It’s hard to believe that we are already one month removed from the end of another incredible school year. In many ways, it feels like our students were just walking across the stage at graduation yesterday! While we certainly miss seeing our hallways filled with students each day, it has been wonderful to see so many continuing to learn, grow, and engage through our Summer School programs, Community Education Camps, and Spark Squad activities.

As we reflect on the 2025–2026 school year, there is so much to celebrate and be proud of across the Burlington Area School District. It was a year marked by academic growth, meaningful friendships, and expanded opportunities for students to explore future career pathways and prepare for life after graduation.

One of the highlights of the year was celebrating the accomplishments of our graduating seniors. This spring, we proudly graduated 237 students across BASD. We congratulate each graduate and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in their communities and beyond.

We also concluded the school year by recognizing and celebrating the incredible staff members who make BASD such a special place. Thanks to the generous partnership of Veterans Terrace and The Coffee House, we hosted an end-of-year breakfast to honor our employees and thank them for their dedication to our students and schools. During the celebration, we recognized staff members for their years of service and expressed our deepest appreciation to our retirees for their outstanding careers and lasting contributions to BASD.

Thank you to our students, staff, families, and community members for another successful year. Together, we continue to make BASD a place where students thrive and excellence is celebrated.

Dr. Jill Oelslager, Superintendent

One of the values that makes Burlington such a special place is our community-wide commitment to "Be A Good Human." Throughout our schools, businesses, and organizations we are working together to model the shared values of being Prepared, Respectful, Logical, Involved, and Resilient.

To celebrate these values in action, BASD introduced the inaugural Be A Good Human Awards this year with our staff. These awards recognize staff members who consistently demonstrate the Burlington five shared values and serve as outstanding role models for our students, colleagues, and the community.

These individuals exemplify the values that unite our community and help make Burlington Area School District a place where students and staff can thrive. Thank you for leading by example and demonstrating what it means to Be A Good Human every day!

The photos below recognize our dedicated BASD staff members for their years of service. The number in the upper right corner of each photo indicates the employee's years of service to the district.

Longevity awards were presented to staff members celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service. We are grateful for their commitment, dedication, and the positive impact they have made on generations of BASD students, families, and colleagues.

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Not Pictured: Matt Conrardy & Terra Malom

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Not pictured: Sara Braam

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Not pictured: Sue Gosch

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Our retirees sure will be missed! Collectively they have given 259 years of service to BASD. They are forever members of BASD and we would welcome all of them to want to jump on our sub list moving forward!

Thank you for your loyalty to BASD, service to students, and mentorship to colleagues - we wish each of you all the best in this next chapter!

This is a good time of year to remind your friends, neighbors, and families that we are in the time frame where students, especially 4K students, can enroll in BASD for the start of the 26-27 school year!

Looking for a fun and meaningful experience for your 3-year-old? Join our Burlington Buddies playgroup!

This inclusive program at Dyer Elementary brings together children of all abilities for fun, engaging, and educational activities. Sessions meet twice a week for five weeks, with each session lasting 90 minutes.

We are looking for same-age peers who have met all typical developmental milestones to be models for peers with special education needs.

WHO: All 3 year old children

WHERE: Dyer Elementary School

COST: Free!

WHEN: First session is from 9/14/26 - 10/23/26

Sign Up for a session today!

Our Dyer students had a wonderful time showcasing their creativity, curiosity, and hard work during the Learning Fair! Students shared projects and learning experiences with families, staff, and classmates while celebrating the many ways learning happens at Dyer. 

Pop In Night gave students the opportunity to show families activities they have done in class and share learning from throughout the school year. Families visited classrooms, explored student work, and celebrated the many accomplishments and memories from the year.

Many of our 3rd and 4th grade students participated in Bike to School with the Burlington Police Department! Students practiced safe riding habits, learned important bike safety tips, and participated in a group ride to school. All 3rd and 4th grade students also had the opportunity to learn more about bike safety and be fitted for a helmet. 

Our 4K students celebrated the end of a wonderful school year by performing songs for families and receiving certificates of completion. The celebration highlighted all of the growth, learning, and memories students made throughout their 4K year as they prepare for kindergarten! 

Field Day gave students the opportunity to participate in a variety of outdoor games, activities, and team-building experiences while celebrating the end of the school year together. Students enjoyed spending time with classmates, staying active, and showing great school spirit throughout the day! 

Elementary students and staff loved welcoming back Burlington High School’s Class of 2026 for the Grad Walk! Graduates walked the halls of their grade schools, while current students cheered them on and celebrated this exciting milestone. Graduates also enjoyed reconnecting with former teachers, sharing memories, and participating in some nostalgic elementary school fun.

In Partnership with the Burlington Woman’s Club, BASD Schools collected 167 pounds of crayons for The Crayon Initiative. This non profit organization collects unwanted crayons and remanufactures them into 3 sided paper free crayons, which are then donated to Children’s Hospitals. 

Thank you to all staff for assisting with this initiative!

Spark Squad, formally Summer Rec, is off to a great start! We have over 150+ children enrolled so far, which is being offered at Karcher Middle School this school year. Spark Squad offers flexible summer daycare for families with the ability to schedule days/weeks/months and/or engage with daily drop ins. Spark Squad started on June 1st and runs through August 14th.

This outstanding daycare opportunity is open to all families in Burlington and the surrounding communities (not just for BASD families). From Field Trips to Field Days, Spark Squad offers something for everyone!

For more information click the orange box below!

Summer school has begun at Karcher Middle School! Students who have completed 4K through 7th grade are eligible to enroll. Classes run from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday through Thursday, from June 8 through July 9.

Additionally, students in grades 9 through 11 have the option of taking Physical Education, Health or Consumer Economics for credit over the summer - freeing up space within their schedules during the school year to take some of our other amazing courses such as dual enrollment opportunities and Advanced Placement courses!

As part of the USDA Summer Food Service Program, all children, 18 years of age and under are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch offered at Karcher. If you know of any children in the area that could benefit from a free breakfast or lunch over the summer please share this information with them!

The Burlington Area School District shares information from community organizations as a service to families. The events and programs listed below are not sponsored, endorsed, or supervised by the district, and the district assumes no responsibility for their content, operations, or activities.

Taylor Wishau, Board President - April 2027

Marlo Brown, Vice-President - April 2027

Paul Kobernick, Clerk - April 2028

Benjamin Puffer, Treasurer - April 2029

Andrea Brewer - April 2029

Rosanne Hahn - April 2029

Kate Johnson - April 2028

Burlington Area School District (BASD) is so grateful for the continued generosity of our community. This month, we have received over $6,500 in donations that directly support our students, programs, and schools. These gifts make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and staff. BASD is truly fortunate to be surrounded by such a caring and supportive community.

Larger donations to note:

Jess Warren, Director of Business Services gave an update relating to Buildings and Grounds. He shared information relating to the buildings and grounds budget, what capital improvement items are of focus this summer/year, along with some analysis we have done to continue to analyze our financials and work towards continuous improvement and fiscal efficiencies.

Thomas Bus has announced that it plans to transition ownership to Rite Way, with the sale expected to close on July 15, 2026. The District anticipates continuing transportation services under the existing four-year contract, pending School Board approval.

Importantly, current Thomas Bus staff are expected to remain in place during the transition, helping to ensure continuity of service for our students and families.

Representatives from Rite Way will attend the July School Board meeting to introduce their organization, provide an overview of their operations, and answer Board questions. Based on initial discussions, our team is confident that the transition can occur smoothly with minimal impact on transportation services.

The School Board unanimously approved a 1.5% increase to extracurricular stipends for the 2026–2027 school year. The District reviews these stipends annually to ensure continued support for the staff members who lead athletic, activity, and co-curricular programs that enrich the student experience.

The updated stipend amounts will take effect beginning with the fall 2026 athletic and activity seasons. While the annual adjustment is modest, the District remains committed to reviewing stipends each year and making gradual improvements over time.

To continue attracting and retaining quality substitute teachers, the School Board unanimously approved increases to substitute pay rates for the 2026–2027 school year.

The Board also approved a new incentive for BASD retirees who return as substitute teachers. Retirees will receive the highest substitute pay rate regardless of the number of days worked, recognizing the value of their experience and continued support of our schools.

These changes reflect the District’s ongoing commitment to maintaining strong classroom coverage and supporting student learning throughout the school year.

The District recently received state approval to begin construction on Phase 1 of the 496 Building project. This first phase includes remodeling a portion of the building to serve as the permanent home of the BASD Onsite Health Clinic.

One of the most exciting aspects of this project is that it is being funded through savings generated by the District’s transition to a self-funded health insurance model in January 2026. To date, BASD has realized approximately $1.4 million in health insurance savings this school year. Those savings have more than covered the approximately $997,000 cost of the clinic remodel, demonstrating how strategic financial decisions can create long-term value for both our employees and taxpayers.

The expanded clinic space is also being designed with future growth in mind, creating opportunities for partnerships with other local organizations and businesses. Over time, these partnerships could help reduce operating costs and expand services available to BASD employees.

Construction is expected to begin this summer, with completion anticipated by January 2027. The School Board unanimously approved Phase 1 of the project, with construction costs not to exceed $997,397.

Planning continues for Phase 2 of the 496 Building project, which includes potential daycare and fitness center components, as the District collaborates with local businesses for financial contributions for the remodel project. Again, another example of the district working to seek ways to generate dollars to offset expenses.

Summer provides an important opportunity for the District to complete facility and technology improvements that help support daily operations and minimize disruptions during the school year.

At its recent meeting, the School Board approved the replacement of the District’s backup server, a critical component of BASD’s technology infrastructure that helps protect and secure important district data and systems. Following a competitive bidding process, the Board approved the recommendation to award the project to the lowest-cost qualified bidder at a cost of $43,873.47.

Investments such as these help ensure that the District's technology systems remain reliable, secure, and prepared to support students and staff throughout the year.

The School Board unanimously approved the District’s final 2025–2026 budget following a review of year-end financial adjustments and results.

The budget remains in line with projections, while also reflecting additional cost-saving measures implemented throughout the year. These efforts demonstrate the District’s ongoing commitment to being responsible users of taxpayer dollars and ensuring that available resources are directed toward supporting students and schools.

As the District continues to navigate long-term funding challenges facing public education, careful financial planning remains a priority. Current projections indicate that BASD will likely seek voter consideration of an operational referendum in April 2027 to help sustain programs and services for students in the years ahead.

The School Board has reviewed and unanimously approved the District’s preliminary budget for the 2026–2027 school year. This early approval allows the District to continue planning ahead for the upcoming fiscal year, which officially begins on July 1. A final budget will be approved in October 2026 once state revenue figures and final adjustments are confirmed.

The preliminary budget reflects the District’s ongoing commitment to responsible financial management of taxpayer resources. Encouragingly, the projected tax rate is expected to decrease slightly, from $6.76 to $6.70 per $1,000 of equalized property value.

As the budget process continues over the coming months, the District will remain focused on maintaining high-quality programs and services while keeping costs as efficient as possible.

Second reading for the following policies which were unanimously approved by the school board:

Policy #4220 - EVALUATION OF SUPPORT STAFF - last revised 10/2024

Policy #3217 - WEAPONS - technical correction

Policy #4217 - WEAPONS - technical correction

Policy #4310 - EMPLOYEE EXPRESSION IN NON-INSTRUCTIONAL SETTINGS

Policy #3362.01 - THREATENING BEHAVIOR TOWARD STAFF MEMBERS - technical correction

Policy #4362.01 - THREATENING BEHAVIOR TOWARD STAFF MEMBERS - technical correction

Additionally Policy #4120.01 - JOB DESCRIPTIONS should be rescinded. Mirrored policy #3120.01 was approved by the board to be rescinded on April, 13, 2026. This policy should have been included at that time.

This policy governs student fundraising activities within the school district. It ensures that fundraising is conducted in a controlled, ethical, and educationally appropriate manner. Fundraising must be for school-related purposes, approved by the Principal (and District Administrator if above a certain threshold), and comply with Federal dietary and financial regulations.

 

This policy protects students from coercion, ensures transparency and accountability in fund management, aligns fundraising with educational goals, and ensures compliance with legal and health standards. It also maintains the integrity of the school environment and prevents misuse of school resources.

 

The revision has technical corrections, financial requirements, additional oversight options, and cross-references to other policies. These revisions are recommended but not required.

This policy regulates the use of online crowdfunding platforms to raise money or resources for district-approved educational activities, classrooms, or school-related programs. It ensures that crowdfunding activities align with the District’s educational mission, maintain financial transparency, and protect student privacy. It also prevents misuse of school branding and resources, ensures legal compliance, and protects donors by requiring the use of secure, low-fee platforms.

 

The revision adds crowdfunding platforms and additional monitoring requirements. These revisions are recommended but not required.

This policy allows the creation and maintenance of student activity accounts for approved activities that do not receive financial support from the District. While the District holds these funds in custodial accounts (per GASB 84), students are fully responsible for managing the funds—including budgeting and spending—without any financial control or approval from District staff. Staff advisors may supervise but cannot make or influence financial decisions. These activities must follow established guidelines for fundraising, accounting, and use of District resources. The policy requires that student-led, self-funded activities be managed independently but responsibly, with proper safeguards in place to comply with legal and financial regulations.

 

The revision adds an accounting requirement and includes technical corrections. These revisions are recommended but not required. 

This policy outlines how the District accepts and manages gifts, grants, and bequests from individuals or organizations. The Board retains the right to approve, reject, or define the use of any donation. Accepted gifts become the property of the District and must align with Board policies and applicable laws. The policy also cites non-discrimination in the acceptance of donations and establishes reporting, tax acknowledgment, and transparency requirements. This helps create a process that handles donations ethically, legally, and transparently, protecting both the District and the donor. Additionally, it helps prevent the acceptance of gifts that could create liability, favoritism, or conflicts of interest, maintaining the trust of the school community.

This policy is rescinded and renumbered to replacement Policy 9215 for better alignment with the numbering used by all states in the Neola network.

This policy establishes the standards, responsibilities, and oversight for school support organizations (SSOs)—such as PTAs, PTOs, Booster Clubs, and educational foundations—that raise funds or donate resources to support District schools and activities. The policy defines what constitutes an SSO, outlines approval and documentation requirements, and ensures transparency and accountability in financial activities. The policy protects the District’s integrity, financial transparency, and legal compliance while supporting valuable community involvement. It ensures SSOs operate independently yet responsibly, aligning their goals with those of the District without creating liability for the school system. It also ensures donations and fundraising are managed ethically, helping to maximize benefits to students while safeguarding public trust.

 

This policy has been redrafted by Neola legal counsel. Its re-adoption is strongly recommended, as it contains important text that satisfies state and federal accountability requirements.  This is an example of a sentence to begin a paragraph.

Policy Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22, 2026, 5:30 pm, District Office

Teaching & Learning Committee Meeting - Thursday, June 25, 2026, 6:30 pm, District Office

Personnel Committee Meeting - Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 1:00 pm, Virtual

School Board Meeting - Monday, July 13, 2026, 6:30 pm, District Office

BASD Proud,

Dr. Jill Oelslager, Superintendent

Taylor Wishau, Board President

Marlo Brown, Vice President

Paul Kobernick, Clerk

Ben Puffer, Board Member, Treasurer

Andrea Brewer, Board Member

Rosanne Hahn, Board Member

Kate Johnson, Board Member