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Chickasha school board reorganizes leadership, approves communications retainer and slate of programs
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Summary
The Board of Education reorganized officers, approved a $1,000 retainer contract with the Center for Communication and Engagement, adopted an E‑Rate resolution, and approved summer/after‑school programs, Vector Solutions PD and a speech‑language contract; the board then voted to enter executive session on personnel matters.
The Chickasha Board of Education reorganized its leadership and approved several routine contracts and programs at its regular meeting.
The board elected Robin Morris as president, Zach McGill as first vice president, Christy Clift as second vice president and Michelle Bowens as board clerk following motions and roll‑call votes. Chair (speaker 1) called the reorganization and the slate of officer elections passed on voice/roll call.
Superintendent (speaker 4) asked the board to approve a retainer contract with the Center for Communication and Engagement to provide on‑call communications support. The superintendent described the arrangement as a $1,000 retainer that allows district staff to contact the center ‘‘any time, day or night’’ for assistance with events and issues; the board approved the contract by roll call.
The board also unanimously approved an E‑Rate board resolution to maintain federal support for school Internet access. Members noted the program’s long history of stability and discussed how crucial Internet access is to classroom operations.
District staff presented and the board approved the 2026 summer PlayStation childcare program (beginning May 26) and the 2026–27 after‑school care plan. Staff said lunches and breakfasts will be served Monday–Thursday at Bill Wallace and the high school; families should provide meals on Fridays. The board additionally approved recommended summer hours.
Administrators described the district’s extended‑school‑year (ESY) services for eligible special‑education students, telling the board they were ‘‘paying for 14 right now’’ for the summer program. The motion to approve ESY services passed on roll call.
On professional development, staff recommended switching from the current provider to a paid Vector Solutions package to reduce the annual online training burden on teachers. Presenter (speaker 12) said the district currently uses a free Vector version and GCN; paying roughly $1,600 for Vector would reduce staff time spent on required annual PD with no expected loss of material. The board approved the purchase.
The board approved a part‑time contract with recently retired speech‑language clinician Janella Mendenhall. According to the presenter, Mendenhall agreed to contract for part‑time services, would not charge for travel and would help supervise the SLPA at Bill Wallace; trustees moved and approved the contract.
The board received finance reports and discussed budget drivers. One presenter (speaker 3) noted gross‑production revenue is volatile and said, ‘‘In 2023, I think it was over $6,000,000. And now we're at little over $2,000,000, close to $3,000,000,’’ adding that any change in fuel prices typically shows up with about a 60‑day lag.
The meeting opened a public comment period and recorded there were no public comments. Before adjourning into executive session, the board recognized students and staff, including the Chickasha Middle School FCCLA and FFA honorees and the Cockadoodle Dominators robotics team, which qualified for the world championship in Houston; a student team representative said registration alone ‘‘was almost $6,000’’ to attend.
After voting to approve the consent agenda, the board moved and approved a motion to convene to executive session to discuss employment, hiring, resignations and the superintendent’s evaluation and contract under cited Oklahoma statutes. The board did not disclose further actions taken in executive session at the time the meeting adjourned.
