Stigler Board approves preliminary 2026–27 appropriations, E‑Rate filing and multiple personnel actions

Stigler — The Stigler Board of Education at its April 13 regular meeting approved a slate of routine but consequential items, including preliminary temporary appropriations for the 2026–27 fiscal year, a resolution to file Form 471 for E‑Rate funding, several personnel actions and contracts, and the election of board officers.

The board approved temporary appropriations that give the district legal authority to spend before the formal estimate of needs is adopted in September and before excise‑board approval. "The temporary appropriations are based on current year figures and are completed before the estimate of needs," the superintendent explained during the meeting, adding that the excise board must act before July 1 for full effect. The motion to approve the temporary appropriations was made by Kenny (recorded as Kenny Woodson) and seconded by Jennifer (Jennifer Turner) and recorded as 'Yes' from the voting members.

The board also approved a resolution to file Form 471 to seek federal E‑Rate support for broadband and internal connections for 2026–27. District staff described the anticipated award mix: an approximately $38,000 Category‑1 item with roughly $35,000 covered by E‑Rate and a Category‑2 licensing item near $17,000 with E‑Rate covering about $15,000, leaving an estimated applicant share of $3,940.92. Motion to approve the resolution was made by Kenny and seconded by Carly and recorded as passing unanimously.

Other approved items included a list of surplus classroom and maintenance items (to be sold or disposed), approval of student class credit and a memorandum of understanding enabling Sager High School students — including students with documented disabilities — to take coursework at the technology center and receive transcripted credit, and renewal of a contract with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to fund a school‑based family specialist (DHS to fund about 80% of the position, the district about 20%).

The board approved summer school programming for elementary through high‑school sites — including multi‑handicapped services and related therapies — and authorized a waiver to the State Board of Education to continue an alternative evening program. The high‑school FCCLA program’s national leadership conference travel and a related fundraiser were approved as presented.

Personnel actions approved included motions to continue employment or reemployment of certified and temporary staff for 2026–27, approval of an adjunct instructor to offer anatomy and physiology for academic credit, acceptance of resignations, and hiring decisions: the board accepted the resignation of Melody Hicks as assistant high‑school cheer sponsor (effective immediately) and Erica Thomas as fourth‑grade math teacher (effective May 15, 2026); it approved hiring Derek Farrell as boys varsity basketball coach, Chris Parker as girls head basketball coach, and Zane Odom as teacher/middle‑school coach for the 2026–27 year. Where motions listed makers and seconders, votes were recorded as 'Yes' by the board members present.

At the meeting’s close the board elected officers for the coming year: David Huggins as president, Kenneth (Kenny) Whitson as vice president, Carly Stubblefield as clerk, Jennifer Turner as deputy clerk, and Brett Orme as member; the motion carried on recorded votes.

The board convened an executive session to discuss employment and personnel matters under the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act (25 O.S. §307(B)(1)) and returned to open session at 6:48 p.m.; the superintendent was present for the executive session and no votes or motions were taken during it. The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.