Vian hires new high school principal

The Vian Board of Education hired a new high school principal during a special meeting, which was held on May 8.

The board convened into executive session for a little over three hours and upon returning to open session, board president Ken Pack gave a statement of executive session minutes with the board approving to hire Carrie Jo Willis as the new high school principal.

For the past five years, Willis has served as the middle school principal at Fort Gibson School. Prior to that, she was employed for five years as the assistant principal and high school counselor.

She has a total of 25 years of education experience, which includes 15 years in the classroom, primarily teaching upper-level math classes at the high school level.

Willis has state and national teaching certifications in 12 fields, including algebra, computer science, trigonometry, statistics, chemistry, counseling, and administration. She has a Master’s degree in counseling from the University of Oklahoma, and a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from Northeastern State University. Her husband, Gary Willis, has served as head football coach at Vian sInce 2016 and their son, Garrett, also teaches and coaches at Vian.

“The whole board was impressed with her experience and credentials,” Pack said, “and when we met her, we all felt she was exactly what we were hoping for.”

According to a press release issued by the school, they had seven applicants file for the position of high school principal with new school superintendent John Brockman, who formerly served as high school principal, leading the search to find his own replacement.

“Her resume was hard to beat,” Brockman said. “And her mindset on curriculum, discipline, and leadership will be a great fit and asset for Vian.”

Willis will take over duties as high school principal on July 1 when Brockman begins his new role as superintendent, according to the release.

Regarding other employment issues, the board voted to rehire all certified staff and support staff as listed; hired Bryce Brown as a middle school math teacher and wrestling coach; and Amanda Risley as a second grade teacher replacing Marla Sanford, who retired earlier in the school year.

In addition to Sanford, resignations were also accepted from middle school teacher Micah Lovejoy and Alvie Killingsworth, middle school teacher and wrestling coach.

However, the board took no action on hiring a curriculum director or on 2023-24 coaching assignments.

Site principals made presentations on their State Report Card results, which included disciplinary policy, curriculum alignment, test scores, career and college readiness, and attendance. The principals reportedly committed to more-frequent reporting and discussion with the board about standardized and benchmark test results. The board recognized the Masonic Lodge Students and Teachers of Today award recipients, and the Vian PTO presented ideas for an elementary playground. Current Superintendent Victor Salcedo also gave an update on the high school project, which is expected to be completed sometime in 2024.

Also approved or renewed for the 2023-24 school year were:

• OSSBA employment services agreement

• Cherokee Nation for Camp Cherokee 2023

• Temporary appropriations

• ICTC transportation contract agreement

• Amendment to renew the Food Service Management Company contract

• Cardiac emergency response plan and protocol

The board also approved an agreement with Kerry John Patten C.P.A. for audit of Vian Public Schools for the 2022-23 school year, according to meeting minutes.

The following were also approved: Encumbrances #599-609 and changes for a net increase of $109,392.85 within the 2022-23 General Funds, no changes within the 2022-23 Building Funds, and approval of encumbrance #4 and changes for a net increase of $8,825 within the 2022-23 Sinking Fund.