Against the backdrop of major construction occurring on the campus of Sulphur High School, board of education members were updated on several happenings going on at the school during the regular meeting Monday night.
Kim Crawford presented an academic report slide show updating the board on the district-wide curriculum that has been a work in progress over the past four years.
Crawford told members the move to streamline the district curriculum began in 2021 with Standard Influence, followed by Data & Instruction in 2022; Vertical and HorizontalAlignment in 2023 and Frameworks & Mastery Assessment for 2024.
Crawford also reported on the huge success of promoting the ACT Testing and Scores at the high school level and reported that Sulphur’s overall composite for 2023 was higher than the overall state average.
Superintendent Matt Holder and High School Principal Clete Cole gave high praise to Ms. Crawford for all her hard work and a job well done for the school system.
Holder also updated the board on the ongoing tornado repairs and meetings with insurance company and FEMA regarding financial help for the school.
Holder told members all repairs necessary to allow for the start of school next Thursday,August 15, are close to completion.
Holder also reported the school is in good financial standing even with the repairs already made.
He reported a total of approximately $7.5 million in all funds combined including $2.4 million in general fund; $441,000.oo in child nutrition; $2.1 million in building fund; $1.2 million in bond fund; $872,000.00 sinking fund; and $46,000.00 in gift funds.
Holder reported to members that in-service for teachers had begun today (Monday) and would continue through Wednesday and would end with AWARE training on Thursday.
Open house for all buildings will be held next Tuesday,August 13 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Athletic Director, Maintenance Director, Transportation Director Corey Cole reported on fall sports are just beginning including softball, cross country and football.
Cole also reported the school has enough buses now in place to start school with no problems and that all the buses will now be air conditioned. Most of the district buses were either destroyed or rendered inoperable by the April 27 tornado that ravaged much of the downtown Sulphur area. The district’s bus barn was situated just near Woodruff Blvd., where major damage occurred.
Cole also reported the custodians and maintenance crews have gone above and beyond over the past several months to ensure the buildings and grounds would be ready for start of school.
In the action agenda, the board approved the following:
•Parent Square and Google Platforms associated with Sulphur Public Schools being authorized for staff and student communication;
•2024-2025 Handbook with changes;
•The substitute list;
•Professional Development Requirements;
•Professional service agreement with the University of Oklahoma for Speech Pathology Services;
•Sulphur Public Schools Curriculum and Framework;
•Professional development stipend for $150.00 per employee per session for AWARE training;
•Hiring of David George as an adjunct teacher for the high school to teach Chemistry for 2024-2025 school year;
•Hiring of Summer Preast as an adjunct teacher for the high school to teach Biology for the 2024-2025 school year;
•Hiring of Connor Webb as an adjunct teacher for the 2024-2025 school year to teach PE; and
•Contract with Ron White for 2024-2025.
Following a brief executive session, the members returned to regular session with no action taken and approved the resignations of Staci Seiber, Mackenzie Darnell and Maria Moreno.
Members also approved the employment of Jayci Self, Chasi King, Crystal Redd, Marcus Hall , Kassi Bess and Andie Pruitt as paraprofessionals pending background checks.
Kane Seitz and Shelbie Orso were approved as substitute bus drivers.
In final action the board approved the extra-duty payscale.
All five members were present at the meeting.
