HPS board members share thoughts on tragedy

Todd McGuire was hired as assistant football coach during Monday’s meeting of the Henryetta School board.

The action came after a short executive session. The board also approved the following personnel matters:

• Retirement of Beverly Kiehl, Laura Morris and Sherry Eldridge

• Resignations of Gary Joice and Jarrad Westmoreland, both assistant football coaches and paraprofessionals All resignations and retirements are effective May 12.

In preparation for the 2023-24 school year, the board approved the following items:

• Membership Renewal with Oklahoma State School Board Association (OSSBA) • Policy Renewal Agreement with OSSBA

• Treasurer Service Agreement with OCAS

• Payroll Services Agreement with OCAS

• Agreement with Oklahoma Schools Advisory Council for Board of Education Staff Required Training

• Agreement with Muscogee Nation Head Start The members also approved minutes from the April 10 regular board meeting and May 3 special board meeting, in addition to the Encumbrances and Financial Reports for the 2022-23 school year and fundraiser.

Lots of activities were going on this week as school wrapped up. On Tuesday, the Scholarship Awards Assembly was held in the morning, with the athletic banquet that evening.

The Class of 2023 Baccalaureate Services was Wednesday evening.

HHS graduation will be held at 2 p.m. May 14 at the Henryetta High School Gymnasium.

Funeral service for Henryetta Elementary School student Brittany Brewer was held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the high school gym.

Members of the board shared their condolences, not only to the community and family of those affected, but thanked the district’s administration for their caring and providing support for both students and staff.

The tragic events of this past week were addressed with Stickland reminding everyone that funeral services for Brittany Brewer would be held Wednesday morning at 10 at the high school gymnasium.

Board members were also affected by the event with each giving words of sympathy.

-In an unrelated note, area businesses were notified about an effort to sell advertising space on T-shirts that reportedly would go to the football program: A message to area businesses from Henryetta Schools: It has come to our attention that there is a scam reaching out to Henryetta businesses about purchasing ads to put on a Henryetta Football shirt through Facebook Messenger. This has nothing to do with Henryetta Football. We suggest not opening the message or disregarding it altogether. If we are reaching out to businesses, we will do so in person or contact the business location by business operating procedures.