School Board Hits Ground Running: 2009-10 School Year Underway

Wilson, OK - The Wilson Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, Sept. 14. Reappointing former school board member Gerald Jones to serve until the Feb. 2010 election was the first order of business. Supt. Stinson read aloud a letter submitted by the former Wilson teacher requesting to be reappointed to the board of education after receiving a second medical opinion on his health. Jones was sworn-in by Supt. Stinson immediately following a unanimous vote affirmed President Tommi Sue Idleman's motion and member Jackie Smith's second. Next, High School Principal Gary Labeth recognized the August Students of the Month: middle school - Megan LLanas and Ricky Posey, Jr., high school - Bree Labeth and Caleb Fulton, and the Sportsmanship of the Month award went to Toby Overby.

Supt. Stinson reviewed the consent agenda to update the board on various items of business, including a multitude of upcoming student group fundraising activities. The annual month-long FFA blue and gold sausage fundraiser kicked off Wed., Sept. 15. Academic teams, athletic teams, student council, cheerleaders, Beta Club, and the 8th grade class, all planned fundraisers. So pick your cause and jump on board for another wonderful school year full of fun and excitement. The board accepted substitute teacher applications from two local residents, Stephen Holland and Valerie Loewen. The board appointed Sue Daugherty, Carolyn Tiner, and Principal Gary Scott Labeth to the Internal Activity Review committee for the 2009-10 school year. Designed to review excessive student activity absences, the committee was not necessary last year, but the board is required to be prepared.

Season passes for the 2009-10 school year were approved as follows: football - adults $40, students $25, and family $80; basketball - adults $55, students $45, and family $150; and the combined fast-slow pitch softball and baseball - adults $150, students $115, and family $450. Vo-Ag Instructor Joe Buzidragis and the 2009-10 FFA officers were approved for their annual trek to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN on Oct. 21-24. The new cross-country track team had an account set up for future activity fundraisers. After Carter County accepted the proposed 2009-10 WISD Estimate of Needs (budget), the board formalized approval prior to submitting to state officials. The board approved the statutory waiver for parent-teacher conferences, reflecting the recent change from two 6-hr parent-teacher conferences to four 3-hr sessions. The first parent-teacher conference will be held 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17.

In an effort to provide every possible opportunity for our students' education, the board approved the alternative education deregulation application for the 2009-10 school year. Primarily a remedial credit recovery program, Wilson schools and Career Tech offer students evening hour courses for augmenting their academic transcript to meet state-mandated graduation criteria. In fiscal housekeeping, the board transferred $68.24 from the class of 2009 activity fund account to the trophy case activity fund account. The WISD Board of Education meeting dates for the new year are identical to last year. The school board will meet at 6 p.m. on the 2nd Monday of every month, except July 26. Danny Hull's 2009-10 contract for the WISD federal programs manager was approved

Lana Wright's resignation as part-time cafeteria worker was accepted and Kirsty Miller was hired as her replacement. Supt. Stinson was authorized to enter into a settlement agreement with the high school roofing contractor Advanced Roofing Technology, Broken Arrow, OK. The athletic dept. is seeking donations to purchase a washer/dryer and ice machine for the field house. The current washer/dryer is utilized by the maintenance dept. for mops, rags, etc. There are concerns laundering school athletic uniforms run the risk of permanent stains. Although the recent bond election overwhelmingly passed, it will be a year before any resulting funds are available from the sale of school bonds. In another fundraising effort, student council sponsor Johnny Richardson is accepting donations for picnic tables and trash cans to provide high school students lunch facilities.

Athletic Director Gary Scott Labeth updated the board on a possible school golf team. Students interested in golf should contact the high school principal. Band Director Emily Isern-Holland is considering offering vocal music. She is taking interested 6th and 7th grade students to attend the two-day Honor Show Choir Camp in Atoka. Supt. Stinson reviewed the 2009 ACT, Criterion Reference Testing (CRT), and End of Instruction (EOI) test scores with the board.

During the superintendent's report, Stinson proudly declared the recent school-wide asbestos inspection found no asbestos, eliminating the need for any future inspections. The baseball stadium upgrades funded by the Ronald McDonald grant are completed. The field house construction is undergoing a few final touches, but is basically completed. The dirt work for the new cafetorium is completed. Weather permitting, workers will commence construction on the foundation In reference to the H1N1 flu virus, Wilson schools are providing hand sanitizers, stressing hygiene, and alerting parents to the required protocol for school attendance. Students are required to wait 24 hours after all symptoms have disappeared before returning to school. The annual national Christian event, "See You at the Pole" will be held at 7:30 a.m. on Wed., Sept. 23 in the high school parking lot. High school student pictures will be taken on Sept. 23; elementary and middle school student photographs are scheduled for Sept. 24.

The $193,000 E-Rate grant was approved to maintain and upgrade school computer systems. A $138,000 Title 1 grant will provide Wilson faculty and students with subscriptions for innovative online teaching and learning resources, respectively. Ed Helper provides an extensive database with creative applications for reaching students. Study Island offers 1st - 12th grade students individualized placement based upon entrance exams. Curriculum formats are designed to best suit each student's particular strengths and weaknesses. Elementary Principal Denise Brunk is particularly excited about the special education and remediation components, as well as portability. Students will be able to access their instruction modules via the Internet from their homes 24/7.

Supt. Stinson expressed his gratitude to the staff, parents, PTVO, booster groups, senior citizens, and the entire community for their strong show of support for the Wilson students. This fall, Stinson will be meeting with the architects and bond underwriters to further prepare for construction plans next year. As per the legal requirements of processing the sale of bonds, an estimated timetable provided by Norman-based underwriters Stephen H. McDonald & Assoc. Inc., the recently passed bonds will be offered for sale in April/May 2010. It will be June/July 2010 before any bond proceeds are received by the school district and Aug/Sept 2010 before any construction contracts could be finalized. While the new school buses will be utilized in the 2010-2011 school year, the estimated timeframe for the completed construction of the new gymnasium and storm shelter will be Summer 2011. Before closing, Supt. Stinson promised to keep the district and school board abreast of the bond and construction progress.