Weatherford superintendent gives update,

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Board passes policy changes in preparation for distance learning

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Weatherford Public Schools Superintendent Chad Wilson gave a financial update during his report to the school board Monday evening.

“As I mentioned the last couple of months, we are in good financial shape,” Wilson said.

The general fund has just more than $3 million, which Wilson said is more than he expected — especially since revenue was reduced at the end of the year. The district also had some large, one-time expenditures at the end of the year.

The building fund has a balance of $862,000, which is about what Wilson predicted. The child nutrition fund has a balance of $216,000.

Work currently is being done at West Elementary, East Elementary, Weatherford High School and Weatherford Middle School

The first section of floor has been poured at West with more to come this week and next. Dirt work as East has been completed and the footings are being installed. The new ducts at WMS are being put in and the HVAC units are on-site. The metal stud framing is almost complete at the WHS fieldhouse.

Wilson thanked the community for the successful passing of the Yes Weatherford penny sales tax. WPS will use the tax to install a new track, padded turf on the football field and an HVAC at WHS.

The district was awarded a CARES Act incentive grant, which was written by Assistant Superintendent Steve Callen and West teacher Meagan Merkey, for $199,000 to provide the Edgenuity virtual school software, stipends for people to run the school and Internet access point.

The district also has been awarded a COVID Project 617 Grant, which provided a $4,000 stipend for a special education teacher to provide schooling for students who need to stay home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In other news, the board passed four changes to school policy, two of which are related to the coming school year and precautions being taken.

The first was a change to the drug, alcohol and tobacco use by students. The appeals process now must go through local administration before being brought before the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

The second changed the attendance policy to define virtual attendance and allow flexibility for those who become ill and cannot come to school

The third changed the verbiage of the district’s drug and alcohol testing policies to make them clear and more consistent. This was discussed in last month’s meeting.

The fourth change was to the district’s self-screening policy to strongly urge parents to follow those guidelines.

The board approved about $2.25 million worth of fund encumbrances — 169 general fund encumbrances totaling $1,875,157.06, 11 building fund encumbrances totaling $130,951 and 11 child nutrition fund encumbrances totaling $250,973.

The board approved Superintendent Wilson as a purchasing agent for WPS. The board also approved agreement renewals with Reliance Communications and Kellogg & Sovereign. The board approved Garrett Smith a Title IX coordinator, Steve Callen as 504/ADA coordinator and Wilson as EEO officer.

The board approved Meaghan Bowles as assistant activity fund custodian. The board approved activity sub-accounts for the WHS Key Club and the Class of 2025. The board approved annual fundraisers for the Key Club including SPUD Week and a Burcham Elementary fundraiser activity.

The board approved a volleyball jersey surplus and the activity fund custodian’s report.

The board approved an agreement with the Oklahoma State Department of Rehabilitation Services School-to-Work work study program. The board also approved the annual memorandum of understanding with Big Five Community Services, Inc., which is Head Start, for the 2020-21 school year.

The board approved the renewal of a sublease agreement with the Weatherford Industrial Trust. This agreement will expire for good June 30, 2021 — 10 years after the agreement was first approved. This agreement is related to the improvements at the Performing Arts Center and the Burcham addition.

The board approved a second agreement renewal with the Weatherford Industrial Trust in relation to the current bond issue. This agreement began February 1, 2019, and will continue for the next 13 years.

The board approved an agreement with the Center for Communication and Engagement. The board also approved a 10-cent price increase for meals for student and staff for the 2020-21 school year. This is in compliance with the USDA’s meal reimbursement program. This is the minimum amount allowed.

The board approved a contract with OPAA Food Management, Inc. for the 2020-21 school year. Food management must be rebid every year and the district has been satisfied with the company.

The board approved the hiring of:

• Burcham Library Assistant — Tracy Barker

• Burcham Paraprofessional — Taryn Crispin

• WMS Paraprofessional — Kadyn Price

The board also voted to rehire current staff.