BURTON SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES 2.5 PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR STAFF, DISCUSSES 2021-22 BUDGET

Josh Blaschke June 15, 2021

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The Burton School Board approved a salary increase for staff members across the school district at its meeting Monday.

Members of the Burton School Board meet Monday, June 14th. The meeting was broadcast via Zoom, and was also open to in-person attendance.

Trustees approved a 2.5 percent raise and a $1,500 health premium payment for all employees, plus a step raise for teachers. Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy said this will amount to a total salary increase of $245,900 for the district.

Dr. Kennedy said the district is currently struggling to find teachers, noting that there are currently elementary school positions that are still open; she said the elementary school “never” has issues filling positions. She said the district would like to try to get its employees to “where they need to be,” and perform that transition slowly.

Also on Monday, the board reviewed preliminary budget projections for the 2021-22 school year. The board is considering a tax rate of $0.9778 per $100 valuation. The rate would consist of $0.9029 for maintenance and operations (M&O) and $0.0749 for debt service (I&S). The district’s current tax rate is $1.0413 per $100, made up of an M&O rate of $0.9664 and an I&S rate of $0.0749.

The district expects to generate $6.8 million in revenue from the new M&O rate, $570,000 from the I&S rate, and $98,000 in state funding. It also plans to have between $5.3 and $5.4 million in expenses and a $1.5 million debt payment.

In other items, the board:

Approved a contract with Reliance Architecture, LLC for bond consulting services. This came after the board approved considering a potential bond election this November. The board tabled action on an item for bond strategic planning services.
Approved a PreK – Kindergarten restroom building project at a cost not to exceed $87,000.
Approved annual renewal of Region VI, Education Service Center contracts.
Took no action on a revised staff leave day policy.
Approved a dyslexia plan. The plan covers the district’s procedures for evaluating and identifying students with dyslexia and how to screen for dyslexia.
Approved submitting a 2020-21 application for a low attendance days waiver.
Approved submitting a 2021-22 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) grant application.
Approved the Washington County Appraisal District to use $162,000 in surplus funds to pay off existing contracts and pay for equipment.
Took no action on an agreement designating Washington County Extension Agents as adjunct staff members, as a proposal had not yet been received.

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