Vian superintendent’s contract renewed

Vian’s Board of Education met on Jan. 13 for its regular monthly meeting where they voted to renew the school superintendent’s contract and accepted the resignations/retirements of four employees.

The board members opted to go into executive session to discuss Superintendent John Brockman’s evaluation and contract for the 2025-26 school year, along with personnel resignations/retirements. Upon returning to open session over two hours later, it was announced that the board had unanimously voted to renew Brockman’s contract.

The board also accepted the resignation of Paula Hutchinson (effective immediately) along with resignations/ retirements from Vian Middle School Principal Marilyn Oliver and high school English teachers, Stacy Hume and Teresa Stewart (all effective June 30). All three women expressed their love and loyalty for Vian Public Schools, while the board members commended them for their years of service to the school and its students.

Site principals were on hand to discuss the Oklahoma School Report Card grades, which were released by the state Department of Education in December. Brockman provided additional information comparing the school’s results with statewide averages and other county schools.

Oliver was also commended for the middle school’s district and county leading results.

The remainder of the discussion focused on the areas highlighted by the Report Card as being in need of improvement. Among a number of other items, Vian High School Principal Carrie Joe Willis described a modification to the school’s ParentSquare communication system that will notify parents if a student is absent, which she hoped would improve the district’s card results for absenteeism.

The 2025-26 school calendar and its transfer capacity numbers were approved without significant changes. The school has available transfer capacity at all levels, though numbers show the available Pre-K capacity is very limited.

Principal Willis also presented a proposal to modify a graduation requirement specifically for students who transfer into the district in their junior or senior years. She explained that the district’s requirements are higher than the state’s, and that it was often very difficult for a student to comply with Vian’s existing requirements if they did not attend their freshman and sophomore years here. The board reportedly approved a modified rule for those transfer students.

The board members approved $38,880 of new expenditures from the General Fund, the largest items being $15,580 in supplies purchased as part of the federal Johnson-O’Malley program for Native American students, and up to $9,000 for required safety refurbishment of student football helmets.

Athletic Director Gary Willis and Brockman presented information about the possibility of resurfacing the football and/or baseball fields with artificial turf, including cost estimates from potential contractors, but no votes or action were taken.

The board’s discussion addressed tradeoffs of grass versus artificial turf, health and safety issues, maintenance, budget priorities, and funding sources.

During public comment, a parent voiced concerns about the school’s homecoming policy. The board made a temporary revision but directed administration to clarify and reformulate the policy prior to the next school year.

The board members voted to take no action on the removal of trees near the new high school building and a neighboring property. Instead, Brockman was asked to work with the neighboring property to resolve any problems or issues, while saving the trees.

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.