The Vian Board of Education approved a $745,000 building bond resolution, appointed a new board member and re-employed administrative and district leadership for the 2026-2027 school year during its regular meeting Feb. 9.
The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m., with a quorum established following roll call, prayer and the flag salute. No public comments were recorded.
Representatives of Patton & Odom, CPA’s, PLLC pre- Lee Ann Parks sented the district’s annual financial audit, reviewing school funds and discussing financial procedures with board members and administrators.
The board engaged in discussion regarding audit findings and district accounting practices.
Board members unanimously approved payroll, encumbrances and warrants for all funds, including General Fund Encumbrances No. 292–357 totaling $127,678.09, and Building Fund Encumbrances No. 23–24 totaling $9,700.
The board also approved activity fund transfers: $200 from High School Pop funds to Vian FFA for parking passes and $82.50 from Middle School Pop funds to Vian FFA for a state testing banner.
Bond, member appointed
In regular business, the board approved a resolution determining maturities and setting the date, time and place for the sale of $745,000 in building bonds. The board also designated bond counsel for the issuance.
Additionally, members approved appointing an acting president and/or clerk to execute necessary documents related to the bond sale in the absence of the board president or clerk.
The board approved updated Special Education policies and procedures and accepted the high school library surplus list. No resignations were presented.
In a unanimous vote, the board appointed Lee Ann Parks to fill the vacant Board Seat No. 1. Parks was sworn in during the meeting and immediately joined the board in continued proceedings, casting votes on subsequent agenda items.
Executive session
Board members entered executive session pursuant to Oklahoma statute to discuss personnel matters, superintendent contract terms and the possible purchase or appraisal of real property. Upon returning to open session, the board president stated that no action had been taken during executive session.
The board then unanimously approved:
• An addendum to the superintendent’s 2025-26 contract
• The superintendent’s contract for the 2026-27 school year
• Re-employment of administrative staff for 2026-27:
• Assistant Elementary Principal Jennifer Ecker
• Elementary Principal Kathy Wingo
• Middle School Principal Kyle Sumpter
• High School Principal Carrie Jo Willis Re-employment of central office staff:
• Treasurer/Payroll Coordinator Erica King
• Encumbrance Clerk/ Federal Claims & Indian Education Shannon Pack
• Activity Account Custodian/Secretary Christie Mendenhall Re-employment of district directors:
• Child Nutrition Director Kristy Keck
• Maintenance Director James Ross
• Transportation Director Abby Glass
• IT Director Jedidiah Kasson All votes recorded were unanimous, including votes cast by new board member Parks.
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.
January meeting
Vian’s Board of Education met on January 12, where its board members voted to approve numerous items, including a library to band room license agreement with Hometown Development, LLC.
Suzanne Sullivan with the Vian Community Foundation presented a check from the Foundation for turf, and plans were discussed to turf the high school softball infield, along with shading.
During his superintendent report, John Brockman spoke on report cards and a presentation was conducted on OPAA.
During financial matters, the board unanimously approved General Fund Encumbrances No. 284-290 in the amount of $7,963.48, along with Building Fund Encumbrances No. 18-22 totaling $115,465.71.
The board voted to green light the school calendar for the 202627 school year, and approved meeting minutes from December 2025. Also approved were the District Transfer Capacity for the third quarter and a resignation from Stormie Knowlton.
Board members also held a discussion to determine the process to notify interested individuals in how they should express interest in vacant Board Seat No. 1.
Board members then entered into an executive session for an evaluation on the superintendent. Upon returning to open session, board members went over the evaluation with Brockman.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
