Superintendent Noble to retire at end of school year

New Spectator Guidelines and Procedures for Henryetta Public Schools for the 2023-24 year were approved Monday evening during the regular board meeting.

After the violent incident recently at a football game between Choctaw and Mid Del, resulting in the death of a 16-year-old, many schools are updating their guidelines for various sporting activities.

Included in the procedures, which will be for all athletic activities, are:

• No re-entrance to event

• Students through 8th grade must have a guardian present at the event for the duration of the event.

• No explosives, firearms, weapons or pocket knives.

• No alcohol

• No balloons (unless part of a school-sponsored ceremony)

• Coolers, containers or ice chests

• Laser Pointers A full list of items will be posted at the entry to district facilities.

The board also accepted retirement letters from Superintendent Dwayne Noble, who will retire June 30, 2024.

Also approved were a resignation letter from Christy Johnson, effective Aug. 25, and the retirement letter from Glenda Ashley as of Aug. 31. Both were cafeteria staff.

Superintendent Noble also shared with the board some information about the possibility of converting some of the buses to natural gas, which could be a considerable savings. More information will be presented during the October session.

Agenda items considered and approved were:

• Minutes of the Aug. 14 Regular Board Meeting.

• Encumbrances and Financial reports for the FY 22-23 and FY 23-24 school year.

• Estimate of Needs for the 23-24 school year.

• Fundraisers for the 23-24 school year, with two exceptions pending clarifications.

• FY 23-24 Budget Transfer for Middle School Cheer in the amount of $500.

• Updated ESSER III use of funds for the 2023-24 school year.

• The district also voted to follow CDC Guidelines for COVID 19 for the 23-24 school year.

• Renewal Agreement with Peak Uptime for the Mitel Phone System Support for the school year.

• Surplus Lists from the cafeteria and Early Childhood Center.

Negotiations with Henryetta Education Association will continue after the school board had several questions and concerns, and voted not to approve the agreement.

After an executive session, the board reconvened and voted to employ Kevin Hargis as an assistant football lay coach for the year.

Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for tomorrow, and next Thursday for HPS students.