Poteau board approves staff pay increases, facility bids and a slate of contracts; updates policy book

The Poteau Public Schools Board of Education on June 1 approved a package of personnel, contract and facilities actions, voting to increase pay for support staff, raise the district special‑education stipend, accept a low bid for an HVAC installation and adopt an updated board policy book.

The actions are part of the district’s year‑end fiscal planning and preparations for the 2025–26 school year, officials said. Board members approved routine renewals of leases and loans covering district property and equipment, awarded a facilities contract, and reviewed financial reports showing changes in federal and state funding.

Board action highlights included approval of a 50‑cent hourly raise for support staff—part of a multi‑year effort to raise support‑staff pay—and a 2.5 percentage point increase in the special‑education stipend, moving it from 5% to 7.5%. The board record notes the support‑staff raise will add about $74,400 to district personnel costs and the special‑education stipend increase will add about $36,298.

Sarah Reed, identified in the meeting as Special Education director, described growing paperwork and state and federal requirements for special‑education staff and said the stipend increase is intended to support retention and recruitment. "Our team does work really hard to maintain the success of our program," Reed said. "This increase would definitely help us ensure the retention of our great employees." The board approved the stipend increase by roll call.

On facilities, the board accepted the low bidder for installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning at Hancey Kim Middle School and moved that line item forward for purchase‑order approval. Facilities staff member Destry Harbor (listed in the packet as the low bidder from Wilburton) was recommended for the work because of price and delivery timeframe. Separately, Facilities staff described plans for a thermal scan of the UES roof to identify areas with wet insulation so repairs can target damaged sections rather than rely on visual inspection.

"With the thermal scan, they can actually tell areas that have damage," said Mr. Cochran, who briefed the board on the roof work. He said the scan should save money by identifying insulation loss precisely and that bids for roof repairs will open after the scan.

The board reviewed financial reports for May. A district presenter said general fund revenues for the month were down compared with last May primarily because ESSER federal pandemic funds were not present this year, while year‑to‑date general fund revenues were up owing to increased state aid. The presenter also reported purchases made this year, including two activity buses recently received and equipment purchases for STEM classes.

Insurance and vendor approvals included renewal of the district’s workers‑compensation coverage with Oklahoma School Assurance Group (OSAG) at $50,630 for the year—about $3,456 lower than last year—and renewal of broader property/casualty coverage through the Oklahoma Schools Insurance Group (OSIG). The insurance presentation noted total premiums are down roughly $33,000 from the prior year and recommended adding a quoted excess limit that would raise coverage from $2 million to $4 million for roughly $8,350.

The board approved renewal of multiple contract agreements for 2025–26, including a Follett materials contract with a 4.4% price increase, an annual memorandum of understanding for alternative education placements, a partnership with the Choctaw Nation Language Department, and continued participation in Medicaid billing for qualifying school health‑related services. The meeting packet and discussion identified the district’s ongoing Medicaid billing as a substantial revenue source; the presenter said the district had claimed roughly $130,000 this year through that program.

The board also approved a string of property and lease actions: annual renewals of a sublease with Stephen H. McDonald and Associates, continued lease arrangements with Community State Bank related to purchases at 3003 North Broadway and adjacent land finance with Central National Bank for an 8.25‑acre parcel, and a lease‑purchase agreement for the property at 2214 North Broadway. The 2214 North Broadway lease‑purchase was described as a seven‑year lease with a balloon payment at the end; board members said the goal is to have the property occupied and improved with the option to convert to purchase at term end.

Contracts for student services were discussed: Chatterbox speech therapy has declined in cost as the district hires more in‑house therapists, and the board approved continuing agreements to allow access to specialized programs if needed.

The board approved several routine items: minutes from the May 12 meeting, encumbrances and purchase orders (including bus repairs and new school equipment), and surplus declarations for older desks and other items. The facilities report noted the new full‑size activity buses had been put into service and the district’s routing software had reduced the number of bus runs for summer programs.

During the superintendent’s report the board reviewed several state bills affecting schools cited by bill number: House Bill 1087 (minimum days/hours and a change to the salary schedule), Senate Bill 711 (state report card modifications), Senate Bill 139 (cellphone policy FNG), and Senate Bill 758 (virtual instruction limits). The superintendent said HB 1087 increases the salary schedule maximum from 25 to 35 years for certified pay scales and that the district will update handbooks and the board policy book as state guidance is finalized.

The board entered executive session and, on return, approved acquisition of Lot 6, Block 44 (pending clear title), then adjourned. Several items—such as the exact roll‑call record for each motion—were recorded in the meeting minutes; the audio transcript captured roll calls and many "yes" responses but did not provide a full, line‑by‑line name‑for‑vote record in every instance in the excerpt provided to reporters.

Votes at a glance (selected board actions approved)

- Approve minutes (May 12, 2025): approved by roll call (individual votes not fully transcribed). - Accept low bid and approve purchase order for HVAC installation at Hancey Kim Middle School: approved. - Renew workers‑compensation insurance with OSAG, $50,630: approved. - Renew property/casualty coverage with OSIG and add excess limit to $4 million (approx. $8,350): approved. - Adopt revised Board of Education policy book (approx. 340 policies): approved. - Approve contracts for 2025–26 (Follett, Choctaw Nation language, Medicaid billing participation, Chatterbox services, etc.): approved. - Renew sublease with Stephen H. McDonald & Associates: approved. - Renew lease/loan with Community State Bank (property at 3003 North Broadway and related parcels): approved. - Renew loan for stock trailer: approved. - Renew/approve financing with Central National Bank for 8.25 acres adjacent to 3003 North Broadway: approved. - Approve lease‑purchase bid and agreement for 2214 North Broadway (seven‑year lease with balloon payment): approved. - Approve 50‑cent hourly raise for support staff (additional cost ≈ $74,400): approved. - Approve 2.5 percentage point increase to special‑education stipend (cost ≈ $36,298): approved. - Approve surplus declarations (desks and miscellaneous items): approved. - Approve purchase of Lot 6, Block 44 (pending clear title) following executive session: approved.

Why it matters: The pay increases and stipend changes affect retention and recruitment for support and special‑education staff. Facilities work and property actions shape the district’s capacity for programs and future development. Policy and statutory changes from the state will require updates to handbooks and board policy and may alter how the district counts attendance days and virtual instruction.

The board said it will continue to refine the policy book and update handbooks before the fall. The district plans further administrative work over the summer to implement the approved contracts, complete roof scans and bid awards, and finalize student‑handbook language required by state law.