Sulphur Board of Education members accepted the resignation of long-time board member Tammy Key Scrugham at the regular meeting Monday night.
Scrugham has served more than 20 years and was always advocating for the school, its students and staff, said superintendent Matt Holder He made the following statement regarding the resignation: “We would like thank Tammy for her service to Sulphur Public Schools. She has been a huge advocate and supporter and has kept the important things for students as a top priority. We appreciate everything she has done for Sulphur Public Schools.” Holder went on say, “I would like to personally thank Tammy for hiring me twice. Once as a principal, then as superintendent of Sulphur Public Schools. I will forever be indebted.”
Remaining members will have 60 days to appoint a replacement to fill the unexpired term without having to have a special election to fill the position.
In other business, Holder presented the financial statements to the board as prepared by Treasurer David Harp.
He told members the district had received a majority of the ad valorem county taxes. The total balance in all funds was reported at more than $10 million dollars. The amount includes general fund, child nutrition fund, building fund, bond fund, sinking fund ad gifts fund.
Holder also reported that the state mid-term adjustment received by the district was up from last year.
He said the school bond project was in full swing and concrete work should be starting soon.
The school is working with members of the National Park Service to restart the D.A.R.E. Program in the school. D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is the most comprehensive drug prevention curriculum in he world.
On behalf of the athletic director, Holder reported spring sports are in full swing with power lifters finishing the season this week.
During staff reports, High School Principal Clete Cole introduced state wrestling champions Justus Gilliam and Baer Webb to board.
Cole then introduced Sulphur’s ninth Academic All-Stater, Audra Mao, to board members.
Mao told members about the application process and how grateful she was to be named to the Academic All State group. Mao told members she would be attending Oklahoma University and plans to pursue a career as a pathologist.
Board members also hard reports from Middle School Principal Steven Pyle, Intermediate Principal John Mann and Elementary Principal Shannon Muck.
In the action agenda, the board approved the following:
•adding Amanda Conley, Melissa Haskins, Karli Cornell and Lachelle Cowan to the substitute list, pending background checks;
•approved annual contracts with OT Solutions as well as Jayme Wilkins;
•approved contract with OKLET for 2-24-25 school year;
•approved contract with Bledsoe, Hewett and Gullekson for the 2023-24 school year audit;
•approved a contract with Tr-City Learning Academy for virtual learning;
•approved a fundraiser request by the BPA;
•approved a request for the high school baseball team to travel to Whitesboro, Texas March 7-9, 2-24; and
•aproved a request for the high school Key Club members to attend Key Club Convention in Denton, Texas April 25-28, 2024.
Members tabled one other item pertaining to the sick leave sharing policy until the April meeting.
Following a shirt executive session, members approved the resignations of April Nullake and Jan Wright.
Member also approved the employment of para professionals Staci Seiber and Courtney Troxel as well the employment of SES teacher MaKenzi Darnell and Middle School Art teacher Maddison Schwake for the 2024-2025 school year, pending certifications.
Members Tammy Scrugham and Jenny Trett were absent at the meeting.
