BCISD board preps for growth in district’s future

The Burnet Consolidated Independent School District received updates on construction around the district related to the 2021 bond package, some of which will help accommodate an anticipated rise in enrollment.

Construction Manager At-Risk for the bond reported on projects to be completed by Satterfield & Pontikes during the summer of 2021. These projects include:

• RJ Richey- Includes new flooring, site work to improve drainage and new expanded drive;

• Shady Grove- Includes front entrance renovations and new nurse’s station; and

• Burnet Middle- Includes new flooring, new ceilings, wainscoting in hallways, new life skills restroom and expanded cafeteria

Additional work will be completed at each of these campuses, but that work will be coordinated by district officials. Renovations at Bertram Elementary will also take place during the summer in support of expanding the capacity at the campus to 750 students.

The additional capacity will be just in time. The board also received an updated demographic study report. Based on this report, the district is expected to have 6,128 students by 2031-32.

All three elementary campuses are projected to be over capacity during the 2026-27 school year, and Burnet Middle School will be over capacity by the 2029- 30 school year. Superintendent Keith McBurnett said this study will help guide the district in planning for future facilities to address the growth in student population.

Trustees also approved the purchase of one 53 passenger bus and three 88 passenger buses utilizing bond funds.

In addition, the board approved the purchase of five white fleet vehicles with the goal of eliminating the use of vans to transport students for safety and efficiency reasons. The white fleet purchase will be accomplished utilizing fund balance.

Other bond related news included trustees:

• Approving Satterfield & Pontikes Construction’s final contract amount for the athletic field project, which consists of the turfing the baseball field, turfing the softball field and developing a middle school athletics complex that includes a turfed field and track. The approved cost is $5,265,752;

• Approving Satterfield & Pontikes Construction’s final contract amount for the Student Activity Center, which includes an indoor practice facility, locker rooms, weight room and a parking lot. The approved cost is $11,394,550;

• Approving Alpha Paving to pave a new parking lot just south of the tennis courts;

• Approving Tri-Star to reroute the existing waterline under the baseball field to around the east side of the baseball fence; and

• Approving the purchase of classroom projectors.

• Recognized students of the month from Burnet High School and Quest High School – Brice Duke, Hallie McKenzie, Sfrona Procter and David Waalkens;

• Recognized BHS students Anthony Perez, Carlos Olvera, Dani Montalvo and Savannah Gomez for earning the designation of College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars. BHS Student Matthew Ty Combs was recognized for earning the designation of College Board National Rural and Small Town Scholar.

• Recognized Hudson Bennett, Andy Urista and Carlos Olvera for competing at the UIL State Cross Country Meet. They made Burnet proud finishing 5th, 87th and 104th, respectively.

• Presented a report on the declining COVID-19 case counts in the district. The board reviewed the section in the Return to In-Person and Continuity of Service plan addressing visitors on campus, with the intent to update the plan in early December; and

• Selected the design of the 2021 District Christmas Card. It was designed by Bertram Elementary first grader Brett Maynard.