BURTON ISD LIFTS MASK REQUIREMENT

  

Masks are no longer required in Burton ISD.

At Monday’s Burton School Board meeting, trustees voted unanimously to make masks optional for students and staff, effective immediately.  The lifting of the mask requirement was the only change made to the district’s COVID-19 protocols.  Update @ 11:20 a.m.: Those determined to be in close contact with a positive COVID-19 case will have the option to quarantine if they are asymptomatic, but they will still be required to quarantine if they show symptoms.

Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy said during her administrative report that there are currently no positive COVID-19 cases or close contact cases in the district.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the board canvassed election returns from the May 1^st election, and returning board member David Warner, Sr. and new trustee Brian Hinze received the oath of office.  The board was then re-organized to name Misty Lucherk as board president, Demetrius Colvin, Sr. as board vice president, and Jeff Harmel as board secretary.

Trustees also approved an increase in prekindergarten tuition costs.  Tuition will increase from $350 to $375 per month per student for students that have not already pre-registered, with a $100 discount per child for employees.

The board also gave approval for the district to advertise for the new position of instructional coach.  The person hired to the position would develop and monitor instructional programs, recommend teacher effectiveness strategies and interventions, assist with professional development planning, address remediation and social/emotional needs, and coordinate state test results.  The salary for the position will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the purchase of five interactive TVs costing $2,995 each for elementary school classrooms.
• Approved renovations of the elementary school playground at a cost not to exceed $120,000. PTI Sports and Recreation Construction will handle the renovations.  GeoSouthern has agreed to donate $20,000 toward the playground.
• Approved a projected salary/pay structure. The structure will establish a midpoint, minimum and maximum for hourly and daily wages.
• Agreed to submit an application for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grant funds. Burton ISD is eligible for $362,319 in funds over a three-year period.  Funds can be used to address student learning loss, the state reopening of public schools, employee retention and professional development.
• Set a facility training workshop for Tuesday, May 25^th at 4 p.m. for trustees to further discuss a potential bond election to be held in November.