BURTON ISD’S NEW INTERIM SUPT. INTRODUCED AT BOARD MEETING

  

Monday was the first Burton School Board meeting in nearly a decade that was led by a different superintendent.

Interim Burton ISD Superintendent Rob Barnwell was introduced at the meeting.  Barnwell, a retired superintendent from Jefferson ISD, is leading Burton ISD as it takes its next steps following the retirement last month of Dr. Edna Kennedy, who had led Burton ISD since 2015.

During the bond project update, Barnwell shared his ideas for how he believes future updates should be provided.  He said he feels less could be more in terms of sharing information, in order to make it easier for the community to digest and not get overwhelmed with minor details.

Barnwell also sought to lessen concerns of the public about the project as it rolls along, saying he has never been part of a construction project where there was not frustration of some sort, where there were not unexpected cost changes, and where the timeline did not go longer than planned. 

In board action, trustees approved property and casualty insurance renewal through the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Risk Management Fund for the 2024-25 year. 

Barnwell said the district’s insurance premium went up “substantially”, with the district’s total contribution going up to $88,765 from $66,173 last year.  He said TASB attributed the increase to rising costs and salaries, along with a higher number of claims overall.  He said some school districts are seeing their insurance costs go up by 50 percent, and that Burton ISD’s higher contribution is actually one of the lower increases in terms of percentage.  He recommended that the district go out for bids for the next insurance cycle to try to get a better value.

The board also approved an agreement with Powell Law Group to serve as the district’s legal counsel.  The firm is also conducting Burton ISD’s superintendent search.  Barnwell said since Burton ISD is a member of the Texas Rural Education Association, the district’s retainer fee can be waived.

In addition, trustees approved a resolution to remove Dr. Kennedy as the authorized bank signatory and designate Barnwell for that role.