Parents and students delivered a sustained set of public comments asking the Broken Arrow Board of Education to pause or revise proposed changes to Vanguard Academy—including removing ninth grade, ending the application process and altering bell schedules—citing inconsistent district messaging, lack of local consultation and risk to the program’s capstone and project-based learning model.
District finance staff reported a roughly $509,000 reduction in state aid after midterm equalization and the board approved a preliminary official statement to pursue a $32 million taxable bond sale and scheduled a second $11 million sale for March 3 to fund transportation, maintenance and technology.
The board honored Deputy Superintendent Dr. Carla Dias on her announced retirement and approved Kristen Graves as assistant superintendent beginning in 2026–27; Dias said she will remain for a six-month transition and Graves was presented as a district graduate with 24 years in education.
Amy Wickersham, the district’s senior child-nutrition coordinator, told families at a Linwood Elementary event that USDA and state funding remain in place, free and reduced-price meal status will not change for enrolled families, and the district offers online applications and a phone line for questions.
At a regular meeting the board accepted the annual audited financial report, approved a three-year Open Doors NIL platform contract paid from athletic activity funds ($5,500 per year), authorized a $32 million taxable bond sale (special meeting set for Feb. 10), approved foundation teacher grants totaling $31,617.17, and approved several construction change orders.
The board awarded construction contracts for Aspen Creek and Creekwood classroom additions to Miller Tippens Construction (Aspen Creek GMP $3,177,148.20, funded by bond funds) and approved Change Order No. 1 at Rosewood that reduced the contract by $262,454.38.
Administrators briefed the board on state limits to distance-learning days and shared staff-survey results (90% value those days; 70% cite professional development benefit); the district aims to propose a revised 2026–27 calendar by January.
Broken Arrow approved Edulize, an AI-assisted document-analysis tool to speed student enrollment processing; staff said the system will operate in tandem with the district student information system and that standard data precautions and agreements are in place.
The Broken Arrow Board of Education approved a one-time 2% Christmas stipend for all district employees, citing available fund balance and concern for staff affected by potential federal benefit disruptions.
The board accepted a $6,732 donation earmarked for the Food for Kids program after staff described a weekly shortfall of roughly 40 bags and a wait list of about 50–60 children.
