WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE EXTRA DEPUTY, VEHICLE FOR SECURITY AT BURTON ISD
Washington County Commissioners agreed to provide for additional security at Burton ISD schools at their meeting today (Tuesday).
The court approved an extra Washington County Sheriff’s deputy and vehicle in the 2022 budget year for security at Burton ISD. The school district will pay the county back for costs associated with the deputy and vehicle.
Commissioner Joy Fuchs said the decision to add a deputy and vehicle for Burton ISD was prompted after May’s school shooting in Uvalde. To this point, the district has relied on participants in the Guardian Program, which permits certain district employees to carry handguns on school grounds.
Fuchs said the district is doing everything it can, but it will be more difficult to keep schools secure as its building project progresses. She said this will be a big help for them and that “any child’s life we can save is a good thing with this.”
County Judge John Durrenberger noted the deputy and vehicle are contingent upon the execution of an interlocal agreement between the county and Burton ISD.
Brenham ISD is also increasing its police presence at schools, as the Brenham City Council last week voted to allow for a fifth school resource officer.
Also at today’s meeting, commissioners:
- Approved a memorandum of understanding between the Washington County Fair Association (WCFA) and the Washington County Expo for aesthetic upgrades to the entertainment plaza. The enhancements include covering all exposed cracked insulation with PBR panel, installing new blinds in the side rooms and repainting all wooden areas. All materials and labor will be funded by the WCFA, with no expectation of repayment or credit to its lease with the county to use the Expo.
- Approved a right-of-way permit for the Washington County Fair trail ride on September 10th.
- Approved the purchase of a used pickup truck from LaRoche for $10,900 for the Washington County IT department.
- Reviewed a preliminary plat for Spring Creek Estates, section three, a residential development consisting of 23 lots with a road extension of Crestview Lane in Precinct 2. No action was taken.
- Reviewed a formal notice from DCP Intrastate Network, LLC for a 10-inch steel gas pipeline bore on Sandtown Road in Precinct 4. No action was taken.
- Approved subdivision variance requests for land divisions fronting Old Chappell Hill Road in Precinct 2 and Strangmeier Road in Precinct 3.
- Renewed bonds for Joe Ellis, Alfonzo Gomez Jr. and Craig Wiesepape with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.