The Vian Board of Education tackled a packed agenda during their May 12 regular meeting with major decisions regarding school facilities, staffing and financial matters ahead of the summer break and the 2025-26 school year.
The meeting began with a celebration, as district leaders recognized the county Masonic Lodge’s “Teachers and Students of Today” award winners. Principals Kathy Wingo, Marilyn Oliver and Carrie Jo Willis each announced their school’s honorees, and the Board posed for pictures with the recipients (at right).
Old high school to come down
Superintendent John Brockman updated the board on preparations for the June 3 auction of surplus items remaining in the old high school building. The sale, scheduled for 10 a.m., will include desks, chairs and textbooks not repurposed in other buildings. The board approved the surplus designation.
Following the auction, the building is slated for demolition this summer at a cost of approximately $90,000, funded through the Building Fund. Notably, the English building annex will remain untouched and a portion of the southwest side—formerly the library—will be repurposed into a new band room, with anticipated support from private donors.
Investment in athletics
In a move that signals a major investment in athletic infrastructure, the board members approved a $1.2 million project to install artificial turf at the district’s football stadium. The 10-year agreement involves a lease purchase with Local Bank of Sallisaw, chosen for offering a low interest rate. Installation will be handled by United Turf and Track, with a 10-year warranty included. Annual payments will be $148,000.
Staffing changes, new hires
The board approved several personnel actions for the 2025-26 school year. Lisa Storer, a seasoned math specialist, will teach fifth grade math. Randy Ragland, formerly the head boys’ basketball coach at Meeker, was hired for high school social studies and will also coach boys’ basketball. His wife, Meagan Ragland, joins Vian as a firstgrade teacher, filling the role vacated by retiree LeeAnn Parks.
Penny Gragg was added to the special education staff. Three paraprofessionals— Stormie Knowlton, Maranda Smith and Bailey Rouse—were also hired. Rouse’s position is newly created to support kindergarten classrooms, while Knowlton and Smith will assist individual students.
Marilyn Oliver, who is retiring as middle school principal, transitions into a district-wide technology role and will teach a web development class. The board formally accepted the resignation of longtime band director Lisa Rhodes, who is returning to her hometown of Muldrow to teach elementary music after 15 years at Vian.
Academic planning, public input The board held a lengthy discussion on a proposed performancebased student grouping plan for upper elementary grades. The idea, intended to target instruction based on academic readiness, drew commentary from community member Colby King and multiple stakeholders. Elementary principals noted they will pause implementation of the plan pending final state test results and further feedback. Since the policy is a building-level decision, no formal board action was required.
In public comment, student Brynn Barnoski encouraged the district to reinstate the TSA (Technology Students Association) program at the high school level, where currently only FFA and FCCLA are available as career-tech options.
Other business
All three school buildings received clean accreditation reports with no deficiencies, according to Superintendent Brockman. The Athletic Booster Club also placed new flags at the football stadium ahead of graduation, which was held on May 16.
The board also approved continued contracts for the upcoming year with Sylogist, CRW, ICTC Transportation, OSSBA Unemployment Services, and CCOSA.
Additionally, they renewed their agreement with the district’s food service provider.
No resignations had been received aside from Rhodes, and no new business items were brought forward before the meeting adjourned.
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.
