Sallisaw Schools accepts resignations, votes to employ others

Sallisaw Public Schools held a regular Board of Education meeting on June 12, where several important decisions were made regarding staff resignations, employment contracts and various agreements for the upcoming school year. The meeting, which took place at the Administration Building, was presided over by President Amanda Trudeau-Hatcher.

During the meeting, the board members present were Trudeau-Hatcher, Vice President Justin McGrew, Clerk Bobby Qualls, Deputy Clerk Frank Sullivan III and Member Tami Martin. The administration team included Superintendent Paul R. Wood, Assistant Superintendent Steve Barrett and Treasurer Steve Merrill.

The board members reviewed and approved the minutes of the previous regular meeting held on May 8, then addressed the issue of resignations, approving those of high school girls head basketball coach Greg Scott; teacher/coach Dylan Thurber and assistant band director Christian Campbell. The motion was unanimously approved by all board members present.

A significant part of the meeting focused on approving various agreements and contracts for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. The board approved Sallisaw ISD’s resolution to join the Oklahoma Schools Insurance Group (OSIG), along with the property and liability insurance for the school year. The votes in favor were unanimous for both motions.

Furthermore, the board authorized the superintendent to enter into several service contracts for the 2023-24 school year. The motion was unanimously approved by all board members present.

In an effort to clear surplus items, the board agreed to declare certain items for an online auction. The vote resulted in unanimous approval from all board members.

The meeting also addressed important educational matters. The board approved participation in state and federal grants for the upcoming school year, with authorization given to Barrett and/or Brad Jackson to file the necessary applications.

The applications included grants such as Johnson O’Malley, Title I Part A, Title I Part D, Title II Part A, Title II Part D, Title III, Title IV, Carl Perkins/Career Tech, and Reading Sufficiency.

The adoption of Title I Site Plans was also approved during the meeting, and the board approved the offering of math and science courses with the Indian Capital Technology Center (ICTC) for the upcoming school year.

In a cooperative effort, a Consortium Carryover Statement agreement with Muldrow Public Schools for the 2023-24 school year was approved. The board also renewed the policy subscription with the OSSBA (Oklahoma State School Boards Association), and approved the membership renewal for the upcoming school year.

Following the discussion and voting, the board entered into an executive session at 6:21 p.m. The details and minutes of the executive session were not disclosed.

Upon returning from the executive session, the board addressed employment matters. Eric Carr was appointed as the high school girls head basketball coach for the 2023-24 school year, and Joshua Napier was also hired as a teacher/coach, both on temporary contracts. Tiffknee Wilson was employed as a Title VI/teacher assistant, and Amanda Green and Kyrie Middleton were both appointed as Liberty Elementary 3-year-old assistants.

Furthermore, Laura Lineberry was hired as a second grade teacher on a temporary contract, and Ashleigh Pemberton was employed as the high school secretary for the 2023-24 school year.

Sallisaw Public Schools continues to make important decisions and improvements to provide a high-quality education for its students. The employment of new staff members and the approval of various agreements and contracts demonstrate the district’s commitment to delivering the best educational experience possible.

Editor’s note: This news story is based on the unofficial minutes from the board meeting, and could be in error if the minutes are changed prior to adoption.