Renews principals’ contracts; reviews superintendent applications in executive session

Muldrow Public School’s Board of Education convened for their regular meeting on March 11, discussing various matters ranging from personnel decisions to policy updates.

The meeting commenced with a motion to approve several agenda items including the minutes of the previous board meeting; resignations received from Deborah Hays, Wesley Pruitt and Jonathan White; all fund encumbrances, financial reports and fundraiser requests; and the appointment of Diamond Cantrell, Jean James and Emilie Watson as substitute teachers for the 2023-24 school year.

Superintendent Clifta Fugett provided updates on legislative matters, discussed upcoming calendars for March and April, announced the Senior Trip to Branson, Mo. on May 10, and deliberated on the National School Board Convention and the proposal of spring receptions instead of banquets.

At 6:23 p.m., the board members voted to convene into executive session to discuss employment matters including principals, cooks and an elementary teacher for the 2024-25 school year, as well as to review superintendent applications.

After returning to open session at 7:27 p.m., it was announced that during the executive session, the board had discussed the items listed on the agenda for that session.

Following the open session, the board unanimously made a motion to renew principal contracts for Joe Phillips (elementary), John Black (middle school) and David Thomas (high school) for the upcoming school year.

Additionally, the board also approved the employment of Danan Smith as an elementary school teacher on a temporary contract, as well as the employment of Tiffany Darden, Jean James and Debra Thach as cooks on temporary contracts for the 2024-25 school year.

Further, the employment of Kelly Upton as a custodian on a temporary contract for the current school year was approved unanimously.

The board also approved the renewal contract with SylogistEd, Inc. as the Software provider for the Financial and Student Accounting Programs for the next academic year.

A public hearing was conducted by Superintendent Fugett to allow public input into the Education Program offered with Title VI Indian Education monies. Subsequently, the District Indian Policies and Procedures were approved as presented.

Lastly, changes to District policy FE were approved, and several vehicles were declared as surplus, with the meeting concluding at 7:31 p.m.

This news story is based on the unofficial minutes from the board meeting and could be in error if the minutes are changed prior to adoption.