married to Luke a graduate of Burton ISD, successful businessman and has donated his time to Burton Athletics as a filer and stat keeper. Melinda has been with the district for about twenty years. She started as an elementary teacher, served as district counselor for a few years and was named Burton Elementary Principal about five years ago. As counselor she made it her mission to increase the number of Burton High school seniors applying for and receiving scholarships. This was accomplished by Communicating deadlines with seniors and their parents. She also had them applying for two or three colleges and doing so early. She also reviewed several special programs, including the school safety and security planning for Burton ISD. It was through her efforts that we began installing video cameras in and around the school and in most buses. We budgeted funds to erect chain link fences around Burton ISD to limit access to Burton buses, tractors, fields and buildings. We placed identifying names on all Burton ISD buildings and gave the maps and keys to the buildings to local law enforcement and fire departments. These actions enabled our local fire chief access to the building when an alarm would sound.

Karen Steenken is married to Fritz, a graduate of Burton ISD. He is the Ag teacher with Snook ISD. Her two sons graduated from Burton ISD and were model students and athletes. Karen has been with Burton ISD since 2003. She has improved the staff by checking their references and with a good eye for finding young energetic, engaging personnel. Karen remained steadfast in her determination to improve the education of ALL students when she first came to Burton ISD. She encouraged me to review ALL the students in Special Education programs. By the third year ALL students were in regular education classes, with modifications if needed. They were no longer separated from the rest of the students. Burton ISD had three years of Unacceptable ratings from the TEA because of the struggles of these students having to catch up in Reading and Math. But we made it and have never looked back. By the fifth year Burton ISD was being Commended for our students performance at the High School in Math and Language Arts. It was also Commended for the Number of students participating in dual credit college classes with Blinn. Mrs. Steenken received a state and National award for her implementation of including Ag classes for college credit. This program led to several Burton ISD students getting welding certification within a year of graduating high school. The latest recognition was having Burton High School recognized as one of the top rated High Schools in Texas. Burton High School was the smallest School recognized for this honor!

Jason Hodde graduated from Burton ISD. He was an academic and athletic top performer. He is married to Lauren Hodde, the High School computer science teacher and Yearbook Program Manager. They have two kids in Burton schools. Jason is the son of long-time Burton ISD Ag teacher Charles Hodde and wife JoDell Hodde. That families contributions are well known. They include two other sons, Sam and Jon that were respected athletes and students in their days at Burton ISD.

Jason has been Athletic Director/Biology teacher for about five years, before that he was the Head Baseball Coach and taught Biology. When Jason started teaching, his subject area of Science always exceeded the state average score on the state exam. That continues today. Jason has supported Mrs. Steenken’s initiatives in academics. He has remained in the classroom because he believes he can continue to encourage Burton students to enjoy science. His classes are engaged in their learning with labs and “hands on” and “real life” experiences. Coach Hodde’s successes in athletics is well known. His staff has won two girl’s track championships, volleyball made it to the semi-finals as did the football team. Bowling is doing well as is baseball. He Was a key member of the earlier successes of football, including another state semi-final football team and several other teams that made runs. His baseball teams won several district championships and made long runs into the playoffs including a Regional Finalist.

These three people are long time Burton employees with a long track record of successes, innovations and sacrifices. They have invested a lot of sweat equity in Burton schools, businesses and students. They have family here, including their own. They have been key players in making Burton ISD a juggernaut in academics and athletics. These people have been able to work together and support the schools and improve the schools.

Yes, keeping these people on the staff as long as they want to be here is a “no brainer”. I encourage the current Board to do as so many Boards and Superintendents before now, recommend them for an extension to their current contract.

Karen Steenken, Melinda Fuchs and Jason Hodde have been long time, loyal, effective employees. They have been recognized by several organizations for their work with students. They all have been with the district and guided the district through many challenges.

Melinda Fuch’s career began as a Highly Qualified elementary teacher. For several years she was the School counselor. During that time Melinda was very effective in organizing senior’s final year graduation invitations and leading their efforts to apply for college and scholarships and grants. Melinda also reviewed and updated several programs including Gifted/Talented, School Safety and State Testing. It was because of her work that Burton ISD was recognized as one of very few districts that have implemented and exceeded state standards for school safety and security. It is a shame the news organization was not directed to interview her for that bit on KBTX. She would have been very knowledgeable.

Jason Hodde is the son of Charles and Jodell Hodde. His father was the longtime Ag teacher and baseball coach with Burton ISD, who himself was a Burton ISD graduate. Jason’s two brothers Sam and Jon and he himself were graduates of Burton ISD.

Jason Hodde began his career with BISD in 2003 as a Biology teacher and Coach. Since his first year as a teacher, his Science students were very successful in passing the state exams. His classes include many “hands on” labs and experiences. He is energetic and enthusiastic leading classroom discussions. Jason’s coaching success and that of his coaching staff are the envy of many other schools. Coach Hodde’s girl’s track team has won two state championships, even though the district has no track facilities. The Burton football team has two trips to the state semi finals and several district championships and deep runs into the playoffs. The athletic program included a trip to the volleyball semi finals this year and several Regional Championship finals. The softball team has done well during his tenure. Baseball and Bowling have made the playoffs as well. The teams have been complimented on their sportsmanship,play, behavior and actions many times by businesses, fans, officials, opponents and parents.

Karen Steenken has lived in Burton ISD. Her husband Fritz graduated from Burton ISD, as did her two sons. Karen joined the district in 2003. In her tenure she hired Highly Qualified staff that have worked very hard to improve their curriculum and teaching strategies.

She worked with former Elementary Principal Cheryl DaBera to implement changes in the Education of our Resource students. Both of those ladies were certified resource teachers. They had all the students re-evaluated. The students in this program had been isolated from regular education students for most of the day. Most of the children in the program were African-American. Because of their efforts, The students were placed in regular education classes with modifications.

The students struggled at first because they had not been expected to be on grade level or do well on state exams. The TEA placed Burton ISD as Unacceptable for three years as they transitioned these students into regular education. Burton ISD was the first district to go through the threat of closure. Burton ISD scores improved each year. By year four, Burton ISD was Acceptable status. By year five Burton ISD was Recognized. In 2015, Burton High and Mrs. Steeken’s staff were recognized by Niche as one of the top 70 schools in Texas. Burton ISD was the highest rated district in our area.

Mrs. Steenken was also recognized by state and national organizations for her innovative and effective changes in curriculum and course offerings because of her implementing high school Ag classes to be taken for college credit. This was tied to enabling our students to obtain welding certification in less than two years and quickly gain a high paying career.

These three professional, home grown success stories should have been voted a contract extension and a raise the FIRST time. The person responsible for recommending otherwise should be questioned as to why this not done. The Board’s motives behind allowing this to happen are questionable. One Board member and family have personal issues that have spilled over in the professional career of these employees. Two others appear to also have personal motives. One is apparently unhappy with the playing time their child had this year. The other board member was once reprimanded by Coach Hodde for compromising the eligibility of a varsity playoff team. The other board members appear to have no clue as to the sacrifices and fantastic efforts these employees have contributed.

Fuchs, Hodde and Steenken are not the only hard-working professional educators in the district. They and the teachers are responsible for the success of Burton ISD. It is time the district has a budget meeting and determines that the FIRST priority is to provide a pay raise of a minimum $1,500 to each professional employee, instead of basing it on a percentage.

These people have a implemented changes that have improved the culture of the district. They have long term sweat equity. Many of them live locally and will probably retire in the area. I hope the community expresses their support to keep these administration personnel in place.