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Public Schools superintendent Larry Case (center) speaks during the May 11 MPS Board of Education meeting at the MPS Administrative Center Conference Room. At left is Mark Glenn, board member, and at right is Carol Combs, MPS treasurer. Matt Caban • The Madill Record Madill
The Madill Public Schools Board of Education held its monthly meeting May 11 inside the Administrative Center Conference Room. Last month’s meeting was held at the Wildcat Den to accommodate more space for attendees per CDC and State of Oklahoma COVID-19 pandemic guidelines.
Four of the board’s five members were attendance: Mike Mathis, Clay Savage, Mark Glenn and Jeff Landgraf. The fifth board member, Shannon Williams, was not in attendance.
Sitting near the board members were Larry Case, MPS superintendent and Carol Combs, MPS treasurer. Two other MPS staff members were in attendance: athletic director Bink Stafford, and band director Kendal Hasty.
Following approval of the consent agenda, the meeting moved to Case’s superintendent’s report
Case reported that the district is making progress on connectivity with students. This included the recent purchase of 500 hot spots and $100,000 worth of Chrome books.
Case said after the meeting that today’s schools need to be prepared to connect with students digitally; such as short-term closures for weather.
He also touched on the financial uncertainty brought on by COVID-19.
“With the CARES Act we’ll get $450,000 in aid,” Case said. “We’re gonna lose more than that in state aid and losing kids.”
Case said MPS should be good with staffing for 2020-2021, but 2021-2022 could be bring challenges.
“I’m very comfortable with our teachers that have left,” he said. “The following year all schools will be faced with some tough decisions.”
During his report, Case asked Stafford to speak about the May 15 senior celebration. The event which runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. that night.
Stafford said seniors will gather at Oakview Baptist Church and drive down Lillie around the square.
“Right now, we’re looking at 118- 120 vehicles,” Stafford said. “Then, we’ll turn on the lights on baseball field and football field.”The event will also feature senior photos around the square weather permitting.
Mathis moved the group to the next agenda item: discussion and possible action on the following contracts for 2020-2021:
a. OKTLE – Employee Evaluation System
b. Municipal Accounting System – Accounting and Student Information Software.
c. Barlow Educational Management Services – Federal Program Management
d. Jostens
e. OSSBA membership renewal
f. OSSBA policy subscription service
g. Dept. of Rehabilitation – School to Work program
h. Prohab Therapy Specialists
i. Speech/Language Therapy Contract
A motion to renew the listed contracts was made by Glenn with a second by Landgraf. The vote was 4-0 in favor of the motion.
The group then unanimously approved an Application for Temporary Appropriations for FY21 as presented after a motion by Landgraf and a second by Savage.
The board members present then unanimously approved the Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan amendment from American Fidelity as presented following a motion by Glenn and a second by Savage.
The board then accepted the resignations of five employees: Shawn McClellan, Josh Onstott, Rebecca Spaulding, Lorie Vargas and Randy Rushing. The motion was made by Glenn and seconded by Landgraf.
The board members present then unanimously approved a resolution to grant emergency powers to the superintendent. Case said this was for any unforeseen calendar changes due to the pandemic. The motion was made by Landgraf with a second by Savage.
The board then approved OneNet as our E-Rate provider for funding year 2020 after a motion by Glenn and second by Landgraf 4-0.
The board then approved the hiring of summer cafeteria workers: Janice Brown, Susie Williams, Valencia Torres, Lisa Galyean, Maria de la Cruz, Barbara Gibson, Juana Hernandez, Maria G. Salazar, Kim Valdadez and Estella Ramirez.
Case said their contract for the school year is up on May 15 as that is the last scheduled day of school.
“These ladies have been rock stars as we’ve delivered thousands of meals,” Case said.
The motion was made by Glenn and seconded by Savage.
The board accepted recommendation of Case to re-employ for FY20 a listed of certified and support personnel.
The motion was made by Landgraf and seconded by Glenn.
The board then discussed and adopted new and revised policies as listed:
a. BBH-R1 New Board Member Workshop (revised)
b. BE-R2 Board of Education Meetings Teleconferencing or
Videoconference Regulations (New)
c. CFBB Sanctioning of Parent Organizations and Booster Clubs (revised)
The motion was made by Glenn and seconded by Savage.
The board then awarded banking services for FY21 to First United Bank following a motion by Glenn and second by Savage.
Case said MPS had been with Simmons/Landmark Bank for more than 20 years.
He said Combs put together information on interest rates from four banks: Simmons, First United, BancFirst and 1NB. His recommendation was First Uinted as they appeared to offer the highest floor on interest rates.
Landgraf made a motion which Glenn seconded.
The final items of the evening were acceptance of an energy efficiency program through OG&E and updating signatures for authorized representative for Madill Schools to prepare and sign reports, payments requests and claims for reimbursement for the following entities:
a. BancFirst – Marshall County Educational Facilities Authority Educational Facilities, Series 2020
b. Oklahoma State Department – Child Nutrition Program.
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.