The Weatherford Public School Board of Education approved the estimate of needs for the 2022 fiscal year as well as a contract with a new telephone service provider during Monday evening’s regular board meeting.
Superintendent Jill Henderson said the general fund projected budget is $18,319,194 and the building fund budget is “a little more than $781,000.”
Technology Director Jeff Priefert said the new telephone service plan will allow the district to save about $16,000 while upgrading its service. He said the current equipment was purchased in 2009 and discontinued in 2007.
The district can continue to use its current phones, but installation will not happen until about February or March.
In other business, the board approved a resolution to allow WPS to calculate the school year based on number of hours, allowing more flexibility for inclement weather days The board also accepted ACT as the district’s college and career readiness assessment tool.
The board approved an agreement with Evaluation Works, LLC, to provide assessment in languages other than English. Henderson said the district is required to provide assessments in the student’s language and there are some students who would benefit from this service.
The board approved the teacher residency programs committee for each school site. These committees are responsible for orientating new teachers. They also are required for accreditation.
The board approved a transportation agreement with Western Technology Center. The board also approved a contract with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education for secondary career and technology education programs.
The board approved an agreement with InReachPro. The company will be filming school activities in order to create a video which will be used as a recruitment tool for the district. The finished project should be finished around October 2022.
The board approved the purchase of a new school route bus. The board accepted the bid from Summit as it is the same brand as the rest of the bus fleet and would be available sooner.
The board tabled updating the WHS testing policy of the 2021-22 school year.
The board approved $522,008.13 in fund encumbrances, change orders, the activity fund custodian’s report, an activity sub-account for the eSports Club and several fundraisers for various groups. The board acknowledged the receipt and acceptance of Transportation Director Ronnie Hicks’ resignation.
The board approved an out-of-state travel request for the Weatherford FFA.
The board approved the hiring of:
• Thomas Threadgill — Bus Driver/ Maintenance
• Joshua McCoy — Bus Driver
• Megan DeLeon — East Paraprofessional
• Hannah Howenstine — Burcham Paraprofessional
• Dana Brunner — Burcham Paraprofessional