Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Superintendent Report topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent flags testing pressures, budget shortfall and a proposed drug-dog program
Summary
At the March 9 meeting Superintendent Mrs. Derky told the board that testing season is imminent, state revenue for education is down about $571 million, the district is discussing a contracted drug-dog program focused on vaping/THC, and building projects continue with an $80,000 press-box contingency added.
Superintendent Mrs. Derky used the March 9 Sand Springs School Board meeting to brief trustees on legislative engagement, testing preparations, budget pressures and facility work.
She said district staff met with state lawmakers in Oklahoma City, including Speaker Hilbert, to discuss third-grade reading-retention proposals and funding for reading coaches; she described the conversations as productive and said district staff hope for better-defined funding language. Mrs. Derky warned that testing season is approaching and that added monitoring increases compliance work for district test coordinators.
On finances, she cited an Oklahoma Administrative State Agency (OASA) revenue outlook indicating roughly $571 million less state revenue next year and noted proposals that could shift teacher-retirement appropriation dollars into current education funding — a mechanism the district has discussed and pushed back on.
Mrs. Derky outlined facilities work and an amendment to the guaranteed maximum price for the Charles Page Memorial Stadium press box that adds $80,000 in contingency after unforeseen issues (a water line and fire upgrades); she said the projects remain within the revenue-lease authorization. She also described ongoing work on other projects (furniture, elevator installation) and a recent local storm that caused only minor damage to district property.
On safety, the superintendent said the district is “seriously considering” a contracted drug-dog program for secondary schools focused on preventing vaping/THC on campus and that the district would use a contract service rather than owning dogs; she emphasized communicating early with parents about random searches and that resource-officer grants are expiring in some cases but may be reinstated by the legislature.
The superintendent’s report concluded with reminders about community engagement efforts (evening "coffee with cabinet") and grant applications to sustain after-school and summer programs.
