Morris school board welcomes coach, students
The Morris Public Schools board welcomed the MHS Academic Team along with Coach Jeremy Avery at Monday’s meeting.
Avery introduced the team to the board. The team added their most recent trophy to the one they snagged last year in the Class 3A OSSBA Academic Bowl State Tournament. This is their second win in a row.
“I just wanted to say thank you guys,” Avery said. “The support that we’ve received from admin, as a whole, has been a huge part of our success backing us when we go to Nationals, the camps that we do each summer that have kind of served as the foundation, the work we do with our middle school program, which if you haven’t been keeping track, now our sixth grade team has qualified for the state championship. Our seventh grade team has qualified for the state championship. Our eighth grade team has qualified for the state championship. Our freshman/sophomore team has qualified for the state championship and of course, our varsity team has won the state championship this year. So really, as a program, you guys have enabled us to really do something special and we appreciate it.”
Board member Robert Frost shared about his experience at the event.
“A team beat us in round one. These kids were devastated. I sat there and went, ‘Oh my God.” What are we going to do here? And when I say devastated, you guys correct me if I’m wrong, I’ve seen tears flowing down … They were devastated. They truly were. But in just a matter of a few minutes, they composed themselves. They come back and they kick the dog out of that team again, to win it all. And to be there was amazing.”
Other members of the board praised the hard work by the coaches and teams, adding that “it’s really something for the district, and of course yourself, personally to hold enormous pride in what you’ve accomplished. So congratulations.”
The high school academic team will travel to the National Tournament in Chicago on April 25-29. The Middle School Academic National Tournament will be in Chicago May 9-13.
The board also approved several overnight trips for the FFA team including:
• FFA – Homesite Camp, Stephenville, Texas, TBD
• FFA – State FFA Contest, Stillwater, April 26
• FFA – National Land, Oklahoma City, April 30-May 2
• FFA – State Interscholastics, Stillwater, May 3-4
• FFA – National Entomology, Stephenville, Texas, May 8-10 Dr. Chris Karch also reminded the attendees that the Morris FFA will be competing at the Okmulgee County Spring Livestock Show which will be held this weekend at the fairgrounds.
The board approved substitutes including Tea Zachary, Brylie Owen and Morgan Lee.
After an executive session, the following administrative assignments were announced for the FY2025 School Year: Site Administrators
• Becky Alexander, ES Principal
• Jimmy Whitlock, MS Principal
• Jake Box, HS principal Coaching
• Perry Seibring, HS Fastpitch
• Maggie Guynes and Lisa Merrill, HS Cheer
• Robert Daniels, HS Football
• Chris Barbee, Cross Country Supt. Karch updated the board on the calendar for FY2025 with no major changes.
Financial matters and building maintenance also garnered attention, with Dr. Karch shedding light on budget adjustments and payments for high school projects. The need for roofing and parking lot repairs were discussed briefly.
Enrollment numbers are holding steady district- wide, with MES adding seven students recently.
Site principals shared news with the board including the third place finish of the Jr. High Powerlifting Team, and the Archery Program.
The board reviewed the annual dropout report for students in grades 7th-12th; along with annual college remediation report.
Other agenda items approved were:
• FY 24 National Board Certified bonus and benefits for two staff members.
• Morris Public Schools Calendar for FY 25.
• A three-year bus lease contracts with Midwest. Negotiations with Midwest for a three-year bus lease contract yielded significant cost savings to the district.
• Addendum to Morris Public Schools Wellness Policy, which allows them to apply for grants.
• Revised Morris Public Schools Board of Education Policy for “Smoking, Vaping, and the Use of Tobacco Products.”
• Adjunct teaching assignments for Percilla Guynes in Intermediate Math, US History/OK History/Government/ Economics, English and Biology.
