BURTON SCHOOL BOARD INTRODUCED TO NEW STAFF

  

The Burton School Board was introduced to 5 new staff members during their meeting Tuesday evening.  Starting with the district for the upcoming school year: Laurie Gurka as a Pre-K aide, Meredith Dixon as a 5th grade teacher, Shawn Tunner as a special education aide, Cara Coghlan as a Jr. High English teacher, and Jessica Parish as the new volleyball and softball coach.  Also announced but unable to make the meeting was Zack Zorn who will be a High School coach and social studies teacher.

There was no discussion of the Master Facilities Plan during the meeting.  Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy stated they will form a committee in a few months to look into options for expanding the campus.  Burton voters rejected an 18 million dollar bond issue last November and the board is considering different options on what campus improvements need to be made.

The board did approve the budget for the Appraisal District and approved using the surplus funds from this year’s budget for three projects.  Chief appraiser Willy Dilworth requested that the funds be used to purchase new computer servers for the tax office, and emergency generator transfer switch, and put towards aerial photography of the county in 2020.

In other action, the board approved changes to a number of policies and procedures for the district and updated the student handbook.  They also approved the purchase of attendance credits from the state as required by Chapter 41, or the Texas Robin Hood law.

The board tabled any action on employee benefits or staff salary increases.  They are waiting on final numbers from the tax office and waiting to see what the special session of the state legislature does.  Superintendent Kennedy did state that the district is working towards a $1,200 increase in teacher pay, 3 percent for other employees, and the possible $1000 teacher bonus if mandated by the legislature.  They are also looking at purchasing cafeteria meals for all staff members to encourage them to eat lunch with the students.

The next Burton School Board meeting is planned for Tuesday, August 15th where the budget for the upcoming school year will be finalized.  The board will then meet again on Monday, August 28th to approve the budget and set the tax rate for the district.