Leslie Green Jones will be the new assistant principal when Henryetta elementary classes start in August.
The Henryetta resident was hired by the school board Monday night following an executive session that included hiring Cynthia Layman as activity clerk and Tammy Smith as encumbrance clerk.
Jones, a native of Okemah, received her bachelors degree in education from Northeastern State University and a masters in education administration from Southwestern.
During the board meeting, members accepted resignations from Stacy Been who served as activity clerk for the past two years; Courtney Lollis, a school para and Debbie Wion, sixth grade Middle School teacher. Leslie Gillespie submitted her letter announcing her retirement following 18 years with the school system.
In other personnel action, the board approved naming Ryan Swallow as an adjunct teacher. High school principal Kelly Furer explained he is a certified teacher that allows him to heath health classes at a higher level than high school. This adjunct appointment enables him to be a high school health teacher in addition to his softball coaching duties.
During the meeting Furer said plans are underway to start the summer school program. That will enable high school students who failed a first semester to get their credits for graduation.
Soon-to-be middle school principal Jayme Matlock said summer school will start June 1 and run through the end of July with classes held Monday through Thursday.
“We are going off the star reading data to determine what students lost ground during the pandemic,” she said. Parents who have students who need to repeat a grade or who are teetering on the ended are urged to contact the elementary school office.
Superintendent Dwayne Noble told board members he is working with the insurance company for AT&T to receive reimbursement for repairs to the school sewer line. Those repairs are estimated to be around $7,500 stemming from a phone line that was drilled through the sewer line at the high school gym.
Board members approved a contract for Wonderfully Made Therapy Group. Noble said that company is based in Okmulgee County and will be working with students at a savings to the school. He pointed out Okmulgee, Morris and Beggs are among the school districts currently using that same company.
Also gaining approval was an agreement with Advanced Copier System. Noble said that would give the school the ability to make large banners and even the large photos of the seniors and banners for the gymnasium.
“They will train five people to run the machine. If we use it for one or two things a year it will pay for itself,” he said.