The Weatherford Public Schools Board of Education voted to authorize Board President Dennis Green and Superintendent Chad Wilson to negotiate the purchase of property located near the middle school.
The properties being considered are 216 and 218 W. Arapaho Ave. and located across the street from the Weatherford Middle School gymnasium.
Both properties belong to the Jerome R. Fisher Trust in care of Jerome R. Fisher of Van Nuys, California.
The board did not state the purpose of the properties during the meeting. However, Wilson later said the district is considering expanding the parking lot next to them. As of right now, no final decision has been made on the purpose of the properties.
In other news, the board approved Oklahoma State School Boards Association management employment service agreement for the 2020- 21 fiscal year. Wilson said this is a one-time agreement for this year due to a large increase in unemployment claims.
He said the district typically receives three to four claims per year, which water determined to be manageable for the district. However, the district has received about 60 unemployment claims so far this year, most of which are fraudulent.
This agreement would allow the management service to handle the claims and prevent the district from paying more or less than required on viable claims.
The board approved new policy E-50 regarding therapy animal procedures. The new policy outlines the procedures and guidelines for any therapy animals brought into the district for any reason.
This is part of Project AWARE. Grand Coordinator Kelly Lackey currently has a dog in training. It is at no cost to the district as the animal is Lackey’s personal therapy dog.
The board accepted the new Riley Boatwright Emergency Plan, which districts now are required to implement and revise yearly. The plan will have set out emergency procedures and require local ambulance services at school games.
The board approved the Teacher Residency Program school site committees for the 2020-21 school years. The committees provide on-site support for first-year teachers in the district. The board also approved a resolution to allow the district to calculate the school year based on hours instead of the number of days. It will allow more flexibility during the school year.
The board approved the 2020-21 fiscal year estimation of needs. The board also approved a contract with Western Technology Center for the transportation of WTC students who also attend WPS.
The board approved the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education contract for secondary career and technology education programs for the 2020-21 school year. The board also approved the WPS Gifted and Talented committee members for the 2020-21 school year. The board voted to accept ACT as the college and career readiness assessment for WPS.
The board approved a total of nine fundraisers for the Weatherford Soccer Booster Club, Weatherford High School Choir and the Cross County Booster Club. The board also approved library surplus for Burcham Elementary and Weatherford High School. The board approved surplus for the WHS history department.
The board approved 138 fund encumbrances totaling $242,945.21 — $208,768.21 from the general fund, $29,093 from the building fund and $5,084 from the child nutrition fund.
The board approved change orders, the minutes from last month’s meeting, received the activity fund custodian’s report and acknowledged two resignations.
The board approved the hiring of the following certified personnel and support staff:
• Lauren Kleinpeter — West Elementary Teacher Assistant
• Phillip Tennehill — Bus Driver • Alfonso Hernandez — Weatherford High School Custodian
• Addison Holland — Weatherford Middle School Paraprofessional
• Madison Doughty — WMS English Teacher