Board approves routine contracts, trips and personnel actions; holds executive session on personnel

At its meeting the Poteau Board of Education approved a series of routine contracts and operational items and, following an executive session, approved multiple personnel actions.

Contracts and routine approvals: the board approved the annual audit engagement with Jenkins & Kemper, renewed an 8% royalty agreement for Poteau merchandise sold at the local Walmart (the district received $702.89 last year), approved continuation of a Sourcewell cooperative procurement agreement, and renewed contracts for compliance and student drug screening services and for copier services with White Office Machines. The board also approved a continuing lease with The Gathering Church for use of a local movie theater (utilities adjustments were discussed), activity fundraisers, several out-of-state student trips scheduled for spring and summer, and the surplus of two items (PKMS wall pads; an unusable popcorn machine at the upper elementary).

Executive session and personnel approvals: the board entered executive session to discuss personnel (authorized by Title 25 Oklahoma statute section 307(B)(1)) and returned after no action was taken in executive session. After returning, the board approved multiple resignations and reemployment items and several new hires, including the employment of Eric Heckler as High School Principal and several noncertified hires (Jessica Scott, Joshua Cantwell, Joy Edwards). During the roll call on personnel approvals one board member announced an abstention regarding Leslie Gilbert.

All routine contract items and the personnel slate were approved by motions and roll-call votes recorded during the meeting.