Published: May 19, 2009 10:42 pm      

Waurika schools picks up funds

WAURIKA — Thanks to a “gift” from the federal government, Waurika Independent School District No. 23 may be able to keep funding one of its most successful programs.

During a regular meeting of the board of education, Superintendent Roxie Terry brought board members up to speed on funds from the Obama administration’s American Recovering and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that will be coming to the district in the next two school years.

Noting that Waurika will receive $85,227.85, Terry said those funds could be used to maintain the Reading First program at Waurika Elementary School. Waurika’s success rate with that program has been among the best in Oklahoma, however, funding from the federal program runs out at the end of the 2008-09 school year.

During the meeting in the library at Waurika High/Middle School, board members also approved a contract for new Waurika Elementary School Principal Cody Simmons.

Simmons is replacing Cindy Walker, who is retiring after 20 years in the district. There were other personnel matters to address, and the board did so following one of its shortest executive sessions this school year.

After returning to open session, the board voted unanimously to hire Ivy Fitzgerald as a new physical education teacher at WES, with Fitzgerald later being approved as head fastpitch softball coach and a basketball assistant.

Michelle Dyer, who has worked as a teacher’s aide in the preschool program, and Shelly Mora, who has been a substitute teacher in the district, were hired as the new secretaries at Waurika Elementary. They replace Jane Carter and Linda Trout, who are retiring.

Other personnel hirings approved were:

• Bertha Besherse as a pre-kindergarten teacher for 2009-10, dependent on student enrollment.

• Belinda Bohot as elementary student services coordinator, a position created this school year.

The board also reluctantly accepted the resignation of Christopher Kidd from the agriculture business program and as adviser for Waurika’s FFA chapter.In other action, the board approved:

• The audit report for FY 2008, which was presented by Wilson, Dotson & Associates.

During a teleconference, auditor Pam Dotson told board members, “It looks like the district is in a great financial state, and that your administrative people are doing a good job of taking care of your funds.”

Dotson said the only recommendation accompanying the audit was directed at a lack of segregation of duties, which she confirmed is a common problem for small school districts with limited staffs.

During administrative reports, WHS/WMS Principal Dale Spradlin said the district is changing its format for offering driver’s education.

In the past, that program has been offered during the regular school year. However, Spradlin said, beginning May 26, driver’s education will become a program offered only during the summer.

Noting that the program has presented scheduling problems during the regular school year and “we want to get the students into more core curriculum programs,” Spradlin said there will be a $125 student fee for taking driver’s training in the summer.