Poteau Upper Elementary reports improved attendance, growth; district outlines $1.23 million bond to add gym HVAC

Upper Elementary leaders reported a year of steady academic performance and targeted improvements to the Poteau School Board, while district administration outlined a $1,230,000 bond proposal that would fund HVAC in elementary and middle school gyms and increase the district’s millage by roughly six mills.

Miss Walton (upper elementary site presenter) told the board that the upper elementary enrolls 452 students in grades 2–4, employs 52 staff (41 professional, 11 support), and recorded measurable gains on the 2023–24 school report card: academic growth rose from a C to a B, and chronic absenteeism improved from a D to an A (the speaker said the school achieved 96.71% where 95% is required to reach an A on that metric). Miss Walton said the school uses benchmark assessments three times per year, common formative and summative assessments, and professional development (including Orton‑Gillingham training and updated curriculum resources) to drive instruction.

Miss Walton described several site programs and investments: 59 fourth‑graders are members of the National Elementary Honor Society; the district received a high‑dosage literacy grant that funds seven teachers providing three hours per week of intervention to 35 students and supplies curriculum and an online assessment tool (Amira); science teachers received $150 each for classroom materials; and family engagement activities and service projects (Operation Angel Tree, canned food drives, community blessing boxes) supported students over the holidays.

Superintendent report and bond proposal

District staff (Mr. Kepnick and others) presented plans for a bond election on Feb. 11 to raise $1,230,000 and an approximate 6.5% tax increase the administration described as roughly six additional mills. The district stated the bond would fund HVAC installation in gyms at the two elementary schools and the two middle schools and improve long‑term facility maintenance. Presenters said the district’s current millage is about 11.88 and compared unfavorably with peer 4A districts (the speaker said comparable districts average about 26 mills). Administrators said the bond would increase the district’s bonding capacity and help address safety and comfort concerns — for example, elementary and middle school gyms that reach temperatures above 90 degrees.

Other district financial updates reported at the meeting included a midterm state funding adjustment of $103,111.65 that the superintendent identified as a positive revenue change and the status of building projects: the new administration building nearing completion, turf installation for the football field in final stages, and expected deliveries of two activity buses by April and two electric buses later in the year.

Why it matters

School leaders said the academic gains and reduced chronic absenteeism reflect targeted interventions, updated curriculum and site support services (including a school‑based family services specialist). The proposed bond would address immediate safety and temperature concerns in school gyms and increase the district’s long‑term capacity to maintain facilities relative to peer districts.

Who spoke

Miss Walton (upper elementary site presenter) — presented school enrollment, staffing and achievement data. Mr. Kepnick (district staff member) — led district financial context and bond proposal presentation.

Clarifying details

• Enrollment and staffing: 452 students (grades 2–4), 52 staff members (41 professional, 11 support). • School report card: overall grade B for 2023–24; academic growth improved from C to B; chronic absenteeism improved from D to A (reported attendance rate 96.71%). • High‑dosage literacy grant: funds seven teachers to deliver three hours per week to 35 students, includes curriculum and the Amira assessment tool. • Bond: $1,230,000 bond proposal, presented as a 6.5% increase (~six mills), vote scheduled for Feb. 11; stated current millage ~11.88, peer average ~26 mills. • Midterm adjustment: state provided $103,111.65 in additional midterm funding, per superintendent report.

Provenance (transcript excerpts)

• topicintro: site presentation begins — "Good evening. I am very excited, to be here this evening to highlight some of the wonderful things that are happening at the upper elementary." (transcript time ~1193.9851)

• topfinish: bond summary and public forum schedule — "So, really excited about the January 23rd forum, and then we're gonna have a second one on February 7th... The state did end up giving us about $50 per kid more... the midterm adjustment is $103,111.65." (transcript times ~3367–3420)

Ending

School leaders and district staff asked the community to attend two public forums (Jan. 23 and Feb. 7, per the presentation) to learn more about the bond proposal and the district’s facility needs; administrators said they will provide the same materials to teachers and to the public at those events.