BURTON ISD CONSIDERING BOND ELECTION FOR FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS

  

Burton ISD may ask voters to help fund planned facility upgrades.

At a special meeting Wednesday of the Burton School Board, trustees walked around campus facilities and reviewed the district’s master facilities site plan.

Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy said the board has opened up discussions about a bond election for the district.  She said the district’s financial advisor has projected figures for what the potential tax rate could be for bonds of $20 million, $30 million, and $40 million.

Dr. Kennedy said academic facilities are the district’s top priority, as it is “completely maxed out of classroom space.”  She said school officials also need to address upgrades and improvements to existing facilities and some new extracurricular structures.

Among the facility needs discussed at the meeting were additional classrooms, science lab improvements, and upgrades to the band hall and cafeteria.

According to Dr. Kennedy, athletics could be included as part of a bond proposal.  At the meeting, discussions were held on having a turf football field with an eight lane track.

Dr. Kennedy said the board is considering a November election date to be able to educate and inform the public.  She said input from the community and what voters will support is “a vital part of this process.”

Trustee Donna Boehnemann Putnam said it will be important to bring in people from the community and have discussions with them on these issues.  Trustee Dean Fuchs said there is “an absolute need” for these upgrades, but the board needs to figure out how to address that need.

The district last brought a bond proposal before voters in November 2016.  In that election, Burton voters rejected the $18 million bond issue with 556 votes against and 389 votes in favor.  The bond would have funded many of the facility upgrades that are currently being considered.

Dr. Kennedy and the board will now look to schedule visits with other similarly sized school districts like Snook and Flatonia and see how they have handled recent facility upgrades.

Another special board meeting is planned for Monday at 4 p.m. to further discuss options.  Dr. Kennedy said it is time to “roll up our sleeves and go to work.”