Policy updates and changes for board

The Comanche Board of Education met in a regular session on June 11.

Board members approved various routine consent agenda items, including the minutes of the May regular board meeting, activity fund reports, and the treasurer’s report. The board approved contracts for various services and the FSMC agreement with OPAA for the 24-25 school year. Also approved were encumbrances and change orders in the General Fund and Child Nutrition Fund.

Superintendent Julie Bills explained the CIPA policy to the board and the fact that it is required for participation in E-Rate funding.

The local board of education entered into an online safety protection agreement with Gaggle in 2015 to promote the appropriate use of online cloud resources. The district will continue to provide this type of protection through integrated services offered by Lightspeed for FY 2025.

Bills shared there will not be an increase to the student technology fees for the 24-25 school year.

However, changes to the 24/25 Technology Handbook have been made. The following reflect these changes. The $35 technology usage fees will not cover lost devices/chargers. It will cover accidental damages or stolen devices. Accidentally damaged devices must be returned to the technology department or a police report filed and turned in for stolen devices for replacements to be issued.

Bills updated the board on Bond Projects. The safe room is framed and HVAC installation will begin. There will be an extra charge to drywall all the walls in the commons areas which were previously covered by peg board.

Bills reported that summer school is in session and meals and transportation are provided. Student attendance numbers are lower than last year. The principals are beginning to plan for the upcoming year. The board discussed last year’s district goals and are continuing to look at ways to improve communication with all stakeholders. Teacher recruitment and the concerns about keeping students and meeting families’ needs continue to be at the forefront of conversations. Bills shared with the board that the principals/directors will attend the CCOSA conference later this week, the early childhood teachers are also attending a workshop, and another elementary group will attend a STEM conference later in the week.

In other action, the Board of Education approved rehiring listed support personnel for the 24-25 school year. The board also approved the hiring of Lindy Arrington for an elementary position, Steve Austin for high school English and drama, Craig Coheley for high school history/baseball, and Krystal Solis for high school/middle school art. Bills indicated that she is excited about the new hires and believes they will be a great asset to the Comanche Public School team.