Alva Review-Courier -

The Freedom Board of Education met Monday, June 16, with Robert Babcock, Kyle Rhodes and Richard Kirkpatrick present. Also present were Superintendent Freida Burgess, Principal Michelle Shelite, and Minutes Clerk Patricia Dauphin. Shane Morris and Russell Reed were absent.

The slightly unusual meeting began with a 50-minute executive session to discuss personnel issues. Upon returning to open session, Kirkpatrick stated that the agenda had been discussed and no votes taken.

It is, they reportedly said at another time, the longest agenda of the year.

The consent agenda alone, which is voted on with one vote (unless something is removed to be voted on separately), was massive, almost two pages long. It consisted of both routine and unusual items. Among the routine items were the past meeting minutes; treasurer's report; encumbrances and warrants for the general, building and child nutrition funds for both fiscal year (FY) 2022 and 2023 (because this is an end-of-year task); and the activity fund for FY22.

Unusual items in the consent agenda included:

Final dropout report for 2021

Student and staff handbooks for FY2023, and the crisis management handbook

Lease purchases for HVAC and roof for FY 2023

Woods County Treasurer named the district's FY23 treasurer.

Workers comp benefits to be obtained through OSAG; renew contract with OKTLE

Accept dual enrollment credits from NWTC and concurrent college courses toward graduation requirements

Only 15 activity absences will be allowed in a school year

Contract with Renaissance Star Assessments for RSA screener. (Renaissance provides assessment software).

Move FY22 activity funds to FY23

Schedule of FY23 payroll dates,

Statutory waiver to allow the school's alternative education program to serve fewer than 10 students

Continue calculating school days by the hour method, scheduling 1085 hours of instruction in 165 days

The following designations were also included in the consent agenda:

Superintendent Freida Burgess: receiving and purchasing agent, authorized representative and fund custodian for all local, state and federal programs, alternate minutes clerk, encumbrance clerk, student information; and signer for all activity fund payments.

Bryant Weber: minutes clerk, receiving and purchasing agent, authorized representative and fund custodian for all local, state and federal programs, alternate minutes clerk, encumbrance clerk, student information; and signer for all activity fund payments.

Principal Michelle Shelite: student information, receiving agent, and signer for activity fund payments.

The consent agenda was approved in full.

Personnel Issues

The board approved a number of matters relating to personnel. Patricia Dauphin's resignation, effective June 30, was approved. Regan Dawson was hired to fill a position called “student information/kitchen/custodian/routine driver,” and Christy Gregory was hired for a position called “finance personnel/district secretary/route driver/secretary for FY23. Brooke Meyer was hired as adjunct instructor for anatomy and physiology at Northwest Technology Center.

Contracts with the school's support employees, certified employees, and extra duty staff were approved, as were adjunct classes.

Superintendent Freida Burgess appears to have gotten a cost of living increase. Richard Babcock said, “I think with the Superintendent contract – with inflation and gas prices – we need to increase the money we pay the superintendent, whether we put a price index on there or just negotiate the contract. I say we approve continuing the contract.” Rhodes seconded. The contract was approved.

Librarian Shelly Province was approved to attend a library conference Aug. 7-11 in Madison, Wisconsin. “That will come out of her library grant money,” noted Burgess.

Babcock was appointed deputy clerk. “Mr. Babcock has been serving in that position, and I recommend he continue,” said Burgess. The appointment was approved.

Finances

While the district's financial situation wasn't discussed, several items were approved that impact finances.

For example, the school received a milk bid from Hiland Dairy. “Cartons are 49 cents, and this changes almost weekly, so we will have to go up on price for extra milk,” said Burgess. She reminded the board that this year, unlike the past two, students will have to pay for meals.

The Hiland Dairy bid was approved, and so was the next agenda item, which raised the price of extra milk from 35 cents to 50 cents.

The board also declared a 2016 activity bus surplus to purchase 15-passenger vehicle.

Several old funds were compiled, moving last year's Class of 2022 fund to a Class of 2023 fund, and similar movements among small sub-accounts.

Also approved was an official signature stamp for use by Burgess, Weber, Board President Shane Morris and board member Russell Reed.

Academics and Other Board Business

Numerous academics-related items were approved as well, including the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education contract for secondary career and technology education programs. The board approved accepting concurrent enrollment post-secondary credits toward high school graduation; and accepting dual enrollment with NWTC in math and science.

The board briefly discussed sports. Burgess recommended the board approve cross country, track and golf as school sports, but not basketball. (This was emotionally discussed in a past board meeting.) The board approved that.

And, finally, the August board meeting has been moved to Aug. 15 at 7 p.m.