BURTON SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES PAY RAISES
Teachers and staff in Burton ISD are getting a raise ahead of the new school year.
The Burton School Board on Monday approved a step increase plus $3,000 for teacher salaries, and a 5 percent increase for the salaries of staff, administration and the superintendent. The average starting salary for teachers in Burton ISD is now $42,000.
Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy said Burton ISD is behind most of the salary steps in the area, and wants to be able to properly compensate and accommodate employees.
Initially, the board considered a proposal for a step increase plus $2,000 for teachers. However, trustee Donna Putnam said there is “a huge shortage of teachers everywhere”, and asked the board to bring that increase to $3,000 or $4,000 to attract more teachers.
Business Manager Caitlyn Blakey-Staal said while the budget can support an increase up to $4,000 at this time, she is cautious about doing so because of the current uncertainty with the economy. Trustee David Warner, Sr. then suggested doing a $3,000 increase this year and another $1,000 next year, which other board members vocally supported.
No action was taken on a related item to change the supplemental salary schedule for substitute teachers and substitute bus drivers, as the board wished to spend more time fine-tuning numbers.
In other action Monday, trustees approved a proposal with KLC Video Security for $57,930 for a keyless access entry control system. Dr. Kennedy said the proposal covers cameras for the exterior, but the company is still working on the proposal for interior access control.
During a discussion on school security, Dr. Kennedy said she feels the district is in a good position, but it can always be better.
Dr. Kennedy also announced that three candidates have applied for the high school principal position formerly held by Matthew Wamble, who has accepted a new role as the principal of Taylor High School. Interviews will begin next week.
Also on Monday, the board:
- Administered the oath of office to trustees Demetrius Colvin, Sr. and Jeff Harmel, who were unopposed during the May 7th The board then reorganized, naming Harmel as board president, Misty Lucherk as vice president and Putnam as secretary.
- Approved the creation of an instructional coordinator position by splitting the existing instructional coach position into two positions, one serving elementary students and one serving secondary students. Kennedy said the current instructional coach will transfer into the secondary position if he chooses it.
- Approved choosing Lightspeed as the district’s internet content filter.
- Approved Region VI, Education Service Center e-Contracts.
- Approved an Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) application.