The Okmulgee Board of Education held a special meeting on Monday, April 29, at 5:30 p.m. inside the John Barksdale Board Room. With board members present and quorum declared, the evening moved quickly through key financial approvals and into the action agenda that included major updates on construction, staffing and a reset on the upcoming special election.
— Bleacher Project Awarded
One of the most significant actions of the evening involved the approval of the next phase of stadium upgrades. Bill Wells, representing the Key Construction team, shared an update on the bid process for the concrete bleachers project. While six bids were received, the lowest bidder withdrew due to a clerical error. After reviewing the top submissions and holding interviews, the board voted to award the contract to Oak Ridge – whose experience includes similar concrete bleacher installations and scored highest on performance evaluations.
“All in all, it’s been a very successful check of our plan to change the bleacher types,” Wells stated, noting that the project remains within budget and that over $281,000 remains to cover any unforeseen issues once demolition begins. That demolition is set to start the week of May 2, and board members were informed they would not have access to the construction site during that phase due to insurance limitations.
Stadium seating will be in place for the first two home games of the season, with final finishes – including premium seating – expected by the third game.
— Special Election Rescheduled
In a critical move, the board voted to amend the April 10 resolution concerning the special election to fill Board Seat 4. Due to a failure to meet legal notice requirements tied to print publication timelines, the election will now be held on Sept. 9, 2025.
Board Member Keith Baldridge voiced concern over the gap in representation for constituents in Ward 4. “The resignation happened in January,” he stated. “So that’s nine months we are short one board member. I don’t think that helps our school board’s reputation.”
It was clarified that the error stemmed from incorrect dates in the resolution, and not from intentional wrongdoing. The board agreed to ensure the mistake is not repeated and committed to maintaining transparency.
— Additional Approvals The board unanimously approved the hiring of Heather Voss as a Pre-K teacher for the upcoming FY26. Voss comes highly recommended and will help meet growing needs in the district’s early education classrooms.
They also approved a request from senior Joshua Cochran for early graduation. Cochran shared that he had completed all academic requirements except CPR training, which he was scheduled to finish the following day. He spoke of his plans to study cybersecurity and left a strong impression with his ACT score and vision for the future.
— Mentorship Program Praised A moment of recognition was given to the thriving Primary School Mentorship Program. Board members praised the community-led initiative for its impact, sharing that volunteers spend two hours per week helping students in reading and math. Board member Keith Baldridge acknowledged he was previously unaware of the program and encouraged broader awareness and participation. Board member Vickie Jones added, “Anytime you volunteer with a child and build that rapport, you’re helping more than just academically. You’re speaking into their future.”
— Public Interest in Transparency
As the meeting drew to a close, member Vickie Jones asked the board to ensure openness about ongoing investigations or public concerns. Board members acknowledged the importance of keeping the public informed and agreed to consult with the district attorney on how to release information appropriately.
With all agenda items addressed, the meeting adjourned promptly at 5:53 p.m. The board’s next steps will include beginning the stadium demolition, continuing mentorship outreach and preparing for the September election.
For more information about volunteering with the mentorship program or accessing public records, contact the Okmulgee Board of Education at 918-7582000.
