Cherokee school board winds up year-end tasks

The Cherokee school board handled end-of-year business at its regular monthly meeting May 9.

The board approved the consent agenda, consisting of April 8 meeting minutes; the general, building and child nutrition funds' encumbrances, purchase orders and warrants; the treasurer's and activity fund reports; FCCLA fundraiser selling calendar dates to raise money for a trip to Seattle; and the resignation of teacher Debra Lohrding.

Superintendent Bryce Schanbacher reviewed the financial reports and other consent agenda items.

"We're just trying to get the year closed out, so there aren't a lot of expenses this time of year," he said. In the general fund, "everything's pretty much the same monthly expenses; the electric bill was a little over $7,200 this past month, which is maybe a little bit less than where it was this time last year," he said.

He expressed regret about Lohrding's resignation. "I don't think anyone, including her, wanted to see that (resignation) happen, but it's what is best for her family at this time," he said. "We really hate to see her go. She's an excellent teacher, and I hope everything works out to get her back."

Finances In Good, Not Great, Shape

Schanbacher talked about his estimates for the school's financial status at the end of the year. "Right now, barring unforeseen circumstances, we will probably finish the year with our general fund somewhere around $1.3 million," he said. "That is down a little from last year's $1.4 million. We've had some unexpected costs – bus repairs, insurance premiums rising again – but that's still healthy. We've also had a decrease in gross production revenue of about $600,000." However, the school had planned for that decrease, and has still ended up very close to where the school was last year, financially.

The building fund and child nutrition funds are both in good shape, he said.

"All in all, right now, we're in good shape. I won't say we're in great shape, but we're in good shape. There will be some cuts on the programs funded by ESSER funds. Our after-school had a grant and the summer school will run this summer through June, but that was being funded with ESSER funds and that will go away unless we can come up with a grant or something to replace it." The two programs require more than $100,000 to run, he said.

Personnel

After returning to open session after an executive session, new board member Allen Poe, filling Seat 4, was sworn in and Hailey Rieger was hired as a fourth-grade teacher for the 2024-25 school year.

"This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, so I want to personally thank all the teachers and administrators for a great year," said Schanbacher. "There are always challenges, but this has been a really great school year with our Capturing Kids' Hearts program."

Student Activities and Achievements

The elementary school is wrapping up its year with field trips, said Elementary Principal Keela Patterson. "We wrapped up state testing on Monday, thank goodness," she said.

The fourth grade had its science fair that Wednesday morning, and the next day the elementary held its Accelerated Reading party, which included students shopping in the Chiefs Store.

Tuesday of that week was Super Kids Day when elementary students played games outside all day. The awards assembly was the next day at 8 pm.

"I want to stay thank you to all the parents, teachers and students," Patterson said. "We've had a really great year."

The best news, Patterson said, is that the elementary received a $40,000 OATT grant that will all go toward technology for the school. "We're very excited about that," she concluded.

Junior High and High School Principal Lane Pruett ran through a list of recent student achievements. Among these, were the following:

• The Lady Chiefs track team was named the Class A State Academic champions. Lady Chiefs state qualifiers include Carson Schanbacher (sixth place in the 1600-meter relay), Cheaney Berry (third place in 100-meter hurdles and in the 300-meter hurdles, sixth place in the 1,600-meter relay), Elyce Rollin (sixth place in discus), Tessa Littlefield (eighth place in pole vault), Kynli Patterson (fourth place in discus), Veronica Castro (sixth place in 1,600-meter relay), Talyn Allison (sixth place in 1600-meter relay).

• Chiefs state qualifiers include Kai McHenry (state champion in the 400-meter dash, fourth place in the 200-meter dash, third place in the 800-meter, fourth place in the 1600-meter relay. He also broke two school records this year in the 200 [21.97] and 400 [49.53]). Also qualifying were Zack heller (third in 800-meter relay, fourth in 1600-meter relay), Hudson Wilson (fourth in discus), Hunter Wimpee (third in 800-meter relay, fourth in 1600-meter relay), Joel Parker (3200-meter relay), Tyson Ream (third in 800-meter relay, fourth in 1600-meter relay), Baler Gibson (3200-meter relay).

• At the state speech and debate contest, Xander Jackson was state champion in monologue interpretation (his sixth all-state award); Maryanne Heim was the first state champion in oral interpretation (a new event); Aaron Tidwell and Sophie Cantellay were state champions in dramatic duet; Kayce Shelton was state runner-up, standard oratory; Anna Kiner was state runner-up, informative oratory; Davin Budy was third place, original oratory; Maryanne Heim and Xander Jackson were finalists, dramatic duet; Alec Tidwell was a finalist, standard oratory; and Alec Tidwell and Aaron Tidwell were finalists in humorous duet.

• Numerous students won Superior/I ratings at the state vocal solos and ensembles contest, including the Cherokee Men's ensemble (Xander Jackson, Alec Tidwell, Arron Tidwell, Hudson Wilson), Olivia Cortright, Gracia Jackson and Kacey Shelton.

• Fine arts class students' paintings are on display at City Hall in the Cherokee Mainstreet Art Show and Cherokee Crystal Art Walk.

• Cherokee FCCLA attended the state convention, where 2024 state champions included Hope Jordan, Kynli Patterson, Addy Bickerstaff, Kaylee Eckhardt and Hannah Hensley. State runners up included Alissa Pfleider, Autumn McMahan, Ryan McDonald, Zowie Stout, Jennifer Salinas and Carson Schanbacher. Other honors from the convention included Davin Budy's election to state first vice president for the 2024-25 term, and the Cherokee school district being named the most supportive district in Oklahoma for FCCLA's outreach projects, Citizens Caring for Children and the Pearl House.

• The sports banquet was Monday, May 13. The next day was the junior high/high school awards, and that Wednesday was the baccalaureate. Semester tests for grades 7-12 were Wednesday and Thursday, and the last day of school was May 16, which was also when the eighth grade promotion was observed. High school graduation was Friday, May 17.

Other Board Business

The board also approved:

• Resolution for Schools and Libraries Universal Services (e-rate) for 2024-25. This resolution authorizes filing the Form 471 application for funding year 2024-25 and the payment of the applicant's share upon approval of funding and receipt of services.

• Contracts with vendors for school year 2024-25, (Alcohol and Drug Testing Inc. for random drug testing of bus drivers and students in extracurricular activities; Today's Therapy Solutions for physical therapy services; Chas W. Carroll PA for financial services, estimate of needs and OCAS; Shanna Ream of Northwest Speech Services LLC for speech pathology services four days a week; Going Places Occupational Therapy; and CCOSA District Level Services for 2024-25, which provides a lot of professional development other administrative resources.

• District transfer capacity numbers (20 for preK; 32 for kindergarten, first and second grades; 36 for third grade; 32 for fourth grade; 35 for fifth and sixth grades; 29 for seventh grade; 26 for eighth grade; 31 for ninth grade; 28 for 10th grade; 33 for 11th grade; and 23 for 12th grade).

• School portrait agreement with Horton Studios Inc. for school year 2024-25.