Alva Review-Courier -

The Freedom school board met Monday night. All members were present – Shan Wilson, Robert Babcock, Russell Reed, Shane Morris and Phillip Kirkpatrick – along with Superintendent Bryant Weber, Principal Michelle Shelite, and Minutes Clerk Patricia Dauphin.

The board approved the consent agenda, consisting of past meeting minutes; the treasurer's report; encumbrances for the general, building and child nutrition funds; and signing warrants for the general fund; activity fund reports, according to Dauphin's minutes.

Those items are usually included in the consent agenda, but additional items this time included:

• amending the 2021/22 OKTLE contract and the municipal accounting system for the school year.

• a springtime fundraiser request.

• amending several policies, specifically policies about developing new board members and about the role of the superintendent as an executive officer on the board. Other policies approved in the consent agenda regulate school social media accounts and staff reductions, while others involve searching students and releasing students to police. Another policy change approved in the consent agenda regarded open records.

School Finances

Superintendent Bryant Weber told the board that the school has about $360,000 in the general operating account. The board approved submitting an additional request for state aid and federal funds for child nutrition appropriations for the 2020/21 school year.

The board discussed the school property on the corner of Eagle Pass and North Trail, then voted to keep the property and have the superintendent manage it.

After an executive session, the board approved continuing to employ Principal/Counselor Michelle Shelite for the 2021/22 school year. They also approved her contract.