Board OKs pay raises
Eufaula Public Schools classes got underway Thursday, Aug. 15.
The first days are always hectic and exciting for students and teachers alike.
This year that first day was probably a little more exciting for teachers and support personnel.
They all received pay raises, perhaps not as much as they deserved but at least some degree of recognition and gratitude for their hard work.
At Monday’s monthly school board meeting, Superintendent Monty Guthrie told board members the raises were allocated as follows: – For certified personnel with 0-4 years experience, $3,000.
– 5-9 years experience, $4,000.
– 9-14 years, $5,000. – over 14 years, $6,000.
Support staff will receive a $1 an hour raise, with the exception with those working with severe, profound/multiple disabilities, who will, in addition, receive a 5 percent pay increase.
The school employees probably also happy about the addition of a second school resource officer to protect them and students.
In the past there was an agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding, between the school district and the City of Eufaula for the placement of a single police officer to cover all of the schools.
Guthrie said the State Department of Education is giving more funds for security this year, which allows the district to hire an additional resource officer. One will be stationed at the high school and one at the elementary/ middle school complex.
The school will pay the officers approximately $25 an hour.
Another Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Stigler Health and Wellness Center for mobile dental services during the 2023-2024 school year.
Th e school enrollment has increased somewhat this year.
Elementary School Principal Kristel Hickman reported that the elementary school enrollment is 518 and the middle school enrollment 235, numbers which may go up or down as the school year progresses.
High School Principal Heather Combs reported that the high school’s enrollment is about 400.
“That will fluctuate,” she said.
The senior class enrollment is 87.
“That’s the most we’ve ever had,” she said. “We usually graduate in the 70s. I don’t know if it’s ever been this big. I don’t anticipate it going down a lot.”
Guthrie reported that the bleacher project at the high school has been completed and that the district is now working with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to construct a drop-off lane at the elementary/ middle school complex on SH 9.
The plans are now with an architect who will design the lane and then the design will be submitted to ODOT.
On Aug. 28 the superintendent and principals will meet with contractors to plan the construction of vestibules at the elementary/ middle school complex and the district headquarters across the highway from the complex.
Th e vestibules and the SH 9 drop-off lane are part of the projects funded by a milliondollar bond issue passed by voters in April to increase school safety.
At the close of the board meeting Guthrie thanked the community for contributing door prizes given to teachers during their first days of meetings prior to the start of classes on Thursday.
“It shows the appreciation by the whole community,” Guthrie said.
Th e school board is still shy one member, following the resignation last month of Board Vice President Derek Gray, who held the No. 2 seat.
Guthrie said a replacement will be appointed next month.
