Burlington School Superintendent Dr. Stacey Croft said Tuesday she is closely monitoring the school situation statewide with continued concerns of COVID-19. At this point the superintendent said Burlington teachers will report to school Monday, Aug. 10. Students are to start classes Thursday, Aug. 13.

Dr. Croft said Burlington plans a special board meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. She plans to unveil her reopening plan for the board's approval. “This is the best place to be for the kids,” she said, with learning in the classroom.

“I want to keep our kids safe,” the superintendent said.

Burlington's board of education met for its regular monthly July meeting, which was called to order by President Terry Graham. Member T.J. Rockenbach was absent with all others present: April Kisling, Aaron Smith and Robert Hill. Superintendent Croft attended, as did Principal Tim Bart and Minutes Clerk Tamre McGinnis. They held the meeting in the IETV room.

The superintendent and principal received a two percent raise to be paid as a stipend.

The board signed 12-month employee contracts. They approved a .54 cent per hour raise for the assistant cook and a $2.07 per hour raise for special ed paraprofessionals and teacher assistant.

Kristen Sciara was employed as a paraprofessional for the 2020/2021 school year.

The board approved the quote from Dell and to increase the Dell Latitudes by 10 at the same price per unit along with an additional 10 Chromebooks at the same price per unit. New quotes were received from Dell and Echo on new laptops and Chromebooks. That will be discussed at the special meeting Wednesday evening.

Other board approvals were: the purchase of LED lighting through TIPS (The Interlocal Purchasing Agreement); the new policies and revised OSSBA policies: FB, FB-E1, FB-E2, FB-E3, DABB, FMAAA, BJ, EHDF, FDC-R1,FDC-P, GK and ECA; the June 2020 Activity Fund Report.

The following encumbrances and warrants were approved: General Fund encumbrances 1-82 $394,157.50 and warrants 1-10 $24,287.50; Building Fund encumbrances 1-2 $48,475.34; Child Nutrition Fund encumbrances 1-10 $48,450 and Warrant 1 $125; and reserve warrants 1217–1225 $2,424.81.

The board approved property and liability insurance coverage with OSRMT at $60,713 for the period of July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

The activities calendar and fundraisers for 2020/2021 were approved.

This was the reorganizational meeting of the board. They took multiple actions to make routine appointments and other business that must be made annually for the new school year. This is on file at the school office for the public to see if desired.

Superintendent Croft reminded the board of the OSSBA/CCOSA Convention Aug. 27-30. Summer maintenance includes working on finishing up daycare and re-keying several doors to the main buildings.

Principal Bart said he is working on getting student handbooks ready and finishing up CDL licenses with several employees.