BURTON SCHOOL BOARD DISCUSSES GRADUATION PLANS
The Burton School Board went over the district’s current plans for high school graduation at its virtual meeting Monday.
During his report to the board, Burton High School Principal Matthew Wamble said he believes there is a good plan moving forward with the graduation ceremony, which is now set for Friday, June 5th after initially being scheduled for next Friday, May 22nd. The ceremony will still be held at 8 p.m. at Panther Stadium, and will be broadcast live on KWHI AM 1280 and FM 101.7, and streamed on www.KWHI.com and the KWHI mobile app. A live video will also be streamed through Facebook live on KWHI’s Facebook page.
Wamble said each of the 27 graduates will be allowed to have five guests, and will be sitting with them on the football field. A health screening will be done for guests ahead of the ceremony through an online form, which he said will likely be sent out the week of graduation. Graduates will also need to provide a list of names of the guests they are expecting to attend. Wamble said that list can be turned in to the district as soon as this week.
Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be set up at several stations around the stadium. Wamble said graduates, guests, and staff will not be required to wear masks, but they are recommended.
Wamble stressed that these plans are subject to change, and the district is paying attention to all announcements from the state so it can make the best decisions possible for the ceremony and the students.
Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy also announced that a billboard recognizing this year’s graduates has been erected along Highway 290, and can be seen passing Burton on the way to Giddings. She added the district is planning something else for graduates later this week.
During her report to the board, Dr. Kennedy said the district is planning to end the school year with 469 enrolled students, which includes the graduating class, and will start the new school year with 477 students, including 35 new Pre-K students.
Also during Monday’s meeting, the board:
- Approved Region VI Education Service Center contract agreements. Kennedy said the annual agreements provide services such as advanced academic services and staff development opportunities.
- Approved a missed school day waiver and instructional continuity confirmation. Kennedy said the form ensures to the Texas Education Agency that even though Burton ISD is not holding physical classes, instruction is still taking place.
- Heard preliminary budget projections for the new school year. Kennedy said she had only received a template Monday to pull together revenue numbers, so the projections shown to board members were very rough. She said the board will look to hold budget workshops soon. Dr. Kennedy also said she will be issuing Letters of Reasonable Assurance to non-contract employees.