Selling school land, naming school facilities and resignations were among the items dealt with by Henryetta school board officials at their November meeting.
Kanon Bailey approached the board about purchasing a strip of land along Jack Gibson Drive near the football field. He and his brother Cade, have a property management company in Okmulgee.
The land is just west of Cheezie’s and adjoins a lot already owned by the Baileys.
The question was raised if it was part of property that was deeded decades ago by the Cameron family to be used for the football field. An understood part of that deed claims if the property is ever changed from the athletic use, the land would revert back to the family.
Board members were hesitant to make a decision until they could investigate more into the actual property.
A search will be made into the deed covenant and brought back to the board in December.
Last February the board passed a policy dealing with naming school facilities and even school buildings.
Monday night the board was told that a committee consisting of Roger Williams, Dr. David Warden, Jayme Matlock, Pam Bealko and Bruce Jones has been formed to go over any naming proposals.
“We felt we needed to bring in community input,” said Matlock. She said there is a form that the public can fill out giving their opinion why a name is suitable. That form is going to be posted on the school website. “Once the committee looks it over they can present it to the board for approval.”
Among the reasons for adding a name, a person needs to show the impact that individual has made on the school. If a request is made to name a school such as the middle, elementary or high school, after a person that individual has to be deceased for at least ten years.
Board members accepted resignations from Claudia Pollard and Tisha Hinojos and the retirement letter from Nadine Graham.
High school teacher Sami Kerr will be going part time for the spring semester and working as a virtual instructor. “She has taught English II for five years and has done an excellent job said Kira Hardgrave.
A resolution calling for a school election Feb. 7, 2024 was passed. That election will see seats two and four open for candidates. Currently Wes George and Pam Bealko hold those positions.
Filing for the election will start in December.
The meeting calendar for 2024 was approved but board members voted to change the time from 6:30 to 5:30 p.m. on the second Monday each month.
Henryetta schools has been approved for a three-year grant to pay for a school resource deputy. The state will pay $92,000 for a police and county deputy to be at the school Monday through Friday during school hours.
Maintenance director Harold Fox said the recent hail storm caused severe damage to most of the air conditioning units at the school. He said the school insurance adjuster said 29 of the 35 units needed to be replaced.
That did not include the air conditioning units at the auditorium. He pointed out those air conditioners were in place in 1978 and one has been repaired. He estimated it would cost between $10,000 to $15,000 to get it working.
Bealko said those repairs have to be made. “When you have baccalaureate and no air conditioning that’s pitiful.”
He said the school is in the process of trying to get more security around the school at night.
The fence line on the east side is in the process of cleaning up.
“We have transients trying to get in.
Secretary Tammie Farris said some people were found walking along the school road and were told that they were on private property and, if they were caught again, they would be charged with trespassing.
Another incident had a person walking around the high school trying to open the locked doors.
“We have teachers who come in late at night and there are these people. Our campus is so big,” he said.
Matlock told the board the middle school Esports students clad seventh out of 73 schools in a recent tournament and one student could be going to the state contest. She praised the program saying it has helped students who otherwise are not involved. “They have learned social cues that helps them grow and work as a team.”
Some of the elementary students enjoyed a party for reaching their reading goals. The recent fall festival by the elementary boosters was said to have brought in enough money to help each teacher get new supplies.