Despite initial signs that the rule may be changed this year, Valentine’s Day deliveries will not be allowed at Kingfisher Public Schools.

The board of education cemented that when it declined to act on an item at last Monday’s regular meeting for January.

The agenda item read: “Discussion and possible action to relax Valentine delivery day rule for one year.”

Kingfisher’s board several years ago adopted a policy to no longer allow the deliveries, citing a number of reasons that included the stress on staff, socio-economic impact on students and others.

In a recent message to families, Superintendent Andy Evans said he was going to propose to the board to make a change to the policy.

“Kingfisher Schools is grateful for the incredible support our businesses show our students and teachers. We are truly blessed to have the community that we live and serve in. I am recommending to the board and administrators that I believe we should have a one-year trial of relaxing the policy of no Valentine’s Day deliveries.”

That was part of a message sent out via an “email blast,” which is a service provided by the Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce to its members. That was sent out to other chamber members on Dec. 16.

However, at last week’s meeting, the item got pushback from at least three board members.

Brad Wittrock was the first to speak up and read a letter he had prepared.

Wittrock said he didn’t like the fact that Evans had floated the idea before making it board official.

“It puts board members in a spot of agreeing with something we don’t support or have egg on our face for creating an issue,” Wittrock said.

Wittrock said the feedback he had initially received from school staff members didn’t necessarily support the notion of relaxing the rule.

“There are a number of issues with Valentine’s Day deliveries explained to me including creating a safety issue for our children with all the people in and out of the buildings, loss of instruction time, the possibility of damaging or breaking gifts resulting in upset parents and kids, spreading staff thin trying to oversee this effort, and the staff would have to deal with any fallouts (social/ emotional impact) pertaining to some kids that did not receive anything,” Wittrock went on to say.

“I completely understand the desire to support local business. I would love to send my kids a gift to brighten their day, but not at the expense of other children who may not have anyone or their parents may be in a position that this is not an option. As such, I intend to still support the local business by having a gift for them when they get home. Every person would still have this option.”

Board President Mike Copeland was on the board when the move was made to stop the deliveries several years ago.

“There was a reason we canceled it and there still is a reason,” Copeland said. “In my mind, even though I support the local businesses just like everybody else, I’m more concerned about the kids who don’t get something on Valentine’s Day than I am about the kids who get something on Valentine’s Day.”

“So while I don’t agree with everything Brad said, I do agree that I don’t think that we need to open it because it really, it falls on those five back there (the district’s principals at the back of the room) and the support staff on trying to do it.”

Bill Reitz also said the social impact would outweigh the positives.

“I’ve spoken to some teachers, some staff members, and they say, ‘you should see the looks on those kids’ faces,’” he said in regards to children who don’t receive anything.

“It’s no fault of the parent if they can’t afford it,” adding that teachers have told him they’re the ones who usually have to deal with the upset children.”

Discussion lasted for several minutes on the subject. Once it ended, no board member made a motion one way or another on the agenda item.

After the meeting, Evans told the KT&FP that he respected the issues brought up by the board and also understood the issue with the early messaging to the community.

“There should have been nothing sent to the chamber of commerce about this matter until after a vote occurred,” he said.