Bids below cost for school projects

The Comanche Board of Education met in a regular session on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Board members approved various consent agenda items including the activity fund report, treasurer’s report, and general fund encumbrances. The board also approved the resignation of high school science teacher Dr. McGuire effective at the end of the 23-24 school year.

Superintendent Julie Bills noted that Dr. McGuire’s retirement will leave a void in the science department and his expertise will be missed.

Jerry Kerr, representing Red Sky Constructors, presented the Guaranteed Maximum Price amendment for the bond project commons area and safe room. Mr. Kerr answered questions from the board. The bid opening for various bid packages occurred on Nov. 29.

Superintendent Bills noted that the bids were below budget cost. “I was worried after speaking with another superintendent whose project is having to be revised and re-bid,” Bills said. “The bids for his district’s project were way above the budgeted amount.”

In other action, board members approved revisions of Policy GK and GK-R1 - Use of School Property (Regulations). The revisions will allow access to the school facility for younger athletic groups without the presence of a school employee. The groups will still need to complete the application process, be in contact with the coaches and athletic director, and provide proof of insurance before being issued a key card.

Board members also approved retention stipends of $600 for full-time support employees.

Superintendent Julie Bills recommended the stipend. “We want our support staff to know that their dedication to the district is appreciated. Certified staff all received significant raises this year, funded by the legislature. State allocations did not include funding for raises for support staff.

“The district managed to provide a $1 per hour raise to support staff at the beginning of the fiscal year but couldn’t commit to a larger amount.” Bills noted. “This is a small way to compensate for all they do. They are the backbone of the district and without them, we can’t function.”

Bills also announced Comanche’s Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program teachers: Kim Clampitt, Dilynn Hare, Jason Hawkins, JeriDonn McCauley, and Rebecca Moore. The Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund was established by House Bill 4388. This fund is to be used as a state match for school districts providing salary increases and reserved instructional leadership time for Oklahoma’s highest quality teachers. Qualifying teachers must have a minimum of six years with the district if they have less than 10 years teaching experience, or 4 years with the district and 10-plus years teaching experience.

Teachers must also have a highly effective or superior rating on their teacher evaluations, quality attendance, and documented excellence in quality data-proven results.

Each of the teachers has committed to additional responsibilities as part of this program. The total cost of the program is $61,698.75. The State will provide $34,500 for the program. The remaining amount of $27,398.75 is a match that will be paid by the Comanche School District.

In the monthly superintendent’s report, Mrs. Bills reported several Comanche students have received outstanding honors this month and represented the district on a state and national level. Morgan Middick, a sophomore, was selected for the Symphonic OMEA all-state band.

She is the first Pride of Comanche Band Member to earn this honor since 1999. Kamry Rendon was recognized as an Academic Scholar which means her ACT scores are better than 99.5% of high school seniors in the nation who took the ACT test.

Bills also shared that the district will be part of a pilot program through the Oklahoma school Insurance Group and HSB. The Water/Freeze Pilot Program will install sensors to alert district personnel prior to freezing events. Installation will begin in January.

Mrs. Bills expressed appreciation to Cody Gerard and Marty Clark, for their continued volunteer service on the Board of Education. Both members filed for re-election to their respective positions and were unopposed. Clark will complete the remaining term of seat No. 2, an unexpired term, with three years remaining. Gerard will continue to hold seat No. 4 , which has a five-year term of office ending in 2029.