The Class of 2025 of Morris High School will hold their commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. today at the Muscogee Dome.
– The Morris Board of Education met in a special session recently to review a wide-ranging agenda that included discussions on the district’s budget health, future bond planning, student achievements and a legislative update. Board President Mark Mabrey presided over the meeting, with Superintendent Becky Alexander providing key reports and recommendations.
— Budget & Facilities Review
Superintendent Alexander shared a cautiously optimistic financial update, noting the district remains in a healthy position despite the reduction in federal ESSER funds. The district compensated for the $500,000 decrease with an increase in state aid and adjustments in spending.
“Our building fund remains solid,” Alexander said. “We’ve been strategic in spending, investing in items like new furniture and fencing where needed, but also keeping an eye on reserves.”
Alexander also discussed upcoming facilities projects, including working with United Turf to evaluate the baseball and softball fields for quality improvements, addressing drainage issues and considering safety enhancements for the football field and spectator areas.
“We’re also looking at repairing the visitor dugout at the softball field and reviewing the irrigation systems,” she added.
— Bond Planning & FEMA Safe Room Application In a pivotal discussion on future bond proposals, the board approved using BWA Architects for upcoming bond and school improvement projects, as well as for the FEMA safe room grant application. Alexander explained the district is evaluating a twophased bond approach, separating the construction of a proposed multi-purpose practice facility and wrestling room from the anticipated FEMA-funded safe room project.
“There are still many unknowns with the FEMA grant timeline,” Alexander explained. “By separating the projects, we can move forward on immediate needs while keeping options open for the safe room once federal funding is approved.”
Board members discussed the importance of clear communication with the public to avoid confusion or concerns over project timelines.
— Academic Achievements Celebrated
The board took time to recognize several academic successes across the district. The Land Judging Team was praised for its outstanding performance, placing seventh at the national contest in Oklahoma after competing against 93 teams from 40 states.
Team members shared their experiences of traveling to Texas for practice and enduring extreme weather during competitions. One member humorously noted, “We were out there with our boots leaking after three inches of rain came down in Texas.”
Additionally, the middle school academic teams were celebrated for earning two state championship titles. Elias Smith, a standout eighth grader, was recognized for his growing list of accolades, including being named a student ambassador for the prepaid college program.
Superintendent Alexander also highlighted the high school’s ACT performance, boasting an impressive jump from an average score of 17.68 last year to 19.34 this year.
“This is significant,” Principal Jake Box noted. “Eleven of our students scored a 24 or higher, putting them in the top 25% nationally, and we had one student score a 30.”
Students themselves credited the improvement to the new ACT Boot Camp initiative and the smaller testing groups provided during the recent virtual learning day.
“They told us they appreciated the boot camp and asked if we could do mini boot camps throughout the year,” Alexander said.
— Legislative Update & Staffing
The board also received a legislative update, with key bills of interest still pending before the Oklahoma Legislature. Notably, House Bill 2288, which would allow teachers to retire and return to the classroom without a waiting period, is progressing. Other bills affecting school election dates and virtual days were also discussed.
Board members reviewed enrollment and capacity reports, noting a small decline in overall student numbers but several transfer requests already submitted for the next school year.
“We are seeing growing interest from outside students,” Alexander said. “It’s a testament to the great things happening in our classrooms.”
The board also accepted the resignation Monica Bowling, who will be taking a position at Midway, and approved two college students, Emma Duclos and Jacie Russell, as substitute teachers for the elementary level during their summer break.
— Upcoming Events
The meeting concluded with announcements of a busy May calendar, including the FFA Convention, archery team trip to Kentucky and graduation ceremonies set for May 17 at the Muscogee Dome.
Following an executive session, the board approved hiring the following personnel:
• Demetria Dawson
• Billye Caye Newell
• Melinda Perry
• Heidi Eyer
• Brian Young (Lay Coach)
• Kaden Bumgarner (ISD Teacher)
• Dr. Earl Dalke
• Briley Berry — 2024-25 Academic Team Accomplishments High School
• NAQT VSS National Champions
• OSSAA State Champions
• OAAC Freshmore State Champions
• NAQT State Runner-Up • Academic Elite Conference Champions • 4 All-Conference Team and Conference MVP
• 2 Freshmore Qualifying Championships • OSSAA District, Regional & Area Champions
• 1 OACA All Stater
• 1 OACA All State Honorable Mention • 40 Top 10 Finishers – State Scholastic Meet
• 12 Top 5 Finishers – State Scholastic Meet
• 6 State Runner-Ups – State Scholastic Meet
• 5 State Champions – State Scholastic Meet
• NAQT SSNCT 5th Overall
• NAQT HSNCT Qualifier — Middle School
• OAAC Mid-Level Academic Bowl State Champions
• OJABA 6th Grade State Champion
• OJABA 8th Grade State Champion
• Academic Elite Conference Champions
• 3 All-Conference Team and Conference MVP • OJABA 7/8 Team: District & Regional Champion • OJABA 6/7 Team: District & Regional Champion, State Runner-Up
• OJABA 6th Team: District & Regional Champion
• OAAC Academic Bowl 7/8 A Team: District Runner-Up, Regional & Area Champion
• OAAC Academic Bowl 7/8 B Team: District Champion & Regional Runner-Up
• OAAC Academic Bowl 6th Grade: District, Regional & Area Champions
• OAAC Online Team Tournaments
• 7/8 Mid-Level Small School ELA, HFA & Social Studies Champions, Science Runner-Up, 3rd Place Sweepstakes (All Schools)
• 6th Grade: Small School HFA Champions
• 26 State Qualifiers taking 78 tests OAAC State Scholastic Meet
• 35 Top 10 Finishers – State Scholastic Meet
• 9 Top 3 Finishers – State Scholastic Meet
• 2 State Champions – State Scholastic Meet
• MSNCT National Qualifier
