Bixby board approves temporary appropriations, multiple contracts and personnel actions in unanimous votes

The Bixby Public Schools Board of Education on multiple motions approved temporary appropriations for the 2025–26 fiscal year, contracts for instructional and operations services, several construction change orders and personnel appointments after an executive session.

Board members voted unanimously on each item. The motions included the routine annual temporary appropriations needed to begin the new fiscal year, several instructional contracts and training purchases paid from federal and Title funds, extensions or renewals of vendor contracts for operations, two construction change orders on the ninth-grade gym project and the hiring approvals that followed an executive session.

Why this matters: The temporary appropriations allow the district to make payments at the start of the fiscal year before the estimate of needs is finalized with the county. The package of contracts funds classroom supports and training, maintains district facilities and finalizes personnel assignments that affect staff and extracurricular programs.

Major board actions approved

- Temporary appropriations for 2025–26 (item 7.1). The board approved the application prepared by Jacobs and Kemper that provides interim spending authority for the new fiscal year while the estimate of needs is prepared and submitted to the county.

- Teaching and learning contracts and trainings (items 8.1–8.5): the board approved a consulting agreement with Noistown Tulsa LLC to advise on outfitting an audio production/sound booth and related equipment for the planned Bixby Applied Creativity Center (Innovation Hub) at Bixby High School (Noistown’s consulting rate was stated as $75 per hour; the formal bid is to follow and total cost was described by staff as likely a few thousand dollars). The board also approved a dyslexia therapy agreement with WeLearn Education Services for 10 sessions at a cost of $837.20 charged to the site Title I funds; a two-day Conscious Discipline training for $9,290 to be paid from federal funds; a Teachers College development training contract for $29,600 to be paid from Title II funds; and a recurring agreement with the Tulsa City–County Health Department to deliver the school health program in elementary and intermediate schools for 2025–26.

- Operations and annual software/contracts (items 9.2–9.5): the board approved a SyLogist Ed software service order for $24,219 charged to the general fund; extended the American Waste Control Inc. contract for 2025–26 with no rate increase; approved an additional proposal adding buildings to the existing TruGreen contract for $1,029 (building fund); and approved the TruGreen lawn-services proposal for 2025–26 at $22,195.24 (building fund).

- Construction change orders (item 9.6): two potential change orders associated with the ninth-grade gym and dance facility were approved. One change order (PCO 1) was listed in the meeting as roughly $2,828 (amount read aloud during the discussion); the second change (PCO 2) changed restroom ceilings from a drop ceiling to a hard deck so there would be no concealed space above the ceiling (no final dollar figure for PCO 2 was stated in the discussion).

- Surplus declaration (item 9.7): the board declared listed items surplus to be disposed of according to Oklahoma statutes.

- Executive session and personnel (items 10–11): the board moved into executive session under the cited Oklahoma statute to consider personnel matters and returned to open session. Following the executive session, the board approved the employment of support personnel and the appointment of head athletic coaches (attachments A and B were referenced in the agenda). The board also voted to enter negotiations with the Bixby Education Association for the 2025–26 fiscal year and approved the district’s negotiations team for collective bargaining.

How the board voted: For roll calls recorded during the meeting, board members Justin Cheatham, Matt Dotson and Pablo Aguirre voted “aye” and the chair cast a final “aye,” producing unanimous approvals for the motions called. The meeting record shows each action called and carried with an aye vote from the members present.

Context and next steps: Staff said the temporary appropriations are a standard annual measure to avoid interruption of district payments until the county estimate of needs is filed. Several of the instructional contracts are funded with federal or Title funds; staff indicated the Noistown arrangement will be followed by a formal bid for equipment. The district signaled it will continue negotiations with the Bixby Education Association and that some hiring assignments are subject to site placement by the superintendent.

Ending: Board members closed the meeting after routine final motions and an adjournment vote.