Burlington board appoints Tara Glades as director of special education

The Burlington U.S.D. No. 244 Board of Education voted to appoint Tara Glades as Director of Special Education for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years during a special meeting on July 27, 2026.

The motion “to approve Tara Glades as the Director of Special Education for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years,” was made by James Higgins and seconded by Ron Hess and carried. Voting recorded Lucas Allen, Johnny Hernandez, Ron Hess, James Higgins and Bob Plummer as yea; Selena King and Nolan Strawder were recorded absent at the time of the vote (tally: Yea 5, Nay 0, Absent 2). The minutes list Superintendent Donalyn Biehler and Clerk Christy Hess as present for the meeting.

The appointment places Glades in a district leadership role overseeing special education programs for two school years. The board did not record additional implementation details or an effective start date beyond the 2026-27 school year designation in the motion language. The board adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Next steps: the board approved the appointment during the meeting; no separate follow-up actions or implementation timeline were specified in the minutes.