James Kuykendall sang a familiar tune Monday when he provided the Kingfisher Board of Education the district’s annual audit report.

“They’re doing a good job,” he said of the staff members who handle the district’s finances and reports.

“You’re in excellent financial shape.”

Kuykendall is president of Britton, Kuykendall and Miller CPAs, the firm that annually handles the district’s audit. He addressed the board during its November regular meeting.

In addressing the district’s financial condition, he noted the significant carryover from the 2019-20 fiscal year into 2020-21. It went from just a shade under $6 million to $8.63 million this year.

“So this makes two years in a row you’ve added substantially to your fund balance,” he said.

Kuykendall mentioned the dropoff in gross production revenue for a second straight year, but added, “you did have a substantial increase in your ad valorem tax and 4-mil tax just simply from the increase in your valuations over the last two years.”

His firm’s management report noted what he called “three minor deals we need to continue to work on.”

“They’re not major issues,” he said.

Due in part to the solid financial footing of which Kuykendall spoke, the district’s certified staff and support personnel will be receiving a stipend ahead of the holiday season.

Full-time staff and personnel will receive the full amount, which is in line with what the board has voted to provide the last couple of years. Part-time staff will see a prorated stipend.

There was some discussion on offering an increased amount this year.

“I think our teachers have been through a lot,” said board member Carly Franks. “They’ve had to work outside their normal duties to make things work. I’m in favor of more.”

Board President Mike Copeland said he was wary of upping the amount now because it would be difficult to back off that total if and when the district’s finances weren’t as solid.

“I’ve learned in business that you develop bad habits in good times and good habits in bad times,” he said. “We have a huge carryover right now, but that could disappear in a matter of seconds.”

Dana Golbek said she joined Franks in wanting to provide more this year.

A motion was eventually made to keep the amount the same this year. Copeland, Jim Perdue and Charles Walker voted in favor while Franks and Golbek voted against it.

The board voted to give Middle School Principal Keith Campbell, who is also the district’s transportation director, permission to pursue a grant from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that would aid in the purchase of two new buses.

The grant would pay up to 25 percent toward the purchase of two new route buses. Campbell said that would equate to about $20,000 per bus or $40,000 total.

That would leave the district to pay about $120,000 for the two buses.

The district’s fleet currently consists of a 2003 model and a 2005 model that are not in use and “need to be surplussed.”

DEQ offers the grant to help purchase buses with engines that are compatible with diesel exhaust fluid. The older models are not and the new models would be, Campbell said.

“The only catch,” Campbell said, “is if we apply for this grant and we earn it, we have to purchase the buses. We’re on the hook then.”

He said the two new buses would allow the district to put two of its older models still in regular use into more of a backup role.

“If we can get 25 percent off, I’m all for it,” Copeland said.

Added Franks about keeping the fleet up to date: “We don’t want it to get far behind like it was before.”

The board approved a resolution to call for an election for board seat No. 1, which is currently held by Copeland.

The election will be in early 2021, but the filing period is Dec. 7-9.

It also took the annual step of closing precincts during the election that have 100 or fewer registered voters.

That affects five precincts in the district, three of which have no registered voters who would be eligible. The other two have a minimal amount.

In other moves Monday, board members:

• Approved Kadisha Medina to participate in the district’s sick leave sharing program;

• Approved hiring Shelly Belair as a paraprofessional at the middle school;

• Approved policies regarding the special education program at the district.