CMN plans to utilize facilities for 36-team tournament

The Okmulgee School Board welcomed OHS Class of 2011 alum Heather Kimbley as a new member during its Tuesday meeting. She’s taking the seat of previous board member Rod Wiemer.

In another vote realigning board leadership, Leroy Parker was named president, Mike James vice president, Vickie Jones clerk, and Krystal Bohannon deputy clerk. This adjustment follows the March 12 meeting’s previous designations.

The board approved all items on the consent agenda, including the minutes from the March 12 and April 4 meetings, monthly financial obligations, and the College of the Muscogee Nation’s rental requests for the Brock and Wilson Gymnasiums. Cheryl Najera, representing the College of the Muscogee Nation said that the week-long tournament will host around 36 teams in Spring 2025.

During her report, Superintendent Renee Dove highlighted Okmulgee Dunbar School’s academic achievement recognition by the state, allowing it to drop its CSI designation.

Later the approved vendor service contracts for FY25, early graduation requests for four students, and an application for temporary appropriations for FY25. They also approved an update to school wellness policy regarding the Health and Fit committee which will now be led by school nurse Jennifer Hammon and Chef Jim Price, according to Superintendent Dove.

New hires include David Martin as a bus driver/mechanic for FY24 and FY25 and Jessica King as an early childhood certified teacher for FY25. Temporary certified staff for FY25 are Melissa Mehlhoff, Mandy Lemmons, Aimee Hiett, Calvin Johnson, Madison Pierce, Krystal Rogers, and K’Eirra Riggs. Resignations and retirements include Laura Jackson, Corley Snow, Tiffany Ramer, and Sharon Downing.

The board also approved a few out-of-state trips for OHS CATIA, FFA, and Speech and Debate programs. CATIA students will present at Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research, the FFA students will attend the National Washington Leadership Conference in Washington D.C., and Tanelly Mojica, a senior Speech and Debate team member, will compete in Des Moines, Iowa. Superintendent Dove added that the Okmulgee Education Foundation helped to fund Mojica’s trip.

Lastly, the surplus of the Attucks building, recently acquired from the Dunbar All Schools Association, was approved.