Meeker School Board members this week hired five new teachers and named a new principal along with accepting four resignations.
Matt Jones, currently a teacher and the girls’ high school basketball coach at Meeker, is the new Middle School Principal. He replaces Rodney Treat whose resignation was among those accepted during Monday night’s meeting.
School Supt. Jeff Pruitt said before the meeting that Treat has accepted a teaching and coaching job at Stuart.
Prior to the meeting, Pruitt also said, for now, Jones will continue to serve as the girls’ high school basketball coach.
The five new teachers hired include Kryste Nguven, elementary teacher, Darren Randall, high school and middle school teacher, Rachelle Randall, elementary teacher, Melissa Dozier, high school teacher, Kacy Hurley, middle school teacher.
The other resignations accepted include Leslie Brewster and Martha Walker, high school teachers and Dale Smith, treasurer.
The board members’ action on the hirings and resignations came after they spent about 40 minutes in executive session.
In his report, High School Principal Brad Buxton informed the board high school enrollment for the 20222023 school year ended up at 210 students. He said currently enrollment for the 2023-2024 school term stands at 228, an increase of 18.
In a report submitted to the board, Ginger Pritchard, Meeker Education Center/Alternative Education Principal wrote that 31 students are participating in the summer recovery program. She advised 11 are continuing the classes they were enrolled in for the Spring semester and that summer school runs through June 30.
The board approved an insurance quote of $142,837 for the 2023-2024 school year and they approved a copier quote as well.
Board members approved a quote for Worker’s Compensation insurance with OSAG for the 2023-2024 school year.
In other business, the board members: Agreed to a contract with Misty Blankenship as speech pathologist for the 2023-2024 school year.
Approved membership with the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, subscription to Basic Policy Services, Communication Services and OSSBA Employment Services for the 2023-2024 school year.
Approved a Basic Legal Services Program with the Center for Education Law for the 2023-2024 school year.
Approved a contract with Encore Energy for the transportation of natural gas for the 2023-2024 school year.
Approved a contract with Kelly Curry as Physical Therapist for the 2023-2024 school year.
Approved an agreement between Meeker Public Schools and Gordon Cooper Technology Center allowing Meeker High School students attending Gordon Cooper to receive academic course credit for classes approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Education and allow sophomore level students to enroll in appropriate CTE courses.
Approved the surplus of miscellaneous ag equipment Approved issuing gift cards to top sellers as fund raising incentives for Ag Ed students.