BURTON SCHOOL BOARD DISCUSSES LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

  

The Burton School Board reviewed topics of importance for the upcoming legislative session at its meeting Monday.

Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy encouraged trustees to reach out to legislators and tell them to maintain a focus on education as they prepare to head back to Austin.

Dr. Kennedy said funding, teacher shortages and safety and security are all priorities.  Part of that is fully funding Pre-K; addressing student intervention as it relates to House Bill 4545, which was passed in the last legislative session; and providing the resources necessary to properly implement new safety and security initiatives, including improved mental health and student support. 

Dr. Kennedy said she hopes to get a group from the Education Service Center Region VI together to all go to see lawmakers in person at the Capitol, noting it makes much more of an impression than calling or sending an email.

Dr. Kennedy also gave a brief update on the school bond project.  A meeting will be held Thursday with DSA Construction Management and Reliance Architecture to go over bids received.  Some items were rebid and have lower cost projections as a result.  She said DSA’s overall outlook is that the process could have moved faster, but it likely would have been at a more significant cost to the district.  Dirt work is expected to start next week.

Trustees also held a public hearing for the annual School FIRST rating, or financial integrity rating, from the Texas Education Agency.  Burton ISD achieved a superior rating of 98.  The 2021-22 ratings are based on data from the 2020-21 school year.