The Vian Board of Education convened for its regular meeting on June 10, where Superintendent John Brockman gave a report on the progress of the new high school construction.

The meeting then proceeded to the business section, where a series of crucial decisions were made. The board approved payroll, encumbrances, and warrants, noting a net increase of $13,158.25 in the General Funds for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Additionally, transfers within the Activity Funds were authorized, including $59 for slushies for the high school baseball team and $592 for plaques for TSA.

All regular and special meeting minutes from May 2024 were unanimously approved after discussion. Further topics like installing a fence around the football field and a discussion on the Ag Show Barn did not result in immediate action. The board also voted to table hiring a paraprofessional for the upcoming school year.

The board then addressed several staffing and operational contracts for the upcoming academic year. Contracts for occupational therapy, speech services, district-level services, food services, and several educational consulting services were all approved without dissent.

However, discussions on a Precision Drug contract and Property Casualty Insurance for the 2024-25 school year were tabled for further consideration.

In a notable executive session, the board discussed personnel matters including the hiring of an elementary Physical Education teacher and coach, extra-duty stipends, and adjunct appointments for various teaching positions. Following the executive session, the board returned to open session and promptly approved all discussed personnel matters.

Derek Kennedy was approved as the elementary Physical Education teacher and coach, Shannon Pack was designated as Camp Cherokee Nurse with a stipend funded by the Cherokee Nation, and several adjunct appointments for teaching positions were confirmed. Those included Rachelle Batesole – high school trigonometry, Christina Herriman – middle school English language arts, Garrett Willis – middle school science, Steven Robert Boyd – world history and geography, David C. Bair – middle school geography, and Stacey Randle – intermediate mathematics.

The board members also accepted the resignation of school resource officer KD Graham.

The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m., marking another productive session for the Vian School Board as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

This news story is based on the unofficial minutes from the board meeting and could be in error if the minutes are changed prior to adoption.