In a productive and wide-ranging meeting on June 9, the Vian Board of Education addressed an extensive agenda, covering facility updates, academic planning, financial decisions, and staffing moves in preparation for the 2025–26 school year.
The meeting began with comments regarding a follow-up on a T-Mobile sweepstakes competition, an update from Brynn Barnoski regarding the Technology Students’ Association program at the high school, and a report from parent Phallyn King on growing parental involvement in ongoing improvement efforts at the elementary.
Auction, teardown and updates
Superintendent John Brockman provided several updates, including news of a successful June 3 auction conducted by Wright-Way Auctions, which raised approximately $31,000 for the district by selling off remaining contents of the old high school building. Demolition of most of that facility was scheduled to begin within the month, pending Oklahoma D.E.Q. approval, with the former library and “English quad” buildings to be retained and repurposed.
Brockman also outlined efforts to address aging gas lines that run beneath the old high school but still serve other buildings on campus. In addition, he noted that property near the school may soon be up for sale, and discussions have begun regarding its possible acquisition.
Elementary administrators presented a preliminary plan to boost academic performance and student discipline through grade five. The strategy includes learning from regional schools that have excelled on Oklahoma’s State Report Card system.
Board members expressed strong support and encouraged exploration of staffing changes, including potentially adding paraprofessionals to early-grade classrooms. A new kindergarten aide had already been approved in the May meeting.
Financial, contractual approvals The board approved this year’s bond payment of $770,350, part of the financing for the new high school. Other business included a monthly financial update from Brockman and Erica King, and authorization of work on campus gas lines.
Contracts for the 2025–26 year were approved with:
• Jennifer Davis (speech-language pathology) • Powdrill (occupational therapy)
• J&J School Services (impact aid)
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Sequoyah County (free student services)
• Oklahoma Schools Insurance Group ($203,559 insurance premium, down 8% from previous year)
• OSAG (workers compensation)
• Go Guardian (student computer monitoring) • Health and Wellness collaborative
• Head Start program agreement
• Federal LEA and Assurances forms for legal compliance The board also approved a textbook surplus list, library deregulation for the coming school year, and adopted a new Cardiac Emergency Plan. A proposal to rebrand Football Homecoming as an All-School Homecoming was introduced but tabled.
Resignations, staffing The board accepted resignations from longtime kindergarten teacher Ronda Wright, whose son, Cason Wright, will join the middle school math faculty this fall, history teacher and basketball coach John Mayes, and alternative education teacher Dustin Tatham.
In executive session, the board approved the hiring of Meagan Ragland as a first-grade teacher, replacing the retiring LeeAnn Parks. Jessica Osorto was named band director; she brings experience from Greenland, Ark. and Sallisaw, and will oversee all band programs.
Adjunct teaching assignments were approved, allowing certified teachers to teach outside their primary subject areas. Approved subjects include zoology, geography, world history, science, and intermediate math.
Appointees include Courtney Williamson, Randy Ragland, David Caylyn Bair, Mona Bennett, Kara Branham, Cason Wright, Charles Matt Davis and Laurie Moore.
The meeting concluded with preliminary talks regarding the purchase of nearby property— no formal action was taken.
