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District outlines professional development plans and bond project timeline at Tahlequah schools meeting
Summary
Presenters reviewed district professional development programs, upcoming SREB curriculum audit and ACE Institute participation, and outlined the first set of bond projects with bids expected to go out in March after funds clear.
District leaders used the Feb. 17 board meeting to summarize professional development initiatives for teachers and to provide an update on bond-funded capital projects and project sequencing.
Professional development: Presenters reviewed required annual state PD offerings and district requirements ("A teacher has to receive 15 professional development points a year," per the presentation), recapped the 2025 summer PD program and listed training vendors and opportunities — Literacy First, LETRS, Ron Clark Academy, K20 Learning Center and others. The district said it is using grant funds to send teachers to external training when possible and that instructional coaches at each level (high school, middle, elementary) are key supports.
Curriculum audit and external review: The district plans a Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) curriculum audit for middle and high school teachers; presenters said the audit team will visit and return findings on April 6 during the district’s last professional development day, with suggestions and a plan of action to implement next year.
Alternative certification and ACE Institute: The board heard that six teachers are enrolled this year in Northeastern State University’s ACE Institute, which the district said provides scholarships for graduate coursework and testing fees; presenters noted past cohorts yielded classroom hires and regional placements.
Bond projects and construction timeline: Superintendent-level remarks outlined the first project set under the district bond: a field house and related support infrastructure (concessions, bathrooms, grandstand), a combined band room/storm shelter, cafeteria expansion and middle-school interior work (bathrooms, libraries, STEM spaces). Officials said they expect funds to be available imminently and that bids would be posted in March; the district aims to complete an initial slate of projects by August 2026 and finish major items within 18–24 months, though officials noted workforce availability as a risk.
Why it matters: PD investments affect classroom instruction; the SREB audit and other trainings can influence curriculum alignment and student outcomes. Bond projects affect facilities used by students and the community and have near-term procurement and construction milestones.
Next steps: The district will host the SREB findings on April 6, proceed to post construction bids after funds clear the bank, and continue to refine summer PD dates (July 20–21, 2026) and offerings.
