Though on the job for just over three months, Kingfisher Interim Superintendent Andy Evans was evaluated Monday by the board of education.

The evaluation took place during about an hourlong executive session at the board’s January regular meeting.

Evaluations of the superintendent and action on his or her contract is standard by the KPS board during the January meeting each year.

However, there was no move on Evans’ contract because he was hired as an interim for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year back in October 2024.

The move was made after the passing of former Superintendent David Glover in September.

All five board members - Charles Walker, Carly Franks, Dana Golbek, Terry Payne and Brad Wittrock - were at Monday’s meeting. Also present was Bill Reitz, the lone person who filed for the board seat that will be vacated by Franks when her term expires in a couple of months.

Reitz sat in with the board during the entirety of the executive session.

Evans was part of the executive session for the first nine minutes before exiting.

The board - and Reitz - remained in executive session for about 45 more minutes before asking Evans to rejoin.

That final portion of the executive session lasted just over 10 minutes before the executive session ended.

According to the form used by board members, the board evaluates the superintendent in six categories with each one having multiple sub-categories.

The main categories are relationship with the board, community relations, staff and personnel relationships, education leadership, business and finance and then personal qualities.

The superintendent is given a numerical rating in each sub-category. According to the form a rating of 1, 2 or 3 is unsatisfactory; a a 4, 5 or 6 is satisfactory; and a 7, 8 or 9 is commendable. There is also an area on the form for the board to list the areas that are in need of improvement.

Although board members are unable to specifically discuss what was said in executive session, Walker, the board president, said it was a positive review for Evans.

“The evaluation was a good one,” Walker said. “I think the entire board is happy with his performance to this point.”

The board of education has advertised and begun accepting applications for the superintendent position.

Walker said he expects interviews for the superintendent’s position to begin later this month and continue into next month.

Evans did not specifically say if he is among those who have applied for the position when asked by the Times & Free Press.

“Kingfisher needs the best fit for its superintendent position in the long term. Consistency is what builds on an already solid foundation,” Evans said. “Anyone would want to work with the staff and faculty of Kingfisher Public Schools as they are extremely professional and very good at what they do.

“I have enjoyed working with the Kingfisher Board of Education. They have been supportive and hard working. Our students remind me every day of why I became an educator.

“To declare a candidacy for a superintendent’s position isn’t like a public office. It should be a private discussion between the candidate and the board as it keeps both parties from an uncomfortable position.”

During the superintendent’s report, prior to the executive session, Evans echoed many of those same sentiments and did express appreciation to the board for hiring him in October.

Evans was discussing the professionalism shown by the Kingfisher Public Schools’ staff during a trying first semester that concluded with about 20 people losing their jobs during a reduction in force (RIF).

“I want you to understand, I’ve been at a lot of schools. I’ve worked with a lot of great people, including here.

“But I don’t think I’ve been around a group of people that have been as professional as what they’ve been through all this. And I’ve been really, really proud to work with them. And I really want to tell you, I appreciate the opportunity you’ve given me because they’ve gone over and above.”

After the executive session, the board made some moves on other employees’ contracts.

They acted on Evans’ recommendation to “purchase” the preparation period for Jan Swart for the entire academic year and that of Mandy Owens for the second semester.

Swart has worked all year without a prep period and Owens will be without one in the second semester in order to teach jazz band.

The board also voted to add an hour to the contract of part-time teacher Robert Barnett, who has agreed to teach physical science at the high school during the second semester.

Carma Reagan was also approved for an extra-duty contract that will pay her to be the cheer coach for the remainder of the school year.

Reagan was the cheer coach before resigning after last school year. Her replacement, Daphni Jennings, was among those affected by the RIF.