Burnet CISD board president outlines timeline for superintendent, athletic director, football hires

The Burnet Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees is gearing up for what may be a busier spring than it has ever had before.

That’s because three individuals will be occupying offices they did not house during the fall semester: superintendent, director of athletics and school safety, and football head coach.

Superintendent Keith McBurnett and athletic and school safety director Kurt Jones announced retirements, while football head coach Bryan Wood announced his resignation.

Though McBurnett leaving the district had previously been announced, Jones and Wood’s announcement came Dec. 19. All three jobs have been posted on the employment link of the school district’s web site.

Board President Earl Foster noted that because of the timing of the hires and how specific state law is in naming a new superintendent, it is possible a new director of athletics and school safety and football head coach will be hired before the superintendent.

He emphasized that while a specific timeline to hire a new athletic director and a new football coach “has not been finalized,” trustees have given direction on how they want to proceed on the two positions.

“The Board of Trustees has directed Superintendent McBurnett and the administration to bring candidate recommendations to the board for approval,” he said. “A specific timeline has not been finalized, but we expect to have both positions filled before the end of February.”

Meanwhile, the school district continues to take applications for superintendent with the closing of that position on Jan. 26. Foster noted trustees will review applications Feb. 12 to determine who will be interviewed.

“Interviews will take place in February with the goal of naming a lone finalist by the end of February or beginning of March,” he said, pointing out that by state law, once a lone finalist is named, there’s a 21-day waiting period before that individual can officially be hired as the superintendent.

“The new superintendent’s official start date will be dependent upon how much time the candidate needs to transition,” Foster said.

As to whether the board will hire an individual who is already on staff or one currently working elsewhere, Foster noted the district has specific qualifications. In addition, school district leaders assembled a survey and conducted feedback sessions with stakeholders to hear the qualities they want to see in the next superintendent.

“The posting is open to all internal and external candidates, and the board looks forward to identifying the next leader of Burnet CISD that meets the qualifications and is a fit in terms of the characteristics and qualities identified by our parents, staff, community and Board of Trustees,” Foster said.   

The board still intends to hire one individual for each job, he added. Director of athletics and school safety earns $104,681. Football head coach earns $98,263.

“The district is committed to identifying outstanding candidates for the athletic director position and the head football coach position. As is the district’s standard process, both positions are posted,” he said. “The district will continue to have an athletic director that does not have coaching responsibilities.”  

No matter when the next three individuals are hired to take over these roles, Foster commended McBurnett, Jones and Wood for their contributions to the school district.

“I can’t say enough good things about Keith McBurnett,” he said. “He has been a blessing to Burnet CISD and a leader in this community for over 12 years. He will be missed. The board wishes him the very best in his retirement from public education.”

He said of the same of Jones and Wood.

“Coach Jones has been an important and valued leader in Burnet athletics for the past 23 years and has been a key part of the overall success of our athletic program. The board wishes him the very best in his retirement from public education,” Foster said. “Coach Wood led the Bulldogs back to the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and has developed a firm foundation that our football program can continue to build upon. The board wishes him well in what the future holds for him.” 

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