Alva Review-Courier -

At the late June meeting of Burlington's Board of Education they hired a counselor to fill the vacancy left by Gayle McNett last spring. She was Donita Wagonner who was reportedly seeking the administrative level and was offered such a job at another school after first accepting Burlington's offer.

Burlington's School Board held their monthly meeting July 6. They hired Christa Fraire from Alva as the school counselor for the 2023-2024 school year and accepted Wagonner's resignation.

When Board President Robert Hill called the meeting to order members Lindsey Callison, Terry Graham, April Kisling were present and T.J. Rockenbach was absent.

Superintendent Brent Rousey also attended along with JH/HS Principal Gerrett Spears, Elementary Principal Stan Pedersen, and Minutes Clerk Brook Keast. Guests were Tracy Granados and Christa Fraire.

The board approved longtime, now retired, teacher Judy Elliott as a part time teacher for the 2023-24 school year.

Rousey Said 2023 Is a Good Year So Far

Superintendent Rousey told the board that not much had changed since the last meeting and all is well. The new gym project is still ahead of schedule and has no additional monetary changes. Despite tax protest money still held, Rousey said it's been a good year.

On the basketball court design options, the board approved Option 2. They also approved metal lockers for the new gym.

Classroom projects are moving along very well, Rousey said. Work is still ongoing in the bathrooms being remodeled.

All the details are not yet released, but the State Department of Education is granting $96,000 for school safety items. Principal Spears would like to get a quote for re-keying the current facilities with a portion of these funds. The board approved a quote from BancCentral on school safety items. Giving a daycare update, Spears is again applying for the daycare stabilization grant, which has been available every six months.

The board discussed a quote to add badge readers on the south doors next to the bus pickup/dropoff and at the daycare. A portion of anticipated state-issued school safety funds could be used for this.

The board approved adding a junior high and senior high select choir stipend to the extra-duty nonathletic stipend list for $2,000. Also approved was to increase the Play Director/Sponsor/Audio Visual stipend to $2500.

Principal Spears contacted OSSBA about policy regarding a grade acceleration policy. Their suggestion was in the elementary and middle schools, a placement committee consisting of the principal, counselor, and teacher(s) shall determine if a student is to be assigned to the next higher grade. The committee shall consider standardized test scores, emotional maturity, discipline, attendance and the student's age. This policy will be subject to periodic review. The policy will be returned to the board for approval at a later date.

Principal Pedersen said the summer reading program was a success. Attendance was up tremendously from last year, especially on Thursdays when Ms. Andrews had special activities. Summer remediation wrapped up with four students regularly attending. Curriculum and supplies will be purchased and communicated out to teachers in the coming weeks. Principal Spears said summer camps and summer pride are going well. Professional development is scheduled for Aug. 9 and 10. Training is 90 percent online now. Curriculum alignment will be communicated. Aug. 10 3:30-6:30 will be Meet the Teacher Night. First day of school will be Aug. 11.

The board approved the June Activity Fund report; and also the following encumbrances, change orders and warrants as follows: General Fund FY '23 Encumbrances 332-333 for $1,000.00, FY '24 Encumbrances 1-169 for $711,068.97, FY '23 Change Orders for ($87,493.48), FY '23 Warrants 1306-1334 for $21,873.73, FY '24 Warrants 1-35 for $85,134.71; Building Fund FY '24 Encumbrances 1- 3 for $71,900.47, FY '23 Warrant 18 for $5,033.81; Child Nutrition Fund FY '24 Encumbrances 1-19 for $70,707.00, FY '24 Warrants 1-2 for $182.

A quote from MERIT Network Solutions as an additional general fund encumbrance of $6,210 for FY24 was approved by the board.

The consent agenda was approved, which included all the board's items of reorganization for the 2023-24 school year, such as receiving agents, custodian of funds and much more. Those items are available at the school's office for anyone who wishes to see them.