logo
Login Subscribe
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Google Play App Store
Vian School Board approves new policies, budget and staffing for 2024-25 school year
Main, news
August 28, 2024
Vian School Board approves new policies, budget and staffing for 2024-25 school year
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor

The Vian Board of Education met on August 12, marking a busy start to the school year with significant decisions impacting the district’s policies, budget and staffing.

The meeting was preceded by a start-of-year event where school staff gathered for a back-to-school breakfast, courtesy of Armstrong Bank, and a meeting led by Superintendent John Brockman.

Brockman welcomed all school staff back for another year, where he emphasized academic rigor and announced the transition of the curriculum director position to full-time to enhance educational standards.

During the superintendent’s report, Brockman spoke mainly on events surrounding the school year and new high school, and that state testing results were expected within the next few weeks. He said September’s meeting would likely include an update on the topic.

Financial matters, new textbooks

One of the key agenda items was the approval of payroll, encumbrances and warrants for various funds. The board authorized an increase of $141,437.73 in the 2024-25 General Funds and a $7,620.00 increase in the Building Fund. Additionally, the board reviewed and approved several fundraisers for the fall and spring semesters, including events by FCCLA, FCA and Vian High School cheer.

The board approved several financial allocations, including the purchase of new math textbooks across all grade levels (elementary through high school) at a cost of $86,367. The new textbooks were all printed by the same publisher and are part of the same series.

Brockman said the purchase of the new textbooks should help avoid gaps or overlaps, and help to align and coordinate the math curriculum. He said the expenditure includes both hard copy and electronic versions.

“The administration and staff selected this math series and curriculum,” Brockman said. “The cost was more than the school’s annual state allotment for textbooks, so General Funds supplemented the purchase.”

Other significant expenditures included computer equipment.

Brockman and Erica King gave the monthly financial report, stating the school’s cash position was strong compared to prior years. However, they did note that the anticipated amount of state funding to be received was still uncertain at this time of year.

Policy revisions, school handbook

Significant policy updates were approved, including a tightening of the cellphone policy which now prohibits student cellphone use throughout the entire school day, including lunch. The revised high school handbook reflected this change.

The board members discussed the possibility in the change during the July meeting but voted to table the line item pending a recommendation at the August meeting.

The board approved a modest increase in staff meal prices, while maintaining free meals for students. The board discussed providing free meals for staff as well, but students meals are funded by the federal meals program which do not make staff meals workable given the school’s budget.

A range of policy revisions was discussed, many of which were recommended by the school’s legal advisors. Key decisions included retaining existing policies on the Media Center and transgender and non-binary student records, while tabling changes related to library content and released-time courses for further review.

The board also adopted a new policy prohibiting political messages in classroom decorations and allowed comments on the school’s social media posts, with the administration authorized to remove inappropriate content.

Staffing changes, executive session

During the executive session, the board addressed personnel matters.

The resignation of paraprofessional Chrissy Carter was approved, and Kristen Harrison was hired to fill the position.

Additionally, Sherry Christina Herriman was approved to adjunct as a middle school geography teacher for the 2024-25 school year.

Open house held

The start to the school year continued with a successful open house the following day, showcasing the new high school building to the community. In the lobby of the new high school, posters about the building, including the election and financials were posted, with the most prominent being a “Thank You Vian” poster.

School board members Jeff Cotter, Bill Sanford and James Thornton were actively involved in guiding visitors and discussing the new facilities.

While the board said there were a few last minute odds and ends to be completed in the construction and movein process, and a few pieces of furniture that hadn’t yet been delivered, nothing held up classes.

The event also featured a prayer dedication led by FCA students, and highlighted the community’s support for the new building.

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.

Vian All School Reunion 2025: Another heartwarming success
Main, news...
Vian All School Reunion 2025: Another heartwarming success
June 11, 2025
The Vian All School Reunion, held on May 24, was a resounding success, bringing together generations of alumni to celebrate shared memories, community pride and lasting friendships. With 102 guests of...
this is a test
Water levels, current make Tenkiller a potential wild-card tournament site
sports
Water levels, current make Tenkiller a potential wild-card tournament site
By CHAD DAY B.A.S.S. 
June 11, 2025
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Multiple patterns could be at play during the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller, but which ones perform best will be determined by potentially high water levels and cu...
this is a test
Main, news...
Gore School Board approves hires, maintenance overhaul
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
June 11, 2025
The Gore Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on May 12, making several significant decisions on district staffing, maintenance procedures, and school finances. The board approved the b...
this is a test
Vian Trustees hire two new officers, auction date set
Main, news...
Vian Trustees hire two new officers, auction date set
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
June 11, 2025
The Vian Board of Trustees met on May 19 for its regular monthly meeting where they voted to hire two new police officers and set a date and time for an upcoming surplus auction. The board began the m...
this is a test
Main, news...
Tribe’s General Election sees six incumbents re-elected
June 11, 2025
Six incumbents were re-elected to the Council of the Cherokee Nation during the tribe’s General Election on June 7, according to unofficial results from the Cherokee Nation Election Commission. The in...
this is a test
We Asked Kids…
Main, news...
We Asked Kids…
June 11, 2025
Lainey Andrade Age 9, Vian What subject do you like the best: Art, gym or music? Gym, because I like to stay fit. If you were in a singing contest, what would you choose to sing? I would sing “Heart L...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
news
Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library June calendar of events
June 11, 2025
The Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library in Sallisaw will host the following events during the month of June: June 12 - Kid Science: Father’s Day card, 4 p.m. June 13 - Funky Monkey Magic, 10 a.m. June 17 -...
this is a test
news
Eyeglass donations being accepted by Vian Lions Club
June 11, 2025
Anyone wishing to donate old or no longer used eyeglasses can do so by dropping them off at the Vian Lions Club donation box, located in front of the old Vian Town Hall on Thornton Street. The Vian Li...
this is a test
news
Free Math Camp for students this summer at CASC
June 11, 2025
Come to Mr. Camacho’s free Math Camp at Sallisaw’s Carl Albert! He will be providing help over the summer, July 28-31, with the math section of the ACT and Accuplacer tests with grades 7th-12th being ...
this is a test
news
Sallisaw’s first Pride event set for June 14
By JADE PHILLIPS SPECIAL TO THE NEWS 
June 11, 2025
It is June, which is also known as Pride Month. Pride is celebrated for all people who identify as LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer), those who are out of the closet, those who aren’...
this is a test
Life in ‘Slugville’
news
Life in ‘Slugville’
By AROUND TOWN 
June 11, 2025
If I had to put a welcome sign or mat on my farmh ouse, it would say “Welcome to Slugville.” And no, I didn’t mean “Sluggerville” because there are no baseballs getting batted around at my house; that...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

VIAN TENKILLER NEWS
Address: 603 W. Schley Vian, Oklahoma
Phone:+1 918-773-8000

news@bigbasinllc.com

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Vian Tenkiller News

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy