Board approves multiple contracts and agreements, sets 2026 budget hearing dates

The Burlington Community School District board on Monday approved several contracts and routine business items, including a construction contract for the Burlington High School gym floor, repairs at Edward Stone, and service agreements with regional education partners.

Board action summary: The board approved the consent agenda (payment of previously paid bills of $190,554.52, unpaid bills of $376,830.04, and payroll of $3,300 — amounts as presented in the consent motion); awarded the BHS gym floor replacement contract to Prostar Surfaces; approved Edward Stone façade/beam repairs; approved a University of Northern Iowa (UNI) student-teaching agreement; approved an AEA services contract covering media and educational services; and set two public hearings on the 2026 certified budget (March 31 at 5:30 p.m. for property tax levy comments; April 14 during the regular board meeting for final budget action).

Why it matters: The gym floor and building repairs are part of ongoing district capital work tied to the SAVE/ESSER program. The student-teaching and AEA agreements relate to teacher recruitment and services delivered through Area Education Agencies and local universities.

Key votes and motions

- Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda, including payments and payroll figures provided in the agenda packet. Motion passed by voice vote.

- BHS gym floor replacement (contract award): Staff recommended awarding the construction contract for the Burlington High School gym floor replacement to Prostar Surfaces after four timely bids were considered. Staff reported the construction budget for this enhancement was $250,000; the low recommended bid was $194,000 (construction bid) plus approximately $35,000 in soft costs. A board member moved to approve the contract; the board voted in favor. The vendor inspected the floor prior to bidding and staff said the bidder demonstrated knowledge of the existing system.

- Edward Stone repairs: Staff presented recommended repairs for exposed beams and related injection/painting work at Edward Stone and recommended approval of a contract with the identified contractor for repairs (the district noted a prior miscommunication in bid amounts and clarified the combined project total remains approximately $84,000 across schools). Board approved the repairs by voice vote.

- University of Northern Iowa student-teaching agreement: The board approved a multi-year (three-year) standard student-teaching and practicum placement agreement with UNI. The district said this semester hosts 16 student-teaching placements and 16 practicum placements in total; three placements are from UNI.

- AEA services contract: The board approved the district’s AEA services agreement (covering media and educational services). Staff explained the district will retain approximately $80,000 to support internal curriculum leadership and will continue to purchase direct services from the AEA for instructional and special-education-related services.

- 2026 budget public hearings: The board set two public hearing dates required by the certified budget process: March 31 at 5:30 p.m. (property tax levy hearing) and April 14 (budget approval at regular meeting). Motion passed by voice vote.

Board comments: Board members and staff repeatedly thanked district teachers, students and project teams for work on athletics and arts events; several directors praised the transportation staff and student activity groups. The board also noted a ribbon-cutting for the high-school project is planned for Aug. 12, 2025.

Ending: The board took the listed actions by voice vote. Staff said more detailed budget reconciliations and final closeout documents for major projects would be presented at upcoming meetings.