BURTON SCHOOL BOARD AUTHORIZES UP TO $420,000 FOR BUS FLEET UPDATES
The Burton School Board on Monday made plans to update Burton ISD’s bus fleet in order to meet new state requirements for seat belts.
Trustees authorized spending up to $420,000 for the purpose of complying with Senate Bill 546 from the 89th Legislature, which lays out new requirements for three-point seat belts on school buses in time for the 2029 school year.
Superintendent Vikki Curry said the money will be used to either purchase new buses or retrofit existing ones.
Curry said the district is looking at prices for both full-size buses and activity buses. Trustee Dean Fuchs asked for consideration to be given to gasoline buses, which could save on fuel and maintenance costs in comparison to diesel.
Board President Jeff Harmel said the district does not have to make any purchases right now, but it does need this approval in order to notify the state by May 1st that it will be in compliance with the new legislation.
Also on Monday, the board approved non-Community Eligibility Provision operations for child nutrition for the 2026-27 school year. Curry said the state has for several years provided a percentage of money back for students who do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals, but right now there is no understanding that the state will continue to cover that, so the district will need to go back to collecting free or reduced-price applications from families.
Additionally, the board selected the Texas Association of School Boards Risk Management Fund as the district’s property and casualty insurance provider. Burton ISD Business Manager Caitlyn Blakey-Staal said the district’s contribution is going up from $105,093 last year to $137,431 this year, namely due to value increases stemming from new construction. She said the district’s insurance rate is not increasing, adding that the rate Burton ISD pays is much lower than the state average due to a strong claims history.
On the topic of property values, Blakey-Staal said preliminary values look to be noticeably increasing, and that growth will be a big driver for the upcoming budget. She said a main focus during budget planning will be on remaining competitive with staff compensation, with early ideas being considered including a 1-2 percent salary increase and possible retention incentives, such as a holiday bonus and end-of-school-year bonus.
In other business, trustees:
- Approved the purchase of Bluebonnet Materials for K-5 English Language Arts and K-8 Math and Algebra I, with costs not to exceed $50,000. The purchase will be funded through Burton ISD’s instructional materials allotment from the state.
- Approved the purchase of student Chromebooks not to exceed $50,000. The purchase will come from the state instructional allotment and grant funds.
- Revised Burton ISD’s 2026-27 calendar. Curry said the amendment is for the purpose of aligning the district’s Dual Credit schedules with Tarleton State University, as the previous calendar did not match up for spring break.
- Certified the instructional materials provision process for the 2026-27 school year.
- Held executive session discussion on the district’s pending litigation with DSA, Inc. and Circle H Dirt Work and Excavation (Cause No. 38478 in 21st District Court).
The board also recognized several academic and athletic student groups. Some members were not able to attend the meeting due to prior commitments.
