Board approves job description for early learning coordinator/instructor; members debate minimum credentials

The Chickasha Public School District Board approved a job description for the newly named Chickasha Public Schools Early Learning Center coordinator/instructor and a revised operations coordinator job description to support the center’s launch.

District staff said they gathered job descriptions from about ten districts to develop the combined coordinator/instructor role because the program is starting small and the initial hire may need to perform both managerial and instructional duties. Pam and other board members discussed credentialing standards. Several members urged higher minimum qualifications — including a teaching certificate, bachelor’s degree or an Oklahoma director’s credential (ODC) — to emphasize curriculum and developmental assessment rather than a conventional day‑care model. Staff said DHS licensing requires certain certifications and that the district can set preferred qualifications and help the hire work toward higher credentials over time.

Why it matters: the coordinator will oversee licensing steps with Oklahoma DHS, curriculum and instruction for younger children, and day‑to‑day operations during the launch phase. Board members noted the district’s policy goal is to operate an early‑learning program that prepares children for school rather than a standard commercial daycare.

The board voted to approve the job description as drafted so staff could proceed with licensing steps and post the position; the board noted it will refine qualifications and the role as the program grows. A separate board vote approved the early‑learning coordinator description before the board later considered the operations coordinator revision.