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Muskogee board reviews finance report, approves routine bids and annual resolutions; cell-phone policy gets first reading
Summary
The Muskogee Public Schools Board received a May finance report showing higher revenue largely from a delayed tax payment and federal grant reimbursements, approved routine bids and annual administrative resolutions, and heard a first reading of a new cell-phone policy tied to a recent state law.
MUSKOGEE, Okla. — The Muskogee Public Schools Board of Education on June 17 reviewed month-end finance reports and approved standing resolutions that include vendor bids, annual banking and purchasing authorizations, and routine contract renewals.
The board received a finance briefing on May activity showing general fund revenue “up about $900,000,” a presenter identified as David told the board, attributing the increase to a larger tax payment in April and additional federal grant reimbursements. He said FY 2025 expenditures to date were roughly $90,000 lower than the same period last year.
Those figures provided the backdrop for the board’s consideration of standing resolutions that covered the schedule of payments and encumbrances across funds, operating fund balances, and multiple low-bid awards. The staff presentation listed custodial supplies, produce (Arnold’s Fruit), dairy and juice (Highland Dairy), and copy paper (low bidder listed as Copy Paper Group) among awarded bids. The presenter also noted a decrease in property-liability insurance costs of about $100,000 compared with the prior year.
The board reviewed routine contract renewals for technology subscriptions and utilities, annual confirmations of depository and activity fund accounts (Armstrong Bank and First Star Bank, respectively, as named in the agenda), purchasing officers, payroll calendars, interfund loan and overdraft agreements, and purchase orders over $15,000 appearing in the board book.
Staff discussed two outstanding lease-purchase agreements with Government Capital that remain on the building fund schedule. One lease (identified in meeting materials as for furniture and fixtures) will be in its fifth payment of seven in FY 2026; another lease (referenced as lease 10243 for band bleachers) will be in its third payment of five in FY 2026. The presenter said both leases are expected to be paid off in FY 2028. The board also heard a request to transfer equity funds from high school choir to high school speech and drama.
Board members were told child nutrition revenues increased in May as the district received a higher reimbursement rate and served more meals than in the prior year; staff also noted overall food costs have risen since last year.
The board reviewed a cell-phone policy on first reading. The presenter said the state legislature had passed a law banning student use of cell phones in class and recommended the board review the draft policy; he said the policy will be posted for public review and return next month for a second reading and final approval.
No substantive changes to staffing or policy were made at this meeting beyond the first reading of the cell-phone policy; the standing resolutions and listed bids and annual approvals were presented for board action during the meeting.
Questions from board members were invited throughout the presentation; staff directed trustees to documents in the board book and noted supporting exhibits were available online. The board proceeded to other agenda items, including a proposed executive session later in the meeting.
