Published: March 24, 2008 01:55 pm            

Layn installed

DUNCAN — Red River Technology Center’s board of education installed new leadership atop the school’s administration and also restructured itself during a regular meeting in March.

Board members unanimously approved a contract with Ken Layn to become the new superintendent of the Duncan-based technology school, although Layn sadly noted, “Nobody wanted that to happen for the reason it did.”

Layn replaces long-time RRTC Superintendent Jerry D. Morris, who died of cancer in January. A Marlow resident, Layn had served two years as the school’s principal and 1 1/2 years as assistant superintendent. He has been acting superintendent since Morris’ death.

The board also acted on two agenda items that will lead to renaming the school’s business and industry services center in honor of Morris. After approving the name Jerry D. Morris Business and Industry Services Center, board members also approved employing Kaighn Architect Associates for services related to renaming the building. The Norman-based firm will acquire a contractor to install the sign on the structure and ensure the work is done correctly.

Also during the meeting in the school conference room, the board welcomed back Zone 2 member Rodney Love, who ran unopposed for re-election in February.

Reorganizing the board structure for the 2008-09 school year, members voted to name Gary Carter president and Jimmy Pryor vic president, while Mark Ely was selected deputy clerk. Love retained member status and former President Joe Romano assumed member status.

In other personnel matters, the board approved retaining Sheila Brock as board clerk, encumbrance clerk and recorder. After accepting the resignations of Cassey Corcorran as secretary in the practical nursing department and Lee Wendte as custodian, the board refilled those positions by hiring Dottie Williams as PN secretary and Harlan Fowler as custodian.

Also approved were employee contracts and paying out-of-state travel expenses for Glenda Jenkins, who will attend a financial aid workshop in Dallas, Texas.

Early in the meeting, school officials heard a report on the fiscal year 2007 audit, presented by John Chester, representing Kerry Patton CPA & Associates of Tulsa.

“Our audit was perfectly clean,” Layn said. “There was not one ‘write-up of exception.’ Our staff has done a great job preparing for the audit, and we get a clean audit almost every time. And when we don’t, the exceptions are just for small things.”

Layn gave the board a report on the progress of a project to remodel a section of the main building that will house the school’s biomedical department, which opens at the start of the 2008-09 school year.

“The project is getting closer to the April 1st deadline, when the remodeling is supposed to be finished, and everything is going well,” he said. “The lighting work has been completed and all the furniture is in, and able all the rooms lack are floor and wall covering.

“We’re very close to having that done.”

The board approved several items that dealt with the upcoming end of the 2007-08 school year and the beginning of the 2008-09 school year:

A resolution to transfer funds from the Activity Fund to the General Fund, which Layn said is an annual routine.

“We let the activity fund build up with tuition funds and the like, and then toward the end of the school year, we have to transfer those funds and close out the General Fund.”

Out-of-district tuition rate of $8,031 for high school students who will attend RRTC in fiscal year 2009.

The AC&D enrollment and class schedule for FY ’09.

A resolution for Schools and Libraries Universal Services (E-Rate) for the 2008-09 school year, which is another end-of-year procedure.

Spending $103,877.61 for purchase of curriculum consumables and new equipment for full-time programs for the 2008-09 school year.

Renewing the school’s participation in a Technology Centers Cooperative Agreement with Custom Software Consultants.

Making the following appropriation changes: $53,465 from function 4700 (building improvements); $2,750 from function 2200 (support services-instruction staff); $50,000 into function 1000 (instruction); $3,465 into function 1500 (TANF occupational training); and, $2,750 into function 2300 (support services-general administration). “In order to buy curriculum and new equipment for next year, we have to make sure the funds are available in the right functions,” Layn explained.

Also during the meeting, the board approved:

n Awarding a Lillard Scholarship of $250 to Taryn Garrett, a student in the practical nursing department. The scholarship is part of the Oklahoma Communities Foundation funds.

n Minutes from the Feb. 5 regular board meeting.

n The February Activity Fund and Treasurer’s reports.

n General Fund change orders and warrants for FY ’07.

n General Fund payroll change orders, warrants and encumbrances for FY ’08.

n General Fund change orders, warrants and encumbrances for FY ’08.

        

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