The Okmulgee Public Schools Board of Education held its regular meeting on Tuesday, with updates given on the financial outlook along with the debut of the new, updated Okmulgee Public Schools website.
The board swiftly moved through the consent agenda, approving the following items:
• Meeting Minutes: Approval of the April 8, regular meeting minutes and the April 29, special meeting minutes.
• Encumbrances and Expenditures: General Fund (F11) – Purchase orders #408-412; Building Fund (F21) -Purchase order #58.
• School Rental Requests: Dunbar Cafeteria – Macedonia Baptist Church on May 10; Bateman Park – Muscogee Nation on June 14; Brock Gymnasium – Muscogee Nation on June 20-21
• Fundraiser Requests: Approval for FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) to sell LED bands, energy tea kits (adults only) and culinary class baked goods.
— Treasurer’s Financial Report Treasurer James Jenkins provided the financial report, explaining the modified cash basis of accounting used by the district, which aligns with the State Department of Education’s reporting requirements. Jenkins emphasized that the financial report is a compilation rather than a full audit, given the inherent conflict of interest for a treasurer to audit the financials they oversee.
He highlighted the following key financial points:
• General Fund Balance: $661,000 as of April 30, 2025, compared to $768,000 as of April 30, 2024.
• Building Fund Balance: $452,000, significantly improved from $36,000 the previous year.
• Child Nutrition Fund: Currently facing a deficit of approximately $4,996, which is expected to stabilize once snow day reimbursements are processed.
Jenkins also noted that while the district is slightly behind in revenue collection (77% of projected general fund revenue versus 82% at the same point last year), it is ahead in managing expenditures, having spent only 73% of its budget compared to 79% last year. This careful financial management has helped stabilize the district’s cash flow, which had been a significant concern in prior years.
— Superintendent’s Report
• Johnny Wagner – Whiz Kids Presentation: Pastor Johnny Wagner of Calvary Baptist Church introduced the Whiz Kids program, a proposed after-school reading initiative aimed at boosting literacy among first through fifth graders. Wagner, who overcame his own learning challenges with support, emphasized the program’s potential to significantly raise reading levels, as it has done consistently over its 28-year history in Oklahoma City. The program would be funded entirely by local churches, requiring only a teacher liaison from the district to facilitate coordination.
• Tonya Stretch – New Okmulgee Public Schools Website Presentation: Tonya Stretch, the district’s website coordinator, showcased the newly redesigned Okmulgee Public Schools website, emphasizing its improved navigation, ADA compliance and mobile-friendly design. The site integrates directly with ParentSquare, the district’s primary communication platform, allowing for real-time updates on events, lunch menus and school announcements.
— Action Agenda
The board addressed several individual action items, including:
• MOU for Go Club/Summer Camp: Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Okmulgee County Family Y and Okmulgee Public Schools to support Go Club and summer camp programming.
• Surplus Equipment Declaration: Approval of a declaration of surplus on specific school equipment as outlined in the May 13, 2025, memo.
• Natural Gas Contract: Consideration of a contract with Clearwater Enterprises for the purchase of natural gas.
• Professional Services Contracts: Approval of contracts with the Oklahoma State School Board Association for professional services and Oklahoma Consulting and Accounting Services, LLC, for accounting and consulting services.
• Title VI Committee Approvals: Ratification of Title VI Parent Committee Bylaws and approval of Indian Policies and Procedures for FY26, both previously approved at the May 8, 2025, public hearing.
— Personnel Actions
The board approved multiple personnel decisions, including:
• Summer School Personnel: Approval of staff for the 2025 summer school program.
• Temporary Certified Staff for 2025-2026: Employment of temporary certified staff for the upcoming school year.
• Athletic Director Appointment: Approval of Cordell Love as Athletic Director for the 20252026 school year.
• Temporary Support Staff: Approval of Derrick Burch as temporary support staff for FY25 from May 19, 2025, through June 30, 2025.
• Temporary Employment: Employment of Mark Farris and Chad Slane as temporary certified staff for the 2025-2026 school year, pending cleared National Criminal History Record Checks.
• Summer Personnel for Little League: Approval of summer personnel, including Linda Dawson (concession) and Billie Boudinot (gate worker).
• Resignations and Retirements: Approval of resignations and retirements for the following staff: – Amanda Thomas Adams (Resignation) – Patricia Harris-Jones (Resignation) – Ty-Lee McCrary (Resignation) – David Myers (Retirement) – Melissa Myers (Retirement) – Carl Stringer (Resignation) – Sue Titsworth (Retirement) – Edward Vaughn (Resignation) – Joy Crow (Resignation) – Heather Leka (Retirement) – Robert Tunley (Retirement) – Phillip Ware (Retirement) — Closing Remarks & Adjournment
Special recognition was given to LeAundre Delonia, for being selected as an FFA State Officer, highlighting his outstanding leadership and dedication. Additionally, a heartfelt shout-out was extended to Courtney Norton, Okmulgee Public Schools teacher, for her commitment to encouraging and including student involvement in school board meetings, helping foster civic engagement and leadership among students.
The meeting concluded without any new business. The next regular board meeting is expected to continue addressing critical issues impacting Okmulgee Public Schools as the district works to prepare students to be lifelong learners in an ever- changing society.
