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Cherokee BOE sets special meeting for June 2 to open bond bids

The Cherokee School Board meeting was called to order at 7:13 p.m., Monday, May 10, 2021.  Amber Wilhite, Desiree Gibson and Shane Parker were present.

Wilhite made a motion for Gibson to act as President in the absence of Kory Littlefield.  Parker seconded the motion, and the motion passed.  Superintendent Bryce Schanbacher explained that the Board needed to set a special meeting determining the maturities of the sale of the $610,000 Combined Purpose Bonds; the meeting should be held during normal working hours so that the banks may be contacted following the meeting.  Gibson made a motion to set the meeting for June 2 at noon; Wilhite seconded the motion, and the meeting date was accepted.

Gibson made a motion to accept the minutes of the April 5, 2021 Regular School Board Meeting and the April 19, 2021 Special School Board Meeting.  Wilhite seconded the motion, and the minutes were accepted.

Schanbacher noted that the portable buildings will be cleared out and returned, which will lower General Fund Expenses in the long run.  Wilhite made a motion to accept the General Fund Encumbrances and Warrants, and Gibson seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

Schanbacher explained that they have relied on the building fund to keep general fund expenses low this year.  The fire alarm system required repairs, and the deep freeze left the parking lot in need of repair.  Most maintenance has been kept in-house to keep expenses down.  Amber Wilhite made a motion to approve the Building Fund Encumbrances and Warrants, and Gibson seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

Wilhite made a motion to approve the Child Nutrition Fund Encumbrances and Warrants.  Gibson seconded the motion, and the motion was approved.

Wilhite made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  Parker seconded the motion, and the motion was approved.

We can expect more accurate reporting from the recent State Track Meet held in Cherokee; an estimated 4000 people attended.  Wilhite made a motion to approve the Activity Fund Report, and Gibson seconded the motion.  The report was approved.

Jaime Lundry, Elementary School Speech Pathologist, has submitted her resignation.  Wilhite made a motion to accept the resignation, and Parker seconded the motion.  The resignation was accepted.

Ruth Richmond reported that the elementary school will dismiss at 12:45 on Wednesday and Thursday, May 12 and 13.  Schanbacher presented the high school principal’s report.  Various banquets have been scheduled, both the boys’ and girls’ track teams won regional champions, the One-Act play won first in regional, and will complete in the state tournament later this month.  Awards ceremonies, Baccalaureate, and graduations are scheduled for this week.  FCCLA had several highly honored students.

Gibson made a motion to approve the yearly internet expense for next year.  Amber Wilhite seconded the motion, and the motion was approved.

Wilhite made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel and employment items to include contracts and salaries for school year 2021-2022.  Gibson seconded the motion, and the Board entered into Executive Session at 7:33 p.m.  The Board came out of Executive Session and entered regular session at 8:41 p.m.  Wilhite reported that the Board discussed pertinent issues during Executive Session.

Wilhite made a motion to employ Shanna Ream as the District Speech Pathologist for school year 2021-2022.  Gibson seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

Schanbacher presented the Superintendent’s Report.  It has been a busy two weeks, with all the end of year events.  Cherokee will host the USA OK Regional Track and Field Meet on June 19.  Summer maintenance plans include cleaning all floors, updating landscaping, and small paint jobs.  Mrs. Jordan is working on next year’s schedule.  We plan to use the third round of stimulus money to improve infrastructure so as to create a long-term benefit from short-term funds.  The lunch meal plan will repeat this summer; information about that will be released soon.  We have refinanced the 2017 lease/purchase, which will save approximately $150,000 over the next three years.

There was no new business.  Wilhite made a motion to dismiss, and Gibson seconded the motion.  The School Board Regular Meeting was dismissed at 8:49 p.m.

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