School district secures credit card for activity accountability

Most school board meetings consist of financial reports, activity reports and policy issues. It wasn't any different for Marlow's meeting Monday, but two seniors, Maya Cantwell and Ensly Long, from the high school's American Sign Language class put everyone in the right mood with their presentation of the National Anthem.

Gloria Conner of Foster was a teacher at Marlow four years ago. She teaches ASL and Spanish.

"I really love it here and I'm just glad to teach students."

Conner also has a sense of humor, getting board members to laugh. "I am back and loving it. Like the man with the tattoo, I have no 'regerts'," she said about her return.

Five students were scheduled for the presentation, but other school activities took precedence.

Conner's ASL students recently performed the National Anthem at a district student council officer training event.

"Communicate with your hands," Conner said.

Elementary Principal Kim Kizarr requested the ASL students perform at the upcoming Veterans Day assembly in November.

"I think it's important that we get to see the different things that go on at the school. There's a lot of things that are out front and people are aware. That's tremendous to have that program. They can put on a resume (that they sign.)," Superintendent Corey Holland said.

Holland presented the board with a new color coded process as they reviewed the consent agenda items consisting of financials.

This will streamline encumbrances, payments, payroll and other line items by category, and be less confusing, he said.

Activity encumbrances of 245 purchase orders and encumbrances of $114,129.02 were noted.

"As we try to tighten our processes in activity, there will be a lot of questions, this is why. We just have to make sure we are doing things correctly."

Later in the meeting, the board voted to approve a Marlow Public Schools credit card policy and use form.

"One of the things I've found is staff having to buy big ticket items upfront, on their own, like travel, then waiting to get reimbursed and that's a big thing to ask. No one is going to get handed a credit card, they'll have to check it out and sign a statement that if they misuse it, they'd have to pay for it. This moves us up to 2022, and actually having a credit card so we don't have to ask employees to put $700 of plane tickets on their own card. We can do that here at the school." BancFirst is the chosen financial institution.

In Holland's report, he updated that the auditorium is torn down and the progress is going well. A pile of bricks still remains outside of the fenced construction zone, available for residents to claim one or two as a memento.

This week concludes the first nine weeks of the 2022-23 school year.

An update on the total utilities cost was $32,000.

"We've been watching closely and budgeting in advance. By comparison last year this time, it was $23,000. So we ran $9,000 (more). It's been hot. Hopefully we get some relief when winter comes." Yearly report on utilities tells the picture, with $82,000 spent for July through September 2022, compared to $59,000 last year, an increase of $23,000. He noted it was high, but they were not caught off guard as it was anticipated.

"We expected this and knew this was a possibility. Everybody's been good about getting stuff turned off for the weekend, but I don't tell them to turn it off, just turn it up."

Transportation and maintenance, including fuel was $10,000, but he didn't have a comparison to last year.

Kizarr reported a successful PTO Fall Fundraiser with a profit of more than $31,000, and book fair profited $3,935. This will provide needed technology to the classrooms. She addressed the issue of aging computers and other tech-related items.

"That building we're in is 10 years old now. Our computer stuff is obsolete." She mentioned that attendance rate for the Parent-Teacher conferences is at 95 percent. She said that's nearly unheard of for many schools.

Marlow Middle School received a literacy grant, which will bring in an author. "There's a lot of good things happening over there. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), STEAM is a tricky way to get kids doing science and math without knowing it," Holland said.

Continuing with praise for the students trickled to the high school, notably mentioning the student body's attitude at the recent play. He said the students assembled at the First Baptist Church for the play performance and to have 400 students stay respectful was amazing.

Arlyn Brantley is participating in the Chisholm Trail Art Council show in Duncan. His work is on display Oct. 7 - Nov. 10.

Other business approved:

Teacher substitute list of two individuals, Deborah Lewis and Lacie Kinsey.

Continuing the review process of transfer students

Middle School PTO Activity Account

Resolution for a Feb. 14, 2023, primary election only if three or more candidates file for the Board of Education position. Full resolution to be printed as a legal in The Review.

Transfer of $4,912.35 from Child Nutrition Activity Fund to CNF for the school year.

Agreement with Larry L. Mullins, P.H.D. to provide psychological services and consultations, to work with a student and parents in the special needs department.

Adjuncting Brock Harris in biology and Dr. Matt Ivory in biology and physiology for this school year. "This is because the state department is behind on issuing certificates," Holland said. "They are both going to be certified."

Approved the ACT as Marlow's test of choice for students preparing for college and careers assessment.

Declared the high school softball utility vehicle "chuckwagon" as a surplus item.

Sanctioned the Band Parents Association as an outside group for fundraisers.