Several Teachers, Coaches Tender Resignations During Meeting Monday
The Board of Education unanimously approved the re-employment of certified teachers, support staff and summer workers at the regular monthly meeting Monday night.
The vote came after a 45-minute executive session with no action taken in executive session.
The board also accepted the resignations of Mike Matlack, Sydney Hickman, Channing Hickman and Jenny Salter. Members approved new employment for Will Coffman as teacher/ coach; Preston Mann, teacher; Sarah Allen, SES teacher; Pressley Stearns, SHS teacher; and Stephanie Thomas as speech pathologist.
The first item on the agenda was the re-organization of the board.
Steve Jolly was elected new board president, Bear Runyan vice-president and Jenny Trett as clerk.
Superintendent Matt Holder presented the financial data as prepared by Treasurer David Harp. Holder reported a cash balance of more than $10 million in all accounts. Approximate account totals are as follows: general fund-$4,123,562.00; child nutrition-$334,000.00; building fund-$2,600,000.00; bond fund-$1,266,000.00; sinking fund-$1,868,000.00; gift fund-$48,000.00 and insurance from storm damage-$1,201.00.
Holder told members the school is in good financial standing.
In other deliberations, Board members approved a resolution to allow for the sale and issuance of $1,420,000.00 General Obligation Building Bonds.
The district received four bids and the successful bidder was Banker Group in Oklahoma who bid an interest rate of 4.540957. The interest rate was almost a whole point lower than the last bond sale.
Larry Sloan, general contractor for the school building project, updated members on the its progress. Sloan said rainy weather has been a slight factor, but work is still progressing. He said the building is approximately 65% in the dry and the bricks are on sight and brick laying will begin when weather permits.
Holder reported the district had received a $75,000.00 grant from the Oklahoma Education Technology Trust.
Holder also reported that preliminary ACT scores for the junior class had been received and the average overall composite score is 19.5 compared to 18.9, 18.6 and 18.3 in previous years High school teacher Shannon Carter and McKenzie Whitsell, vocational rehabilitation specialist with the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Services updated the board on the work study program at the high school. Whitsell said the high school currently has 28 students involved the program and expects the number to keep growing. The program provides for students to work a few hours each day or week to get training in various job aspects and gain experience in working.
Businesses who participate can be eligible for tax credits.
Athletic Director Corey Cole told members the spring sports is winding down as the end of the year approaches. He said the school will have three more athletes signing letters of intent this week bringing the total number of signings this year to 11.
All building principals reported end of year testing is in progress along with end of year activities and field trips.
Other agenda items approved included:
•Sylogist contract for 20252026;
•AWARE Program manager contract for 2025-2026;
•Contract with Independent Treasurer David Harp for 20252026; and
•Resolution for ERATE Services for 2025-2026. All five board members were present at the meeting.
