During the Weatherford Public Schools Board of Education meeting Monday evening, Interim Superintendent Steven Callen said the school bond projects continue moving at a steady pace.
According to Callen, crews continue to add brick to the outside of both schools. Sheet rock, plumbing and the HVAC are being installed at Gen. Thomas P. Stafford Elementary, which is being built behind West Elementary. In addition, the concrete work should begin at Stafford Elementary soon.
As scheduled, the new East Elementary is about 2-3 months behind Stafford Elementary. Crews are almost finished installing the roof and then will dry-in the building.
The turf and track project at Woody Roof Field, which is being paid for by the Yes Weatherford penny sales tax, is on track to finish before the football season begins in September.
There are some supply chain concerns regarding the track fieldhouse and concession stand. However, Callen said the project manager plans to obtain on-site storage units to obtain materials before they are needed and keep the project running smoothly.
Callen said state funding has been down this year, but the district has received federal assistance which made up most of the difference. In addition, revenue from gross production tax and motor vehicle collections are up from the same time last year, leaving the district in a good position going into the next fiscal year beginning July 1.
In other news, the board approved continuing to use the district’s current worker’s compensation and property insurance for the 2021- 22 fiscal year. The district has used Zenith Insurance Company for workers compensation and Oklahoma Schools Insurance Group (OSIG) for property insurance for years. Local insurance agent Wes Magill
Local insurance agent Wes Magill said the district has seen a rate increase in some classes and rate decrease in other classes for the worker’s comp insurance, but overall the district’s loss ratio is low.
The district has a $47,000 or 21- percent rate increase in property insurance for the coming fiscal year. Despite OSIG paying out $653,000 worth of claims in the last 5 years, the district is at a 63-percent loss ratio. A loss ratio is the claims paid by the insurance company plus the adjustment expenses divided by the total premium.
OSIG currently is the only property insurance option for schools in Oklahoma as of last Monday. Districts across the state have seen a rate increase.
However, Magill said he believes there will be more price stabilization once OSIG is done “picking up the pieces” left after the other school insurance company folded. Monday was Carter Robinson’s last board meeting as he has taken a job out of state. The board will begin the process of finding a replacement for Robinson.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve on the board,” he said. “I wish the best for all of you and will keep in touch.”
The board approved an agreement with the Center for Education Law, which provides the district’s attorney group, for the upcoming school year. The board also approved an agreement with EduSkills for the upcoming school year, which the district uses for its alternate education and virtual academy programs.
The board approved an agreement with New View Oklahoma for visionrelated services for the upcoming fiscal year. They provide vision rehabilitation services to students. The board also approved an agreement with OPPA! Food Management, Inc., for the upcoming school year. The board approved a contract with Vesta Modular for the upcoming school year. This is the company from which the district rents portable classrooms for East and West Elementary.
The board approved change orders, the activity fund custodian’s report, fundraisers for the 2021-22 school year and applications for fiscal year 2021-22 activity sub-accounts. The board also approved minutes for the regular meeting of May 10, special meeting of May 18 and special meeting of June 4.
The board acknowledged the superintendent’s receipt of the resignations and retirements of Weatherford High School science teacher Jaclyn Helt, first grade teacher Cassandra Vaughan and kindergarten teacher Kodie Price.
The board approved building, child nutrition, municipal tax, bond and sinking funds appointments for the upcoming fiscal year:
• Casey O’Connor as encumbrance clerk and co-signer
• Renita Morgan as treasurer and cosigner
• Dennis Green as school board president and co-signer
The board also approved activity fund appointments for the 2021-22 fiscal year:
• Amber Klein as custodian and cosigner
• Meghan Bowles as co-signer • Jill Henderson as co-signer
The board approved surplus for East and West Elementary technology, Weatherford Middle School classroom No. 210 and Weatherford High School textbooks. The board also approved an out-of-state trip request for the wrestling team.
The board approved changes to district administrators and director pay scales. The board also approved a contract with incoming Superintendent Jill Henderson for the 2021-22 fiscal year.
The board approved three transfers within the district
• Cynthia McCurdy — Burcham Counselor
• Heather Klaassen — Burcham Assistant Principal
• Jennifer Lindamood — West Special Education Teacher
The board approved the hiring of certified personnel for the 2021-22 school year:
• Darby Schamburg — WHS Science Teacher
• Grant Schamburg — WHS Science Teacher
• Michael Moore — WHS Math Teacher
• Lynell Fine — WMS Sixth Grade Reading Teacher
• Brandy David — WMS Sixth Grade Reading Teacher
• Rachel Beck — West Reading Specialist
• Madison Roberts — Burcham First Grade Teacher
• Amy Conkling — Burcham First Grade Teacher
• Krystal Peck — Burcham Kindergarten Teacher
The board also approved the hiring of support personnel for the upcoming school year:
• Justin Parker — Burcham Custodian
• Brooklyn Musick — Burcham Paraprofessional
• Brittany Gramer — Burcham Teacher’s Assistant
• Madison Schwartz — Burcham Teacher’s Assistant
• Kadie Lucas — West Teacher’s Assistant
• MacKenzie Chansler — East Paraprofessional
• Tiffany Taton — East Paraprofessional
• Linsey Rainey — East Library Assistant