Wilson Board of Education Member Gerald Jones Resigns

Wilson, Okla. - Due to health issues, school board member Gerald Jones submitted his resignation to Wilson Supt. Kevin Stinson on Monday, August 10. Near the end of the school board session, Jones, a former Wilson Vo-Ag teacher, choked up while explaining his reason for resigning. Supt. Stinson expressed his appreciation for Mr. Jones' contribution to the WISD as an educator and school board member. In closing, Supt. Stinson stated, "Take care of yourself. We wish you the best. We will keep you in our prayers." President Idleman expressed her pleasure serving with him. Afterwards, the board voted to accept Jones' decision with a deep sense of loss.

Quickly getting down to business, Supt. Stinson updated the board on the consent agenda items. Three fundraising activities were approved: Cheerleader sponsor Stephanie Way requested the cheerleaders sell cotton candy at the annual fall festival to raise the remaining funds necessary to purchase new uniforms; Coach Black requested his cross-country team sell $5 tickets to host the fall festival breakfast from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Sat. Sept 5; Coach Hartman requested the girls' slow-pitch softball team sell $6 tickets to host the fall festival lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6 to pay for last year's state championship rings.

The superintendent informed the board that the treasurer's report included a $10,000 grant from the Ronald McDonald Charitable House Organization to build a concrete apron in front of the baseball field bleachers to the dugouts. Stinson advised the board the new fire alarms would be installed by Tuesday. He expected the state fire marshal's approval soon thereafter. The school water well pump utilized in their sprinkler system required a pump replacement at a cost of $1,900. Six doors were slated for replacement due to various causes, including the recent vandalism and burglary. Supt. Stinson expressed his appreciation to County Commissioner Dale Ott and Deputy Commissioner Ivan McClendon for providing county trucks to haul baseball field conditioner purchased from Tishomingo Sand and Gravel at a reduced price of $5/yd. versus the normal $12/yd. The superintendent expressed his appreciation to Tishomingo Sand and Gravel for their generosity, as well.

In the board's first regular agenda action, several current board policies were amended to reflect recent changes in legislation, followed by adopting new board policies for a mentorship program, suspension of students, concurrent enrollment, student clubs and organizations, curricular clubs and organizations, non-curricular clubs and organizations, and annual parent notification listing mission and sponsor of each. Supt. Stinson stated legislation required parents to be responsible for deciding which club or organization their children were allowed to join. The list of clubs and organizations would be available on the school website and new student handbook being released in November.

In response to operating a deficit for the last two years amid recent food price increases, board members voted unanimously to raise the price of school meals $0.15 for students paying full price and $0.25 for adults. Students eligible for reduced prices were not affected by the price increase. Supt. Stinson stated that action had been taken to further reduce meal costs by moving Early Childhood students' meals to the elementary cafeteria and replacing two full-time cafeteria workers with one full-time and one part-time employee. In related action, the board accepted cafeteria worker Berna Wharton's resignation and hired Robin L. Morse full-time and Lana Wright part-time cafeteria workers.

Big Five Head Start 3 yr. old teacher Stacy Shores was approved for re-employment after her recent resignation was withdrawn. The board approved using existing personnel to implement a new in-school suspension program. After a brief discussion, the board voted to declare the district's old obsolete computers surplus. High school principal Gary Scott Labeth presented an outline of the new proposed sportsmanship award sponsored by the All Sports Club and the athletic director. In their last action of old business, the board approved allowing the Southern Oklahoma Technical Center (SOTC) to provide remediation and academic credits for Oklahoma End of Course tests for Wilson High School students attending SOTC.

During the superintendent's report, the board was reminded that an O.S.S.B.A./CCOSA conference was scheduled for Aug. 28-30 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. Stinson updated the board on the Carter County Health Dept.'s cooperation with state officials for developing preventative measures, hygienic instruction, and isolation/quarantine procedures in lieu of widespread school closings in the event of a swine influenza outbreak. Next, Supt. Stinson announced local churches were hosting the Wilson Community Garage Sale scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15 in the community storm shelter. Free school supplies will be available.

An annual asbestos inspection will be held on Thursday, August 13. Preparing for another school year, all school buses have recently passed their annual inspection. The superintendent requested individuals interested in filling the empty school board seat contact other board members and himself. Former board member Gerald Jones was elected to a six-year term commencing in February 2007. According to state regulations, the new appointee would serve on the board until February 2010 before facing election for the last three years of the term. Two Wilson Public Schools professional days will be held Aug. 17-18. A "Meet & Greet Night" for the Early Childhood Center and elementary school will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, August 17.

The Wilson Lady Eagles commence their fast-pitch softball season with a home game commencing at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13 with Empire, followed by the Calera Tournament Aug. 14-15. The Wilson Eagles football team open their 2009-10 season with a home scrimmage against Wayne Aug. 21. In closing, Supt. Stinson reminded the board that Friday, August 14 was the last day for voter registration before the school bond election on Sept. 8.