Guthrie board approves personnel reports, teacher contract and handbook revisions
Summary
The Guthrie Public Schools Board approved a contract for a deaf or hard-of-hearing teacher, an agreement with Oklahoma State University's speech-language-hearing lab, approved personnel reports after executive session, and adopted red-line revisions to the support personnel handbook including an alternate salary schedule for new hires and a $500 longevity stipend for eligible current staff.
At its Nov. 10 meeting, the Guthrie Public Schools Board of Education approved several personnel and service items, including a contract for a certified deaf or hard-of-hearing teacher, an agreement with Oklahoma State University's speech-language-hearing lab, acceptance of personnel reports following an executive session, and a red-line revision to the support personnel handbook for 2025–26.
The board approved a contractual agreement with Aaron Fuent as a deaf or hard-of-hearing certified teacher for the 2025–26 school year. Administration said the agreement is necessary to provide students with required services related to their disabilities and recommended approval; the motion carried on a roll-call vote, seven ayes and zero nays.
The board voted to approve an agreement with the Oklahoma State University Speech Language Hearing Lab in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Administration said the district has used this partner in the past and that the arrangement could help identify specialized personnel who might transition into district staffing, reducing reliance on external contracts; the motion passed, seven ayes and zero nays.
The board convened an executive session to discuss personnel matters (employment, FMLA requests, resignations, separations and transfers) under 25 Oklahoma Statutes §307(B)(1) and (7). The board returned to open session, stating only items listed in the personnel reports were discussed and that no votes were taken in executive session. The personnel reports were then approved by roll call (seven ayes, zero nays).
Separately, the board approved a red-line revision of the support personnel handbook for 2025–26. The revision would create an additional support-staff salary schedule that applies only to new employees who choose not to participate in the Teachers Retirement System (per administration, the district pays the full 7% employer contribution for TRS). Current support staff cannot be moved to the alternate schedule due to TRS rules, but current staff who reach seven continuous years of service would receive a $500 longevity stipend the following December; administration said leadership and committees had reviewed the proposed changes and that staff would be briefed with Q&A sessions.
The meeting record shows no registered public commenters and no resignations since the agenda was posted. The board adjourned after approving the meeting items.
