BURTON SCHOOL BOARD PROPOSES TAX RATE, HEARS UPDATE ON PROGRESS IN CAFETERIA
The Burton School Board on Monday proposed a tax rate for the new fiscal year and set a date and time for a public hearing on the rate and budget.
Jacobs Constructors, shows an image of
construction continuing at what will be Burton ISD's
new cafeteria during Monday's Burton School Board
meeting.
The newly proposed rate is $0.8350 per $100 valuation, consisting of $0.6250 for maintenance and operations (M&O) and $0.2100 for interest and sinking (I&S). Compared to the existing tax rate of $0.9455 per $100, the M&O portion is decreasing by 11.05 cents, while the I&S side is staying the same.
The public meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 27th at 6 p.m.
During a construction update, Weaver and Jacobs Constructors Project Manager Ryan Malinovsky told trustees that work in the kitchen and cafeteria is slightly behind schedule. He said the original target date discussed for occupancy was September 2nd, but they are now looking at two to three weeks behind that.
Malinovsky said the team is in the process of trying to push that date forward and is working on some aspects of the project out of sequence in order to accomplish that. Trustee Demetrius Colvin Sr. said if it takes the extra weeks, the district would rather the additional time be taken to “get it right” than rush and have to go back in later.
Speaking on what the district’s temporary food service arrangements will look like, Superintendent Vikki Curry said they will follow what was done at the end of the last school year, utilizing the concession stand and serving meals out of the auditorium. She said the child nutrition director has made arrangements with the campus principals.
In action items, the board approved additions to Burton ISD’s supplemental pay schedule. The district is set to receive a $600,000 grant through the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO) program. Half of the sum must go toward a TEA-approved provider, leaving the district with $300,000 to go toward providing one-time stipends for teachers who are supporting the implementation of the grant-based Bluebonnet curriculum.
Trustees also:
- Performed the evaluation process for Superintendent Vikki Curry. Board President Jeff Harmel said the board will have it on the agenda to take action at its next meeting.
- Approved Burton ISD’s Child Nutrition Program to operate under the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, which allows all students to receive free breakfasts and lunches.
- Approved the elementary, secondary and districtwide improvement plans.
- Approved the student of conduct, reviewed the staff and student handbooks, and approved changes to local policies stemming from a prior review session.