Sallisaw School Board discusses events and financials, approves employment
The Sallisaw Board of Education met at 6 p.m. for its regular session on March 10, where members addressed several important matters, including school events, financial reports, upcoming changes to board positions, and employment hires for the 2025-26 school year.
The Sallisaw Board of Education met at 6 p.m. for its regular session on March 10, where members addressed several important matters, including school events, financial reports, upcoming changes to board positions, and employment hires for the 2025-26 school year.
The meeting began with Superin- tendent Steve Barrett providing his report, highlighting several key topics for the district. Among these was an upcoming board training session, as well as the upcoming changes to the board’s leadership positions following the April meeting. Other topics included the Sallisaw High School prom, scheduled for April 12, Parent Teacher Conferences, and spring break, which is scheduled for March 17-21.
The board also approved the minutes from the previous meeting on Feb. 10, before moving into the financial section of the meeting.
Steve Merrill presented a detailed financial report, which included the approval of several encumbrances across various funds, including Fund 11 (PO 636-664), Fund 21 (PO 52-53), and Fund 31 (PO 4). Additionally, the board approved the Treasurer’s Report and the Activity Fund Reports, ensuring that the district’s financial standing remains transparent and in good order.
Following an executive session to discuss the employment of transportation personnel, maintenance and grounds, custodians, office personnel, nurses, teacher assistants, paraprofessionals, adult education, technology, child nutrition and school resource officers, the board members reconvened and it was announced that all were unanimously hired for the 2025-26 school year.
As for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year, the board members voted to hire Loren Hall as a custodian for the middle school and Jamie Davis as a full-time Liberty Elementary child nutrition position. The board also unanimously approved one time retention bonuses for paraprofessionals placed in special needs classrooms.
The meeting also addressed a request from Your TIMES to use the Sallisaw Middle School Cafeteria for its Retirement Fair, scheduled for June 19-21. The board discussed and approved the facility use request, which will provide local retirees with a valuable opportunity for community engagement.
Finally, the board approved an adjustment to the 2024-25 Sallisaw Public Schools academic calendar, Track Fundraiser and Activity Account use for the 2024-25 school year, as well as selecting Jenkins & Kemper as an auditor for the same year. Additionally, Leah Agent was approved as an adjunct instructor for Anatomy and Physiology (ICTC courses) for the 2025-26 school year.
The meeting concluded at 7:30 p.m. with no additional matters raised for discussion, and the board members adjourned until their next regular meeting.
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.
