BURTON SCHOOL BOARD PASSES BOND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

  

The Burton School Board approved a construction contract for Burton ISD’s bond project passed by voters last week at its meeting Monday.

The board agreed to a contract with DSA, Inc., a construction management firm based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that specializes in educational and public facilities.

Funding from the $43.8 million bond approved by voters will be used to upgrade and renovate several district facilities.  Planned improvements include new and renovated classrooms; upgrades to the cafeteria, kitchen and fine arts facilities; an enclosed connection for district buildings; a new competition gym and stadium with an 8-lane track; and various site and drainage enhancements.

DSA Sales and Marketing Director Joe Carlock told trustees the firm will work with the district through the design process, providing cost estimates and options.  He said the firm will act as the district’s agent in making sure it gets the most product with the funding available.

The board also approved a contract with Alliance Engineering Group, Inc. out of Taylor for geotechnical engineering and consulting, construction materials observation and testing environmental engineering services.

Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy said the goal is to be ready to sell bonds and underwrite them at the board’s meeting in January, and to be ready to fund in February.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the board approved a one-time staff incentive pay of $1,000 for staff members.  The money will go out before Thanksgiving.  Dr. Kennedy said the district is able to support this because of CARES Act funding taking care of some of the district’s expenditures.

Trustees also:

• Canvassed the results from last week’s bond election.  A total of 817 voters participated in the election, 472 during early voting and 345 on Election Day.
• Adopted a resolution casting Burton ISD’s 520 votes for the Washington County Appraisal District Board of Directors, 260 for Joe Antkowiak and 260 and for Leslie Boehnemann Jr.
• Board policy updates pertaining to district policy for activity funds management, cybersecurity, termination of employment or resignation, personnel positions, required instruction, compensatory/accelerated services, retention and promotion, school safety transfers, compulsory attendance, attendance for credit, child abuse and neglect, and student records.  Kennedy said all policy updates came from the most recent legislative session.