Burlington School Board reemploys both principals

Both Burlington principals were reemployed at the board of education's February regular meeting. They are Elementary Principal Stan Pedersen and Junior/Senior High Principal Garrett Spears. The board approved paying the principals' retirement for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

Just after Burlington Board of Education President Terry Graham called the meeting to order, all board members were present, including Robert Hill, April Kisling, T.J. Rockenbach and Aaron Smith.

Superintendent Kevin Brown was also present as were the principals and Minutes Clerk Tracy Granados.

Lindsey Callison attended as a guest. She is the new board member who replaces Smith who did not file to run again for the board. Callison will take her place at the board table at the April meeting.

Easley Architects and Associates Talk to Board

Roy Easley and Seth Benson of Easley Architects & Associates attended the meeting. Easley and Benson discussed the pros and cons of using a general contractor versus a construction manager for contracting any upcoming projects for the school district.

The board voted to utilize a General Contracting Competitive Bids for the purpose of any potential construction projects.

Superintendent Brown and the board set a Special Board Meeting for this Thursday, March 3 at 7:00 pm. He said Easley reps will make a presentation about details and designs, providing blueprints to board members.

"With this information, we can provide accurate details at our public meeting," Brown said. That date will soon be announced.

FFA Auction Results, Education Foundation, 2022-23 Calendar and More Business

Since the February meeting, the FFA Project Auction/Dinner was held. The FFA raised approximately $10,000, according to the superintendent.

The Burlington Educational Foundation, which started in 1998, held their annual meeting in February. President Beverly Hankey said the foundation typically allocates money for computer updates. She noted that if you don't update computers every three to five years, the machines become obsolete. In the past year and a half, the foundation gave $30,000 for computer upgrades. Hankey said the foundation will contribute this year as well but don't yet have details.

"The foundation remains active in enhancing educational opportunities for students," Hankey said.

The board approved extra duty stipends for Junior High Baseball Head Coach Garrett Spears, One Act Coach Rachael Spears and Assistant Cheer Sponsor Rachael Spears as presented.

The board approved the consent agenda. One of those items was approval of the 2022-23 school calendar. Some of the important dates are: First Day of School, Wednesday, Aug. 10; Last Day of School, Thursday, May 11; Fall Break, Oct. 12-14; Thanksgiving Break, Nov. 21-25; Christmas Break, Dec. 21–Jan. 2; Spring Break, March 13-17.

The January 2022 Activity Report was approved, as was the Little Elks Daycare handbook with no changes.

Encumbrances, change orders and warrants received board approval as follows: General Fund: encumbrances 221-226 for $9,500 and warrants 711-807 for $284,571.68; Building Fund warrants 11-12 for $4,229.24 and Child Nutrition Fund encumbrance 17 for $560.00 and warrants 92-103 for $8,907.22.

Principal's Report on Enrollment, Spelling Bee Winners and More

Elementary Principal Pedersen reported there are a total of 92 students from pre-K to 8th grade. Junior/Senior High Principal Spears said there are 47 students currently in high school for total enrollment of 139.

The local spelling bee was in February. If anyone missed it and wants to see it, it is on Skordle at burlingtonelks.tv. The spelling bee winners are as follows: Midget (grades 1st and 2nd) Champion Henry German and Runner-up Claire Pray; PeeWee (grades 3 and 4) Champion Zoeigh Olson and Runner-up Redick Blankenship; Grades 5 and 6 Champion Carleigh Hill and Runner-up Cort Whitaker; Grades 7 and 8 Champion Cash Dotson and Runner-up Hope Olson.

The Promethean boards have all arrived and been installed. The principals said students and teachers both love using them.

The Language Arts curriculum is up for adoption this year and samples have been ordered.

FFA students read with students on the Wednesday of FFA Week. During `Reading with Parents', students made Valentines that were delivered to local nursing homes.

Basketball season ended. A special thanks was given to Anne Graham. Principal Spears noted that Graham did an excellent job with concessions this year. Concession sales were at a seven-year high and organizations that worked the concession stand are excited by the funds they were able to raise.

Track, golf and junior high baseball started on Feb. 14.

Board members discussed potential conflict of the April meeting and it was determined that meeting will be moved to Friday, April 22 at 8 a.m.