Before the winds of a cold front blew in on Veteran’s Day, the Kingston School Board held its monthly meeting on the morning of November 11 at the Kingston Public Schools Superintendent’s Office.
The meeting started at 6:00 a.m. It was called to order by Steve Beebe, board vice president. Also present were clerk Michael Herndon, member Randy Arneson and member B.J. Bellettini. Jeff McDonald, board president was not present.
The group voted 4-0 to approve the consent agenda which included the following items:
Minutes of the regular meeting dated October 14, 2019
Approval of budget, encumbrances, change orders, warrants, claims, and payroll Approval of activity reports, fundraisers, and transfers - (Junior Class Activities) Approval of Treasurer’s report
Approval of Resignations Approval of Service Contracts
During the Superintendent’s Report, Superintendent Brian Brister shared about his efforts have a Chickasaw Warrior statue donated to Kingston Public Schools.
Brister said he recently sent a letter to Bill Anatoubby, chief of the Chickasaw Nation, and received a positive response.
“If the chief gives his okay, we’ll put the statue in the middle of the new parking circle,” he said.
The board then approved their meeting 2020 meeting dates by a 4-0 vote. All Meetings are held in the Superintendent’s office at 6:00 a.m. monthly.
The 2020 meeting dates are as follows: January 13, February 10, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14, October 12, November 09 and December 14.
Next the board considered the employment of Custodian Raymond John Ary. After a brief discussion, Arneson made a motion not to convene in Executive Session. Herndon seconded the motion which passed 4-0.
Brister said Ary has been employed by KPS for three months and this motion would make him an employee for the rest of the school year.
Beletini asked how they came up with a pay rate of $9.13 an hour. Kathy Burnett, the district’s director of finance/ federal programs replied that is the pay scale for custodians.
Arneson made a motion to confirm Ary’s employment for the rest of the school year with Herndon seconding. The motion passed 4-0.
In his Superintendent’s Report, Brister spoke at the STEM classes at Kingston Middle School.
He also discussed ICAP (Individual Career Action Plan). Brister talked to principals about starting this in fifth grade to get students thinking about their future.
“We’re gonna take those kids to Oklahoma Steel & Wire and other businesses to see what it’s like,” he said. “Each kid has their own idea of what the want to do.”
Brister highlighted aviation as a possible career field for some Kingston students.
“Aviation is the second largest industry in Oklahoma,” he said. “Our kids don’t know that. They haven’t been exposed to that.”
Brister said he’s spoken with Jay McAdams, Atoka Public Schools superintendent, who have partnered with Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology.
As there was neither new business nor board comments, Beebe called for adjournment at 6:30 a.m.