The Henryetta Board of Education convened for its regular monthly meeting Monday, July 14, addressing a wide-ranging agenda in preparation for the upcoming school year. With enrollment on the rise, school officials approved new hires, set student capacity targets and discussed infrastructure upgrades, technology improvements and financial agreements.

The meeting began with the official oath of office administered to the newly appointed school treasurer, Tammie Fairres. Superintendent Jason Price presented an extensive report covering transportation, maintenance, child nutrition, technology, athletics, academics, finance and facilities.

Price noted that all school buses and vehicles are up to date with inspections and maintenance. Eight buses have been equipped with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) kits, a transition expected to generate long-term fuel savings of up to 50%.

Summer maintenance projects are ongoing across the district, in- cluding roof repairs at the elementary school, fresh striping on parking lots and painting of the new gym’s exterior doors and railings. “The facility hosts many events during the year and needs to look top notch,” Price said, noting the paintwork will be completed imminently.

Child nutrition remains a focus, with Henryetta continuing to offer free meals to all students. Technology upgrades and improved safety signage are also planned before school resumes.

Price highlighted that Henryetta Public Schools completed its internal financial audit with no major concerns and reminded the board of an upcoming no-taxincrease bond initiative for facility upgrades. Architects and construction managers are in early planning phases, and updates will be presented to the board for approval.

Each site principal reported notable enrollment increases as each site gets ready to welcome back students.

Athletic Director Bryan Leader reported that fall sports are gearing up, with softball practices beginning this week. Henryetta has officially signed with BSN Sports, making the school a Nike-branded campus. The transition will roll out over the next two years.

The board unanimously approved the minutes from its June 9 regular meeting and June 17 and 26 special meetings.

Financial reports for the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year were also approved, with Price noting utility expenses have risen - such as an $8,300 water bill and increased gas usage - but cost savings from the CNG bus conversion are expected to balance some of these increases.

In a critical move, the board approved updated student capacity numbers for each grade level across elementary, middle, and high school. The increases were described as modest but necessary, allowing room for new transfers while keeping class sizes manageable. Superintendent Price emphasized that, “We don’t want to overwork our teachers, but we also must be mindful of funding losses from frozen state programs like Title II and Title VII.”

--- Approved Capacity Numbers for 2025-26

• Pre-K3 (Three-Year-Olds): 30 (15 per class already full)

• Pre-K4: 60

• Kindergarten: 80

• Grades 1-4: 85 students per grade

• Grade 5: 75 (due to reduction from four to three teachers)

• Middle School (Grades 6-8): 85-90 per grade

• High School - Freshmen: 100; Sophomores Seniors: 90 per grade Price noted that 70 additional students could bring in around $280,000 in funding, a valuable boost amid shifting education budgets.

--- Approvals & Hiring for 2025-26 The board approved the employment of Stephen L. Smith Corporation as financial consultants for the district. The base contract is set at $7,500 for FY 2025-26, with potential increases related to upcoming bond work.

Additional service agreements approved:

• Wonderfully Made Therapy Group for Physical and Occupational Therapy ($65,000)

• Wonderfully Made Therapy Group for Speech Therapy ($60,000) An agreement with Sherri Fairchild for psychoeducational and psychological evaluations was tabled for further discussion.

Personnel hires included: • K3 Aide: Hannah Sandlin, who has a nursing background and will support early childhood education.

Further recommendations were made to hire:

• Two elementary teachers

• One high school teacher with coaching duties

• Three paraprofessionals • One custodian Adjunct teacher assignments were also approved for all school levels, including:

• Shantel Cox (1st Grade)

• Katie Simons (1st Grade)

• Julie Kilhoffer Watson (3rd Grade)

• Michelle Shrum (2nd Grade)

• Heather Turner (4th Grade)

• Molly Gillispie (6th and 7th Grade Math)

• Ryan Swallow (Health)

• Justin Been (Communications) • Aundrea Lee (Native American History)

• Kristin Hargis (English I and Yearbook)

• Kasey Williams (U.S. History) Fundraisers for the 2025-26 school year were approved, as was a motion to reimburse the athletics activity fund $8,090 from the HPS Activity Fund to cover girls’ basketball camp officials.

The board accepted the retirement of Beth Potter, effective July 1, 2025.

With enrollment climbing and preparations well underway, the board expressed optimism for the upcoming academic year. Superintendent Price affirmed the district’s commitment to maintaining small class sizes, supporting educators, and remaining financially responsive amid statewide funding uncertainties.

The meeting adjourned after addressing all agenda items. The next regular meeting will continue advancing preparations for the first day of school and the fall bond proposal.