The Freedom Board of Education held its regular meeting Monday, May 20, where they accepted the resignation of Christan “Cheyanne” Pierce. Superintendent Freida Burgess read from Pierce’s resignation letter and, in response to questions from the board, said that the letter did not give a reason for her resignation, but in conversations with Pierce she had only been told that Pierce’s health was a factor. The resignation was accepted.
Tammy Wilkerson was hired as a member of support staff for the remainder of this fiscal year and for next fiscal year. “Tammy started here a couple months ago,” said Burgess, “and she’s doing a very good job. She’s conscientious and very good support.” The hiring was approved.
A list of adjunct classes – the same as last year – was also approved, as was a list of extra-duty contracts.
Brooke Meyer was approved as an adjunct instructor for anatomy and physiology at Northwest Technology Center for FY2025. Meyer has filled this role for several years.
No action was taken on an agenda item regarding hiring a teacher for FY2025.
Finances: Basically, Same as Last Year
The school has received its temporary appropriations for FY2025, consisting of $157,941 for the general fund, $127,412 for the building fund and $48,958 for child nutrition.
“I don’t think the numbers changed at all” from last year, Burgess said. Responding to questions from the board, she said that funding was not received for teacher pay raises, although she is still in conversation with politicians representing the area and hopes to receive a one-time funding for that. Because the school is “off the formula,” she doesn’t expect them to receive anything beyond a one-time payment for teacher pay raises.
“Nothing we can do about it,” said one of the board members, “except approve it.” The temporary appropriations were approved.
Milk bids were approved, as was the contract with OSIG for vehicle insurance. This last “went up another $6,000 to $74,405,” said Burgess. She also received an email stating that all deductibles are going up to $25,000. “Boy, that’s the business to get into,” said Phil Kirkpatrick.
A list of fundraisers was approved. “It’s mostly the same fundraisers that we’ve done for the last two or three years,” said Burgess. “What are butter braids?” asked Robert Babcock. After a moment, Burgess said, “Well, if you don’t know, you need to buy some,” and the board members chuckled.
The board also approved:
• FY2025 contract with Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education for secondary career and technology education programs,
• acceptance of approved concurrent enrollment post-secondary credits and AP courses as credits towards high school graduation and
• acceptance of dual enrollment credits, including math and science, from Northwest Technology Center.
Personnel approved to use the signature stamp for official signatures (with permission before use) were Shane Morris, Robert Babcock, Kyle Rhodes, Freida Burgess and Bryant Weber.
Hefty Consent Agenda
A huge amount of business was handled via the consent agenda. This consisted of the usual past meeting minutes, treasurer’s report; and encumbrances and warrants for both the FY2024 and FY2025 general, building and child nutrition funds. This time, though, it also included the following for FY2025:
• payroll dates and class schedule, along with 15 activity absences; calculation of school days by the hour method; maintain a minimum of 1,080 hours per school year and state minimum of 165 instructional days (same as last year);
• the student and staff handbooks, and the crisis management handbook;
• designation of Rachel Spellman-Hughes, the Woods County treasurer, as district treasurer;
• moving activity funds to FY2025, along with sub-accounts;
• lease purchases for HVAC;
• worker’s compensation insurance via OSAG;
• acceptance of dual enrollment credits from Northwest Technology Center and concurrent enrollment college courses toward high school graduation requirements; and
• sharing of contract expenses with Optima Publish Schools with Renaissance STAR Assessments for RSA screener.
The consent agenda also designated, for the 2025 school year, both Frieda Burgess and Bryant Weber as receiving and purchasing agent; and authorized representative and fund custodian for all local, state and federal programs, including but not limited to e-rate, child nutrition, general fund, building fund, sinking fund, activity fund, bond funds, alternate minutes clerk, encumbrance clerk, student information, and signer for all activity funds payments.
Bryant Weber was also designated minutes clerk. Christy Gregory was designated student information and receiving agent and signer for activity funds payments, as a district funds custodian and receiving agent.
“Nothing has changed on most of this” since last year, said Burgess. The consent agenda was approved as presented.
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