BURTON SCHOOL BOARD HEARS UPDATE ON BOND PROJECT FINANCES & SCHEDULE, RECOGNIZES STUDENT GROUPS

  

The Burton School Board on Monday received an update on the district’s finances to support the Burton ISD bond project and the timeline for construction.    

During an overview for the bond work that remains, Superintendent Vikki Curry reported that Burton ISD has approximately $15,500,000 left in bond proceeds for the project as of Monday, but price increases for materials and construction have led to the total projected cost rising to $49,916,356, above the $43,867,471 approved by voters in November 2021.  That difference is reduced due to earned interest of $1,400,000, meaning the district’s bond shortfall comes out to $4,648,885.

As for what comes next, Curry said the district is still working through litigation against three companies previously involved in the project: DSA Inc., Circle H Dirt Work and Excavation, and Round Top HVAC.  She said little can be said on the active lawsuit, but the district is hopeful that it will receive a majority, if not all, of the $6,158,407 it is seeking through the litigation. 

Curry also said Burton ISD plans to engage with financial institutions to research what funding options are available and most appropriate, while also striving to maintain flexibility with its budget structure.  She stressed that the district would not be coming to the public to ask for more money and will not make cuts to anything that will enhance student success, saying the students deserve what the community voted on.

Trustees also viewed updated photos and renderings from work occurring and buildings erected around the construction site.  Representatives from Weaver and Jacobs Constructors told trustees that their next big push is to tackle the kitchen and cafeteria area, with plans to wrap up by September 1^st. 

The target completion date for the areas including the high school classroom additions, band hall, gymnasium, weight room and high school administration is October 31^st.  The junior high school classrooms and administration, as well as the nurse’s suite, are scheduled to be done by June 30, 2026. 

Curry said there will be some time during school where the cafeteria will not be open for breakfast and lunch, but she assured that students will still receive meals, just not in the cafeteria facility. 

Trustee Demetrius Colvin Sr. said he wants Weaver and Jacobs to “cross all the T’s and dot the I’s” and not rush to throw the project together.  Dallas Hagan of Weaver and Jacobs said their goal is to strike a balance and will not sacrifice quality to gain time, or vice versa. 

During regular session, trustees honored several student groups, including spelling bee participants, members of the Burton Beta Club, high school cheer, and academic and band UIL contestants. 

Later, the board moved to cancel the May 3^rd trustee election, as there are no contested races on the ballot.  It then approved renewals of teacher, staff and administrator contracts before moving into executive session to discuss the district’s lawsuit against DSA Inc., Circle H Dirt Work and Excavation, and Round Top HVAC Inc. in 21^st District Court.  No action was taken out of executive session.