[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6605127,"mediaKeyId","2987272-3453fe63577321b886fb8ca0972e40d4","parentId",2987272,"title","Board approves a slate of routine items including vehicle lease, e-rate upgrades and Medicaid billing contract","audioSeconds",3884,"startMs",4894000,"endMs",8778000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987272-3453fe63577321b886fb8ca0972e40d4&start=4894&end=8778","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987272-3453fe63577321b886fb8ca0972e40d4/thumbnail_4894000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605127/Oklahoma/Board-approves-a-slate-of-routine-items-including-vehicle-lease-e-rate-upgrades-and-Medicaid-billing-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605127-a8e11139868ef73e71db79a2c76bfd6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770489595&Signature=ZZLnoSzkays2NN4UxmhS3tWu-FPU7YDoO8jgZH4kZ2STw~QxrfY19iYNPrgtJyNaDWCzife5rqKrGUy5LpghR2jvLatYvX9RHPwi~1JXfUpGBFdulpPb1fkNq~rl1Giz6jpf9Tff33xnQJefYGXvW8IVBOb7HxhKB3cHbnN1~kPOJoMKSSeS8fAnjm9AiMw5BQPfQeAGUYYBtyMJk9rjew4FTwNYmL~3ks12odQM3tKgJ4uWt-IwjXMATzpZVbR2XOWlJSU66DmYNncPMF~DcO7eTT4OVkzaeTnL4WB-yBkpchAaazwmahIJOvz1uoD34aSmE4L75xzzxvvaKsyJ3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Midwest City-Del City Schools","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Middale Public Schools Board of Education approved multiple administrative and operational items April 14 in a set of consent and action votes.

Key votes (outcomes)
- Reorganization of the board: The board approved election/appointments for board leadership and officers (President: Miss Standridge; Vice President: Dr. Kirk; Clerk: Miss Schultz) and named Candy Perkins deputy clerk. (approved, unanimous)
- Consent agenda: Approved routine consent items (approved).
- Calendar revision: Board moved May 2 from a snow day to an instructional day and set May 19 as a non-instructional day for graduation to keep the district in compliance with instructional time requirements (approved, unanimous).
- Audit services: Approved continuing engagement with Jenkins & Kemper for independent audit services for a fifth year (approved, unanimous).
- Procurement policy D5: Approved a minor revision to allow non-annual bid purchasing of drinks under a dollar threshold (approved, unanimous).
- 403(b) vendor outreach: Authorized staff to contact 403(b) vendors and explore PlanServe through American Fidelity to consolidate cafeteria-plan discussions and reduce vendor fees (approved, unanimous).
- Vehicle lease for maintenance fleet: Approved entering a lease-to-own program with Enterprise Fleet Management to replace aging maintenance vehicles; district staff noted the plan would allow a faster fleet refresh than outright purchase (approved, unanimous).
- Summer programs: Approved the Middale Summer Academy and summer feeding program (approved, unanimous).
- MOA with U.S. Air Force: Approved a memorandum of agreement between the district and the U.S. Air Force (approved, unanimous).
- Homecoming dates: Approved homecoming dates for the 2025-26 year (approved, unanimous).
- E-rate networking upgrades: Approved contract and e-rate application for Cisco switch upgrades; estimated 85% of $531,000 cost to be covered by E‑rate pending USAC (approved, unanimous).
- Medicaid billing services: Approved entering contracts with the State Department of Education and consultants for Medicaid billing of eligible related services (approved, unanimous).
- Child Nutrition grant: Accepted a $25,000 local-food grant for Child Nutrition (approved, unanimous).
- Disaster restoration services: Approved a renewable contract with Blackmon Mooring for emergency disaster response (approved, unanimous).
- MDTC vehicle purchase: Approved purchase of a Chevy Equinox for the technology center (approved, unanimous).
- Donation: Accepted scaffolding donated to the district’s masonry program (approved, unanimous).
- Personnel items: Approved all items in the human resources report, district-administrator recommendations, certified teacher rehiring lists, athletic director rehires and site-administrator recommendations (approved, unanimous).
- Financial services and other contracts: Renewed BOK Financial securities services and approved several other routine contracts and agreements.

Why it matters: These votes cover day-to-day operations — from network infrastructure and fleet replacement to summer programming and personnel — and collectively affect instructional continuity, safety and district finances.

Meeting context
Board members generally described these items as routine; several items (vehicle lease and e-rate upgrades) were discussed briefly for fiscal prudence and implementation scheduling. There were no recorded no votes on the items listed above; all passed by voice vote or roll call with ayes recorded.

Ending
District staff will proceed to implement the approved contracts, proceed with the e-rate filing and present bid results or contract details to the board as vendor processes complete.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mid-Del Schools Livestream 2025-04-15","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 14 meeting the Middale board approved multiple routine administrative and procurement items in a single session: vehicle leasing, e-rate network upgrades, Medicaid billing services, revised procurement policy for beverage purchases and multiple personnel recommendations.","taxTitle","MIDWEST CITY-DEL CITY, School Districts, Oklahoma","taxId",69008,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6605132,"Board hears detailed plans for new Townsend Elementary; approves bond sale authorizations for projects",6768,3208000,9976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987272-3453fe63577321b886fb8ca0972e40d4&start=3208&end=9976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987272-3453fe63577321b886fb8ca0972e40d4/thumbnail_3208000.jpg","/articles/6605132/Oklahoma/Board-hears-detailed-plans-for-new-Townsend-Elementary-approves-bond-sale-authorizations-for-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605132-815f7aafb7c45ab291141a5f13f3a59e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770489595&Signature=gN7EZeHDtQ~dbLYUEKrIUcUIMzHS~ZAuwkEn-zlZNUmrvBOfIL-g20HQOKE7LTBbDZO9km7UNdRIPb90~M5QhvihNYUK~MU9v0czrwM7BVhKvaYq~88GoUzxGdNJCM8R2kUPugtcedxtOcMmpj08ciK1pYT7Mk7u~dcEunTl0MNm5PJiUWYlmzAyrQnvmS2DDvPuUjea30YYO2dVHMyXn7B8RAve9CF~s71INHtquUDtJXkDdZ0DpgZB3f3FTxysbI2qJ0oPhcCuxTbNkuBU0K7c3W9-Sj-aGUOx20yJDBFE52xj8ttmZ-mgFRM2tDCDaYeTlI3AjGDRulWcXtVA~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Architects from Larson Design Group presented the board April 14 with a near-final design for the district's new Townsend Elementary school and outlined site circulation, inclusive playgrounds and a central gym that doubles as a FEMA-rated storm shelter.

Design and schedule highlights
- School layout: Architects described a single-story building organized along a primary \"main street\" corridor with grade-level wings and shared learning spaces (media center, art, cafeteria) clustered centrally. Special education services are distributed across wings instead of grouped in a single location.
- Storm shelter: The gym is sited at the building center to serve as the district's tornado shelter, allowing multiple directions of entry and rapid loading. Architects said the shelter's floorplate matches the district standard gym size used at Schwartz and estimated the shelter could accommodate roughly 1,000 people when including bleacher and floor capacity; architects said the gym-shelter was sized to be a functional physical-education space as well as a safety asset.
- Site work: The teams explained grading and drainage decisions that required a 24-inch lower elevation in the cafeteria/playground doors so stormwater drains to a southeast detention pond (the pond will be fenced off). The design separates parent and bus loops to remove the existing congestion on Epperly Drive and adds a separate early-childhood pick-up loop to minimize disruptions for pre-K and developmental programs.
- Accessibility and inclusion: Playground design, paving slopes and equipment were presented as inclusive by design to accommodate a wide range of special-education needs; architects said multiple meetings were held with district operations, special education and playground vendors to ensure accessibility.
- Timeline and procurement: Architects said the district expects to put the construction package out for bid around May 15 and finish the new building in spring 2027 so demolition of the old Townsend building and final site work can occur that summer. Contractors mentioned in the presentation include Willowbrook (civil/site work and demolition coordination) and Larson Design Group as the architect.

Why it matters: Townsend will replace the existing Townsend (Townson in earlier drafts) campus and is bond-funded; its design choices affect neighborhood traffic, safety procedures, special education inclusion and multiuse space for the district.

Board action on bonds
Following the presentation, the board approved two separate bond-sale resolutions required by the district’s financing counsel and tax advisers. The split reflects tax counsel guidance and the presence of a small federally taxable portion of the overall borrowing:
- Combined purpose bonds (Series 2025): Board authorized sale of $17,930,000 in combined-purpose general obligation bonds to be bid on May 12. Bids will be presented to the board at its regular May meeting.
- Federally taxable bonds (Series 2025, taxable portion): Board authorized the separate sale of $800,000 of federally taxable bonds (two-year term) to match the district's financing plan. Those bids will also be received May 12.

Both bond resolutions passed on voice votes with recorded ayes from board members.

Quotes
\"This must be a safe campus inside and out,\" architect Angie Clarkson said when outlining the project's design priorities.

Ending
Architects and staff said they will return to the board with bid results and recommended contract awards after the May 12 bid openings. If bonding and procurement proceed on schedule, students are expected to occupy the new Townsend building for the start of the 2027 school year, with final site work and demolition completed that same summer.","Architects presented designs, site logistics and schedule for the new Townsend Elementary, including an indoor storm shelter and separated bus/parent loops. The board also authorized sale of two series of general-obligation bonds to fund district projects.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6605137,"Middale board votes to apply for Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment funds after hourlong debate over merit pay",4775,709000,5484000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987272-3453fe63577321b886fb8ca0972e40d4&start=709&end=5484","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987272-3453fe63577321b886fb8ca0972e40d4/thumbnail_709000.jpg","/articles/6605137/Oklahoma/Middale-board-votes-to-apply-for-Oklahoma-Teacher-Empowerment-funds-after-hourlong-debate-over-merit-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605137-48112130c385670debd7d23812aa284a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770489596&Signature=BzQ-zRKlgU5YqRbG7yjPZFveLe-0rmMEKY8L8AQAvrQzFODpMo~~Mk5xYdbhgMI~t-8JMRDoydAmOiWpqgrWZxD68oq0ke6KWvEXy8DLLlzBwpNHX6VEI8McFjB3PwrIazdSh269AIddZCZEjh2gDxVna2O1gIDptXUgy~AcF1iBLaqxGh86u3IYOLDPMfekVFa~kxQlGTWOEjp~Nc-iGMnb1RMcy6BjbVfndmYFXvXtfJmuG4iBKQgDBK4eBamLwzPRrcpO-SIbZ~0IRKV0AwvcrxnC9tHczCStAAnjhz~EvBfVmn5weXjvXaHNQACVU6vwSQx9q0Tk9WdqVPMVMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Middale Public Schools Board voted unanimously April 14 to allow the district to apply for grants under the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program (OTP), an initiative that provides state lottery money intended to reward selected teachers.

The application request — presented by Superintendent Dr. Cobb — passed after roughly an hour of discussion and questions from board members about funding permanence, which teachers would be eligible, and how recipients would be chosen.

Board members and staff said the district would use this year’s existing Teacher of the Year process as the fastest way to meet the state’s application deadline of May 1, while acknowledging that a teacher-selection committee should be formed and criteria revisited if the district pursues the program in subsequent years. Dr. Cobb told the board the state removed an earlier local match requirement via Senate Bill 1256, reducing the district cost and making the program worth pursuing now.

Why it matters: OTP creates a path for districts to give differential awards to a limited share of teachers. Supporters said accepting the funds would put money directly into district teachers’ hands this year. Opponents and some board members warned that the program raises the perennial merit-pay debate — who decides which teachers are “advanced” or “master” — and that the statute’s use of the word “salary” could create misunderstandings about whether payments are one-time stipends or permanent raises.

Discussion details
- Public commenter Lori Burris asked why the teacher association had not been consulted on the application; she said she found the agenda posting on Friday and that some teachers felt excluded from the process.
- Dr. Cobb outlined the program’s background: House Bill 4388 (2022) established OTP and required districts to identify up to 10% of certified teachers for advanced/lead/master designations, with awards tied to specified extra duties or evidence. He said the initial statutory language required a 50% local match; Senate Bill 1256 removed that match last year.
- Board members expressed concern about using a merit-pay model based on test scores or inconsistent measures. Dr. Cobb and other staff said the district would document measures that can be applied across teaching areas (including arts and special education) rather than relying only on standardized-test outcomes.
- Board members asked how additional contract days required by the program would be compensated. Dr. Cobb said the stipend structure (examples discussed in the state guidance: smaller stipend for site winners, larger for district finalists and top district teacher) is intended to cover the extra days and that the state had clarified the program would not automatically create an ongoing contractual salary obligation for future years.
- Several board members asked for clearer wording to avoid confusing the awards with permanent salary increases; Dr. Cobb said application materials must match the statutory form but staff will document in writing to recipients that the awards are contingent on state funding and do not change negotiated salary lanes.

Outcome and next steps
The board voted to authorize submission of the district’s OTP application for the 2024–25 teacher-of-the-year cohort. The vote was recorded as unanimous (Miss Standridge — board president: aye; Dr. Kirk: aye; Miss Schultz: aye; Miss Grant: aye; Dr. Daniel: aye). Dr. Cobb said recipients would be identified from the district’s current Teacher of the Year process for this school year, and staff will convene a teacher/principal committee over the summer to refine criteria for future cycles. If the state declines the application, no district funds will be expended.

Quotes
\"I would rather take what little bit I can get, apply it, and then go back next year for more,\" Superintendent Dr. Cobb said during discussion of whether to pursue the money now.

Ending
The board’s vote allows district staff to submit the OTP application by the state deadline; staff said they will return to the board with paperwork and, if the state awards funds, a plan describing award amounts, the required extra contract days and documentation showing how teacher performance measures were applied.","The Middale Public Schools Board approved submitting a May 1 application for the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program after extended discussion about selection criteria, salary-versus-stipend language and equity concerns. The motion passed unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves a slate of routine items including vehicle lease, e-rate upgrades and Medicaid billing contract

Board hears detailed plans for new Townsend Elementary; approves bond sale authorizations for projects

Middale board votes to apply for Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment funds after hourlong debate over merit pay