Meals, staffing, artificial turf top Vian School Board meeting

No one can accuse the Vian Board of Education of rushing through an agenda, especially when they meet for over six hours to conduct business and make important decisions for both students and staff of the school district.

At their monthly February 10 meeting, the board addressed several pressing matters, including staffing, financial reports, and the potential for a major athletic facility upgrade. Around 20 members of the public attended, with several raising issues from concerns about cafeteria meals, the campus canine search procedure, girls basketball, a potential fundraising campaign competition, along with finances and cash reserves for capital projects.

A key moment in the meeting came with the presentation of the district’s annual financial audit by Kerry Patten of Patten & Odom, CPA’s, which gave Vian Schools a ‘clean’ audit opinion for the 2023-24 fiscal year, noting no significant weaknesses in internal controls. The board members also asked questions about the budget report and suggestions on internal controls for payroll processing.

Financial transactions amounting to nearly $51,000 from the general fund and $2,000 from the building fund were also unanimously approved.

Superintendent John Brockman, during his report, spoke about the teardown of the old high school and concerns regarding both the cafeteria and buses. Brockman updated his planning for disposal of some of the material from the old building, and described a plan to address a problem that one of the school buses was encountering in the Blackgum area where certain cars were failing to stop when the bus stops to load and unload students.

School meals Cafeteria Director Kristy Keck addressed concerns recently raised about school cafeteria meals on social media, emphasizing the restrictions of a federally funded program designed to combat childhood obesity.

The school provides free breakfasts and lunches to all students but federal regulations restrict sodium, sugar and calories, therefore affecting the taste and quantity of food served. Keck said the regulations are being followed as part of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiative to combat childhood health and obesity.

“The rules restrict the provisions of “seconds,” limit portion size and prohibit most salty and sugary foods, and effectively prohibit salt shakers,” Keck told the board members. “State/federal auditors make regular visits to the school to ensure those regulations are being followed closely, or we risk losing funding.”

The board asked about students who may not get adequate or sufficient meals at home, but Keck reassured attendees that while portion sizes are limited, the district works diligently to ensure no student goes hungry.

Staffing, employment Neisha Edwards of ICTC was approved as an adjunct instructor for academic credit in Anatomy for the remainder of the school year. The board also approved revising the school calendar for the 2025-26 school year, along with an agreement with OKTLE.

Regarding staffing updates, the board voted to convene into executive session at 11:10 p.m. to discuss whether or not to reemploy administrative staff, central office staff and district directors for the 2025-26 school year.

Following the executive session, the board reconvened and voted to rehire several key administrators and district directors. Those included Jennifer Ecker-assistant elementary principal, Kathy Wingo-elementary principal, Carrie Jo Willis-high school principal, Erica King-treasurer/payroll coordinator, Shannon Pack-encumbrance clerk/ federal claims/Indian Ed., and Christie Mendenhall-activity account custodian/ secretary.

Other notable rehires included Kristy Keck-child nutrition director, James M. Ross-maintenance supervisor, Abby Glass-transportation director, Leslie Bridges-curriculum director/JOM, and Jedidiah Kasson-IT director.

A notable addition was the approval to hire Kyle Sumpter as the new middle school principal for the 2025-26 school year, following a recommendation from Brockman. Alyssa Goad’s employment as an elementary teacher for the 202526 school year was also given a green light.

The board accepted the resignations of LeeAnn Parks, a beloved first-grade teacher at Vian Elementary after nearly 30 years of service, along with Kathy Moore, MS ELA. Both resignations will become effective June 30.

Artificial turf The board members had a discussion on the potential installation of artificial turf on the football field and baseball infield after hearing lengthy presentations from four different contractor/ vendors.

While no votes or action were taken, the issue remains on the table, with costs ranging between $900,000 and $1.2 million for the football field project, which also reportedly includes necessary underlying drainage and infrastructure. It was noted that the baseball infield project would cost about half of that amount, or possibly less.

Brockman reportedly presented a bank funding alternative to finance a football field project through a debtlike lease agreement that spreads the cost with payments over a decade or more. Some board members expressed concern over the cost and feasibility of such a project, while others spoke on the success of the school’s sports programs and the desire to keep up with other schools in the state.

The board scheduled its annual bond sale for 12 noon on March 6, meeting briefly prior to the regular meeting which started at 6 p.m., with the meeting adjourning at 12:13 a.m.

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.