The superintendent reported on summer facilities work, staffing and the district's preparations for the opening of school.

Why it matters: Facilities readiness, new hires, registration and family communication systems affect school operations and families' ability to prepare for the start of the year.

The superintendent said buildings and grounds completed deep cleaning work and finished projects at Dyer, Cooper and Waller; work continues at Winkler and a lobby refresh at Burlington High School involved recarpeting, painting and relocation of the main office. The superintendent said much of the high-school lobby materials and cabinetry came from existing district inventory after closures elsewhere, and Gateway lease furniture was repurposed to reduce costs.

She reported 27 new certified staff hires are starting across the district (the presenter said these are mostly replacements) and noted three additional positions would have been added if an operational referendum had passed: a grant writer, a Wisco teacher and a Montessori teacher (levels 1-3). New certified staff begin a three-day orientation with the director of teaching and learning next week; all staff return Aug. 25 for four days of preparation.

Online registration opened in August; the district will hold an on-site registration and interpretation event on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from noon to 7 p.m. at the district office. The superintendent also provided the calendar for open houses (Aug. 27, 4:30-6:30 p.m., staggered across schools) and the first day of school (Tuesday, Sept. 2) with staggered starts for some grade levels (4K/5K, middle-school grade transitions, and freshmen orientation at the high school). Bus-route information was mailed to families and principals have communicated school guides to families.

On communication, the superintendent said the district will use a single platform, ParentSquare, to consolidate messaging previously sent via multiple platforms.

Board members acknowledged the district's shoestring approach to some improvements and thanked staff for the work; the superintendent closed by reminding the board of the annual school board meeting on Aug. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the district office.

Less critical detail: the superintendent said specific stagger plans for 4K/5K and other grade-level acclimation steps would remain in schools' communications to families.