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EPIC Charter Schools board highlights special-education gains, extends superintendent contract
Summary
The EPIC ONE ON ONE CHARTER SCHOOL board at its May 15 meeting spotlighted special-education student progress and district academic gains, approved a one-year contract extension for Superintendent Bart Banfield and reviewed governance performance metrics.
The EPIC ONE ON ONE CHARTER SCHOOL board on May 15 spotlighted progress for students with disabilities, presented district academic-growth data and voted to add one year to the superintendent's contract.
The superintendent's office emphasized special-education outcomes in a video and remarks at the meeting. Superintendent Bart Banfield said about one in four students at EPIC is served through special education and that the district “has one of the most inclusive learning environments in the state of Oklahoma.” The board watched family testimonials describing faster access to individualized education plans and coordinated special-education services.
The superintendent framed those personal accounts as part of broader academic gains. Justin Hunt, deputy superintendent of instruction, presented month-by-month formative assessment results and said the district had “achieved our goal a month ahead of time” in English language arts and was ahead of target in math. Hunt told the board the district’s engagement measure hovered between 70% and 75% this year and that the district’s goal was 80%.
School leaders also noted extracurricular recognition: the student-led EPIC News Network won more than 10 awards at the Oklahoma Scholastic Media Spring Media Day. Becky Wilkinson, director of the State Charter School Board, was acknowledged for spotlighting student journalists.
Board members moved several governance items that followed the presentations. A motion to add one year to the superintendent’s contract passed on a recorded roll call. Miss Berry, Miss Casper, Mr. Hammonds, Miss Myers and Mr. Bell all voted yes on the extension.
Several teachers and parents appeared in the superintendent spotlight material. Regina Bell, a classroom teacher featured by the district, was quoted in the video saying, “We listen. We don't judge,” and family speakers credited teachers and the district’s individualized approach with improved communication and academic skills for their children.
Discussion versus decision: the presentations and testimonial video were informational. The board took formal action only on the contract extension, which passed by recorded vote.
The board closed the governance portion of the meeting and moved on to finance and personnel items later in the agenda.
