The April 14th Special Board Meeting was held a little differently thanks to recently changed Open Meeting Act laws which allows for board members to attend virtually. Dave Dellin, Jasmine Tadlock, and Brent Balentine all joined the meeting via Zoom. Michael Hucks and Renee Barber both attended the meeting in person.
The board heard from Michael Jenkins about the 2018-2019 audit which was performed on February 17th. The audit had two findings, one for the activity account and one for the Federal Claims. Both findings have already been resolved since Mr. Wright began working for the district.
The board also approved the consent agenda items and each of the regular business items, including moving the last day of instruction to May 8th and the last day for Teachers will be May 13th. This is one week earlier than the previously scheduled end dates. The last day for meal delivery will be May 4th. Information about the Summer EBT program will be posted on the website for those wishing to take advantage of the summer program offered through the Chickasaw Nation and the State Department of Health.
Superintendent Cruz talked about the progress on the portable buildings. The Deputy Fire Marshal wants stamped drawings of the buildings with an architect stamp on them, which has not been required in the past. Mobile Modular is hiring an architect to do the drawings but it will take 4-5 weeks to get the drawings. Mrs. Cruz has informed the company that the time line needs to be 2-3 weeks so that the district can finally get the permits needed. She has asked the Deputy Fire Marshal for permission to move furniture into the building and was told that was not permitted and that doing so would further slowdown the process. The district is NOT making any more payments on the portables until the permits are issued.
Superintendent Cruz also spoke to the Continuous Learning Plan with students and teachers. It has been a learning curve for all involved, but each day improvements are being made.
The Board then went in to Executive Session to discuss the Superintendent's evaluation and employment of personnel for the 2020-2021 school year.
Upon return from Executive Session, the board voted to approve rehiring all employees listed on List A, B, and C. The board also voted, with sadness, to accept the resignation of Mr. Harris for the 2020-2021 school year. Mr. Harris has been a source of strength and consistency for the Middle School for the last five years and he will be greatly missed by the students, staff, and community. We want to wish Mr. Harris the best in this next phase of life and actual retirement.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:18pm.