Part I — Editor’s Note: Due to the length of Tuesday’s OPS board meeting, see Part 2 for details and updates from Dunbar and OHS Principal Scott Bein who presented an in-depth update on academic progress and challenges at Okmulgee Dunbar and High School. Also, there will be news about the board’s decision to allow public comment during regular meetings.

– The Okmulgee Board of Education met Tuesday evening in the John Barksdale Board Room at the district’s administration building, where the members heard reports and updates that helped factor into their decision making.

— Financial Report: “We’re In Better Shape Than Last Year” The evening began with a financial presentation by the district treasurer, who provided a compilation report for September’s finances – emphasizing that the figures were unaudited but carefully reviewed.

According to the report, the General Fund showed a net asset balance of negative $26,000 at the end of September. While this might sound concerning, the treasurer noted that the district is “actually better off than we were last September,” when the negative balance stood at $472,000.

“Most schools experience cash flow issues until after Christmas,” he explained, pointing to the delay in ad valorem tax revenue and early-year payroll demands. “Once those taxes begin arriving in January, the balance stabilizes.”

District-wide net assets across all funds totaled approximately $4.1 million, including the Building, Child Nutrition, and Sinking Funds.

The General Fund revenue is budgeted at about $12.1 million, with 17.5% collected so far. Last year, the district had received 18.6% by this point, a minor lag attributed to adjustments in insurance reimbursements.

“We’re now holding monthly meetings with Superintendent Copeland to look closely at cash flow,” the treasurer said. “That’s helping us identify revenue patterns and make better projections for expenditures.”

— Child Nutrition & Sinking Funds

The treasurer also reported challenges in the Child Nutrition Fund, which began the year with a smaller carryover of about $30,000 compared to $132,000 the year before.

“That’s about $100,000 less in the child nutrition program,” he said, noting that federal lunch claims had not yet been collected. “It’s mostly a timing issue – the claims are being submitted, but reimbursement depends on state processing.”

Despite the temporary shortfall, all students in the district continue to eat free, thanks to participation in the CEP program (Community Eligibility Provision).

The Sinking Fund remains healthy, meeting all bond repayment requirements and even collecting roughly $50,000 more than projected last year. “Any excess reduces the next year’s levy,” the treasurer said, “so it balances out over time.”

Overall, he projected the district’s year-end fund balance to fall between $700,000 and $750,000, a sustainable level that reflects improved oversight and timely monitoring.

— Superintendent’s Report & School Improvement

Superintendent Copeland opened her report by introducing School Improvement Specialist Ken Grover, who has been assisting the district in academic progress at Okmulgee High School and Dunbar Middle School.

Grover spent the day visiting classrooms, speaking with teachers and students, and observing instruction.

“I’m not there as an evaluator, but as a coach,” Grover told the board. “I’m seeing real progress. This year feels different – more engagement, more visibility and better collaboration between teachers and students.”

He credited the new building arrangement for improving oversight and safety. “The previous high school building had a lot of nooks and crannies,” he said. “Students could get lost in that environment. The current setup makes it easier for administrators and teachers to connect with kids.”

Grover praised the administration and staff for fostering positivity, noting, “Teachers aren’t complaining – they’re focused on solutions. When they talk about curriculum, they’re eager to build stronger materials, not just point out problems.”

He also emphasized sustaining recent academic gains. “We can’t lose sight of what got us to this point,” he said. “The district’s job is to figure out what worked last year and keep doing it, while building on those successes.”

— OHS grad, structural engineer speaks on building conditions Superintenent Copeland introduced a special guest, Okmulgee High School alumnus Brandon Marriott, a professional architectural engineer and construction superintendent with more than 14 years of experience in the commercial sector. Marriott, who spent several years leading projects at the Oklahoma State Capitol Restoration, was invited to share his technical insight into the structural issues affecting the historic Okmulgee High School building.

Marriott, whose parents were in attendance, began by grounding his remarks in personal connection.

“I grew up here. My dad was born here, raised here, and my grandfather ran M&D Star Drug. Our family’s been here a long time, and I have a lot of memories in that high school,” he said.

After graduating from OHS, Marriott earned his degree in Construction Management with a minor in Architectural History from the University of Oklahoma. He now manages large-scale building projects, including a new St. Francis Hospital tower in Muskogee.

Recalling his time working on the $270 million Oklahoma State Capitol restoration, Marriott noted the similarities between the Capitol’s aging concrete and the high school’s structural makeup.

“The State Capitol was built from 1914 to 1917 our high school from around 1909 to 1919 – both cast-in-place concrete,” he said. “The methods are the same, and the issues we found there are the same types of problems we see here: water infiltration, failing joints, roof decay, and long-term neglect from deferred maintenance.”

Marriott said he spent several hours reviewing engineers’ reports provided by the district and personally toured the high school. His conclusion: the district made the right decision to move students out.

“The building is not in total collapse,” he explained. “But there are a few structural deficiencies that are not good and definitely need to be addressed. The district did the right thing getting everyone out.”

He confirmed that the consultants’ reports were accurate and produced by reputable firms with long-term relationships with the district.

“Everything in their reports is forthright and technically sound,” he said. “It’s just an expensive and time-consuming process – and that’s no one’s fault here. The board and administration are facing a problem that’s been decades in the making.”

Marriott likened the deterioration to “a car that hasn’t had its oil changed.”

“If you don’t rotate the tires and change the oil, small problems become big problems,” he said. “That’s what’s happened here. It’s not about blame – it’s about timing and reality.”

He also addressed public concern over rumors of demolition, stressing that no immediate teardown is planned.

“There are a lot of state laws and bid regulations that take time,” he said. “Everything the district is saying in public statements is accurate. I don’t think there could be a better board leading this district right now.”

Marriott concluded with praise for the district’s leadership and optimism for the future: “I think we can all agree this building has been part of our town’s identity and memories for generations. If saving it is possible, that’s ideal. But if not, I know this board will handle it with respect and transparency. There are creative ways to preserve parts of the building or incorporate them into a new structure.”

As he closed, Marriott quoted his grandfather, longtime Okmulgee businessman Leon Marriott, from the county’s 1980s history book: “This is our town. We love the people of this area and look forward to serving the community for many more years to come. If my speaking tonight helps in any way, then I’m proud to do that.”

Board member Chase Nunn thanked him for clarifying the process for the public: “It helps to hear it from someone with your background. This wasn’t an easy decision, and the community needs to know it wasn’t taken lightly.”

— Policy & Personnel Approvals

Board members approved several policy updates, contracts, and personnel recommendations during the action agenda portion of the meeting.

Among the highlights:

• Support Staff Hires: Amber Gryder – Tier II Paraprofessional (Primary) and Lindzy Gant Teacher Assistant (Primary)

• The board approved new contracts with Standley Systems for printer/copier services (replacing ACS) and Gen II Fire Protection for fire alarm monitoring on all district panels.

• Board Policy Updates: Three district policies were revised to align with state law: – 4045: Student Self-Administration of Asthma, Anaphylaxis, and Cystic Fibrosis Medication – 4002.1: Transfer of Non-Resident Military Students – 1002.1: Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy

• Early Graduation Requests: The board unanimously approved requests from Alyssa Maxey- Hoyle and Lily Voss to graduate early.

• Board Election Resolution: The board voted to call for an election for Seat #1 on April 7, 2026, with a primary set for Feb. 10 if necessary.

Board member Chase Nunn introduced discussion on the district’s potential use of the RoundUp App, which allows community members to make small donations by rounding up debit or credit purchases. The board approved the item, with plans to visit area merchants to sign on to the program.