School board elects leadership at April meeting

 The Comanche Board of Education met in regular session Tuesday, April 8, where newly elected board member Charlie Gay was sworn into office and selected to serve as board president. Thomas Winton was chosen as vice president, and Amy Shelby was named board clerk.
During the meeting, the board approved several routine consent agenda items, including the minutes from the March meeting, activity fund reports, and temporary appropriations for the 2025-26 school year. General Fund and Child Nutrition Fund encumbrances were also approved.
Superintendent Julie Bills updated the board on academic and program activities, highlighting the spring plant sale hosted by the Horticulture Department, which began April 12. Bills also noted several key student events, including the FCA banquet scheduled for April 22, where Jillian Evans will be honored as an FCA All State recipient.
Testing dates were also shared: the ACT was administered April 9, the FAME competition took place April 2, and state testing for elementary and middle school students is set to begin April 21.
Bills informed the board that summer school will be limited to high school credit recovery in June, due to decreased participation and the conclusion of ESSER funding. Transportation and meals will not be provided. Online enrollment for the upcoming school year is expected to open after April 15.
Highlighting student achievements, Bills reported on the recent American Sign Language competition. In the ASL II division, Zandria Laughry placed first, Emily Clark second, and Karlye Anderson third. In the ASL I division, Addison Adams placed second and Alyssa Martin third.
“I am proud of this group and Mrs. Kimbro’s dedication,” Bills said.
Personnel updates included Joie Bigford’s transition to elementary special education next year. Staffing needs are being evaluated by Mrs. Justus based on student counts. Interviews are scheduled for the middle school special education position, and applications have been received for the softball coaching vacancy. Staff members Schreiner, Rouse and Hushbeck will begin interviewing candidates for several open positions next week.
Bills announced that construction on the new safe room and commons area is nearly complete, with only door hardware and a stage lift remaining. A community open house and “Night of the Arts” event will be held April 14. The greenhouse project is nearing completion, pending fiber installation, patio work and final landscaping.
The district’s final professional development date is approaching, and the Teacher of the Year, Kalie Ogletree, will be honored on April 30. For the first time, a Support Person of the Year award will also be presented. Timmy Hughes is the inaugural recipient.
End-of-year activities were also reviewed, including Pre-K Round-up, the Special Olympics, and the Unified Sports Awards. The last day of school for students is May 15, and graduation is set for May 16.
Bills concluded with a reminder about upcoming OSSBA training in May and reported on board members’ required credits.