Burlington School Board to have new member as Smith steps down

Settlement reached in Targa tax protest

 

December 22, 2021



All members of the Burlington Board of Education were present as President Terry Graham called the December meeting to order last week. That includes Robert Hill, April Kisling, T.J. Rockenbach and Aaron Smith.

Superintendent Kevin Brown also attended as did JH/HS Principal Gerrett Spears, Elementary Principal Stan Pedersen and Minutes Clerk Tracy Granados. Guests were Lindsey Callison and Apryl Burleson.

Board member Aaron Smith did not file for reelection during the December filing period. The superintendent reported that the only person who filed for that seat was Lindsey Callison. So she will fill Seat Two when Smith's position expires in the spring.

As reported last month, Brown attended the Targa Resources Corporation (oil and gas) tax protest hearing in November. The protest was upheld. However the superintendent told the board that since then he's received word from the Alfalfa County assessor that a settlement was tentatively reached with Targa. Brown told the Newsgram Tuesday that he's still awaiting details on the amount of money the school will receive and when.

The school's parking lot is being redone with gravel during Christmas break by an Alfalfa County crew, Brown told the board. Tuesday he said the parking lot is finished.

The school staff has a professional development day Tuesday, Jan. 4. Teachers' in-service will include Promethean Board training. Burlington students will return for classes on Jan. 5 the superintendent said.

Burlington School Board Action

The board discussed and approved the Open Transfer Policy FE as required by SB 783. They also approved a suicide prevention policy as required by Senate Bill 21.

Encumbrances, change orders and warrants were approved as follows: General Fund: Encumbrances 185-201 for $11,345.00 and Warrants 483-619 for $277,206.09; Building Fund: Warrant 9 for $554.26; and Child Nutrition: Encumbrance 15 for $600 and Warrants 56-75 $11,404.80.

The November 2021 Activity report was board approved.

Following executive session, the board approved the tax credit resolution and policy CDCC as proposed by the equal opportunity scholarship act. Superintendent Brown presented the board with the information provided by the OSSBA regarding the proposed policy to approve a student Internship/Job Shadowing program which they did. He thanked Counselor Gayle McNett for all her hard work laying the foundation for the program.

The board voted to proceed with continuing the process for facility planning. That's after Brown presented the board with potential facility planning proposals and options which they discussed.

Principals Give a Rundown of Busy December

Elementary Principal Pedersen reported the elementary teachers finished up their units for the semester and worked on crafts and various holiday activities. The Book Fair was Dec. 13-17. Reading with Parents was Dec. 14.

Elementary students who met their AR goals for the 1st and 2nd quarters went bowling in Alva Dec. 14. Elementary basketball resumes on Monday, Jan. 10, at Timberlake.

JH/HS Principal Spears reported the numbers in the high school are steady. Basketball season is off to a great start with all teams playing hard and continuing to improve. The high school basketball teams will have scrimmages over the break and return to regular season play Jan. 4.

STUCO organized basketball homecoming festivities. Junior Ashlyn Paschall was crowned queen with senior Silvery Kiwia her escort as king.

Quiz Bowl competed in regionals and finished in fourth place. “This is the first year that there has been an Academic Team in several years and Mrs. McCullough has done a great job getting this organized again,” Spears said.

The FFA attended MFE in Tulsa and packed meals at Stamp out Starvation. “The Robotics Team competed in Wichita and did great, placing eighth out of 25 teams!” Spears said.

Burlington held a virtual day Friday, December 10 to assess internet availability and contingency plans for remote learning if ever needed. Student Teacher Maya Stewart is leaving and has taken a job in Kansas.

The week before break included junior and senior high basketball games at Freedom and home against Medford.

Students took semester tests Wednesday and Thursday. Students who were exempt from testing went to Enid to go bowling and eat pizza on Wednesday. Thursday they watched a movie and played games. Friday students had Christmas parties and a School Talent Show then an early release.

Burlington's annual Christmas program and tree lighting was Thursday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. The evening started with the Lions Club Soup Supper and School Book Fair prior in the Bus Barn. Then the FFA held the Christmas Tree Lighting in Purple Park with the school music program and a Christmas carol sing-along.

 

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