Sets course for academic year

Gore Public School’s Board of Education convened for a lengthy regular meeting on April 8, where they voted to purchase new football jerseys, and re-employ staff for the 2024-25 school year.

The proceedings began with the acceptance of the results of the Gore School Board Election for Seat No. 4, a fiveyear term, as certified by the Sequoyah County Election Board. The board members unanimously voted to accept the results, and following, Lester Keathley administered the oath of office to re-elect board member Cody Sloan as Gore School Board President. The board then organized officers for the upcoming term, with Keathley assuming the role of president, Jeremiah Perryman as vice president, and Ryan Hoog as clerk.

A series of agenda items were then addressed, including the approval of Lenae Spears, Jennifer Kendall, Carol Steward and Tereasa Barrick as substitutes for the remainder of the school year, and a resignation from Belinda Madding. Several OSSBA policy updates were also approved by the board.

Following a presentation from April Smith, the board approved an out-of-state trip for the girls basketball team, along with an overnight trip for FCCLA Joint Council Meeting.

The board also approved the purchase of 40 new home jerseys and 40 away game jerseys (including 40 pair of pants) for the Gore Football team at a total cost of $14,960.

Also approved were re-employment of certified, certified temporary, and support staff for the upcoming 202425 school year.

Notably, the board approved the lowest bid of $42,109 from Patriot of Tulsa for the purchase of a Chrysler Pacifica for student transport, as well as a bid of $42,730 with Craig PC for Security System upgrades, utilizing the SRO Security Grant.

The meeting also featured reports from Upper Elementary and High School Principal James Bliss and Gore Lower Elementary School Principal Tonya Pugh on student academic achievement and instructional effectiveness plans, as well as a superintendent’s report from Lucky Mc-Crary. McCrary reportedly gave updates on the district budget, construction projects and lower elementary bond project, along with information regarding elementary football and Cherokee Nation tag money totaling $53,883 for the school.

Towards the end of the meeting, an executive session began at 7:22 p.m. to discuss employment matters concerning Pugh and Bliss. Upon reconvening into open session at 10:10 p.m., no votes were taken on the matter.

The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the proceedings and was adjourned at 10:23 p.m.

This news story is based on the unofficial minutes from the board meeting and could be in error if the minutes are changed prior to adoption.