The Henryetta Public Schools Board of Education convened its September meeting with reports spanning transportation, maintenance, child nutrition, safety and technology, academics, policy updates, hiring and program approvals. The board also entered executive session to hear a transfer appeal identified as “Student A.”
— Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Price said transportation inspections are current and vehicles are “up to code.” Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) kits have been installed on buses and the district is “still in the process of installing the pumps.” Once complete, buses will be ready to operate on CNG.
Maintenance has conducted cleanup “behind the transportation and maintenance buildings,” removing debris that was “of no worth in any form.”
On child nutrition, the district continues 100% free meals for all students: “All items are ready and prepared in each cafeteria … We serve many meals.”
Technology and safety systems are updated to meet the State Department of Education’s increased security, including two-factor authentication.
Agriculture: a USDA grant application has been filed; while funds are “short,” the district’s “name is on the list.” The superintendent said he will keep following up.
Athletics: “Fall sports are un- derway.” He plans to announce Friday’s football game vs. Beggs on Night Vision.
Academics: “All math curriculum has been collected by principals and provided to the students,” alongside new technology items.
Finance: Auditors “came and went and were pleased.” The Estimate of Needs (see “Finance Snapshot” below) was presented. The district expects allocations throughout the year. Meetings with principals and department heads are ongoing.
Bond planning: The superintendent met with architects and principals; renderings are being created and a board work session is planned “to go over projects and answer all questions.” He also met with vendors “involving track and football field options.”
— HS Principal Report
Coach/Principal Johnson report highlighted early success with the new cell phone policy: “We’ve got over 300 students … I think we’ve confiscated 10 phones. I haven’t seen one out in the hall in passing.”
• Football is 2-0 heading into Beggs week.
• Softball is 11-3 and won the Wilson Tournament over the weekend.
• Cross country hosted a meet Saturday; “the kids have been working hard.”
• Other items: safety drills are underway and preparations continue for the October REO visit.
— Elementary Principal Report Enrollment stands at 531. Parent- teacher night drew a “huge turnout.” Red Ribbon Week begins in October. The Big Kahuna fundraiser launched and “is off to a really good start.”
— MS Principal Report
Morale initiatives include Friday popcorn and root beer floats for staff. A “Happy Faces for Good Deeds” program places smiley decals on lockers when students are nominated by teachers. Cell phone compliance is “pretty good,” with about five confiscations to date.
The team won its first football game at Holdenville in overtime. Safety drills are complete; accreditation documentation is in progress. Parent-teacher conferences are set for Sept. 25-26.
The AD was absent due to a school event; the board was notified in advance.
— FFA/Sporting Clays & Travel Requests Brooke Smith addressed the board regarding FFA Sporting Clays: For the first time, students may use their own shotguns at events (over/under 12- or 20-gauge; unloaded for transport).
She requested board approval to transport unloaded student-owned shotguns in a school vehicle to sanctioned events.
She also requested approval to take the Ag truck out of state (student with a winning heifer must return to the National Western Stock Show in Denver; students also wish to attend the American Royal in Kansas City).
Safety & compliance points she outlined:
• Shotguns meet break-open requirements; must remain open and racked at events.
• Students must hold Hunter Safety certification to compete.
• Ammo: for Northeast district shoots, wildlife provides ammunition; for others, it’s carried separately and kept out of heat.
• Meet-off-campus protocol (e.g., Walmart pickup) to ensure no firearms on school property.
She completed a full-day certification training; students cannot compete without active safety certification.
“We had a student … the high individual at the Oklahoma Youth Expo sporting clay shoot… he will go on to their final shoot,” Smith noted, adding he used his own shotgun.
The board approved the requests.
— Finance Snapshot
The superintendent walked through balances as of June 30, 2025 and estimates for FY 202526:
• General Fund cash (6/30/25): $2,505,924.14
• Building/Redbud combined: $852,127.19
• Child Nutrition: $250,072.79
• After liabilities/reserves, beginning fund balances rolled into July were presented, including General at approximately $1,958,766.52, Building at $804,455.20, and Nutrition at $216,734.63.
• Estimated revenues (2025-26) total $9,829,553.28; with beginning fund balance (~$1.959M), the district projects total resources of $11,788,319.86. He cautioned, “Estimates … I believe it when I see it,” noting state allocations are slower this year.
• A separate cash report as of Aug. 31 was also received.
— New Student Vehicle Policy The district previously had no policy governing student vehicles on campus. After consultation with OSSBA and the school attorney, the superintendent recommended adopting a policy (coded FFD) to set 16 years of age as the minimum for students to drive/ park on school property, with a valid license and insurance.
Board discussion included:
• Whether to allow licensed 14-year-old motorcycle/farm permit holders.
• Safety and liability concerns on school property.
• Clarification that the rule is age-based; it does not regulate travel on public roads.
“Without a policy, you’re opening yourself up to liability,” the superintendent said.
“I’m … for the 16 year olds … years ago, it was juniors and seniors only,” a board member added.
• Action: The board approved the policy at age 16+ for any vehicle type, with valid license and insurance, to drive/park on school property.
— Policy Updates (Legislative Alignment)
The board approved a bundle of policy revisions to align with state law. Highlights:
• Strong Readers Act (EKBA) replaces RSA. Adds requirements on phonics and dyslexia, benchmark testing, interventions, and public reporting (data and policy links posted on the elementary website).
• Student transfers: children of active-duty military (FEG)
• Data management (CQ)
• Non-discrimination (DAA)
• Records investigation (DABB)
• Maternity leave regulations (DEC-R)
• Termination of employment/ teacher procedures (DO/DO-R)
• Flags (EMDB)
• Enrollment requirements (FDA)
• Intra-district transfers (FEA)
• Reporting suspected child abuse/neglect (FFG) The board voted to approve the updated policy set for 2025-26.
— Statutory Waivers/Library Regulations To avoid deficiencies during accreditation/REO review, the board approved district-wide regulatory waivers for library staffing for three years. The district has one certified elementary librarian; previous attempts to “split” coverage on paper were not accepted by REO.
“Just go ahead and do it district-wide … that way … if the Department of Education decides to make up a new rule the next day, you’re still covered.”
— Program Agreements & Credits
• Alt-Ed Cooperative MOU with Dewar Public Schools – approved (annual, no cost to HPS).
• CareerTech Contract with the Oklahoma Department of Career & Technology Education – approved (annual); district noted $35,220 in assistance.
• CareerTech Courses for Graduation Credit – approved (math, science, computer courses taught by Green Country Technology Center will count toward graduation for 2025–26). — Personnel Actions
• Part-Time Alternative Education Teacher: Lisa South – approved (half-day schedule supporting students behind in credits or with modified day needs).
• Paraprofessional: Teresa Chanley – approved for Elementary.
• Adjunct Teacher: Jordan Osterdock – approved to teach two sections of U.S. History/Government and one section of Health at the high school.
— Handbook Clean-Up The board approved a clean-up amendment to align handbooks with already-approved policy language.
Discussion referenced a sentence about not requiring medical documentation for excused absences; the fix removes a conflict so handbooks match current policy.
— Fundraising & Transfers
• FFA Sporting Clays Raffle: Approval to raffle a compound bow donated by Walmart to help cover sporting clays ammunition and clay fees (costs are currently shouldered by families and the program).
• Blue & Gold Sausage Sales: The Junior Class and FFA will both sell; proceeds are split by seller, not pooled. Staff reported this approach grew total sales substantially and supported the junior trip without harming FFA revenues.
• $1,000 Transfer to Drama (Acct. 902): From athletics to support this year’s musical rights; the district traditionally covers rights for the drama department due to community involvement. The transfer is in addition to the district’s usual support.
— Executive Session Transfer Appeal
The board voted to enter executive session under 25 O.S. § 307 to hear a district-level appeal of a denied transfer for Student A. Materials from both the parent/ guardian and the district were provided to the board.
Per the chair’s statement, the board would return to open session to vote to deny or accept the appeal.
The outcome of that vote was not available at press time.
